Wrestling Advisory Committee
Minutes
March 21, 2005 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida
Paul McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Matt Morris, Bolles (Jacksonville); Lawrence Yudin, Sandalwood (Jacksonville); Rick Tribit, Winter Springs; Ron Jones, Sarasota; Albert Pardo, South Miami; Charlie Zies, Florida Christian School (Miami); and Vic Lorenzano, St. Cloud. Paul McLaughlin, Director of Athletics, Sonny Hester, Sr. Director of Athletics, and Chris Singleton, UF/FHSAA intern, also attended the meeting. Guests included Mike Anderson and Richard Dehler representing the Mid-Florida Wrestling Officials Association.
1. Mr. McLaughlin welcomed the committee members and guests to the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building. He explained the procedure for completing the expense vouchers.
2. Mr. McLaughlin gave the committee members an overview of the purpose of the meeting.
3. Each committee member introduced himself.
4. The agenda was adopted as submitted. Unanimous (Motion Tribit, Second Lorenzano).
5. Vic Lorenzano, St. Cloud, was selected chairman by a unanimous vote. (Motion Tribit, Second Pardo).
6. Citizen Input (those in attendance who are not members of the committee were given an opportunity to discuss items on the committee agenda). Mike Anderson and Richard Dehler, registered wrestling officials, showed a PowerPoint with video clips demonstrating correct procedures for out-of-bounds calls and stalling calls.
7. The minutes from the 2004 committee meeting were reviewed and accepted as written. (Motion Jones, Second Pardo).
8. General comments regarding the 2004-05 FHSAA Wrestling Manual were very positive. The addition of district assignments was a much needed improvement.
2005 Recommendation #1: The committee was unanimous in requiring visual table clocks at all state series events. In addition, the committee strongly recommends knowledgeable and competent adult table workers at each mat for all state series events. Registered officials shall be given preference. (Motion Jones, Second Tribit—unanimous). Problems occurred at some district and region sites with students working the tables who were not paying attention to what was taking place on the mat.
9. The 2005 state wrestling tournament was discussed. The coaches were disappointed in that an RFP was not done to find a larger venue. Running a tournament of this size on 8 mats is far from ideal. If 12 mats were utilized, the tournament could be done in two days and save the schools considerable travel expense. Mr. McLaughlin reviewed the problems with the awards procedure. The committee recommends going back to the previous method of awarding medallions in each weightclass in groups of 3 wt. classes after every three weight-classes have wrestled. In other words, give the awards for 103, 112, and 119 after the 119 pound wt. class has wrestled the championship bout; etc. The coaches want to be able to have more floor credentials so that all coaches who work with the program can have access to the floor. This could be done on a “by request” basis. Several examples of poor treatment of wrestling squads by Lakeland area hotels was also mentioned.
10. National Federation wrestling rules were discussed. It was pointed out that Mike Anderson is completing his term on the National Federation Wrestling Rules Committee representing his former home state of Vermont as the Section 1 representative. Paul McLaughlin will be representing Section 3 for the next four years. McLaughlin reminded the committee that he is representing all Section 3 states and not just the interests of Florida coaches.
11. Detailed information regarding the following recommendations that passed can be found on the attachments to these minutes.
2004 Recommendation #2: Establish a core “teaching faculty” of 5-8 of the best officials in the state to conduct FHSAA Field Clinics. Attendance should be mandatory once every other year in order for any official to be assigned to work a region or state tournament. These regionalized clinics shall utilize wrestlers on the mat for training purposes. Unanimous (Motion Morris, Second Jones).
2004 Recommendation #4: Expand the 16-line bracket to a 24-line bracket in each weightclass at the state tournament by placing the top 6 wrestlers in each weightclass at each region tournament for advancement to the state tournament. No action.
12. New Business. There were no new recommendations.
13. Mr. McLaughlin indicated that there seemed to be a slight improvement in the area of sportsmanship during the past wrestling season.
14. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) New calendar dates for wrestling in 2005-06.
b) New rules meeting procedures using Dish Network for officials and video streaming for coaches and officials.
c) State Series Pass abuses. Changes may be on the horizon.
d) Additional Master Wrestling Assessor Training sessions will be scheduled during the summer for South Florida and possible one other location.
15. In conclusion, Paul McLaughlin thanked all the committee members for their years of service on the committee. Outgoing committee members Yudin, Tribit, Jones, and Pardo were encouraged to find quality wrestling coaches to take their place. Declaration of candidacy forms will be on the FHSAA web site in early September. Balloting will be conducted at the FACA Wrestling Clinic in October and during the video streamed rules meetings throughout the month of October. The committee presented Vic Lorenzano and Paul McLaughlin with commemorative plaques for their “Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Florida Wrestling Community.”
16. Mr. Lorenzano adjourned the meeting at 12:49 p.m.