FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2006
Board approves safety measures for football, insurance requirements
GAINESVILLE – The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors today approved a recommendation to modify NFHS Rules in football to require a 4-inch wide broken restraining line around the outside of the playing field, 2 yards (6 feet) from the sidelines and end lines, to ensure safety of student-athletes, officials and sideline personnel.
The Officials Advisory Committee recommended the action as an extension of the line limiting the team box area for purpose aiding game officials with unobstructed operating area near the boundaries. The modification would also state that a nonplayer shall not be outside his team box unless to become a player or to return as a replaced player. A maximum of three coaches may be in the 2-yard coaches’ area during a dead ball. These coaches shall leave the 2-yard coaches’ area and return to their team box when a live ball is imminent and shall remain in the team box while the ball is live. The action will require the approval of the NFHS.
The board also approved a staff recommendation to amend the "Member School Insurance Requirements" policy to include a requirement for general liability coverage and to delete the provision that the FHSAA be named as an additional insured.
"These amendments are critically important to the safety and well-being of our student-athletes," said Commissioner John A. Stewart. "These were very responsible actions by our Board."
In other action, the Board of Directors:
• Approved a recommendation of the Officials Advisory Committee to amend Football Regulation 211.01(2) to read: “Regional Tournaments. A crew of five field officials and one clock operator will be assigned by the FHSAA Office to Regional Quarterfinal Games in Classes 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A, and to Regional Semifinal Games in Classes 2A, 2B, 1A and 1B. A crew of seven field officials and one clock operator will be assigned by the FHSAA Office to Regional Semifinal and Regional Final Games in Classes 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A, and to Regional Final Games only in Classes 2A, 2B, 1A and 1B.”
• Approved a recommendation to amend Section A Paragraph 2 of the "Policy on Summer Athletic Participation" to read: "A member school shall not permit student-athletes in its football programs to wear helmets or pads or engage in physical contact in any activity sponsored by or under the supervision of the school during the summer. This shall not preclude the school from issuing school-owned equipment to a student-athlete for his/her use at a summer football camp, provided the camp is organized, operated and conducted by a third-party entity." The measure clarifies that the liability for the use of such equipment for these purposes lies solely with the district school board and individual school.
• Approved a "Policy for Diversity in Leadership" to encourage minority participation in the FHSAA governance process.
• Approved a recommendation to amend the "Consent and Release from Liability Certificate" form to include language granting the FHSAA the right to inspect any and all records pertaining to the eligibility of a student-athlete, including but not limited to records regarding enrollment and attendance, academic standing, age, discipline, finances, residence and phsyical fitness. The language specific to the release being a voluntary action by the student and parents also was amended to reflect that if such release is revoked at any time, the student-athlete will cease to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics.
• Approved a recommendation to change the date for the fourth Board of Directors meeting of the 2006-07 school year be moved from April 1-2, 2007 to March 25-26, 2007.
• Heard a discussion of a proposed statewide 3-point shooting competition. Staff is proposing the conduct of a statewide 3-point shooting competition in girls and boys basketball that would begin on the district tournament level and conclude at the FHSAA Finals. The purposes of the competition would be to promote high school basketball and increase participation opportunities and recognition for student-athletes, which are consistent with objectives 2.4 and 2.5 of the strategic plan. Action on the proposal will be taken in June.
• Heard a discussion of a proposed revision to the format for competition in the FHSAA State Bowling Series. The current format is American ten-pin scoring in both team and individual competition. Staff proposes revising the format to include a combination of ten-pin scoring and Baker system in team competition, and head-to-head ten-pin scoring in individual competition. This format will heighten the excitement of the competition. Action on the proposal will be taken in June.
• Heard a discussion on possible revisions to the method by which membership dues are assessed. Membership dues for high schools currently are assessed on the basis of student population – 50 cents per student – with a minimum of $300 and a maximum of $1,000. There, however, is no direct correlation between student population and the value of benefits and services received by a member school. Benefits and services rather are based on the number of sports programs sponsored by the school. Staff is proposing that a discussion begin on changing to a program-driven rather than population-driven dues assessment. There is no timeline for implementation, although the earliest possible implementation would be for the 2007-08 school year.
• Heard a discussion regarding the regional tournament bracket construction in team sports. Staff is proposing a review of the regional tournament bracket construction in team sports to reduce travel and loss of classroom time, which is consistent with objective 1.3 of strategic plan. There is no timeline for action.
• Heard a discussion of a proposed comprehensive revision to Bylaw Article 3, “Membership,” for consideration at January 2007 meeting of Representative Assembly. Staff is proposing a comprehensive revision to the bylaw governing membership, which would toughen membership requirements, establish new procedures for acquiring membership, and better delineate categories of membership. The proposed revision is in its second draft, and staff continues to refine it as input is received.
About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of more than 700 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 June 1-2, 2006 at the Sea Turtle Inn in Jacksonville Beach.
Contact:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org
