Cross Country Advisory Committee

Minutes
November 29, 2005 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


I. Purpose and Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by Denarvise Thornton. Mr. Thornton noted the purpose of the meeting and those in attendance proceeded with a brief introduction of themselves. In attendance were members: Jan Murphy, Coral Springs Christian School; James Travieso, Vanguard HS (Ocala); Jay Getty, Hagerty HS (Oviedo); Jason Means, Riverview HS (Sarasota); Bonnie Bryson, South Fork HS (Stuart); and Rick Rothman, FACA/Spanish River HS (Spanish River). FHSAA staff members present were: John A. Stewart, Commissioner; Sonny Hester, Senior Director of Athletic Operations; Shanell Young, Athletics Coordinator; and M. Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director of Athletics.

II. The Committee completed their travel expense vouchers. The agenda was adopted as presented.

III. The committee selected Rick Rothman as the chairperson.

IV. Mr. Thornton reviewed and the committee approved the minutes from the Nov. 30, 2004 meeting.

V. Action
A.1. Review of Cross Country Finals
The committee recommends the following items, which may assist the host organization improve various areas of the event:
Packet pickup. Sorting the packets by each class helps, but it will also help to separate the tables far enough to allow each class to receive information without crowding the others.
Coaches meeting. Provide an online coaches meeting opportunity for those coaches who will be traveling far distances. Staff will have to consider the logistics of this.
Audio system. The audio system for the coaches meeting and awards area was sub-par. Relocating the coaches meeting will help with the audio and crowd control concerns.
Awards area. The committee recommends a different set-up for the awards ceremony, one which is conducive to the use of a stage, as well as a better public-address system for awards. Relocating the awards to the entrance (near metal hors statue or on the track itself are viable options.
Baskets for competitors’ belongings. The committee recommends the host make baskets available for returning clothing items, i.e. warm-ups, to the competitors at the completion of the race. The jockey house area may be used for this, but there is a “traffic-flow” logistical issue.
Uniforms. Mr. Thornton responded to the coaches’ concern regarding the uniform rules enforcement as addressed in the coaches’ meeting. It is the position of the FHSAA to enforce the NFHS Cross Country rules.
Starting line. The committee discussed the possibility of adjusting the starting line so that it will be closer to the grandstands where possible. However, maintaining the required distance of 5k will play a role in determining the starting line’s location. The committee also addressed the procedures for assigning lots for teams and individuals, requesting a random drawing for each race.
Team areas. The committee discussed the location of the team areas, requesting that it be relocated to near the starting line, on the infield or on the side near the grandstands. Mr. Thornton informed the committee that the location was selected based on the recommendation of some coaches and it also made the ingress/egress, crowd control better for meet host/administration.
Course design. The committee recommends using the same design as in previous invitational meets held at the same venue.
Kudos. The committee supports a letter of commendation to Cyle Sage, Meet Manager for his efforts in hosting the 2005 FHSAA Cross Country Finals.

A.2. Review of Cross Country Manual. The committee reviewed the 2005 FHSAA Cross Country Manual. For clarification, the committee recommends the following verbiage regarding headwear found on page 3: “Headbands which are no more than two (2) inches wide and made of non-abrasive, unadorned cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather, or rubber are permissible. Hair-restraining devices no more than two inches made of soft material are legal. Decorative headwear is prohibited.” The committee also discussed the new procedure for making changes to the official entry list submitted to the district coordinator.

B. Recommendations (Effective 2006-07 if passed by Board of Directors)
Recommendation #1
205.04 Adjust time schedule for state finals (will continue to rotate classes as currently practiced)
1A girls 8:00 a.m.
2A girls 8:30 a.m.
1A boys 9:00 a.m.
2A boys 9:30 a.m.
3A girls 10:00 a.m. 1A Awards 10:00 a.m.
4A girls 10:30 a.m. 2A Awards 10:30 a.m
3A boys 11:00 a.m. 3A Awards 12:00 a.m.
4A boys 11:30 a.m. 4A Awards 12:30 p.m.
Motioned by Murphy / 2nd by Getty
1st CCAC (8-0 Approve) 11/30/04
1st ADAC (10-0 Support) 1/5/05
2nd CCAC (6-0 Approve) 11/29/05
Committee acknowledges the decision to set the schedule for the state finals rests with the commissioner of the FHSAA but wishes to share this concept for consideration depending upon facility and event staff restraints.
2nd ADAC (9-0 Approved) 1/11/06
BoD (Approved) 1/30/06

Recommendation #2
205.05 Advancers in state series
Qualify top 5 individuals not on a qualifying team from district to region and region to state, allowing coaches to substitute runners on qualifying teams
Motioned by Murphy / 2nd by Means
1st CCAC (5-3 Approve) 11/30/04
1st ADAC (10-0 Do noy support) 1/5/05
2nd CCAC (6-0 Approve) 11/29/05
2 ADAC (9-0 Do not support) 1/11/06
Bod (Not Approved) 1/30/06

C. Recommendations (Effective 2007-08 if passed by Board of Directors)
Recommendation #1
105.01 Competition Rules
Clarify the interpretation for headwear as referred to in the FHSAA manual
No action needed for clarification. Same language as in track and field manual will be adopted:
““Headbands which are no more than two (2) inches wide and made of non-abrasive, unadorned cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather, or rubber are permissible. Hair-restraining devices no more than two inches made of soft material are legal. Decorative headwear, i.e. hair ribbons, is prohibited.”

Recommendation #2
205.05 (1) Advancers in state series (district to region)
Advance the top 8 teams in each district to the region meet.
No action taken.
The committee discussed the potential for increase in schools participating in cross country as membership continues to increase yearly. The committee also discussed this recommendation as it will consistency to the state series when determining the team advancers from district to region.

Recommendation #3
205.05 Individual honors for substitutes
Allow substitutes to be eligible for individual honors by changing the following rule to: A runner who qualifies in the top 15 and who also is a member of a qualifying team may be replaced in the team lineup [regional meet/Finals] by a substitute. The substitute, however, shall not be eligible for individual honors on any subsequent level of competition. (Delete the last, restricting sentence.)
Motioned by Means / 2nd by Murphy
1st CCAC (5-1 Approve) 11/29/05

Recommendation #4
205.04 (3) Coaches Meetings
Allow coaches/team representatives to choose one of three (3) coaches’ meetings to attend, for example hold a meeting at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
No action taken. Coaches support the concept of an online coaches’ meeting for the state finals.

VI. Discussion
A. Invitational Meets. FHSAA staff member and the committee discussed policies regarding financial responsibilities of schools which get invitational meets sanctioned. The committee supports the concept of all schools adhering to the policy.
B. Ms. Murphy requested for clarification for pay of regional meet directors as noted in the track and field manual. Staff clarified that meet directors are also eligible for pay for other duties as well, which is a host decision. The committee also acknowledged that most meet directors’ work for the benefit of the hosting school’s program and often refuse pay as a contribution to the host school’s program.

Mr. Rothman adjourned the meeting at 1:26 p.m.