Cross Country Advisory Committee

Minutes
November 28, 2006 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


I. Purpose and Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Shanell Young. Ms. Young noted the purpose of the meeting and those in attendance proceeded with a brief introduction of themselves. In attendance were members James Donovan, Robert E. Lee HS (Jacksonville); Scott Gowan, Chiles HS (Tallahassee); Ron Norris, Buchholz HS (Gainesville); James Travieso, Vanguard HS (Ocala); Bonnie Bryson, South Fork HS (Stuart); David Rittenour, Sickles HS (Tampa); Frankie Ruiz, Belen Jesuit (Miami); Jan Murphy, Coral Springs Christian Academy; Gary Droze, FACA Representative/Maclay (Tallahassee). FHSAA staff members present were John A. Stewart, Commissioner; and Denarvise Thornton, Senior Director of Athletic Operations.

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

III. The committee selected Gary Droze as the chairperson.

IV. Mr. Droze reviewed and the committee approved the minutes from the Nov. 29, 2005 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:

Starting area.
A wider starting line should be used to help with runner congestion during the start.

Team areas.
The committee discussed the location and size of the team areas, requesting that it be larger and restricted to athletes and coaches only. The use of an identification wristband could help elevate the problem of spectators entering the area.

Finish line.
The committee suggested that additional visible markings on the ground should be used at the finish line.

First-Aid tent.
The committee suggested that the First aid tent be moved away from spectator access or enclosed to keep spectators from interfering with the medical staff.

Additional athlete entrance.
The committee suggested that all athletes on each teams entry list should get commentary access to the meet.

Porta-pottys.
The committee suggested that more porta-pottys are needed near the starting line.

Starting Schedule.
The committee suggested that a schedule, which not only rotates the classes, but also rotates the genders, be recommended in the future.
An Ad-hoc committee of: Gowan, Norris, Murphy, and Rittenour was created to create such a schedule.

Coaches Meeting.
The committee raved about the use of the Online Coaches Meeting and thought it was very helpful. The committed recommend that a certificate be available for printing to validate attendance.

Kudos.
The committee congratulated the FHSAA Staff, Bishop McLaughlin Administration, Little Everglades Ranch and Cyle Sage on all of the improvements from last year, and look forward to next year’s meet.

A.2. Review of Cross Country Manual.
The committee reviewed the 2006 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, i.e. hair ribbons, is prohibited.”

B. Recommendations (Effective 2007-08 if passed by Board of Directors)
Recommendation #1
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 Rittenour / 2nd by Donavan
1st CCAC (5-1 Approve) 11/29/05
1st ADAC (9-0 Approve) 1/11/06
2nd CCAC (9-0 Approve) 11/28/06

B. Recommendations (Effective 2008-09 if passed by Board of Directors)
Recommendation #1
Number of Regional and State Passes.
From FHSAA Track & Field Manual 207.04 (3) - Participant Passes. Schools will be issued participant passes only for coaches and student-athletes who qualify for participation in the FHSAA Finals. Schools with four or fewer participants will be issued two (2) passes for use by coaches; schools with five or more participants will be issued three (3) passes for use by coaches.
Recommendation(s):
Please add the following to the Cross Country Manual regarding the Region and State Meets:
Participant Passes. Schools will be issued participant passes only for coaches and student-athletes who qualify for participation in the next meet. Schools with four or fewer individual qualifiers will be issued two (2) passes for use by coaches; schools qualifying a team will be issued three (3) passes for use by coaches.
1st CCAC (No action taken) 11/29/05

Recommendation #2
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 girls race shall precede the boys 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 at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the meet.”
OR:
“A coaches meeting shall be held at the site of each regional meet 60 minutes prior to the start of the meet.”
Motioned by Gowan / 2nd by Donavan
1st CCAC (7-1 Modify and Approve) 11/28/06

VI. Discussion
A.1. Lightning Policy. FHSAA Staff and Committee discussed the correct protocol for suspending a race after it has started. The Staff stressed the need of recovery and warm-up time for the athletes.
A.2. Ms. Galdys discussed the need for better communication between the District and Regional host to ensure smoother transitions between the levels of competition.
A.3. Mr. Gowan discussed the need of decreasing the amount of teams qualifying for the state meet.
A.4. Ms. Murphy discussed the need of a guideline for regular season meets to bring consistency to all regular season meets.

Mr. Droze adjourned the meeting at 1:24 p.m.