Chairman Phillip Gardner, Vice Chairman Priscilla Dillow, Mike Blackburn, Curtis Casbon, Dale Crafton, Dan Cunningham, Al Logsdon, Michael Powell, Janis Qualizza, Steve Riordan, Cassel White, Directors Dennis Eller, Cecil Raymond, Joseph Trimboli, Commissioner Bob Gardner, Associate Commissioner Ray Craft, Assistant Commissioners Blake Ress, Sandy Searcy, Theresia Wynns, Sports Information Director Jim Russell and Attorney Robert Baker.

Minutes of the February 18, 2000 and March 6, 2000 meetings were recommended for approval. A motion for approval was made by Al Logsdon; seconded by Priscilla Dillow; motion passed 11-0.

Marty Johnson of East Noble High School, Dave McCollough of Noblesville High School, Judi Warren of Carmel High School and George Griffith, IBCA Executive Secretary appeared before the Executive Committee on behalf of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) to present the following proposals:

1. The coaches box should be expanded from six feet to the length of the team’s bench.
2. The IHSAA should mandate that only two officials may be used for a game.

Dan Cunningham, chairman of the Automobile Committee, recommended that two automobiles be traded in on the purchase of two new vehicles. Bids were obtained from three dealers with Pedigo Chevrolet submitting the lowest bid. A motion to approve the recommendation and accept the lowest bid was made by Priscilla Dillow; seconded by Michael Powell; motion passed 11-0.

The Executive Committee took the following actions on proposals presented by representatives of the football coaches at the February meeting:

1. An optional segment be added to the football scrimmage to allow players, who did not participate in the first eighty plays, an opportunity to play. This proposal was denied as presented. However, two scrimmage options will be offered for the 2000 season with one option having a segment for players who have not yet participated.
2. Neutral sites should serve as hosts for semi-state games. It was recommended that this proposal be denied.
3. Sectionals should be split into four-team sub-sectionals. It was recommended that this proposal be denied.
4. Players should be permitted to wear shoulder pads, in addition to shoes, helmets and mouthpieces, during the first two days of non-contact practice. It was recommended that this proposal be approved.

A motion was made by Dale Crafton to deny the first three proposals (with the noted option in the first proposal being added) and approve the fourth proposal; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 11-0.

The Executive Committee took the following actions on proposals presented by representatives of the soccer coaches at the February meeting:

1. Although schools are limited to scheduling 16 matches during a contest season, individual players should be permitted to participate in 36 halves. This proposal would require a by-law change and, therefore, will be placed on the agenda for the Board of Directors meeting in May.
2. All sectional sites should be required to have a soccer field that is at least 110 yards by 65 yards. While this is also a goal of the IHSAA, it cannot be guaranteed at this time. Therefore, it is recommended that this proposal be denied. The Association will continue to work towards finding the best possible fields for tournament play.
3. During post-season tournament play, each participating school should have the same amount of rest between games. It was recommended that this proposal be denied.
4. Championship contests for the sectional, regional and semi-state should be scheduled to allow fans to see both the boys and girls championships. The IHSAA will work toward this goal, however it cannot be guaranteed at this time and, therefore, it is recommended that this proposal be denied.

A motion was made by Mike Blackburn to table the first proposal and deny the others while working to accomplish some of these concepts; seconded by Michael Powell; motion passed 11-0.

The Executive Committee took the following actions on proposals presented by representatives of the volleyball coaches at the February meeting:

1. At the sectional level, any teams drawing into the bye round should play the second match of the semi-finals. It was recommended that this proposal be approved.
2. The state championship should be conducted at a larger venue than a high school gymnasium. Based upon market conditions beyond the control of the Association, it was recommended that this proposal be denied.
3. The IHSAA should advertise and air the state championship matches on television. Based upon market conditions beyond the control of the Association, it was recommended that this proposal be denied.
4. Sectional sites should be required to provide adequate facilities (acceptable playing floor, locker rooms for each team, seating, parking, athletic training and hospitality facilities) in order to be a host. The determination of the host site is usually based upon the recommendations of the school participating in the event. If there is a problem with the site, the coaches should communicate with their own administration. It is recommended that this proposal be denied.
5. Award participation medals to those schools who lose during the semi-finals of the state championships. It is recommended that this proposal be tabled in order to allow the staff to study the issue of awards in all sports and present a proposal at a later date.

A motion was made by Steve Riordan to approve the first proposal; deny proposals two, three and four; and table the fifth proposal; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 11-0.

The Executive Committee went into executive session to conduct the following hearings:

Andrew Duggins, a student at Floyd Central High School, had been declared ineligible on the basis of Rule 19-4. A hearing was requested in order to appeal the ruling and request full eligibility. Following the hearing, the student or his representatives and legal counsel for the IHSAA were offered an opportunity to submit findings of fact. Having analyzed all of the available data, Michael Powell made a motion to uphold the decision of the Commissioner, seconded by Steve Riordan; motion passed 8-0.

Stephanie Leffler, a student at Maconaquah High School, had been declared ineligible on the basis of Rule 19-4. A hearing was requested in order to appeal the ruling and request full eligibility. Following the hearing, the student or his representatives and legal counsel for the IHSAA were offered an opportunity to submit findings of fact. Having analyzed all of the available data, Mike Blackburn made a motion to uphold the decision of the Commissioner, seconded by Janis Qualizza; motion passed 9-0.

Cameron Benjamin, a student at North Central (Indpls.) High School, had been declared to have limited eligibility on the basis of Rule 19-6.2. A hearing was requested in order to appeal the ruling and request full eligibility. Following the hearing, the student or his representatives and legal counsel for the IHSAA were offered an opportunity to submit findings of fact. Having analyzed all of the available data, Al Logsdon made a motion to uphold the decision of the Commissioner, seconded by Curtis Casbon; motion passed 9-0.

Commissioner Bob Gardner submitted his resignation, effective June 30, 2000, to accept an opportunity to join the executive staff of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as chief operating officer. Gardner will have responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the NFHS and will report to Executive Director Robert F. Kanaby. Mr. Gardner said, "I am looking forward to my opportunity to support the mission of the National Federation of developing good citizens through interscholastic activities. Working with Bob Kanaby and the staff of the NFHS to provide leadership to the state athletic and activity associations attracted me to this position."

Dale Crafton made a motion to accept, with regret, the resignation of Bob Gardner; seconded by Steve Riordan; motion passed 11-0.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported on transfers that have been ruled upon during the 1999-2000 school year. This report included the following actions as of March 23, 2000:

Full eligibility: 2,242.

Limited eligibility: 228.

Ineligible: 40.

Total transfers: 2,510.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns reviewed the unsportsmanlike conduct reports that have been received by the Association. A total of 303 schools have had at least one incident of unsportsmanlike behavior reported. Five schools have been reported for unsportsmanlike behavior at least 10 times this school year.

Commissioner Gardner presented the monthly financial report of the Association.

Attorney Robert Baker updated the Executive Committee on the current status of litigation against the Association. Included in his report were two decisions from the United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana that were favorable to the IHSAA.

In the case of Pearson and Elder v. IHSAA, the Honorable John D. Tinder ruled the IHSAA did not violate the rights of Pearson and Elder to "due process" under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Judge Tinder also ruled the IHSAA was not "arbitrary and capricious." This case involved tennis players from Park Tudor High School who were disqualified from the 1999 Boys Tennis Tournament.

In the case of Coslett v. IHSAA, the Honorable William G. Hussmann, Jr. ruled the IHSAA did not violate Mr. Coslett’s rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution to "associate with others." This case involved a student receiving limited eligibility after transferring from Evansville Memorial to Evansville Harrison without making a bona fide move.

Sports Information Director Russell reported that Tom Douglas, editor of the Spencer Evening World, has been selected as the IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award Recipient for 1999-2000 in District III. Douglas has been a member of the Evening World staff since 1966 and its editor since 1983. During his 34-year tenure, he has been a fixture on the high school sports scene as a writer, photographer and editor.

The following penalties were assessed for various violations of the IHSAA By-Laws:

Caston High School

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of failing to live up to the standards of Rule 3-6.

1. Caston High School is given a warning for the unethical and inexcusable conduct that occurred.
2. The IHSAA accepts and supports the actions taken by the administration in suspending a student and Mrs. Karen Field from being a spectator at all athletic contests.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt handling of this matter.

Goshen High School

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 15-1a.

1. The Goshen High School boys basketball program is issued a warning.
2. The student-athlete involved in this violation shall be suspended from three contests.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Lawrence North High School

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 9-17.3.

1. The Lawrence North High School boys basketball program is issued a warning.
2. Coach Joe Leonard is reprimanded for his violation of this rule.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

A motion to adjourn the March meeting of the IHSAA Executive Committee was made by Michael Powell; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 11-0. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be at IHSAA headquarters on May 1, 2000.