Cross Country Advisory Committee
Minutes
November 28, 2001 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Office
Gainesville, Florida
The Cross Country Advisory Committee met in the office of the FHSAA on Tuesday, November 28, 2001 at 10 AM. Members in attendance were: Chet Brojek, Avon Park High School; Sam Burley, Miami Southridge High School; Vic Cervizzi, Brooksville-Central High School; Gary Droze, Maclay School; Allan Gibson, Marianna High School; Rick Rothman, Spanish River High (FACA); Cecelia Jackson, Director of Athletics and M. Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics. Charles Harris of Lake Brantley High School was not in attendance.
Mr. Thornton called the meeting to order and reviewed the purpose and procedures of the meeting with the committee.
The committee members introduced themselves.
Mr. Gary Droze was selected as the chairman.
Points of Discussion
• The committee addressed concerns raised by coaches who were opposed to the concept of conducting the coaches meeting on Friday night, prior to the meet. The committee reiterated its support for the meeting being conducted on Friday to ensure that schools will be in attendance; it also allows coaches to address concerns and receive instructions more thoroughly.
• The committee discussed the awarding of a third place trophy, but recalled such a recommendation was considered previously by the committee and failed for various reasons.
• The committee discussed the possibility of changing the date of the meeting to take place on the 1st Tuesday in December to avoid conflict with other Cross-Country / Track and Field related events, provided there is not conflict with FHSAA’s administrative staff’s schedule.
• The committee discussed the concept of teams qualifying for the subsequent level in the state series to not qualify individuals for the next level. However, with this concept, the top 15 finishers will determine the number of individual runners advancing in the state series.
• The committee agreed in discussion with the concept of FHSAA awarding the regional meet to such hosts on a two-year (optional for host) basis.
• The committee discussed decreasing the number of teams advancing to the state finals. One concept includes advancing 5 teams and 10 individuals (not in the top 15 finishers). Another concept includes advancing 4 teams to state finals.
• The committee also reflected upon the 2001 Cross Country Florida Finals.
Concern Areas Positive Experiences
Course – Committee would like to see more elevations, changes in terrain, etc. Coaches would like to get closer to the runners. Course – Spectator friendly. Spectators could see the entire race.
Scoring / Results – Awards were presented and results had not been posted, or were late being posted. Staff – Event was well staffed, sufficient numbers of volunteers.
Parking / Passes Procedures – Information received by the coaches in the memorandum were not consistent with instructions provided at the coaches’ meeting.
Scoring – Backup system needed, or if one was available, needs to be more dependable. To many individuals involved in bar-code / slip procedure. More people involved, the more possibilities for an era.
Recommendations (Effective 2002-03)
Recommendation #1 Motioned by Sam Burley / 2nd by Paul Fecteau
Item: 6.020 FHSAA Modifications
Change the length of the course to 5K (3.1 miles) for both genders, effective 2002.
Considered problem with the existing rule:
Rationale: Brings the state into consistency with other states and prepares athletes for post-secondary competition.
Impact on current rule: Lengthens the course by one-tenth of a mile for both genders.
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Approve)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (4-2 Approve)
Recommendation #2 Motioned by Sam Burley / 2nd by Paul Fecteau
Item: 14.000 Commitment Form
Raise the financial penalty as listed in 14.002 to $100.
Considered problem with the existing rule:
Rationale: Emphasizes the importance of making commitments
Impact on current rule: Increases the financial penalty by $50. Will make schools more aware of the commitments made to participate in the state series.
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Disapprove)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (Withdrawn with support of present policy.)
Recommendation #3 Motioned by Paul Fecteau / 2nd by Sam Burley
Item: 17.000 Districts
Raise the maximum fee, which a meet director may receive a maximum of $100 as stated in 17.034.
Considered problem with the existing rule: Inadequate pay for the demands of a meet director in managing a successful meet.
Rationale: The work that is required of an individual, meet director, is becoming more demanding and requires financial consideration. The committee also noted that rarely does anyone receive payment, and it is stated as a maximum, not mandatory.
Impact on current rule: The decision remains with the member schools of the district to determine the pay for the meet director. The pay may not exceed $100, which means that a district may opt to pay less, or remain with the current stipend as stipulated in the manual. Increases expenses of hosting district meet, which in most cases, the expenses are divided by participating schools.
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Disapprove)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (5-1 Approve)
Recommendation #4 Motioned by Sam Burley / 2nd Paul Fecteau
Item: 18.000 State Series Structure
Change the wording in 18.051. Replace “schools” with “scoring teams” and add the definition of teams – which is a minimum of 5 runners. Amended to reflect that the number of teams advancing will be determined by the number of athletes listed on a school’s district entry list.
Considered problem with the existing rule: The verbiage does not clearly convey the intent of the policy for teams advancing from districts to regionals. [This verbiage was changed in the following year for clarity. Current policy reads “districts with 14 or less schools entering teams of 5-7 runners advance six qualifying teams to regionals.]
Rationale: Clarifies the intent and interpretation of the existing policy. Clarifies for teams / districts / meet managers the number of teams advancing prior to the meet.
Impact on current rule: Increases the awareness of coaches regarding the number of teams advancing from districts to regionals.
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0) Approve
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Approve)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (5-1 Approve)
Recommendation #5 Motioned by Gary Droze / 2nd Roy Harrison
Item: 19.000 Local Management
In 19.021 include the following statement: “The meet director shall fax a copy of the district entry lists for qualifying teams to the regional meet director.”
In 19.022 include the following statement: “The meet director shall fax a copy of the district entry lists, received from the district meet director, for qualifying teams to the state meet director.”
Considered problem with the existing rule: Although meet directors are informed of this in communications from FHSAA office, because it is not listed in the manual, some meet directors do not receive the information as outlined in the FHSAA meet director communications.
Rationale: Placing this statement in the manual, as well as in the FHSAA communications to the meet director, will improve the meet director’s management. Reinforces present system to ensure that FHSAA office receives district entry lists.
Impact on current rule:
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Approve)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (5-1 Approve)
Recommendation #6 Motioned by Roy Harrison / 2nd Bob Hans
Item: 23.000 Awards
23.012 Require regional hosts to provide the championship trophy(ies) at the regional meet.
Considered problem with the existing rule: A trophy is not present at the meet to present to the regional champion. Schools are required to order the trophy themselves.
Rationale: Adds to the pageantry of the event. The champion feels recognized as the champion at the conclusion of the meet.
Impact on current rule: Financial impact equivalent to the cost of the trophies (boys and girls). This may be taken out of the gate receipts; if a loss is accrued due to purchasing the trophy, the host may be reimbursed according to the reimbursement policy.
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Approve)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (6-0 Approve)
Recommendation #7 Motioned by Bob Hans / 2nd Sam Burley
Item: 17.000 / 18.000 (Requiring the use of Hy-tek Software)
17.034 Add the following: “District host shall implement the use of Hy-tek software. Hy-tek software is available through FHSAA.”
18.035 Add the following: “Regional host shall use Hy-Tek software. Hy-Tek software is available through FHSAA.”
Considered problem with the existing rule:
Rationale: Presently, a criteria for considering hosts for regionals is based upon the host’s access and ability to implement the use of Hy-Tek software. Use of this software makes meet management more efficient.
Impact on current rule: Requires the hosting school to acquire Hy-Tek software. If a school is not interested in purchasing the software, the software will be made available to the hosting school on a meet-by-meet basis.
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Approve)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (5-1 Approve)
Recommendation #8 Motioned by Sam Burley / 2nd by Gary Droze
Item: 6.000 Rules of Competition
6.020 FHSAA Modifications add: 9-2-3 – All Cross Country meets shall be scored in accordance with NFHS rules which states: If fewer than five competitors of a team finish the places of all members of that team shall be disregarded and the team scores reranked (paraphrased).
Considered problem with the existing rule:
Rationale: Clarifies the scoring process for meet directors.
Impact on current rule:
Vote
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
AD Com 1st Rdg (9-0 Approve)
CCAC 2nd Rdg (6-0 Approve)
Recommendation #9 Motioned by Gary Droze / 2nd by Sam Burley
(Withdrawn as a Recommendation at the 11/29/00 meeting)
Item: 6-8 graders participating in high school competition
Make only students in grades 9-12 eligible to participate in varsity level competition. Limit 6-8 graders to sub-varsity interscholastic competition.
Considered problem with the existing rule: Gives an unfair advantage to a number of schools.
Rationale:
The existing policy / by-law gives an unfair advantage to schools which include grades 6-12. There have been situations where students have chosen schools based on the fact that they are allowed to compete on the varsity level prior to 9th grade.
Impact on current rule: Would require a bylaw change by the representative assembly.
Recommendations (Effective 2003-04)
Recommendation #1 Motioned by Allan Gibson / 2nd by Chet Brojek
Item: Number of classifications in cross country.
Create a classification procedure whereby a given school is assigned one class regardless of the sport to which it is / has committed.
Considered problem with existing rule: Present system separates sports, rather than promote uniformity. Treat all sports like football.
Rationale: Creates equity among schools with regard to number of classes allowed. School administrators, coaches, athletes and spectators are not confused regarding a school / team’s classification regardless of the sport.
Impact on current rule: Will eliminate current policy for classification and affect all sports.
Vote:
CCAC 1st Rdg (6-0 Approve)
Recommendation #2 Motioned by Gary Droze
Item: Allow individuals placing in a meet to contribute to overall scores, even if they are not part of a full team.
Vote:
(No vote taken. Motion withdrawn due to previous recommendation regarding scoring.)
Recommendation #3 Motioned by Allan Gibson
Item: Assign more than one parking pass per team at State Meet
Vote:
(No vote taken. Motion withdrawn after staff informed committee that this item has been addressed by FHSAA staff and meet director.)
Recommendation #4 Motioned by Allan Gibson
Item: Number of teams advancing in state series
Vote:
(No vote taken. Motion withdrawn as a result of amendment to previous recommendation regarding 18.050.)
Recommendation # 5 Motioned by William Gordon
Item: Separate Cross Country and Swimming Finals dates.
Vote:
(No action taken. Committee shared in sentiments expressed by Mr. Gordon, Principal of Winter Park High School. Committee noted that schools affected by the conflict in dates will affect its student-athletes once in three years.)