Over the past several months, the AIA has received emails related to computer scheduling, mostly regarding football.  This was also recently brought out in an Arizona Republic article.  The below is the typical email the AIA receives, Tracy writes:

For what it’s worth, and of course it’s only my opinion, but after the reading the article in the Republic about the school’s new computer scheduling, I am concerned about the kid’s safety in football.  I know the AIA had to give it great thought but the first impression makes me wonder if it’s all about saving a buck.  However, on the other hand after viewing Show Low and Blue Ridge (football) schedules it pleases me that these two schools are not playing any reservation schools, except for Alchesay.  I know things can’t be perfect, but if it so happens that some kids become paralyzed from playing larger schools it could possibly develop into a huge news story for people like CBS 60 Minutes.  Of course the odds are very slim this will not happen but if it did, regardless what the past schools schedules, the story could develop into more than just a news story.  With the AIA it is clear it is about money but on the other hand people are talking about safety.  Why I am concerned, because it doesn’t seem it’s not about money with the new scheduling, but like I said things can’t be perfect but people are talking if the AIA has lost their common sense to allow a computer program to make the right judgment for kids.  Of course I am only an individual who is concerned and that’s all.

The computer scheduling process began over three years ago.  Over the summer of 2010, the program began to take shape with vast input from all conference levels, including a superintendent’s advisory committee.  The programs primary focus was on reducing travel, so that students could stay in school longer and not miss as many classes.  Competition was considered as well, and is why the program would only look one division up or down to schedule an opponent if there was not enough within a school’s own division within a certain drive time.

The reduction in championships in most team sports went from seven to four.  The main focus appears to be on football with regards to concern.   Looking at football, the initial proposal was to reduce the number of championships to five (one eight-man division, and four 11-man divisions).  The conferences wanted five 11-man football divisions, and so those were created placing approximately 32 to 35 schools in each division. This is one more class than the prior classification (before the 4A and 5A division split) when there were five classifications, including eight-man football.

In order to reduce travel the program did what was described two paragraphs above.  Rural schools, more than anyone else, needed to reduce travel, and thus, some of their schedules placed them against opponents in a division above their own.

When the schedules were released in late February, concern was raised regarding competition concerns of these rural schools.  Some in fact stating they would travel farther to play a like division opponent.  The AIA met with the rural schools and the AIA listened.  The AIA Executive Board directed staff to create variables in the scheduling program allowing schools the ability to drop two to three of their current football opponents, as long as both schools agreed, and the schools could find another opponent.  Schools did in fact take advantage of this process.

The AIA will continue to review the computer scheduling program and the tournament reconfiguration addressing concerns from the membership.  As the computer scheduling process unfolded since 2008, the AIA recognized that football creates different variables including safety, revenue for schools, tradition, and competition.  Tracy, the emotional examples that you and others bring forward in their emails, have been addressed. The AIA Executive Board, the 750 plus people involved in the various scheduling and reconfiguration committees along with the AIA staff have created a model for scheduling and tournaments that meets many needs. The primary, are the well-being of the students and meeting the mission of our member schools. The AIA staff and Executive Board will continue its common sense approach in providing for the best possible experience for all students involved in AIA athletics and activities.