Wrestling Advisory Committee
Minutes
March 24, 2003 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida
Paul McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Mike Crowder, Lincoln High School, Lawrence Yudin, Sandalwood High School, Rick Tribit, Winter Springs High School, Kevin Carpenger, Lake Brantley High School, Ron Jones, Sarasota High School, Russ Schenk, Berkeley Prep, Albert Pardo, South Miami High School, Frank Pettineo, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Vic Lorenzano, St. Cloud High School. Ronald L. Allen, Associate Commissioner, Paul K. McLaughlin, Director of Athletics, and Jack Watford, Director of Communications, also attended the meeting.
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.
5. Vic Lorenzano, St. Cloud H. S., was selected chairman by a unanimous vote. (Motion Tribit, Second Jones). The agenda was adopted as presented by a unanimous vote. (Motion Tribit, Second Crowder).
6. Citizen Input (those in attendance who are not members of the committee were given an opportunity to discuss items on the committee agenda. None present.
7. The minutes from the 2002 committee meeting were reviewed and accepted as written.
8. General comments regarding the 2002-2003 FHSAA Wrestling Manual were very positive. The new size of the manual is easier to carry and work with. However, it was strongly suggested to improve the timeliness for access on the FHSAA web site for those forms needed by wrestling coaches. Several coaches commented that financial forms were not always available on the web site. Several coaches also indicated that the NFHS sanction form should be available on the FHSAA site.
9. The 2003 state wrestling tournament was discussed. Significant improvement has been made in the ability of wrestlers to warm-up properly for competition. The entrance for participating wrestlers and coaches on the north side of The Lakeland Center was a big improvement over previous tournaments. Areas for improvement include [possible solution in ( )]: in the early rounds, bouts for wrestlers from the same school were often taking place simultaneously on different mats (need a 4th floor pass so that all assistant coaches can be on the floor to coach during the tournament / use the same mat for wrestlers from the same school where possible / establish a holding area on the floor for coaches who have a wrestler on-deck), sound system in the weigh-in area was poor (replace bullhorn with portable PA or use Youkey Theatre for weigh-in [scales on stage behind curtain, holding area is theatre]), difficult to see score clocks (use 3-sided clocks), delay in awards ceremony (have mat crew ready to move 3 championship mats—Tom Short commended for his efforts), difficult to see awards presentations (move awards stands to center of arena floor), inattentiveness of table workers (do not allow cell phone use at tables) and inflexibility and unfriendliness of The Lakeland Center Staff (better orientation for these workers). Mr. Watford discussed the abuse of coaches’ credentials and the FHSAA’s plan to solve this abuse. Mr. McLaughlin thanked those schools that provided table workers for the tournament.
10. National Federation wrestling rules were discussed. The only “by state association adoption” rule discussed was the 2-pound growth allowance. The following recommendations for NFHS rules changes were approved:
NFHS Recommendation #1: 4-4-1 Change the 215-pound weight class to 220 (Motion Tribit, Second Pardo). Rationale: Currently, too many football linebacker types (225 pounders) can’t get down to 215 (also, football coaches don’t want them losing weight). In addition, they are not physically able to compete favorably at 275.
NFHS Recommendation #2: 4-4-1 Add an additional optional weight class at unlimited. (Motion Schenk, Second Tribit). Rationale: Student-athletes are bigger and stronger than they were 10 years ago. There are currently too many football linemen who can’t get down to 275 (also, football coaches don’t want them losing weight). Therefore, these student-athletes miss out on the opportunity to compete in wrestling.
NFHS Recommendation #3: 8-1-1 & Penalty Chart. Delete “the coach of the contestant will also be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.” Rationale: Removal of the coach on the second penalty is too severe. For example, during a tournament, a wrestler on one mat fails to have his laces tied. On another mat, a wrestler forgets to put his mouthpiece in, the coach is now removed for the day.
11. Detailed information regarding the following recommendations that passed can be found on the attachments to these minutes.
2002 Recommendation #1: Establish a dual meet team tournament.
1) The FHSAA Board tabled this in June 2002, pending revisions to the FHSAA Calendar and more detailed information.
2) Head wrestling coaches were surveyed at the 2003 state tournament regarding the possible options. The results of the survey were 43 votes “for” and 42 votes “against” the implementation of a dual team state tournament by classifications.
The recommendation was withdrawn by unanimous vote. (Motion Schenk, Second Crowder).
12. New Business
2003 Recommendation #1: Add to 8.041, “Each wrestler’s minimum certified weight class shall be established by using an NFHS approved procedure that includes both hydration and body fat testing as well as nutrition education information. Additionally, a wrestler may not loose more than 1_ % of his/her weight per week. Appropriate record keeping procedures must be maintained by the school to monitor this requirement. Schools are encouraged to voluntarily comply during the 2003-04 season with new NFHS rule 1-3 (which takes effect in 2004-05).” Unanimous (Motion Tribit, Second Crowder).
2003 Recommendation #2: Add a new 8.052 (and renumber remaining sections) to read, “All tournament weigh-ins shall be conducted by FHSAA registered wrestling officials.” Unanimous (Motion Schenk, Second Jones).
2003 Recommendation #3: Change 3.032 to read, “Tournaments shall be limited to a field of 16 teams. Tournaments may include up to 32 teams. Single elimination…holiday period. A team shall not participate in a tournament that begins earlier than 3 p.m. (or 12 noon for a 32 team tournament only, provided conditions in 3.021 are met) local time on a school day.” Unanimous (Motion Tribit, Second Crowder). Unanimous to Fast Track (Motion Yudin, Second Carpenger).
13. Mr. McLaughlin stated that there were seven (5 head coaches and 2 assistant coaches) wrestling coaches ejected during this past season; two of the seven coaches were ejected for gross unsportsmanlike conduct. The disappointing fact is that of the 36 wrestlers ejected in 2002-03, 20 were ejected for gross unsportsmanlike conduct.
14. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) Mr. Tribit’s agenda item which was forwarded to the Wrestling Officials Advisory Committee for its September meeting. This item includes provisions whereby officials must attend regional training sessions in order to officiate in the state wrestling tournament. The ultimate goal is to achieve consistency in rules interpretations. Several coaches commented that certain local officials associations seem to be more concerned with giving veteran officials a chance to work a state tournament rather then recommending the best officials from a particular association. The coaches were in agreement that the best officials should be calling in the state tournament because the best wrestlers are participating and deserve the top officials.
b) Implementing a state-wide JV wrestling tournament. This will be discussed during the October FACA meetings.
15. In conclusion, Paul McLaughlin thanked out-going committee members Mike Crowder, Kevin Carpenger, Ron Jones and Frank Pettineo for their years of service on the committee. All but Crowder are eligible for election to a full-term. He reminded the committee members that the declaration of candidacy forms would be available on the web site in September and asked the committee members to urge other coaches to be a part of the committee.
16. Mr. Lorenzano adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m.