On Bias in Sport and the MIAA

“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” 

― Epictetus

We will always have bias in sport. I don't mean ethnic or racial bias (because we know the history of race in sport), but perceptual bias. “Perception is reality.”

Here are a few current examples. Juergen Klinsmann views Landon Donovan's time as past and leaves the LA Galaxy star off the U.S. World Cup team. Closer to home, John Farrell sees Grady Sizemore through a retrospectroscope and keeps him in the lineup. Johnny Manziel gets tarred with the 'arrogant playboy' brush and drops to a late first round NFL selection. Shawn Thornton gets the label as lovable brawler or has-been, according to your prism. His Bruins' future is in doubt. An element of truth usually accompanies both sides of the trade.

Bias is inevitable because we are human. Our heuristic 'rapid-response' brain, according to Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman (Thinking Fast and Slow) acts in survival mode. Our more rational processor requires both time and conscious activation. When conflicted, we rely on our past 'expertise' (always did it that way), bandwagon effects (group think), emotion, blind spot bias (“I have no bias”), and other comforting constructs.

As long as we portray our decisions as rational (“we had a lengthy process”), fair (“we agreed on the parameters”), and take accountability (“my job is on the line”)...life goes on. Transparency belongs to the other guy.

I've written about my disdain for the MIAA. When I've contacted them about specific complaints about venue safety, suitability, and seating (Reading, volleyball playoffs 2004) or simply adequacy (girls' hockey playoffs 2014, poor ice conditions), I have never had even the courtesy of a reply. I didn't write them about the 2013 volleyball playoff scoring or officiating, but that's another story. Who speaks for the athletes, our children, and more crassly, the taxpayer tribute with which we fill MIAA coffers?

This weekend, the MIAA callously and inappropriately scheduled a tournament baseball game between Chelmsford and Methuen in the same time slot as SATs. Fourteen players had conflicts; about half missed the test. The MIAA simply said they could not reschedule the game (already rescheduled) for a variety of reasons. Sport has a valued role in the context of education, but should never supersede educational priorities. 

What is the MIAA's bias? Is it all about the Benjamins? Do they answer to anyone about anything?

A few days will pass and nothing will change, until the next time and the next time after. The only cure for bias is accountability, and historically there is none for the MIAA. At the very least, they owe the people of Chelmsford and Methuen an apology and assurances that it won't happen to children again.