Volleyball Advisory Committee
Minutes
December 1, 2004 • 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; Charmaine Cox, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando); Deb Rawlings, DeLand; Brian Wheatley, Venice; Robin Wagman, Haines City; Edwin “Rob” Sweeten, Boca Raton; Caryn Cortright, Varela (Miami); and Joy Becker, Leon (Tallahassee). FHSAA staff members in attendance were Paul K. McLaughlin, Director of Athletics, and Tamara Wilsey, Associate Director of Athletics.
1. Mr. McLaughlin welcomed the committee members to the FHSAA Office. He explained the procedure for completing the expense vouchers. Each committee member introduced himself or herself.
2. Mr. McLaughlin gave the committee members an overview of the purpose of the meeting and explained the process that recommendations need to follow.
3. Joy Becker, Leon High School, was selected chairman by a unanimous vote.
4. The minutes from the December 2003 meeting were reviewed and approved. (Motion Wagman, Second Cortright)
5. General comments regarding the 2004 FHSAA Volleyball Manual were very positive.
a) Warm-up time clarification—The FHSAA will work with the various officials associations to better inform the officials as to the correct procedure to be followed when there are consecutive matches at the same site.
b) Noisemaker language—The FHSAA will work with the various officials associations to better inform the officials as to the intent and correct enforcement of this regulation.
c) Re-classification—Jack Watford reviewed the changes made by the FHSAA Board of Directors (4-year period instead of 2-year) and the expectation of the posting of the district assignments in February 2005.
6. The 2004 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 committee recommended padding be added around the standard supports weight cluster. The major criticisms dealt with Sunshine Network and the scheduling of coach and player interviews before the championship matches. The coaches would prefer that more emphasis be placed on the players during the awards ceremony—i.e., put the coaching staff after the players when medallions are presented. Participating coaches praised the ease of electronic submission of souvenir program information and the team photo. One of the schools had the incorrect photo put in the program. The school in question (Venice) was asked to send in a 2nd photo because the 1st photo submitted was “too casual”, yet the 1st photo was printed in the program. The coaches also asked if the tournament brackets could be posted on the wall and updated for the benefit of spectators.
7. 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 other variances granted by the FHSAA Office during the recent hurricanes were discussed. The questionnaires submitted by coaches and officials at the state tournament regarding the use of the libero were discussed. Coaches would like to see the libero be permitted to serve.
8. Old Business
Detailed information regarding the following recommendations can be found on the attachments to these minutes.
2003 Recommendation #2: It was moved by Ms. Wagman seconded by Ms. Rawlins and carried unanimously to establish a coach’s box.
2003 Recommendation #3: It was moved by Ms. Cox seconded by Ms. Bradford and carried unanimously to require registered officials to serve as line judges for district semifinal and final matches.
9. New Business
Detailed information regarding the following recommendations can be found on the attachments to these minutes.
2004 Recommendation #1: It was moved by Ms. Bradford seconded by Ms. Cortright and carried unanimously to Adjust the FHSAA calendar for all sports to better align with the opening of school in the fall. Practice would begin on the Monday of week #5 instead of week #6. The committee also unanimously recommended modifying the existing regional tournament format to Tuesday, Saturday, and Thursday. (Motion Cortright, Second Bradford). It was moved by Ms. Wagman seconded by Mr. Wheatley and carried unanimously to Fast Track this recommendation.
2004 Recommendation #2: It was moved by Ms. Bradford seconded by Mr. Sweeten and carried unanimously to reduce tournament application fees to those charged wrestling. It was moved by Ms. Wagman seconded by Mr. Sweeten and carried unanimously to Fast Track this recommendation.
10. 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.
11. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) Some officials associations are “requiring” coaches to attend a local officials association meeting to go over certain rules, policies, and procedures. If the coaches don’t attend then consequences could result in the assignment of officials to their matches.
b) The committee would like to see a statement added that medical personal be available at state series contests.
c) The committee requests that the FHSAA AD Advisory Committee re-visit the current district seeding policy.
12. In conclusion, Paul McLaughlin thanked all the committee members for their expertise. He expressed the gratitude and best wishes for outgoing committee members Charmaine Cox, Brian Wheatley, and Rob Sweeten. All committee members were reminded that declaration of candidacy forms would be available in May on the FHSAA web site. The elections will take place at rules meetings in June at the FACA clinic and during August.
13. Ms. Becker adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.