Officials Advisory Committee

Minutes
March 5, 2007 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


The Officials Advisory Committee met at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at 10 a.m. Those members present were: Randy Abbott (Basketball, Sec. 3), Elaine Almond (Volleyball, Sec. 2), Tony De Mello (Softball, Sec. 4), Tim Estes (Basketball, Sec. 4), Pat Fairfax (Wrestling, Sec. 1), Stephen Farinacci (Soccer, Sec. 3), Carlos Fenn (Volleyball, Sec. 3), Stephen Fredrickson (Football, Sec. 1), Candy Gleason (Soccer, Sec. 2), Butch Goble (Baseball, Sec. 4), Dan Hector (Softball, Sec. 3), David Hoppey (Football, Sec. 2), Helen Kelchner (Volleyball, Sec. 1), Diane Kendall (Softball, Sec. 1), Mike Knowles (Baseball, Sec. 3/NFOA Representative), Grant Merrill, Sr. (Soccer, Sec. 1), Beryl Napoleon (Basketball, Sec. 1), Michael Parks (Baseball, Sec. 1), Thomas Powers (Football, Sec. 3), Don Smith (Wrestling, Sec. 4), Newman Stemple (Soccer, Sec. 4), Alvis Summers (Basketball, Sec. 2) and Joe Underwood (Football, Sec. 4).

FHSAA staff members present were: John Stewart, Commissioner; Denarvise Thornton, Senior Director of Athletic Operations & Officials; Paul McLaughlin, Director of Athletics; Gary Pigott, Associate Director of Athletics; Tamara Forrester, Associate Director of Athletics; Shanell Young, Associate Director of Athletics; Jamie Watkins, Associate Director of Athletics; Carrie Hardee, Officials Registrar; Al Danklefsen, Assistant Technology Services Coordinator; and Karly Gallops, FHSAA Intern.

Members not in attendance were: Rusty Batcher (Volleyball, Sec. 4), Ben Buckner (Baseball, Sec. 2), Larry Norton (Softball, Sec. 2), and Mike Puleo (Wrestling, Sec. 3).


I. Welcome, Introductions, Purpose
M. Denarvise Thornton called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. He welcomed the committee members and there were brief introductions of the FHSAA staff and officials in attendance. Mr. Thornton reviewed the “State of Officiating” with regard to FHSAA member schools and officials. Topics mentioned were:
1. A number of officials register with the FHSAA and do not work any games for a myriad of reasons. The FHSAA is looking into these numbers and the resources that are involved.
2. An increased number of officials are negotiating the consequences of enforcing the rules during the games. These officials are not enforcing the rules because they often feel that it is not fair to punish a student with sitting out for games or a particular length of time.
3. The mandatory FHSAA rules presentation will be moving toward an online only method for each individual official. This change is brought about because of circumstances that continue to affect the correct reporting and recording of officials who complete the rules presentation in a group setting. Mr. McLaughlin is in the process of developing official oriented presentations. A DVD will still be available for training purposes only.
4. The FHSAA is also moving to online testing. Online testing will be a more flexible option than the current system in place. Online testing will undergo a 2-3 year transition. Mr. McLaughlin is helping to develop the online testing process.
5. There is a 95% officials online registration rate with the FHSAA. The FHSAA is still continuing to move to online only registration and communication. The cost of processing a paper registration has now increased from $44 to $54 for the first sport. The cost of registering online will remain at $34.
6. There have been a few reports on unsporting conduct by officials and assaults on officials this year. Mr. Thornton reviewed several incidents to committee.
7. The Officials Leadership information is available on the FHSAA web site.
8. The FHSAA has all their Athletic Director working on special projects. Projects that will be specific to officials included a New Officials PowerPoint (Pigott/Hardee), OAC Introductory PowerPoint (Forrester), Evaluations PowerPoint (Watkins), Field Clinic Selection Form (McLaughlin/Watkins), Filed Clinic Survey for Attendees (Forrester), and a Local Association Report Card/General Membership Survey (Pigott).
9. Mr. Thornton asked the OAC members for their interpretation of the assigning practices and qualifications of officials to work districts and regions.
10. The FHSAA has sanctioned cheerleading beginning with the 2007-08 school year.


II. The committee unanimously elected Mike Parks as Chairperson. The current agenda and minutes from the September 11, 2006 meeting were approved.

III. A PowerPoint presentation by Mr. Mark Gricius and Mr. Robert Smith of Alert Notification. This program allows for up to 5 names to be stored at a central database in case of harm or injury. Alert Notification is offering officials associations the ability to join, and for each member/family who pays to join in their association, a certain dollar amount will be returned to the association. DVD’s and information was given to all OAC members.

IV. Committee Reports
A. Baseball
Recommendation # 1
To require member schools to utilize 3-man systems during 3 regular season games.
AMENDED: To include this as a softball recommendation also.
MOTION: Knowles/2nd Fairfax
OAC 1st Reading: 26-0 Approve
ADAC 1st Reading: 9-0 Disapprove
OAC 2nd Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 2
Allow umpires to wear commercially manufactured different color shirts during baseball games.
MOTION: Knowles/2nd Kendall
OAC 1st Reading: 22-1 Approve

B. Basketball
No agenda items. Discussion about the Jessica Lunsford Act.

C. Football- presented by Joe Underwood
Review of the Sideline safety rule and 2-yd belt in Florida and a letter submitted to the FHSAA on behalf of banning “horse collaring.”

Recommendation # 1
Require each local officials association to purchase and train with the current year’s version of the NCAA 7-man mechanics manual.
AMENDED: To CCA instead of NCAA.
MOTION: Fredrickson/2nd Hoppey
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 2
Each member school is required to contract at least one (1) varsity football game with seven (7) officials during the regular season.
MOTION: Withdrawn

Recommendation # 3
Add one (1) official spot for 25-second clock operator for football play-off crew forms.
MOTION: Underwood/2nd Fredrickson
OAC 1st Reading: 18-5 Approve

Recommendation # 4
Require football uniforms to include the appropriate official’s hat for football games that has the FHSAA logo embroidered on the front and back.
AMENDED: By local association adoption, not required. The logo will only be placed on the back.
MOTION: Underwood/2nd Fredrickson
OAC 1st Reading: 6-8 Motion Fails (9 abstained)

Recommendation # 5
Consider assigning more than one (1) crew from larger associations for state championships.
MOTION: Withdrawn

D. Soccer
Recommendation # 1
To increase the number of officials at the FHSAA Finals to include a fourth official.
AMENDED: To include a game fee of $35 for this official.
MOTION: Knowles/2nd Fredrickson
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 2
Add a fee scale for Double-Dual officiating in the FHSAA Officials Guidebook.
Varsity: $46 each official
JV: $36 each official
MOTION: Gleason/2nd Knowles
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 3
Table the implementation of the “Double Dual” system of control.
MOTION: Gleason/2nd Merrill
OAC 1st Reading: 4-19 Motion Fails

Recommendation # 4
The length of JV games in soccer will be 30 minutes.
MOTION: Knowles/2nd Almond
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 5
Amend the NFHS Soccer Rule 5-2-2d(3) to establish a protocol for checking in athletes.
MOTION: Merrill/2nd Knowles
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve
To administratively clarify by the FHSAA.

Recommendation # 6
To update the FHSAA Officials Guidebook to include uniforms tops that are yellow with black pinstripes as the primary jersey and black knee socks with three stripes at the top. Goalies that are in conflict with the officials must change their jersey.
MOTION: Merrill/2nd Knowles
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve
To administratively clarify by the FHSAA.

Recommendation # 7
Clarifies who must change when there is a conflict in goalie uniforms with the officials.
MOTION: Withdrawn

E. Softball
No action items. Discussion of the official’s examination. The 43-foot pitching distance will be used again this year.

F. Volleyball
No action items. Discussed the NFHS rule changes for 2007.

G. Wrestling
Online officiating course info reviewed within the committee.

V. General Recommendations
Recommendation # 1
Local associations’ sports who do not attend the Officials Leadership Conference should forfeit their representation for the FHSAA Finals during the next year.
MOTION: Fredrickson/2nd Powers
OAC 1st Reading: 20-2 Approve
Association attendance will be monitored by the FHSAA.

Recommendation # 2
Return to the FHSAA-produced sportsmanship cards.
NO ACTION: FHSAA will handle administratively or post on the web for download.

Recommendation # 3
When an athlete is red carded, he/she may be removed from the field or stadium by school administration.
MOTION: Withdrawn

Recommendation # 4
Coaches ejected for a second procedural USC penalty should be reduced to that contest/tournament only.
MOTION: Withdrawn

Recommendation # 5
Coaches are required to notify officials before the contest of any physical limitations.
NO ACTION: FHSAA staff to review all NFHS rules books and to address in the online rules clinics.

Recommendation # 6
Edit the FHSAA online rules video to the audience.
NO ACTION: FHSAA is in the process of editing.

Recommendation # 7
FHSAA to create a 50-question test for open-book test takers, similar to the closed-book test.
MOTION: Withdrawn
Mr. McLaughlin gave an update on online testing. There will be a phase in period to online only testing. The reduction of testing sites will begin this year. The closed-book exam (w/time limits) will be given for a period of time, then the open-book exam (w/o time limits), and the make-up exam.

Recommendation # 8
Look at game fees around the nation.
MOTION: Knowles/2nd Fairfax
OAC 1st Reading: 22-0 Approve
ADAC 1st Reading: 9-0 Disapprove
OAC 2nd Reading: 23-0 Approve
An Ad Hoc Committee (Knowles, Parks, Gleason, and Almond) was established to review officials fee across the country. The FHSAA will put together the research information for the September meeting, and request action during the March meeting for Fall 2008.

Recommendation # 8a
Authorization 2 cars for Football.
MOTION: Parks/2nd Almond
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 8b
Restructure mileage/travel allowance for regional and state play-offs.
MOTION: Tabled.

Recommendation # 8c
Raise travel fee to $ 0.75 per mile.
MOTION: Tabled.

Recommendation # 8d
Per diem for regional wrestling.
MOTION: Withdrawn

Recommendation # 8e
When a crew travels to a regional/FHSAA Finals assignments and the game does not commence due to weather, the crew should receive the full game fee in addition to the travel.
MOTION: Underwood/2nd Kendall
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 9
Revise the Officials Guidebook to adjust s. 600 School’s Responsibilities to Officials.
3. replace should with shall
4. replace should with shall, when available
5. replace should with shall
MOTION: Gleason/2nd Almond
OAC 1st Reading: 22-0 Approve as Modified
ADAC 1st Reading: 9-0 Disapprove (concerned with facility limitations)
OAC 2nd Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 10
Seven crew officials and one registered clock operator will be used for all state series games after the first round.
NO ACTION: Administrative editorial correction.

Recommendation # 11
Update the football uniform’s sock requirements to one-piece white hose with northwestern stripes.
NO ACTION: Administrative editorial correction.

Recommendation # 12
Update s. 8001.02-1(C) and 2(C) to reflect the same wording “must complete.”
NO ACTION: Administrative editorial correction.

Recommendation # 13
Clarify Noisemakers and including air horns in soccer.
NO ACTION: Administrative editorial clarification.

Recommendation # 14
Taped jewelry is not acceptable when tape is used to cover it up when it is not medically needed.
NO ACTION: Administrative clarification in the online rules presentations.

Recommendation # 15
Update s. 106(6) to read: No FHSAA official may officiate a contest involving a school at which his/her child currently attends, the official himself/herself and/or immediate family member currently works, the official himself/herself and/or immediate family member is involved in the game, or from which the official himself/herself attended or graduated within the last seven (7) years.
MOTION: Summers/2nd Underwood
OAC 1st Reading: 23-0 Approve

Recommendation # 16
Each OAC member maintains a notebook with pertinent information to be passed on to his/her predecessor.
MOTION: Withdrawn

Recommendation # 17
Create a uniform jacket that can be purchased by all associations.
MOTION: Hector/2nd Goble
OAC 1st Reading: 2-21 Motion Fails

Recommendation # 18
Change Years of Service certificates to distinguishing colors.
NO ACTION: Administrative control, FHSAA will look into financial impact.

Recommendation # 19
Update on the new NFHS Simplified and Illustrated and increased costs. Associations will receive 2 books for training purposes.
NO ACTION: FYI

VI. Open Discussion
1. Sideline Safety Rule-Mr. Underwood reported the overwhelming support and compliance with this new rule. The National Federation adopted the Sideline Safety Rule in regard to the 2-yard belt around the field. The FHSAA will continue its experiment with regard to the use of a coaching box during live/dead ball situations and collect data to report to the NFHS.
2. Officials Registered, but do not work FHSAA contests-Mr. Thornton will be putting together some numbers with regard to officials who are registering with the FHSAA, but not working contests, and getting fined for failure to complete the rules test and online rules presentation.
3. ADA-An email was shared with the OAC by Mr. Thornton to remind them about the ADA and how spectators should be treated at FHSAA contests.
4. Alternate Region Schedule-The FHSAA Board of Directors has adopted a new regional quarterfinal format in volleyball.
5. A state comparison for implementing the ASEP Officials Education Program was presented.
6. Clarification, Training Session vs. Meeting-The OAC members reported on what their associations considers a meeting and a training session. The FHSAA will work to put together a better definition for all.
7. Mr. McLaughlin notified the committee the Mr. Fairfax will be induced into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Florida chapter this summer.
8. Mr. Thornton introduced the committee to Mike Herchel, FHSAA’s new technical coordinator.

VII. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.