Athletic Directors Advisory Committee

Minutes
Jan. 7, 2009 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


Denarvise Thornton, Associate Executive Director, called this meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Ricky Bell, Leon County Schools (Tallahassee); Don Bridges, Polk County Schools (Bartow); Dan Comeau, Treasure Coast High School (Port St. Lucie)/FIAAA Rep.; Kevin Demer, Orange County Schools (Orlando); Derrick Gaines, Middleton High School (Tampa); Bill Massey, Boca Raton High School; Ed McPadden, Marion County Athletic Director (Ocala)/FACA Representative; Lori Nelson, Dr. Krop Senior High School (Miami); Daniel Ninestine, Port St. Lucie, Ken Seybold, Matanzas High School (Palm Coast); Maria Siegfriedt, Southwest Miami High School; Buddy Tomaini, Wakulla High School (Crawfordville); and Jerry Welch, All Saint’s Academy (Winter Haven). FHSAA staff members present were 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; Justin Harrison, Associate Director of Athletics; Raleigh Green, FHSAA Intern; and Ron Talone, FHSAA Intern. The following FHSAA staff members participated in parts of the meeting: Dr. Roger Dearing, Executive Director; Michael Colby, Associate Director of Eligibility; Laurel Ring, Director of Special Programs; and Seth Polansky, Director of Membership Services.

1. Mr. Thornton welcomed the committee members to the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building and those in attendance introduced themselves.

2. Mr. Thornton gave a brief statement regarding the purpose of the meeting and a brief explanation of the committee and the process of voting on recommendations as well as the responsibility of committee members to submit agenda items themselves. Mr. Thornton also provided an overview of the “fast track” process as it relates to recommendations.

Motion made by Mr. Seybold, seconded by Mr. Massey to vote for a meeting chairperson in the absence of Mr. Chiles as Committee Chair. (13-0 approved)

Mr. McPadden motioned to elect Mr. Dan Comeau to meeting chair, seconded by Mr. Bridges. (13-0 approved)

Mr. Bell motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Mr. Ninestine. (13-0 approved)

Mr. Thornton discussed a more proactive approach from coaches and athletic directors in regard to behavior that led to unsportsmanlike penalties. He pointed out that the number of ejections is down but the amount of suspensions is increased. Mr. Thornton noted that officials may have to be suspended if they are not doing their job correctly as it pertains to these inaccuracies. Mr. Thornton then noted that attendance has been down across the board at regular-season events and playoff events and that the FHSAA staff has been working to help the member schools with the economic impact.

3. The committee reviewed the meeting minutes from Sept. 10, 2008, meeting. The minutes were approved as written 13-0. [Motion: Ninestine, Second: Massey]

4. The committee reviewed the meeting minutes from Jan. 9, 2008, meeting.

5. Fall sports, Officials and Sports Medicine advisory committee minutes and recommendations were reviewed and the following action was taken:

Cross Country
Justin Harrison
Substitution Penalty
Mr. Harrison explained the recommendation. Mr. Bridges gave his opinion as to the rationale of the recommendation. Mr. Harrison then explained that it is a rule for every other sport. Discussion ensued as to the understanding of the recommendation and comparisons to past rules in both cross country as well as other sports. Mr. Bell expressed his opinion that the amount of participants on the list shall be reduced and to allow for two alternates in the case of injury.
The recommendation was not endorsed 13-0 [Motion: Welch, Seconded: Ninestine]
Rationale: Current policy is sufficient.

Standardization of Individual Awards
Mr. Harrison briefly explained the recommendation to standardize all individual awards by giving the top 15 student-athletes awards at each state series level.
The recommendation was not endorsed 13-0 [Motion Bridges:, Seconded: Seybold]
Rationale: Cross country already receives the most individual awards. No need to increase from 10 to 15.

Giving third place a trophy for the Cross Country State Meet
Mr. Harrison provided a brief explanation.
The recommendation was not endorsed 11-2 [Motion Bell; Seconded: Massey]
Rationale: Consistency with other sports.

Add one extra competition week or “weekend.”
Mr. Harrison gave an explanation of the recommendation noting the rationale. He also noted an alternative to extend the competition period for cross country to the Friday of Week 10, which would move the start date up two days from Monday of Week 11. Discussion ensued about budget impacts of the extra days.
The recommendation was endorsed 13-0 [Motion: Bell, Seconded: Ninestine]

Golf
Justin Harrison
Suggest that the lowest-scoring two individuals, not on advancing teams, and in the top 10 individual scores advances from the regional tournament to the state tournament.
Mr. Harrison gave a description of the recommendation and then the rationale. Discussion ensued about the impact of the recommendation. Mr. Thornton brought up the impact of increasing the number of participants and how that may cause more issues going forward. Mr. Harrison also noted that the Golf Advisory Committee voted to fast track this item.
The recommendation was not endorsed 13-0. [Motion: Welch, Seconded: McPadden]
Rationale: Need more time to evaluate and golf course availability.

Allow the first regular-season contest date for boys and girls golf to begin the week of Aug. 10, 2009.
Ms. Nelson gave a description of the recommendation. She noted the flexibility that would be added by allowing matches to begin the week of Aug. 10, 2009. Mr. McLaughlin noted a previous rule that would not allow for competition at this date, but only practice and this recommendation would be in contrast of the previous decision.
The recommendation was not endorsed 13-0. [Motion: McPadden, Seconded: Massey]
Rationale: Contractual issues for coaches and not playing golf matches prior to first day of school.

Mr. Harrison and the committee then discussed other information from the 2008 minutes including recommendations #1, #4, & #5: 1) the allowing of assistant coaches to ride in carts at the state tournament and removal of any restrictions on the movement of the carts, 4) reseed the teams after the first round of play at the state championship, and 5) allow the alternate to play the practice round.
No action needed.

Swimming & Diving
Shanell Young
Ms. Young stated that she was designated as the chairperson due to the fact that there was not a quorum present at the Nov. 2, 2008, Swimming & Diving Advisory Committee meeting. Ms. Young then gave a brief overview of the meeting. Discussion ensued as to the reason that there was no quorum present at the meeting. Ms. Young noted the lack of participation among coaches in the individual sports in comparison to the participation in the larger team sports. Ms. Rohrer also gave input as to the amount of participation in various sports. Mr. McPadden stated how economic impact has contributed to the lack of participation. Mr. Massey gave input speaking on behalf of the FIAAA, that the FIAAA board is willing to help the FHSAA in order to better increase participation on the advisory committees. No action needed.

Football
Gary Pigott
2006/07 Rec. #5, Financial compensation for schools that play in FHSAA Football Finals.
Mr. Pigott discussed the recommendation, as well as the rationale behind it stating that many schools lose money or break even when they make it to FHSAA Football Finals due to travel expenses. Discussion ensued as to the understanding of the rationale and recommendation. Mr. Thornton then noted the attendance at the FHSAA Football Finals in Dec. 2008. He noted that the attendance was slightly down in comparison to 2007. Mr. Thornton also stated that the distance traveled by certain teams may have contributed to this decreased number. Mr. Bridges stated that he also thinks the economy, as well as travel distances and live television, contributed to the decreased number in attendance. Mr. Ninestine then expressed how the economic impact has affected numbers in his area in the same way.
No action needed. Refer to the finance committee for study.

2007/08 Rec. #1 Recording of injury situations, unsportsmanlike incidents and postgame handshakes.
Mr. Pigott discussed the recommendation and rationale. Mr. Demer then expressed the process of what and why filming is done. Mr. Demer then provided a situation that the filming of an incident helped resolve a situation that otherwise may not have without the film.
Recommendation to take off table: [Motion: Bell, Seconded: Welch] Vote: 13-0
Recommendation to add Orange County policy to the current FHSAA videotaping policy. [Motion: Bell, Seconded: Ninestine] Vote: 13-0.

2007/08 Rec. #2 Flat rate sanction fee
Flat rate “sanction fee” or adjusted percentage rate for football classics or jamborees.
Mr. Pigott briefly discussed the rationale expressed by the Football Advisory Committee that there is a need to adjust the flat rate sanction fee in order to even out the financial payout to the schools involved in classics and jamborees. The Football Advisory Committee expressed that in some cases the FHSAA was making more money than the competing schools. Mr. Bridges stated the need to compare the numbers throughout the state to determine the economic impact and differences between the classics and jamborees.
Motion to send to finance committee: [Motion: Bridges, Seconded: Ninestine] Vote: 13-0

2007/08 Rec. #3 Sub-varsity players complete the regular season.
One game per week for football players. Maximum of 11 games during the regular season, which includes the “open date.” Mr. Pigott gave a brief overview of the coach’s rationale behind this recommendation that it provides flexibility for coaches and more playing opportunities for student-athletes.
At the conclusion of the sub-varsity season, allow a player to move up and complete the varsity football season. [Motion: Bridges; Seconded: Siegfriedt] Vote approved: 7-6

2008/09 Rec. #1 Sideline safety rule adoption
Mr. Pigott stated that the Football Advisory Committee felt very strongly in favor of the sideline safety rule, and that if there is no NFHS rule change, Florida would prefer to continue this sideline rule and adopt a NFHS modification.
[Motion: Ninestine ; Seconded: Massey] Vote: 13-0

2008/09 Rec. #2 Electronic rosters
Electronic roster for regular season and “region” entry list for football playoffs. Currently there is not an electronic tracking system for football players. The Football Advisory Committee feels that a required electronic tracking system will provide more accountability for schools with a football program. Mr. Thornton stated that football has the most participants and that the FHSAA staff has no way currently to track football players. He stated how an entry list could help the staff at the FHSAA in tracking a player and determining that individual as a football player. Mr. Thornton stated that maybe we should start with an entry list and then a coach can determine if they want to create a roster or not. Dr. Dearing briefly discussed MaxPreps (a website that tracks players and stats) and suggested that maybe MaxPreps could be used to list rosters. Discussion ensued about roster availability in other sports. Mr. Massey suggested the creation of a football program via iFHSAA that would create a football roster.
[Motion: Massey, seconded: McPadden] Vote: 13-0 in favor of the creation of a football program on iFHSAA that shows a football roster.
Fast Track: [Motion: Massey; Seconded: Ninestine] Vote: 13-0

Volleyball
Jamie Rohrer
NFHS rule change - head coach to stand
Submit rule change recommendation to the NFHS, which allows the head coach to stand during the game to coach his/her players.
The recommendation was endorsed. [Motion: Welch, Seconded: Bridges] Vote: 13-0
Fast Track: [Motion: Massey, seconded: McPadden] Vote: 13-0

NFHS rule change - ball color
Submit a rule change recommendation to the NFHS, which allows the use of a multi-colored ball. Ms. Rohrer explained the recommendation and gave the rationale from the Volleyball Advisory Committee meeting that it enhances the game by making the ball easier for players, officials and spectators to track the ball.
The recommendation was endorsed. [Motion: McPadden, Seconded: Massey] Vote: 13-0.
Fast Track: [Motion: Massey, seconded: McPadden] Vote: 13-0

Match warm-up protocol for State Series
Reconfigure and align the state series warm-up protocol with the regular-season warm-up protocol. Ms. Rohrer discussed that this would add three minutes to the warm-up time and take it from 15 minutes to 18 minutes.
The recommendation was not endorsed [Motion: McPadden, Seconded: Bell] Vote: 13-0.
Rationale: This may make warm-ups longer then the match itself.

Pre-varsity match warm-up protocol for regular season
Re-configure the 18-minute regular-season pre-varsity match warm-up time.
The recommendation was not endorsed. [Motion: Bell, Seconded: Welch] Vote: 13-0.
Rationale: This may make warm-ups longer than the match itself.

Officials
Jamie Rohrer
Ms. Rohrer gave a brief overview of the meeting minutes. No action items.

Mr. Thornton then relayed information from the football advisory meeting that the members expressed the need to post the appeals in order for them to be aware of changes. Mr. Thornton then asked for the Athletic Directory’s Advisory Committee’s feedback. The general consensus was that if the appeals were posted this would create more questions than answers. Mr. McLaughlin then added that in the football advisory meeting the coaches felt the need for teams to have a .500 record or better in order to make the playoffs. Discussion then continued about this playoff record subject.

Sports Medicine
Denarvise Thornton
Mr. Thornton presented a draft of the meeting minutes. Mr. Thornton stated that the major topic of discussion from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee was to add a Sickle Cell question to the physical form. No action needed.

Addition to FHSAA Handbook, Policy 24, part 3: Offseason Participation Guidelines
Mr. Bridges discussed that Policy 24 has been in effect for several years and there is concern that additional requirements are needed to control the start/stop of these non-school teams and who they compete against. Mr. Bridges then explained some of the proposed items to be added to the Policy 24, part 3 requirements such as: the length of the season is six weeks and/or 12 contests, whichever occurs first. Discussion resumed about the topic. Mr. Thornton then pointed out item (f) of the proposal that states: FHSAA sportsmanship rules apply and violations will be dealt with in accordance with FHSAA rules. Mr. Thornton stated that he did like the rule, but was unsure of how it would work logistically. Mr. Thornton then stated that a new item be added that would prevent an athlete from playing on a non-school team during that particular sports season. The committee continued the discussion and suggested that some of the items may need more clarification.
Motion to approve the concept with more specific verbiage to be added. [Motion: Welch; Seconded: McPadden] Vote:12-0; Seybold abstained

7. Open Agenda (Discussion Only)
a) FHSAA Handbook Layout-Laurel Ring
Ms. Ring handed out the FHSAA Handbook and asked for feedback from the committee. She then explained some of the additions that will be made to the new book and the committee responded to these items. An index would be helpful.

b) New Athletic Director’s Guidebook (Letter: Laura Greene, Hawthorne Middle/Senior High School)
Mr. Thornton reviewed a letter that was received from Laura Greene of Hawthorne Middle/Senior High School in which she suggested a handbook for first-time Athletic Directors in order to be more aware of possible fines, deadlines and timelines, etc. Discussion resumed about the topic.

c) Classification Policy (E-mail: Don Bridges)
Withdrawn.

d) Gender Inequities (Email: Billy Bob)
Brought to the attention and briefly reviewed.

Ms. Siegfriedt discussed her concern over a compliance meeting. Her county has a no-travel moratorium and has no extra money to pay for travel to the seminar. Discussion about this issue centered on ways to alleviate this issue.

Mr. Ninestine discussed issues regarding the concern about financial cuts of certain sports due to the current economic situation.

8. The meeting was adjourned at 2:22 p.m.