Minnesota’s “Other” Sports:Minnesota’s “Other” Sports:Adapted AthleticsAdapted Athletics

Marcus OnsumMarcus OnsumRhonda LandwehrRhonda Landwehr

St. Cloud State UniversitySt. Cloud State University

Presentation OutlinePresentation OutlineHistoryHistory

MSHSL sanctioned sportsMSHSL sanctioned sports– Divisions/ConferencesDivisions/Conferences– EligibilityEligibility– Game play/RulesGame play/Rules

Benefits of ParticipationBenefits of Participation

Getting InvolvedGetting Involved– Participant/Coach/OfficialParticipant/Coach/Official

References/ResourcesReferences/Resources

KARE 11 StoryKARE 11 Story

KARE 11 videoKARE 11 video

HistoryHistory

1952—AAHPERD defined adapted 1952—AAHPERD defined adapted physical educationphysical education

1975—First adapted sports league 1975—First adapted sports league formed in the Twin Citiesformed in the Twin Cities

1978—Metro Association for Adapted 1978—Metro Association for Adapted Athletics (MAAA) was foundedAthletics (MAAA) was founded– First governing body for adapted First governing body for adapted

athletics in Minnesotaathletics in Minnesota

HistoryHistory

The mission of the Metro Association The mission of the Metro Association for Adapted Athletics is to: for Adapted Athletics is to: ““provide youths with disabilities the provide youths with disabilities the same opportunity as other students same opportunity as other students to enjoy the benefits of a quality high to enjoy the benefits of a quality high school sports programschool sports program.”.”

HistoryHistory

Late 1980’s—Divisions were formedLate 1980’s—Divisions were formed– Mentally Handicapped (MH) and Mentally Handicapped (MH) and

Physical and Other Health Impairments Physical and Other Health Impairments (POHI)(POHI)

1992—Minnesota State High School 1992—Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) sanctioned and League (MSHSL) sanctioned and became the governing body for all became the governing body for all Adapted AthleticsAdapted Athletics

HistoryHistory

June 2000 – MSHSL sanctioned first June 2000 – MSHSL sanctioned first adapted bowling state tournamentadapted bowling state tournament

September 2003 – POHI and MH were September 2003 – POHI and MH were renamed to PI and CI to follow renamed to PI and CI to follow current state classificationscurrent state classifications

MSHSL Sanctioned SportsMSHSL Sanctioned Sports

Bylaw 415.00: Bylaw 415.00: – Sports: soccer (fall), floor hockey Sports: soccer (fall), floor hockey

(winter), softball (spring), and bowling (winter), softball (spring), and bowling (spring)(spring)

– Teams can be formed by cooperative Teams can be formed by cooperative agreements with neighboring schools agreements with neighboring schools and districtsand districts

MSHSL Sanctioned SportsMSHSL Sanctioned Sports

All sports are played according to All sports are played according to NFHS game rules in conjunction with NFHS game rules in conjunction with adapted supplements created by adapted supplements created by MAAA founding members and the MAAA founding members and the MSHSLMSHSL

Minnesota is the Minnesota is the onlyonly state that has state that has a governing body (MSHSL) for an a governing body (MSHSL) for an adapted athletic programadapted athletic program

Divisions & EligibilityDivisions & Eligibility

Physically Impaired (PI)Physically Impaired (PI)– Students must have a medically Students must have a medically

diagnosed and documented disability diagnosed and documented disability that falls into one of two specified that falls into one of two specified sections:sections:

“ “ neuromuscular, postural/skeletal, neuromuscular, postural/skeletal, traumatic, growth or neurological traumatic, growth or neurological impairment that either affects motor impairment that either affects motor function or modifies gait patterns.”function or modifies gait patterns.”

Divisions & EligibilityDivisions & EligibilityPhysically Impaired (PI) Physically Impaired (PI) (Cont.)(Cont.)

““cardio/respiratory impairment that is cardio/respiratory impairment that is deemed safe for athletics but still creates deemed safe for athletics but still creates physical distress when five minutes of physical distress when five minutes of physical activity at 60% of maximum heart physical activity at 60% of maximum heart rate is performed.”rate is performed.”

Divisions & EligibilityDivisions & EligibilityCognitively Impaired (CI)Cognitively Impaired (CI)– The student must have a diagnosed and The student must have a diagnosed and

documented cognitive impairment. documented cognitive impairment. – This refers to students with “sub-This refers to students with “sub-

average intellectual function defined by average intellectual function defined by a a Full ScaleFull Scale intelligence quotient of 70 intelligence quotient of 70 or below, using a standardized, or below, using a standardized, nationally-normed, technically nationally-normed, technically adequate, and individually administered adequate, and individually administered intelligence test.”intelligence test.”

ConferencesConferences

The MAAA is now the official The MAAA is now the official conference to which adapted conference to which adapted athletics belongsathletics belongs

Each division has its own sub-Each division has its own sub-conferences for regular season playconferences for regular season play– CI North & SouthCI North & South– PI North & SouthPI North & South

Adapted SoccerAdapted Soccer

Played indoors, preferably in a high Played indoors, preferably in a high school sized gymnasiumschool sized gymnasium

Indoor, low-bounce soccer balls are Indoor, low-bounce soccer balls are usedused

Offside rule eliminatedOffside rule eliminated

Adapted SoccerAdapted Soccer

PI DivisionPI Division– Running is not allowedRunning is not allowed– All teams must play at least two athletes All teams must play at least two athletes

using assistive devicesusing assistive devices

CI DivisionCI Division– Designated positions/areas for each Designated positions/areas for each

playerplayer– Running is allowedRunning is allowed

Adapted SoccerAdapted Soccer

Soccer game videoSoccer game video

Adapted Floor HockeyAdapted Floor HockeyPlayed indoors, preferably in a high Played indoors, preferably in a high school sized gymnasiumschool sized gymnasiumAthletes must wear helmets; all other Athletes must wear helmets; all other protective gear is optionalprotective gear is optionalPlastic sticks and pucks are usedPlastic sticks and pucks are used

Adapted Floor HockeyAdapted Floor HockeyPI Division PI Division – Follows traditional hockey rules (icing, Follows traditional hockey rules (icing,

offside, etc.) but without any contact offside, etc.) but without any contact – Running is not allowedRunning is not allowed– Must play two athletes that use assistive Must play two athletes that use assistive

devicesdevices

Adapted Floor HockeyAdapted Floor Hockey

CI DivisionCI Division– Rules are simplified (offside and icing Rules are simplified (offside and icing

are eliminated)are eliminated)– Contact is not allowedContact is not allowed– Running is allowedRunning is allowed– Designated positions/areas for each Designated positions/areas for each

playerplayer

Adapted Floor HockeyAdapted Floor Hockey

Floor hockey game videoFloor hockey game video

Adapted SoftballAdapted Softball

Played indoors in any space that Played indoors in any space that provides adequate space (usually a provides adequate space (usually a gymnasium)gymnasium)

Plastic bats and balls are used.Plastic bats and balls are used.

CI Division – plays like traditional CI Division – plays like traditional softballsoftball

Adapted SoftballAdapted Softball

PI Division – very complex rules with PI Division – very complex rules with special designations made for special designations made for students that use assistive devicesstudents that use assistive devices– Must play two athletes using assistive Must play two athletes using assistive

devicesdevices– All players (except pitcher) are not All players (except pitcher) are not

required to catch a thrown or batted ball required to catch a thrown or batted ball to record an outto record an out

– Running is not limitedRunning is not limited

Adapted SoftballAdapted Softball

Softball game videoSoftball game video

Adapted BowlingAdapted BowlingEach division has singles and Each division has singles and doubles; competition can be co-eddoubles; competition can be co-edTeams are made up of four bowlers.Teams are made up of four bowlers.Two games per match, sixteen match Two games per match, sixteen match maximummaximumRamps and other modifications may Ramps and other modifications may be used, but bowler must be be used, but bowler must be independent in all adjustmentsindependent in all adjustments

Benefits of ParticipationBenefits of ParticipationInterscholastic Athletics should Interscholastic Athletics should provide opportunities to discover provide opportunities to discover and/or improve:and/or improve:– Goal settingGoal setting– Pride and self-confidencePride and self-confidence– FriendshipsFriendships– Leadership and teamworkLeadership and teamwork– CompetitivenessCompetitiveness– Graciousness (win or lose)Graciousness (win or lose)

(MAAA website)(MAAA website)

Benefits of ParticipationBenefits of ParticipationInterscholastic Athletics should Interscholastic Athletics should provide opportunities to discover provide opportunities to discover and/or improve:and/or improve:– Physical condition/wellnessPhysical condition/wellness– Concentration and intensityConcentration and intensity– A sense of community and belongingA sense of community and belonging– Commitment and dedication Commitment and dedication (MAAA website)(MAAA website)

Player TestimonialPlayer TestimonialAshleyAshley

Player TestimonialPlayer TestimonialKatiKati

Parent TestimonialParent TestimonialSallySally

Parent TestimonialParent TestimonialJudieJudie

Getting InvolvedGetting InvolvedAthleteAthlete– Costs Costs

Athletic fees vary by schoolAthletic fees vary by schoolSpecial equipment costs covered by playerSpecial equipment costs covered by playerTeams subject to conference membership Teams subject to conference membership feefee

– Eligibility Eligibility As outlined previously, must be documented As outlined previously, must be documented medically or via reliable testingmedically or via reliable testing

Getting InvolvedGetting InvolvedAthleteAthlete– PoliciesPolicies

Athletes expected to abide by MSHSL Athletes expected to abide by MSHSL participation guidelines and MAAA policiesparticipation guidelines and MAAA policies

– Awards Awards All-Tournament Team, conference awards, All-Tournament Team, conference awards, team awards, school letterteam awards, school letterMSHSL/Wells Fargo sponsor All Tournament MSHSL/Wells Fargo sponsor All Tournament Teams for each sportTeams for each sport

Getting InvolvedGetting Involved

Coach (must be certified)Coach (must be certified)

SchoolSchool– Program funding usually comes from Program funding usually comes from

general fundsgeneral funds

OfficialsOfficials– Paid positionPaid position– Contact MSHSL or local high school Contact MSHSL or local high school

organization to registerorganization to register

References & ResourcesReferences & Resourceshttp://http://www.mnadaptedathletics.comwww.mnadaptedathletics.comhttp://http://www.mshsl.orgwww.mshsl.orghttp://www.couragecamps.org/http://www.couragecamps.org/http://www.robinsathletics.com/http://www.robinsathletics.com/Johnson, Ted H. Let the Third Child Play: Adapted Johnson, Ted H. Let the Third Child Play: Adapted Athletics at the Crossroad. Saint Cloud State Athletics at the Crossroad. Saint Cloud State University, Unpublished Starred Paper, 1993.University, Unpublished Starred Paper, 1993.Game footage provided courtesy of Northwest Game footage provided courtesy of Northwest Community Television, Brooklyn Park, MN.Community Television, Brooklyn Park, MN.All player and parent interviews used with permission.All player and parent interviews used with permission.Adapted Athletics story provided courtesy of KARE 11 Adapted Athletics story provided courtesy of KARE 11 Television, Golden Valley, MN.Television, Golden Valley, MN.

THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING OUR SESSION.FOR ATTENDING OUR SESSION.

For further information regarding adapted For further information regarding adapted athletics please refer to MAAA athletics please refer to MAAA

and MSHSL websites or contact and MSHSL websites or contact Marcus Onsum at:Marcus Onsum at:

marcus@robinsathletics.commarcus@robinsathletics.com