Volleyball Advisory Committee

Minutes
November 29, 2005 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


Paul McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Shelley Bradford, Navarre High School; Joy Becker, Leon High School (Tallahassee); Heidi Castelamare, River Ridge High School (New Port Richey); Deb Rawlings, DeLand High School; Joya Teter, Lake Gibson High School (Lakeland); Robin Wagman, Haines City High School; Louise Crocco, Cardinal Gibbons High School (Fort Lauderdale); Caryn Cortright, Varela High School (Miami); and Cindy Boulware, Gainesville High School—FACA. FHSAA staff members in attendance were John Stewart, Commissioner; Sonny Hester, Sr. Director of Operations and Officials; Paul 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. It was moved by Ms. Cortright seconded by Ms. Rawlings.

4. The minutes from the December 2004 meeting were reviewed and approved. All recommendations submitted were approved by the FHSAA Board of Directors.

5. General comments regarding the 2005 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. Methods to be utilized include: FHSAA Officials Leadership Conference, the online video rules presentation, and written communication to those in leadership positions in the local volleyball officials associations.
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.

6. The 2005 state volleyball tournament was discussed. Both Dr. Stewart and Paul McLaughlin commented on the use of Sunday because of Hurricane Wilma. The coaches who attended the tournament either as participants or spectators endorse the continued use of The Lakeland Center. The major criticisms dealt with some overzealous Lakeland Center staff. The coaches think that the host should do more to accommodate visiting schools (practice facilities contact person, team host, etc.). It was moved by Ms. Crocco, seconded by Ms. Wagman, to have all 18 players introduced even though only 15 are in uniform. Additional chairs have been requested for the team bench area. Possible future sites in addition to The Lakeland Center include: FAU, FIU, UCF, FSU and Gulf Coast University.

7. The National Federation volleyball rules were discussed. There was unanimous agreement not to change any of the “by state association adoption” rules. Paul McLaughlin stated that a coaching box rule for volleyball was being submitted to the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee. Several coaches inquired if a county could modify NFHS Volleyball Rules. The answer is NO. The FHSAA has the authority (granted by the NFHS) to make a rule more restrictive, but individual counties, conferences, etc. may not modify existing playing rules without prior written approval from the FHSAA Office.

8. “Old Business”—None

9. “New Business”
Detailed information regarding the following recommendations can be found on the attachments to these minutes.

A. Gross Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty: It was moved by Ms. Boulware, seconded by Ms. Bradford, and carried unanimously to approve the change to Policy 30 on Unsportsmanlike Conduct as submitted.

B. 2005 Recommendation #1: It was moved by Ms. Crocco, seconded by Ms. Teter, and carried unanimously to have the FHSAA Office ask for an NFHS Experiment to allow the libero to serve.

C. 2005 Recommendation #2: It was moved by Ms. Boulware, seconded by Ms. Wagman, and carried unanimously to modify 103.02 (1) to include: “…regular season contests—25, inclusive of all matches played in regular season tournaments. A maximum of 3 double dual or tri matches (allowable only on dates when there is no school the next day) would count as one contest each.” It was moved by Ms. Cortright, seconded by Ms. Bradford, and carried unanimously to Fast Track this recommendation.

D. 2005 Recommendation #3: It was moved by Ms. Teter, seconded by Ms. Rawlings, and carried unanimously to modify 105.05 (1) to read “…Tuesday Thursday through Saturday of week 7 6.” AND modify 103.02 to read “First regular season contest date is the Monday of week 8 7 (August 14). It was moved by Ms. Bradford, seconded by Ms. Rawlings, and carried unanimously to Fast Track this recommendation.

E. Change the warm-up time to 20 minutes: It was unanimously agreed to allow the FHSAA staff to use educational methods to further improve the officials’ understanding of the correct pre-match warm-up procedures.

F. Allow coaches to stand in front of bench area: Previously discussed (see #7 above).

G. Allow players to stand and warm-up during game: This is covered under NFHS rule 12-2-6b and must be done in a “non-playable area.”

10. Mr. McLaughlin informed the committee members that there were more ejections in the sport of volleyball this past season than in the previous several years. The majority of ejections are assistant coaches. Mr. Hester informed the committee members that the Jessica Lunsford Act significantly impacted the number and quality of officials.

11. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) Officials—The committee is concerned about the lack of professionalism and consistency with many of our officials. The coaches were asked to assist the FHSAA in the recruitment of officials by encouraging their former players who graduate and do not possess the ability to play at the next level to go into officiating. Officials are also not recognizing taunting and penalizing according to the NFHS rules book.

12. In conclusion, Paul McLaughlin thanked all the committee members for their expertise. He expressed the gratitude and best wishes for outgoing committee members Shelley Bradford, Deb Rawlings, Robin Wagman and Caryn Cortright. 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 in August in conjunction with the FHSAA volleyball online rules presentations.

13. Ms. Becker adjourned the meeting at 12:55 p.m.