CALL FOR NOMINEES: Best HSAA prep operations

[HackyMcHack]

I know that a lot of us like to rip on state high school athletic associations and how hard it can be at times to deal with them. You know, the times where they don't provide stats, or when they make it almost impossible to cover an event. Or even when they turn into all-out clowns.

But what about the good organizations? What about the state associations that actually help us do our job?

I believe the NFL writers do something on this topic annually, and other major sport-specific journalism groups do the same thing. But, since there is no real national forum for prep writers (except for this one!) this is the best place to conduct a poll.

Post your nominees here. Then we can run a poll as to which state has the best high school athletic association in terms of media relations.

 

[HejiraHenry]

I always had good relationships with the Tennessee SSAA, but that was years ago. I'd be curious for an update.

 

[crimsonace]

Indiana usually does a good job.

Stats are usually complete, and given to you rather quickly. The media interviews are usually handled pretty well (pressers, but they bring in just about everyone you might want) and the work space is usually very good. The staff is very helpful, as well (especially now). They provide plenty of work space at the crappy events, like gymnastics, and the big ones, like boys basketball.

Of course, hosting the biggest boys basketball tournament in the country for 87 years tends to elicit a lot of attention . But while they could've gotten rusty after 10 years of having declining media (and fan) interest in the tournament, they've stayed well on top of it.

Only thing is, the IHSAA only handles the State Finals in each sport. At every other level, you're on your own.

 

[Bob Loblaw Law Blog]

Stats? Are you ****ing kidding me? I've never come across a high school sports association that does anything other than pat itself on the back and make covering prep sports as difficult as possible.

 

[Ellis Redding]

The IHSA (Illinois) provides superb stats and access during all its state events.

 

[Clever username]

The PIAA Web site has the basketball brackets for the state tourney in PDF form from 2005 back to 2001. 2006? Not so much. They can go **** themselves.

 

[bydesign77]

I don't know about the best, but I'll nominate the Georgia HSA for the worst.

If you have ever covered preps in the Peach State, you know what I'm talking about.

The IHSAA (Ind.) does a good job in several areas. I have experience with them from the officiating side, and they handle all of that first class. Better than Georgia, that's for sure.

 

[Rambler]

The IHSA (Illinois) provides superb stats and access during all its state events.

Your what hurts?

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

I don't mean to be snarky but how many people have covered enough different state prep sports to make a comparison? Isn't it usually one state and then up and out, or one state for 20 or 30 years? Do prep guys bounce from state to state as prep guys? Hey, I started out typing bowling agate. so I'm not trying to be a snob. I'm curious.

 

[Ellis Redding]

I don't mean to be snarky but how many people have covered enough different state prep sports to make a comparison? Isn't it usually one state and then up and out, or one state for 20 or 30 years? Do prep guys bounce from state to state as prep guys? Hey, I started out typing bowling agate. so I'm not trying to be a snob. I'm curious.

I'm on my third state, FWIW.

 

[crimsonace]

I don't mean to be snarky but how many people have covered enough different state prep sports to make a comparison?

Good point, but I've heard enough state association prep horror stories on here to realize "hey, we don't have it too bad here."

The only real out-of-Indiana dealings I had was interviewing the executive director of the Illinois High School Association a few years back for a story on multiclass basketball (and if the guy had more sides out of his mouth to talk out of, I'm not sure I'd have had enough space).

 

[joe_schmoe]

I'll vote for Indiana then. Stats? Sweet.
Here in Texas, we have it okay. But things could be better. I don't so much mind having all these state championships at UT, but they could be more helpful in getting our credentials and securing parking.
And if you have to cover tennis....in more than one classification...good luck getting to both venues in time.

 

[MonitorLizard]

The NHIAA (New Hampshire) isn't bad as far as stats for basketball tournament games, but everything else, you're on your own (except track, swimming and wrestling). For whatever reason, though, the people working tourneys are generally older and pretty insufferable ... which you could probably deduce from the NH part of NHIAA.

 

[slappy4428]

I never in my lifetime thought I'd say this, but Michigan.
I ragged on em when I lived there, then moved to Alabama and realized what I missed.
Every state event is staffed, results provided and they dont sit around patting themselves on the back watching the otherts work....

 

[shotglass]

The PIAA Web site has the basketball brackets for the state tourney in PDF form from 2005 back to 2001. 2006? Not so much. They can go **** themselves.

I wish I could give them some credit. Because the people in charge really are good people; they're professional, and they have the kids' interests at heart. But the PIAA has its ups and downs as far as helping the media.

The thing is, you're only going to get the information as it gets in the hands of the fans. Like the track seeds for states; you get them when they hit the Web site. No state basketball tournament rosters unless the site takes care of it. Just too inconsistent with providing the info in a timely manner.

 

[sportsgopher]

The IHSA (Illinois) provides superb stats and access during all its state events.

Thank you Marty Hickman.

 

[MilanWall]

Alabama's HSAA is pretty good. They always have nice stats at the state events, and are pretty helpful in dealing with media access and the like. Even writing for a small weekly and lacking fancy-looking credentials, I've never had a problem getting in or getting my camera close to the action.

That said, their website is ATROCIOUS. I'd seriously dock them from consideration just because of how useless a resource their website is.

 

[MonitorLizard]

Alabama's HSAA is pretty good. They always have nice stats at the state events, and are pretty helpful in dealing with media access and the like. Even writing for a small weekly and lacking fancy-looking credentials, I've never had a problem getting in or getting my camera close to the action.

That said, their website is ATROCIOUS. I'd seriously dock them from consideration just because of how useless a resource their website is.

I'd make that same complaint about the New Hampshire website. Schedules and results for that year only, and pretty much nothing else of use. And it's ugly.

 

[Ellis Redding]

The IHSA (Illinois) provides superb stats and access during all its state events.

Thank you Marty Hickman.

Is he still there?

Besides, I always dealt with the secretary.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

The NHIAA (New Hampshire) isn't bad as far as stats for basketball tournament games, but everything else, you're on your own (except track, swimming and wrestling). For whatever reason, though, the people working tourneys are generally older and pretty insufferable ... which you could probably deduce from the NH part of NHIAA.

The NHIAA has it all over the MIAA. I haven't covered an event up there in nine years, but I always appreciated the program books with rosters for every team in every sport.