Athletic Directors Advisory Committee

Minutes
Jan. 9, 2008 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


Denarvise Thornton called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Andy Chiles, Varela HS (Miami); Mark Feely, Leon HS (Tallahassee); Russell Wambles, Apopka HS/FIAAA; Ed McPadden, Vanguard HS (Ocala); Ken Seybold, Matanzas HS (Palm Coast); Maria Siegfriedt, Coral Reef HS (Miami); Tim Sparkman, Astronaut HS (Titusville); Buddy Tomaini, Wakulla HS (Crawfordville); and Jerry Welch, All Saints' Academy (Winter Haven). FHSAA staff members present were Dr. John Stewart, Executive Director; Denarvise Thornton, Associate Executive Director; Jamie Rohrer, Director of Athletics; Paul McLaughlin, Assistant Executive Director; Gary Pigott, Senior Director of Athletics; Shanell Young, Director of Athletics; Tamara Forrester, Director of Athletics; David Sweeney, FHSAA Intern; and Travis Kwok, FHSAA Intern.

1. Mr. Thornton welcomed the committee members to the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building. He briefly explained the procedures for the meeting and the expense vouchers.

2. Mr. Chiles, standing chairperson, gave a brief statement regarding the purpose of the meeting and had those in attendance introduce themselves.

3. The committee reviewed the meeting minutes from Sept. 5, 2007. The minutes were supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Welch) The committee also briefly reviewed the minutes from the Jan. 9, 2007 meeting which have previously been approved.

4. Fall sports advisory committee minutes and recommendations in addition to the official’s advisory committee and sport medicine advisory committees were reviewed and the following action was taken:

CROSS COUNTRY
Shanell Young

205.03 Regional Meets
(2) Dates and Time Schedule. Regional meets shall be held on Friday, Nov. 3, or Saturday, Nov. 4 (Week 18). Suggested schedule times for a regional meet held on Friday are 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Suggested schedule times for a regional meet held on Saturday are 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The girl’s race shall precede the boy’s race in each meet. The date and time of each meet will be posted on FHSAA.org. A coaches meeting shall be held at the site of each regional meet 30 minutes prior to the start of the meet.
Recommendation(s):
Change the wording in 205.03 (2) to read:
“A coaches meeting shall be held at the site of each regional meet 60 minutes prior to the start of the meet.”
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Siegfriedt)

GOLF
Jamie Rohrer

Recommendation #1 (2005):
Recommend that each region site have an FSGA/USGA golf official for the region tournament if available.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Sparkman)

Recommendation #2 (2005):
Recommend the first and second place teams and the next two lowest scoring individuals not on the first and second place qualifying teams in each region tournament shall advance to the FHSAA Finals. To be eligible for individual honors on the state level a student-athlete shall compete for individual honors on both the district and region levels. The number of players on each course would be 96.
The recommendation was amended as follows:
The next two lowest scoring individuals will advance as long as they shoot within 5 strokes of the lowest scoring individual.
The amended recommendation was supported 7-1. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Feely)

Recommendation #3 (2007):
Recommend that no shotgun starts involving girls and boys at the same course on the same day will be permitted.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Feely, Second: Wambles) The ADAC Committee feels that this should be left up to the coaches to vote on at their District Planning Meetings and to the host schools. Due to weather issues as we’ve seen in the past, this could be the only possible way in certain situations to conduct an event.

Recommendation #4 (2007):
Recommend that high school female golfers be allowed to use pull-carts if they so desire. (Fast Track)
The recommendation was amended as follows:
Recommend that high school female golfers be allowed to use pull-carts if they so desire.
The amended recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Welch) The recommendation to fast-track the amended recommendation was also supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Siegfriedt)

SWIMMING AND DIVING
Tamara Forrester

Recommendation #1:
A competitor with a disability requesting specific accommodations in the start, strokes, turns, etc. which does not require equipment, must seek written approval from the state association which may be granted providing the accommodations(s) does not fundamentally alter the sport and/or no advantage is gained.
Add: Make every reasonable effort to accommodate disabled competitors and to apply the rules and guidelines as provided by NFHS 8-4 (add new section on Guidelines for Officiating Competitors with Disabilities). (Fast Track)
Modified: In Florida, the guidelines are to be published within the Official’s Guidebook and Swimming and Diving Manual next year, whether or not the NFHS adopts as a rule change.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Welch, Second: Sparkman) The recommendation to fast-track was also supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Siegfriedt)

Recommendation #2:
Require the relay card procedure for the FHSAA Finals for all state series meets. (Fast Track)
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Feely, Second: Welch) The recommendation to fast-track was also supported 8-0. (Motion: Welch, Second: Feely)

FOOTBALL
Gary Pigott

Recommendation #1:
Recommend the use of the Orange County Public Schools policy on the video taping of injury situations, postgame handshakes and any other unsportsmanlike incidents that may occur during a football game.
The recommendation was tabled 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Seybold) The committee felt that it would be hard to enforce the policy when it says “when taping”.

Recommendation #2:
Submit a football rules change to the NFHS office that will prevent “horse collaring” as submitted by Nease High School.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Welch)

Recommendation #3:
Permit one (1) “controlled scrimmage” prior to the preseason classic in the fall. “Controlled scrimmage” is defined as: no more than 3 hours, officials must be present, to be held during Week #6 (2nd week of fall practice) of preseason and must be an in-state opponent.
The recommendation failed 4-4. (Motion to Support: Seybold, Second: Feely)

Recommendation #4:
Submit a NFHS football rules change that will add an automatic first down penalty to the facemask rule. This rule deals with safety and will further penalize the unsafe act.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Sparkman)

Recommendation #5:
Submit a NFHS football rules change that will change the rule when a muffed punt rolls into the end zone. This would make the rule consistent with other high school muffing rules.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Wambles)

Recommendation #6:
Recommend a review of participating school payout on a regular basis.
The recommendation was supported 7-1. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Feely)

Recommendation #7:
Recommend a flat rate “sanction fee” instead of the current percentage for football classics and jamborees.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Welch)

Recommendation #8:
Recommend adjusting football players’ regular season game limit from 10 to 11 regular season games. When sub-varsity players are moved up to the varsity team at the conclusion of the junior varsity season, an 11-week season can cause some incidental 10-game player violations.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Seybold)

VOLLEYBALL
Tamara Forrester

Recommendation #1:
Submit a rules change proposal to the NFHS to modify existing rule 12-2-6 to read “…A head coach may stand in the libero replacement zone during a dead ball at any time to coach his or her players…”
The recommendation was supported 7-1. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Siegfriedt)

Recommendation #2:
Monitor travel fees: closer officials who live near an area should officiate to cut down on fees. Have an evaluation committee for officials.
Amended to read: The officials evaluation committee would include an evaluation card for each match and each head coach to complete for use in training and post-season recommendations.
The recommendation was not supported 7-1. (Motion: Seybold, Second: Sparkman)

Recommendation #3:
Prior to the match, put 18 minutes on the clock. The warm-up will consist of a 4-6-6-2 format. The clock will not start until the completion of the coaches/captains meeting with the officials. (Fast Track)
The recommendation was supported 6-2. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Welch) The recommendation to fast-track was also supported 6-2. (Motion: Welch, Second: Sparkman)

Recommendation #4:
Return to the use of the 06-07 bracket system for playoffs.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Welch, Second: Sparkman)

Recommendation #5:
To rotate the placement of the district tournament: Allow each county in the district the opportunity to host at least once during a classification cycle.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Seybold)

OFFICIALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tamara Forrester

Wrestling Officials Fees
Increase fees for Individually Bracketed Tournaments (IBT’s) to $3.50 per match. AMENDED: Increase fees for Individually Bracketed Tournaments (IBT’s) to a fee based on current varsity dual meet rate divided by the number of weight classes to determine the fee per match.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Seybold)

Wrestling Weigh-In Cards
Require weigh-in cards for all tournaments. AMENDED: Utilize (require) weigh-in cards for all tournaments. Will work with Paul McLaughlin for administrative assistance.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Seybold)

Officials Guidebook
In the FHSAA Officials Guidebook section 1003.01, delete the words “…when it is practicable. However…”
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Wambles, Second: Siegfriedt)

Field Clinic Requirement for Coaches
FHSAA require attendance at a field clinic every four years for coaches in all sports.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Feely)

Registration Incentive
FHSAA offer an incentive to officials who register early.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Feely)

Recognition Program
Recommend development of a recognition program for retiring FHSAA officials.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Feely)

Officials Guidebook
Recommend adding to the FHSAA Officials Guidebook section 1006.04(3), “This player shall be subject to the provisions of the FHSAA policy on Unsporting Conduct.”
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Siegfriedt)

Unsporting Conduct
A player or coach who has received a total of five cautions in one season shall be subject to the provisions of the FHSAA policy on Unsporting Conduct. Each three additional cautions shall result in additional FHSAA action.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Welch)

Unsporting Conduct
Any team that receives four or more red cards during a regular season will be declared ineligible for all postseason play.
The recommendation was not supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Wambles)

SPORTS MEDICINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Denarvise Thornton

Mr. Thornton briefed the committee on discussions by the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC). There were no recommendations from the SMAC for the committee to act upon.

5. General Recommendation:

Umpires Permitted to Wear Different Colored Shirts, McLaughlin
Recommend that umpires be permitted to wear only commercially manufactured umpire shirts regardless of color as long as all umpires are in the same shirt during a given game.
The recommendation was supported 8-0. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Feely)

6. Open Agenda (discussion only):

Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Mr. Thornton discussed a draft of a proposed amendment to the “Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct.” The proposal clarifies that a student-athlete and coach who is found to have committed an unsporting act is to be penalized regardless of whether the unsporting act resulted in his/her disqualification (ejection) from a contest, and establishing the guidelines for appealing unsporting conduct findings and penalties.
The rationale behind the proposal that was discussed is as follows:
These incidents are negatively impacting the image of high school sports as an educational experience. Each and every time such an incident occurs there is a risk of significant injury to a participant.
The majority of the Committee felt that the proposal was a positive step in the right direction. The committee overall, liked the possibility of removing the time limit when penalties are handed down, because a time limit of 1-week, for example, isn’t always equitable when considering one school’s schedule vs. another school’s in a given week. Therefore, for the same offense, there could be instances that student-athletes are receiving inequitable punishment. The Committee also felt it was important for an offender to sit out of a given number of games which are at the same level as he/she was penalized for.
Lastly, the Committee felt that it seemed the proposal would lessen the financial impact to schools and at the same time, create harsher penalties to coaches and players, which will add to the “Good Sportsmanship” efforts we’re consistently trying to promote.

Soccer Double Dual System
Ms. Forrester received primarily positive feedback regarding the double dual system that was implemented this 2007-2008 sport season. The Committee overall feels that the system is working and there is more control in the game. One committee member did express concern regarding an increased amount of red cards. However, the general consensus of the Committee was that it will only get better with time and has been a positive attribute added to the sport of Soccer.

7. By unanimous vote, Mr. Chiles adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m. (Motion: Sparkman, Second: Feely)