Weightlifting Advisory Committee

Minutes
August 22, 2005
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


I. Purpose and Introductions
Denarvise Thornton called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Mr. Thornton at this time noted the purpose of the meeting, procedures and went through brief introductions of the members in attendance. Members present were: Brian Manley, Seabreeze HS (Daytona Beach)/FACA Weightlifting representative; Dan Marsee, Suwannee HS (Live Oak); Mike Randow, Spruce Creek HS (Port Orange); Les Rogers, St. Edward’s School (Vero Beach); and David Tullis, Lake Brantley HS (Altamonte Springs). FHSAA staff members present were: M. Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director of Athletics and Shanell Young, Athletics Coordinator. John Stewart, Commissioner; Sonny Hester, Senior Director of Athletic Operations; and Tamara Wilsey, Associate Director of Athletics, attended the meeting briefly.

II. The committee unanimously selected Brian Manley as chairperson.

III. There was a motion to accept the 2004 minutes and agenda by Mr. Tullis and seconded by Mr. Randow. Passed 5-0.

IV. Action
A. Review
1. The committee reviewed the administration of the state meets and made the appropriate recommendations. Staff also that the decision to set up state meets rests with the FHSAA staff and the host of the state meets.

2. 2004-05 Weightlifting Manual
The committee clarified the following with regard to the Weightlifting Regulation Manual:
a. 105.08 (4)
Change “his name” to “loaded weight.”
b. 105.08 (8)
Clarified that disqualification refers to the entire meet and not that lift or next attempt.
c. 108.02 (4)
Clarified that Chief Referee has sole authority to stop an attempt in the bench, as it relates to the safety of the lifter.
d. 108.02 (7)
Clarifies that in the clean and jerk, the Chief Referee does not have sole authority to stop an attempt. The Chief Referee’s vote is one-third and is not an overriding authority.

B. WtAC Recommendations
1. 2004-05 Recommendations (Effective 2005-06)
A. Coaches’ Meeting Attendance
A motion to $50 fine for missing this meeting if you attended the rules clinic, and $100 fine for missing the rules clinic and the pre-State meeting.
Amended Recommendation: Assess schools qualifying for the state finals, but fail to have its coach attend the pre-meet coaches’ meeting (as amended by ADAC). Motioned by Tullis and seconded by Randow.
Rationale: Encourages schools to have representatives (head coaches) to attend meetings to receive pertinent information relative to the administration of the state meet.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 passed. (8/31/04)
1st ADAC Rdg 8-0 passed w/amendment. (9/23/04) $50 fine only.
2nd WtAC Rdg 5-0 passed w/AD’s amendment (8/22/05)

2. 2005-06 Recommendations (Effective 2006-07)
a. Record breaking platform
Recommendation: All lifts shall be competed on the same platform once competition has begun, unless emergency situations.
Rationale: Creating this policy for regular season ensures this practice is continued at the state finals. Motioned by Marsee, seconded by Tullis to accept.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 passed. (8/22/05)

b. 105.08 (e) Spotters
Recommendation: Allow coaches and/or student-athletes who are already on the competition floor to spot other athletes.
Rationale: Establishing this policy will allow this practice at the state finals which currently remains at the discretion of the administration and host. Motioned by Marsee, seconded by Tullis to accept.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 Passed. (8/22/05)

c. 109.05 Meet Regulations
Recommendation: Allow a maximum of two coaches/floor passes for schools participating in the state finals.
Rationale: This will allow a maximum number of coaches into the competition area for the purpose of spotting athletes during their lifts but allow for better “crowd control” on the floor. Motioned by Tullis, seconded by Randow to accept.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 Passed. (8/22/05)

d. 204 Qualifying Sections
Recommendation: Require all sections to use the structured format for qualifying.
Rationale: Adds consistency to how athletes advance. Survey conducted and 79 coaches prefer structured, 5 open and 46 prefer for each section to decide. No girls coaches who were surveyed indicated a preference for open. Motioned by Randow, seconded by Rogers to accept.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 Passed (8/22/05)

e. Boys weightlifting calendar
Recommendation: Begin season during week 29, first competition week 32, sectional meets week 39 and 40, state finals week 42.
Rationale: Allows for proper amount of training as is consistent with other sports. Allows for more flexibility in scheduling sectional, qualifying meets.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 Passed. (8/22/05)

f. Girls weightlifting calendar
Recommendation: Begin season during 17, first competition week 20, sectional meets weeks 29 and 30, state finals week 32.
Rationale: Allows for proper amount of training as is consistent with other sports. Allows for more flexibility in scheduling sectional, qualifying meets.
1st WtAC Rdg 5-0 Passed. (8/22/05)

3. FACA Recommendations (Effective 2006-07)
Recommendations posted earlier reflect the committee’s actions as a result of the survey conducted by FACA and submitted to the committee for review.

Of note, the committee discussed the need to continuously review equipment as it pertains to girls weightlifting.

The committee also discussed at length the appearance and professionalism of a quality meet by allowing athletes to have electronic devices in the competition area. No conclusions were made, but the discretion to allow or not allow electronic devices in the competition area remains at the discretion of the meet administration.

V. Discussion
1. Rules Clinics
The committee discussed the ad hoc committee’s efforts relative to the creation of the judges’ manual for coaches. This manual will provide some protocol, situations/rulings, and judging protocol for judges’ use.
2. Coaches Education
Mr. Rogers shared with the committee the need for a coaches’ education program. The committee supports Mr. Rogers’ sentiments in that more educational opportunities should be made available for coaches in the sport of weightlifting.
3. Sports Medicine update
Dr. Stewart updated the committee on the Association’s latest efforts in the Coaches Education on Steroids committee. Dr. Stewart also commended Mr. Randow for working as a member of this committee.
4. Jessica Lunsford Act
Mr. Sonny Hester updated the committee on the current status of the Jessica Lunsford Act which was passed by the Florida state legislature. Mr. Hester encourages the coaches to work with their school’s district administration to clarify how schools may comply with this law as it relates to judges and volunteers at their meets.
5. Meeting time
Members of the committee expressed an interest in meeting in May and the meeting time be changed to 9 a.m.

VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.