Larry, How this is explained as a "state law" is puzzling. I know that law changes all the time as new ones are passed and amended, and unless this one has gone through this process within the past year, that is a false statement. For the past two years the outdoor track has been available for warm up at the relays, individual, and M of C. If these young men were at least sophs then they naturally went out to warm up. Also I looked at the guidelines set fourth by the NJSIAA and couldn't find anywhere that warming up on the outdoor track or any other "off limit" facility will result in a DQ without any warning.
Another GREAT example of the ultimate dumbness of the NJSIAA and it's Track and Field division. One other note - remember when Chris Stevens of Plainfield was DQ at the M of C (2001) for "not making an honest attempt at hurdling" in the 110H. Great rule Don...! Bruce Berry The University of Akron - Assistant Track and Field Coach Former Head Coach Elizabeth HS (NJ) -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 7:55 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: t-and-f: Sportism not sexism Listers, As much as the debate broadens about who was right and who was wrong when the 3 NJ athletes were disqualified, I feel that there is no just reason to ban athletes from an entire athletic event for such a "no harm, no foul" situation. Did they cause some grace or serious destruction by warming up on the outside track? Who did they harm? These kids were warming up outside in freezing weather for the first event of the day, the DMR. No one was allowed to warm up inside of Jadwin Gym at anytime while the first meet was in session. Even when warm up time was given at the conclusion of the first meet, first call was being made for the DMR. It's more likely that these kids were outside and did not hear the warning not to warm up on the outside track. Given the situation that it was more likely that the kids didn't hear the warning over the likelyhood that they did hear the warning, the advantage should be given to the kids. If the outside track was off limits (because of state law) why didn't that same official confront these kids face to face and make them aware of the "serious infraction" that they were committing? If it was serious enough to warrant their disqualification of the meet, then it was important enough for the official to meet the three young men face to face. What we are faced hee with, as usual, is the ego of an individual in an influential position flexing psuedomuscle on some defenseless kids for no reason. The NJSIAA appears to be the heart of many problems instead of the pacifier. If you drop the "JSI" and add a "C", they'll remind you of another institution that exploits kids. Has anyone ever sat by the finish line of an outdoor NJ MOC and witness how these officials talk to kids at the finish line. If you have, you'll understand what I'm talking about... Larry A. Morgan Elizabeth Heat TC
