Phillipsburg (New Jersey) wrestling team learns a lesson in sportsmanship

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

Photo courtesy of Express-Times

Phillipsburg's wrestling program is always near the top of the heap in New Jersey.  Last weekend, the Stateliners capped a perfect 18-0 dual meet season by winning the NJSIAA Group 4 state team championship, which would have been a good springboard into the state's individual championships.

However, the glory of the state title has now been tarnished by the above photo of seven of the P'burg wrestlers posing with a wrestling dummy wearing a Paulsboro High School t-shirt that is hanging from a rope.

According to the Express-Times, all seven of the wrestlers have been scratched from this weekend's district championships.  Two of the wrestlers were expected to receive #1 seeds.

New Jersey takes a stand on student-athletes that trash talk

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

Trash talking WILL NOT be permitted in New Jersey anymore.

The New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association and the State Attorney General's Office have announced a new rule that bans trash talking.  Under the rule, athletes themselves and their teams could come under investigation by the State Civil Rights Division if they are reported for making harassing statements related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

The NJSIAA says the new rule brings athletic athletic events into line with the state's anti-bullying laws.

The new rule takes effect for the start of the 2013-14 school year.

"True" High School Football Champs in New Jersey?

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour

By December, New Jersey high school football fans will know whether the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association will begin crowning overall state champs. Currently, the NJSIAA only awards sectional championships.

On today's NHSCA Sports Hour we'll talk with Bill Bruno, athletic director at Brick Memorial, and Marcus Borden, head football coach at East Brunswick, who are working together on a proposal to extend the playoffs beyond the present set-up that crowns 19 sectional and non-public champs.  The new system, if approved, will result in seven champions.

Earlier this week, the NJSIAA executive committee approved a proposal to allow its member schools to vote on an amendment to the state athletic constitution that would extend the playoffs that would allow for state group championships. If the amendment is approved by a two-third majority, New Jersey could begin playing for overall state titles in 2013.

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