Chairman Phillip Gardner, Vice Chairman Priscilla Dillow, Mike Blackburn, Dale Crafton, Sue Keenan, Al Logsdon, Michael Powell, Janis Qualizza, Steve Riordan, Cassel White, Directors Dennis Eller, Michael Necessary, Cecil Raymond, Oren A. Sutherlin, 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.

The minutes of the Oct. 13, 1999 meeting were presented for approval after being amended to reflect that Triton High School will be the host site for Sectional 50 of the girls basketball tournament series. A motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Mike Blackburn; seconded by Priscilla Dillow; motion passed 10-0.

Assistant Commissioner Searcy reported on the general format, sites and other preliminary plans for the 1999-2000 Gymnastics Tournament Series. The only recommended change in host sites was the regional that annually rotates between Wawasee and Valparaiso. Valparaiso will host the 1999-2000 regional. A motion to approve the recommendations for the gymnastics tournament series was made by Michael Powell; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 10-0.

Sectional assignments and the regional format are listed above. The semi-state sites will not change with the exception of the Muncie Southside Semi-State moving to Frankfort.

A motion to approve the proposals for the boys basketball tournament series was made by Steve Riordan; seconded by Michael Powell; motion passed 10-0.

Assistant Commissioner Searcy and Commissioner Gardner reported on their efforts to receive bids on volleyballs for future tournaments. Bids are expected from Mikasa, Molten and Tachikara. It is important that a decision on volleyballs be made in a timely fashion so that schools will be aware of which ball will be used in 2000 and beyond. However, not all bids have been received. In the interest of time, permission was requested for the executive staff to make a decision based on the best proposal. Dale Crafton made a motion to authorize the Executive Staff to make a decision on a volleyball contact once all bids are received; Janis Qualizza seconded the motion; motion passed 10-0.

Commissioner Gardner discussed the process of schools reporting their non-teaching coaches to the Association. In reality, if a school retains a non-teaching coach, the Association approves it. The paperwork and time involved by both the school and the Association appears to be wasteful. Therefore, the commissioner is proposing the discontinuance of the process of sending information on all non-teaching coaches to the IHSAA for approval. Certainly, the school would remain obligated and responsible for following all rules (including coaches education) regarding non-teaching coaches. A motion to eliminate the requirement that the Association approve all non-teaching coaches was made by Michael Powell; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 10-0.

Commissioner Gardner recommended that the December meeting of the Executive Committee be moved from Dec. 14 to Dec. 13. A motion to hold the December meeting of the Executive Committee on December 13^th was made by Priscilla Dillow; seconded by Michael Powell; motion passed 10-0.

Dr. Dennis Goldberg, principal at Greencastle High School, appeared before the Executive Committee to request it 1) rescind earlier approval of the wrestling tournament format; and 2) reinstate Greencastle High School as a regional host whose winners would be routed through the New Castle Semi-State. Presently, wrestlers advancing from the Greencastle sectional would compete in the Perry Meridian Regional and the Evansville Semi-State. Following discussion of the wrestling tournament format, no action was taken on Dr. Goldberg’s request due to the lack of a motion.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported on the transfers that have been ruled on for the 1999-2000 school year. This report included the following actions as of Nov. 4, 1999:

Full eligibility -- 1, 555.

Limited eligibility -- 175.

Ineligible -- 24.

Total -- 1,754.

Assistant Commissioner Ress submitted the final non-teaching coaches report. It indicated 2,049 non-teaching coaches had been approved as of Nov. 4, 1999. Of this total, 1,780 were coaching in a fall sport.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns updated the Executive Committee on the unsportsmanlike conduct reports that have been submitted. As of Nov. 4, 1999, 366 reports were filed. By sport they were: Boys Soccer – 236; Football – 99; Girls Soccer – 23; and Volleyball 8.

Commissioner Gardner presented the monthly financial report of the Association.

Attorney Robert Baker updated the Executive Committee on the current status of pending litigation against the Association.

The Executive Committee went into executive session to conduct the following hearings on the eligibility of students:

Chase Coslett, a student at Evansville Harrison 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, legal counsel for the student and for the IHSAA was requested to submit findings of fact to the Executive Committee. A decision will not be rendered in this case until the Executive Committee has had an opportunity to study the findings of fact.

Darla Roberson and Denise Roberson, students at Indianapolis Scecina 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 Executive Committee upheld the decision of the Commissioner.

John Pearson and Reed Elder played as a tennis doubles team representing Park Tudor High School in the IHSAA Boys Tennis Tournament. John and Reed were disqualified because John Pearson had not played in 50 percent of the matches at the No. 1 doubles position. A hearing was requested in order to appeal their disqualification and request the doubles tournament be replayed. Following the hearing, legal counsel for the students and for the IHSAA was requested to submit findings of fact to the Executive Committee. A decision will not be rendered in this case until the Executive Committee has had an opportunity to study the findings of fact.

The senior member from each district reported on the area principal meetings that were conducted in late October and early November. Much of the discussion focused on the recommendations of the Participation Committee that will be presented to the Board of Directors for action at a special meeting on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000.

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

Covington High School

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of unsportsmanlike behaviors.

1. The Covington High School boys soccer program is placed on probation until October 13, 2000.
2. Coach Mike Smith is reprimanded for his actions which resulted in his ejection.
3. Parent Scot Brewer is severely reprimanded for his actions in confronting and bumping a game official.
4. The IHSAA accepts and supports the actions taken by the administration in (a) suspending Coach Smith for a game; and (b) banning Mr. Brewer from attending any Covington High School athletic event for the remainder of the 1999-2000 school year.
5. The administration is instructed to meet with athletes and parents of the soccer program prior to the 2000 season to explain the significance of probation.

Cowan High School

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rules 15-1d and 101.

1. The Cowan High School girls cross-country program is issued a warning.
2. Since both Cowan and Yorktown had scheduled less than the maximum number of meets, there is a penalty for the student athletes involved in this unauthorized practice/competition.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Eastern (Greentown) High School

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

1. The Eastern (Greentown) High School volleyball program is issued a warning.
2. Coach Shelby Canning is reprimanded for this rule violation.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Wes-Del High School

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

1. The Wes-Del High School football program is issued a warning.
2. The two student athletes involved in this violation are suspended from participation in the first round of the football tournament series.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Yorktown High School

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rules 15-1d and 101.

1. The Yorktown High School girls cross country program is issued a warning.
2. Since both Cowan and Yorktown had scheduled less than the maximum number of meets, there is a penalty for the student athletes involved in this unauthorized practice/competition.
3. Coach Chuck Newman is reprimanded for permitting this violation to occur.
4. The IHSAA accepts and supports the suspension of Coach Newman for the regional tournament.
5. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

A motion to adjourn the November meeting of the IHSAA Executive Committee was made by Cassel White; seconded by Michael Powell; motion passed 8-0. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be at IHSAA headquarters at 8 a.m. on Dec. 13, 1999.