Track & Field Advisory Committee

Minutes
August 27, 2001 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Office
Gainesville, Florida


The Track & Field Advisory Committee met on Monday, August 27, 2001, at 10 a.m. in the office of the FHSAA, Gainesville, Florida. Those present were James Donovan, Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville; Vic Cervizzi, Central High School, Brooksville; Ken Brauman, Seminole High School; Donald Trew, Hardee High School; Carmen Jackson, Miami Northwestern High School, Harry Howell, Cardinal Newman High School, West Palm Beach; and FACA representative Mal Harpell, Poinciana High School, Kissimmee. Representing the FHSAA were M. Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director of Athletics, and Ron Allen, Associate Commissioner for Athletic Operations.

Ken Brauman was selected as Chairperson.

It was explained to the advisory committee that any new recommendations submitted would be carried over and reviewed at the next meeting of the Committee in the year 2002 for approval by the FHSAA Board of Directors and implementation at that time for the school year 2002-2003.

The Committee reviewed the minutes of August 28, 2000 Track and Field Advisory Committee Minutes and approved or disapproved the recommendations made at that time, as follows:

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation #1
Item: Uniform Modification. Track and Field Manual, Item 6.020 - FHSAA Rule Modifications, Rule 4.3.1 Uniforms.
Background: In the past the jersey numerals have been required to be plain Arabic numerals and solid color. Coaches feel those specific descriptions are no longer necessary.
Alternative:
Recommendation: Deletion of reference to the “plain Arabic” and “solid” terms in the description of jersey numbers. The revised statement would read that each contestant must be numbered on the back of his/her jersey with numerals of color which contrast with the color of the jersey and is made of material not less than three-quarters (3/4) inch wide.
Rationale: Inclusion of the terminology “plain Arabic” and “solid” is antiquated and no longer needed.
Action taken: Motion to Approve with the deletion of the words, “made of material” was made by Mr. Harpell and seconded by Mr. Trew - Vote: Unanimous.

Recommendation #2
Item: Hy-Tek Data System - District and Region Meets
Background: Previously “Hy-Tek” data systems were not recommended for district competition and only during the 1999 season was “Hy Tek” recommended for regional competition.
Alternative: Use of hard copy forms to submit results.
Recommendation: Recommendation is that the use of Hy-Tek data systems software be implemented and recommended for use in both the district and region level
Rationale: Accuracy, expediency and time saving.
Impact Statement: Software already property of FHSAA. Host P.C. needed.
Data Source: Track & Field Advisory Committee
Action Taken: Motion to Approve by Mr. Trew and seconded by Ms. Jackson - Vote: Unanimous.

Recommendation #3
Item: Time frame for reporting of District and Region Results
Background: Presently Track and Field Manual verbiage 17.021 states that the meet results for district and region are to be forwarded to the subsequent level of competition immediately.
Alternative:
Recommendation: The word “immediately” be replaced with “within 48 hours”.
Rationale: Haste makes waste. The coaches felt they were pressured to get the results to the next level in such a manner that there was not time to clear mistakes, and that 48 hours is reasonable.
Impact Statement: The FHSAA office agrees there is no need to receive this information any sooner than the 48 hours requested. The FHSAA would rather have accurate reports than hastily prepared reports.
Action Taken: Motion to Approve by Mr. Cervizzi and seconded by Mr. Howell - Vote: Unanimous.

Recommendation #4
Item: State Series Competition in the 1600 Meter and 3200 Meter Run. Items 19.022 and 19.032 in the 1999-2000 Track and Field Manual which state that contestants in the 1600 and 3200 meter run in excess of the number of places to be awarded who are lapped, must drop out of the race.
Background Information: This mandatory drop-out rule has been in place for many years in Florida.
Alternative: Runner continues to compete.
Recommendation(s): Dropping out of the race upon being lapped in those two races at the district, region and state championship level should be optional if the participant is lapped under the terms described. If the athlete chooses not to drop out of the race they are required to move to lane 3 or beyond to complete the event.
Rationale: Participants in these two events are sometimes competing for school records or personal best times and are required to drop out which not only removes the possibility of establishing school records and personal records, but also is demeaning and embarrassing to athletes.
Action Taken: Motion to Approve by Mr. Trew and seconded by Mr. Howell - Vote: Unanimous.

Recommendation #5
Item: District entry list forwarded to next level.
Background Information: In the past, district entry lists for schools have not been required beyond the district level.
Recommendation: The district entry lists be forwarded from the district host to the region host and from the region host to the state meet coordinator for vital information about students that needs to be inserted into the programs. (This does not preclude the hosts’ responsibility to forward entry lists to FHSAA as already set in policy.)
Rationale: To make certain that all of our venues in the state series have pertinent information for publicity and exposure of athletes in regards to class, first names, etc.
Action Taken: Motion to Approve by Mr. Cervizzi and seconded by Ms. Jackson - Vote: Unanimous.

Recommendation #6
Item: Awards at the region competition.
Background Information: Up until this point ribbons have been awarded to the top six finishers in the district and region competition.
Recommendation: In region competition eight ribbons be awarded since eight places are being scored. There is no recommended change in regard to the number of ribbons distributed for district competition due to the fact that districts vary in size.
Action Taken: Motion to Approve by Mr. Harpel and seconded by Mr. Cervizzie - Vote: Unanimous.

The above recommendations have met the one-year mandatory delay and shall now be presented to the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee and the FHSAA Board of Directors.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation #1
In state series competition the results of the district and regional meets shall be supplied each participating coach, in writing, within 48 hours of competition.
Background Information: In past years many coaches complain that they are not aware of the placement of their teams or the qualifiers for the next level of competition, because the host schools have not given the official results out in writing.
Alternative: To remain status quo and the problem would persist.
Rationale for Change: Obvious from the background information.
Impact on Current Rule and Regulations: No negative impact. Simply stresses that the results are needed by the teams competing.
Data Source: Track and Field Advisory Committee

Recommendation #2
Change the whistle start to a verbal command to coincide with the National Federation rules.
Background Information: The whistle start has been used for many years in Florida track as a method to enhance the audible commands to the athletes.
Alternative: Remain with the whistle start.
Rationale for Change: To implement the National Federation rule as written.
Impact on Current Rule and Regulations: No negative impact. FHSAA staff concerned regarding whether athletes can hear the verbal command.
Data Source: Track and Field Advisory Committee

Recommendation #3
Schools hosting Regional meets must have a metrically measured facility if available. Bidding of the sites should be awarded first to those of metric facilities.
Background: At the present time some tracks are metric and some tracks are in yards. Therefore, creating conversion problems for performances established.
Alternative: Assign regions as presently done with the understanding that yard performances will be so noted on the results finals, and conversion will be applied to metric performances.
Rationale for Change: To eliminate the conversion necessity.
Impact on Current Rules and Regulations: Sometimes it is impossible to find region hosts, let alone region hosts with metric facilities.
Data Source: Track and Field Advisory Committee

Recommendation #4
Increase the number of track and field classifications to coincide with other major sports.
Background Information: For many years Florida had five classes in track and field and the coaches feel that there are more teams participating than revealed to the FHSAA and an additional class is needed.
Alternative: To remain four classes as presently run.
Rationale for Change: More teams are competing, therefore, it is difficult to progress through the present four class system. The advisory committee is seeking clarification and review of accuracy of present numbers of teams competing in Track and Field in Florida.
Review to be implemented and addressed prior to re-districting two years hence.

Recommendation #5
Reinstate the Heptathlon and Decathlon competition.
Background Information: The Heptathlon and Decathlon was dropped by the FHSAA several years ago due to lack of interest and low number of teams participating.
Alternative: To remain status quo with the elimination of the two events.
Rationale for Change: Some coaches feel the Heptathlon and Decathlon awarded specially talented athletes and should be reinstated.
Data Source: Track and Field Advisory Committee

The Committee adjourned at 12:15 p.m.