Wrestling Advisory Committee
Minutes
March 3, 2008 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida
Gary Pigott, FHSAA, called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. The following committee members were present: David Laxton, Suwannee HS (Live Oak); Mike Crowder, Lincoln HS (Tallahassee); Kevin Carpenger, Lake Brantley HS (Altamonte Springs); Tommy Montero, Robinson HS (Tampa); Russ Cozart, Brandon HS; Frank Pettineo, Cardinal Gibbons HS (Fort Lauderdale); Moises Rivera, Miami Sunset HS; and J.D. Robbins, FACA/Oviedo HS. FHSAA staff members John Stewart and Denarvise Thornton also attended the meeting.
1. Mr. Pigott welcomed the committee members to the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building. He explained the procedure for completing the expense vouchers.
2. Mr. Pigott gave the committee members an overview of the purpose of the meeting.
3. Each committee member introduced himself.
4. Mike Crowder, Lincoln High School, was selected chairman by a unanimous vote (8-0).
5. The minutes from the 2007 committee meeting were reviewed and accepted as written. Unanimous vote (8-0), (Motion: Cozart, Second: Robbins).
6. No comments or corrections to the 2007-08 FHSAA Wrestling Manual.
7. The 2008 FHSAA Wrestling Finals in Lakeland were reviewed and discussed.
Mr. Pigott shared the following participation data with the committee. 672 wrestlers, 531 coaches and 227 schools with a least 1 wrestler participated in the 2008 FHSAA Wrestling Finals. Mr. Pigott commended The Lakeland Center staff, Polk County Schools, GMAC Athletic Trainers, all of the table volunteers and each of the coordinated “moving parts” working in harmony to pull off a smoothly operating event. The current contract was extended so the FHSAA Wrestling Finals will be held in Lakeland through the 2011 wrestling season.
The committee provided the following concerns and recommendations with regard to the 2008 FHSAA Wrestling Finals:
Hosting a tournament of this size on 10 mats is not ideal. If 12 mats were utilized, the tournament could be completed in two days (like the region wrestling tournaments) and save the schools considerable travel expense as well as reduce the time away from school by one day for all wrestlers and coaches. The school expenses for a 3-day tournament and missed time from school are major concerns.
2008 Recommendation #1: Encourage the tournament organizers to use 12 mats instead of 10 to host the tournament so it could be held in 2 days rather than 3 days. Increase expenses and missed time from school are significant concerns.
Unanimous 8-0 vote (Motion: Pettineo, Second: Montero).
Wrestling mat sections in three of the four tunnels leading to the arena floor is not adequate space for a good warm-up. Security issues were a concern with witnessed reports of security personnel physically grabbing spectators. Team awards were rushed and the timing was off for the proper recognition of each winning and runner-up team. FYI: The concession stands were selling PowerAde which is a direct competitor of Gatorade.
The championship matches started 20-30 minutes behind schedule and lasted until after 10 p.m. when the team awards were presented. This is not fan-friendly, conducive to good media coverage of the FHSAA Wrestling Finals, nor is it good for those schools returning home that evening. The committee recommends the last session of the tournament start 30 minutes earlier (3:30 instead of 4 p.m.) and that a plan is in place to quickly remove the extra mats from the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th matches so that the event can run according to the printed time schedule.
2008 Recommendation #2: Encourage the FHSAA staff to not extend the current contract beyond the 2011 season without making the FHSAA Wrestling Finals available for proposals to host. Kissimmee and Boca Raton have possible facilities to host the tournament in a 2-day/12 mats format. Unanimous 8-0 vote (Motion: Pettineo, Second: Laxton).
8. National Federation wrestling rules questionnaire was reviewed. Each member of the advisory committee receives the annual NFHS wrestling rules questionnaire for feedback.
9. Old Business: There were three (3) recommendations from 2007.
2007 Recommendation #1: Change the weigh-in procedures to a mat side weigh-in. To deny 7-1 (Motion Laxton, Second Cozart). Unanimous vote (8-0) to withdraw recommendation. (Motion: Cozart, Second: Laxton).
*2007 Recommendation #2: Establish a dual team wrestling tournament. The FHSAA staff will determine logistical details. Unanimous 8-0 vote (Motion: Pettineo, Second: Cozart).
*2007 Recommendation #3: Change in pre-season classic format to allow JV teams to compete. Unanimous 8-0 vote (Motion: Crowder, Second: Rivera).
10. New Business: The following were discussed and recommended.
a. District/region challenge match: Mr. Crowder submitted this item for review. After a lengthy discussion, no action was taken. Region and state formulas were a concern that they were too predictable. Mr. Pigott assured the committee that some adjustments will be made for the 2008-09 season. (Motion: Cozart, Second: Rivera) to withdraw.
b. Disinfect wrestling shoes: Mr. Crowder submitted this item for review. Unanimous vote 8-0 (Motion: Cozart, Second: Pettineo) to recommend the following.
2008 Recommendation #3: Home team management is responsible for providing a bottle of disinfectant or a towel soaked in bleach to disinfect wrestling shoes prior to stepping on the wrestling mat. Unanimous 8-0 vote (Motion: Cozart, Second: Pettineo).
c. Tournament of Champions: Mr. Crowder submitted this item for review. Dual meet tournament is a higher priority than the Tournament of Champions. No action.
d. Weight Management System (NWCA): Mr. Pettineo submitted this item for discussion. Areas of concern were discussed, but overall the system is relatively straight forward and easy to use and accomplishing the goal of a standardized weight management system. No action taken.
e. Date for 2 lb. Growth Allowance: Mr. Pettineo submitted this item for review. The committee discussed the current date of 12/26 and agreed this was an appropriate date. No action was taken.
f. Athletic Trainers at FHSAA Wrestling Finals: Mr. Pettineo submitted this item for discussion. All agree that the GMAC athletic trainers do a great job at the finals, but the extended “clean-up time” of blood for the Class !A-103 pound was a bit excessive. With only 3 mats in progress, equal time can be spent on treating the wrestler and cleaning the mat so there is not a significant delay of all other final matches. No action.
g. State Tournament Referees: Mr. Pettineo submitted this item for review. Selection process for state tournament officials was reviewed. Consistent calling of “stalling” is a concern. Coaches expect a respectful exchange with officials when situations or questions arise during a match. No action.
h. Communicable Skin Disease Form (WR2): Mr. Laxton submitted this item for discussion. This is a NFHS wrestling rule that the form must be certified by a doctor/physician. WR2 form must have a doctor’s stamp to be valid. No action.
11. Mr. Pigott reviewed the sportsmanship stats for the last 3 wrestling seasons. On a positive note, no coaches were ejected from the FHSAA Wrestling Finals and only one wrestler was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
12. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) Mr. Rivera raised questions about coaches’ credentials and state series passes at the FHSAA Wrestling Finals. Mr. Pigott confirmed the current procedures.
13. Mr. Pigott thanked all the committee members for their input and participation by serving on the committee.
14. Mr. Crowder adjourned the meeting at 1 p.m.