Tennis Advisory Committee

Minutes
September 4, 2003 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida


The meeting was called to order by Gary Pigott, FHSAA Tennis Administrator, at 10 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Carole Russell (Episcopal H.S.), Thad Boggs (Mandarin H.S.), Todd Palmer (Spruce Creek H.S.), Karen Turman (Land O’Lakes) and Mike Kypriss (Dr. Krop H.S.). Committee members Paul Walker (George Jenkins H.S.) and Earnest Peavy (Bartow H.S.) were not in attendance. Mr. Walker and Mr. Peavy had schedule conflicts. Guest George Russell (Episcopal H.S.), FHSAA staff members Paul McLaughlin and John Stewart were also present.

AGENDA ITEMS

Mr. Pigott reviewed the procedure for completing the expense vouchers and e-mail addresses were collected. Each person present introduced himself or herself.

Mr. Pigott gave the committee a tour of the FHSAA building.

Mr. Pigott welcomed the committee to the FHSAA office, reviewed the agenda and gave the committee an overview of their purpose and objective as an advisory committee.

The committee selected Mike Kypriss, Dr. Krop High School, as chairperson.

Discussion - Review of 2002 Tennis Advisory Committee Minutes: Mr. Kypriss reviewed the four recommendations from the 2001 Tennis Advisory Committee meeting. The 2002 Tennis Advisory Committee did not have any new recommendations.

Recommendation #1: It was moved by Mr. Boggs, seconded by Mr. Palmer and carried, Vote: Unanimous (5-0), to allow hats, caps or visors to be worn with the bill facing forward or backwards (Regulation 7.052).
Rationale: No advantage is gained by wearing a hat backwards.
Adapting to current trends in the sport of tennis.
Legal in all other levels of tennis and USTA juniors.
USTA rules permit the hat to be worn backward.
Individual sport; many amateur and pro tennis players wear their hat backwards.
No registered officials at matches, rely on coaches for enforcement.
Serve toss or sun location may dictate bill facing forward or backward.
Headwear is not part of the tennis uniform (unlike baseball).

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS: Endorse (6-2)
2nd Reading TNAC:
2nd Reading ADAC:

Discussion - Completion of Region Playoff Matches: Mrs. Russell brought up the situation that results when one team clinches the region tennis match and teams do not want to complete individual matches once the team match score has been decided. Before the match begins, both coaches must discuss and agree what course of action will be taken once the region team winner has been decided. The committee encourages each individual match (both singles and doubles) to be played to its conclusion within the “spirit of competition”. All matches should be played to their normal conclusion unless circumstances such as weather, limited facilities or excessive travel prevent that from occurring.

Discussion - FACA Recommendations: No one is currently appointed at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Tennis Chairperson and no agenda items were submitted for the committee to review.

Discussion - State Tournament Sites/Hosts: The following arrangements have been made for the State Tennis Finals. Mr. Pigott encouraged all committee members to notify anyone interested in hosting to contact him in the FHSAA office.
Class 4A: Site-Sanlando Park & Lake Brantley High School; Dates: TBA
Host: University High School, Orlando
Class 3A: Site-Sanlando Park & Lake Brantley High School; Dates: TBA
Host: University High School, Orlando
Class 2A: Site-Hillsborough Community College, Tampa; Dates: TBA
Host: Currently none has been determined
Class A: Site - FSU Tennis Complex & Tom Brown Park; Dates: TBA
Host: Maclay School, Tallahassee

Discussion – Expansion of the Playoff Format: Mr. Palmer submitted an item regarding a change to the tennis playoff format. The committee discussed and reviewed the proposal for recommendation.

Recommendation #2: It was moved by Mr. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Turman and carried, Vote: Unanimous (5-0), to submit the proposal to revise the current FHSAA tennis playoff format. Please see the following pages for the proposal and rationale recommended.

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS: Do Not Endorse (8-0)
2nd Reading TNAC:
2nd Reading ADAC:

Discussion: The existing FHSAA Tennis Manual was reviewed. The coaching and minimum match regulations were clarified, but no changes were suggested.

Open Agenda:
Discussion – Classification and Districting: Mr. Pigott reviewed the process for classification and districting with the committee. Classifications and district assignments for the 2004 & 2005 tennis season will be available soon via the FHSAA web site.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.