Volleyball Advisory Committee

Minutes
December 2, 2003 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida


Paul McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Shelley Bradford, Navarre High School, Charmaine Cox, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando), Deb Rawlings, DeLand High School, Brian Wheatley, Venice High School, Robin Wagman, Haines City High School, Edwin “Rob” Sweeten, Boca Raton High School, Caryn Cortright, Varela High School (Miami), Joy Becker, Leon High School (Tallahassee). FHSAA staff members in attendance were John A. Stewart, Associate Commissioner and Paul K. McLaughlin, Director of Athletics.

1. Mr. McLaughlin welcomed the committee members to the FHSAA Office. He explained the procedure for completing the expense vouchers.

2. Mr. McLaughlin gave the committee members a tour of the Robert W. Hughes Building.

3. Mr. McLaughlin gave the committee members an overview of the purpose of the meeting.

4. Each committee member introduced himself or herself.

5. Joy Becker, Leon High School, was selected chairman by a unanimous vote. (Motion Wheatley, Second Rawlins)

6. General comments regarding the 2003 FHSAA Volleyball Manual were very positive. Mr. McLaughlin informed the coaches that the district assignments would be put back into the 2004 Volleyball Manual. The coaches requested that the explanation of tiebreak procedures be separated into the two possible scenarios—playing each district opponent once and playing each district opponent twice.

7. The 2003 state volleyball tournament was discussed. The coaches who attended the tournament either as participants or spectators endorse the continued use of The Lakeland Center. The professionalism of the PA announcer received special praise. The only complaint was regarding the cool temperature in the facility itself (due to the court being placed on top of the ice surface).

8. The National Federation volleyball rules were discussed. There was unanimous agreement not to change any of the “by state association adoption” rules. Match length and possible changes to the rally scoring format were discussed. The potential implementation of the use of the libero was also discussed. The committee members agreed by a unanimous vote to add the use of the libero should it be a rule “by state association adoption”. The coaches also want the FHSAA Office to submit a proposal to the NFHS for a coaching box, similar to the one used for basketball. Unanimous vote for. (Motion Cortright, Second Rawlings)

9. There was no “Old Business” from the previous year.

10. Detailed information regarding the following recommendations can be found on the attachments to these minutes.

2003 Recommendation #1: It was moved by Mr. Wheatley seconded by Ms. Wagman and carried unanimously to change the region tournament format to the format used for basketball.

It was moved by Mr. Wheatley seconded by Ms. Wagman and carried unanimously to fast track this recommendation.

2003 Recommendation #2: It was moved by Ms. Cortright seconded by Ms. Rawlins and carried unanimously to establish a coach’s box.

2003 Recommendation #3: It was moved by Ms. Cox seconded by Mr. Wheatley and carried unanimously to require registered officials to serve as line judges for district semifinal and final matches.

11. Mr. McLaughlin informed the committee members that there were very few ejections in the sport of volleyball this past season. He congratulated the coaches on this achievement.

12. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) The FHSAA Office should better train its clinicians. A statement such as “not allowed to ask questions because I don’t know anything” is not a sign of professionalism.
b) Officials associations need to improve on consistency of certain calls. Calls discussed included digging the ball off the net, enforcing rules during JV matches, uniform shirt enforcement, in-play/out-of-play areas, screening, and bench areas (2nd row).
c) The FHSAA web site should mark the bracket for “home team” in all regional semifinal matches.
d) The committee discussed the Officials Advisory Committee recommendation of a 15-minute pre-match warm-up period. The committee requests that the warm-up time not be reduced shorter than 20 minutes (8-5-5-2).
e) The committee discussed the possibility of going back to four classifications in all team sports besides football. This was not received very favorably.

13. In conclusion, Paul McLaughlin thanked all the committee members for their expertise.

13. Ms. Becker adjourned the meeting at 12:45 p.m.