FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2004
Board approves football reclassification plan
GAINESVILLE – The FHSAA State Football Series will include competition in an eighth classification beginning next year as a result of a vote today by the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors also voted to extend the traditional two-year classification term to four years effective with the 2005-06 school year, and recognized out-going Commissioner Robert W. Hughes, who will retire on Jan. 15, 2005.
The adoption of the joint recommendation of Commissioner Hughes and Commissioner-Designate John Stewart will sub-divide the schools falling into the 1A classification into Class 1A and Class 1B. The recommendation was based on a proposal submitted by Richard Finlayson, principal of Aucilla Christian Academy in Monticello, to better ensure competitive equity among the Association's smallest schools that are attempting to provide the interscholastic football experience for their student-athletes.
"I am pleased that we are doing something to benefit the smaller schools," said Sam Ward, president of the Board. "I think it will make for a safer and more competitive environment."
The 1A-1B subdivision was the only change made to the football classification plan that has been utilized by the Association for the past six years. Under the plan, the total number of schools committing to participate in the state series will be divided evenly into the six basic classifications. The 2A and 1A classifications then will be further evenly divided evenly into 2A-2B and 1A-1B classifications.
The decision to extend the classification term from two to four years was made in an effort to bring additional stability to the scheduling processes of member schools. Rather than reclassify all member schools after two years, only those schools that have a 20 percent increase or decrease in student population will be reclassified. The majority of member schools, consequently, will remain in the same classification and district for four years.
"The four-year term means that we only will deal with the exceptions in two years and not create the statewide upheaval that comes with full-scale reclassification," Hughes said. "It will give schools an opportunity to develop rivalries with their district opponents, which hopefully will help their paid attendance."
The Board also recognized outgoing Commissioner Robert Hughes by conferring the title of Commissioner Emeritus, awarding lifetime passes to him and his wife, and designating the inclusion of the name "Robert W. Hughes Building" on any FHSAA designation of headquarters, publications, meeting announcements, agendas, etc. The JROTC from Fleming Island High School presented Hughes with a flag that had been flown in his honor over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
"It was very humbling and overwhelming," Hughes said. "I am extremely moved."
In other business, the Board of Directors:
• Approved a policy change that makes it easier for member schools to get in and out of the state series in individual sports. Under the new provisions, schools will file a non-binding declaration of intent to participate in the state series in individual sports. There will be no penalty for withdrawal from the intent provided the FHSAA Office is notified in writing by the stipulated deadline. The new provisions do not apply to team sports in which schools are required to schedule and play every other school in its district complex.
• Approved a recommendation to adjust the flag football season effective this year by moving up the beginning and ending dates three weeks. The first date of practice will be Feb. 21, 2005 and the FHSAA Finals will be May 6-7.
• Approved a recommendation to recategorize fall soccer from sanctioned to recognized status. The FHSAA will conducy an invitational state championship series using the same format as other recognized team sports, such as flag football and boys volleyball (i.e., participating schools pay $50 entry fee, top four seeded teams advance to district tournament, etc.).
• Approved a recommendation of the weightlifting advisory committee to clarify regulations regarding wrist wraps, bandages and knee braces.
• Approved a recommendation of the weightlifting advisory committee to eliminate the fourth attempt in FHSAA Finals competition to set an FHSAA Finals record.
• Approved a recommendation of the officials advisory committee to require the presentation of a photo I.D. to take the officials rules examination.
• Approved a recommendation of the officials advisory committee to require jackets worn by basketball officiating crews be of identical style and insignia.
• Adopted an assessment instrument to annually assess the Commissioner's job performance.
• Denied a recommendation from the tennis advisory committee to advance district runner-up teams to regional match play and to advance regional runner-up teams to the FHSAA Finals play, thereby doubling the finals field from 8 to 16 teams.
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of 725 middle, junior and senior high schools.
The FHSAA Board of Directors is the executive authority of the Association, establishing guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures within the framework of the Association’s bylaws. The Board of Directors also has the sole authority over all terms and conditions of participation and competition in the FHSAA state championship series. The Board of Directors meets five times annually. Its next meeting is Jan. 30-31, 2005 at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building in Gainesville.
Contact:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org
