Chairman Phillip Gardner, Vice Chairman Priscilla Dillow, Mike Blackburn, Dale Crafton, Dan Cunningham, Sue Keenan, Al Logsdon, Michael Powell, Steve Riordan, Cassel White, Directors Dennis Eller, 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.

Minutes of the Nov. 5, 1999 and Nov. 15, 1999 were recommended for approval. A motion for approval was made by Michael Powell; seconded by Dale Crafton; motion passed 8-0.

The results of the annual Board of Directors election conducted by mail, Dec. 1-10, 1999, was presented by Commissioner Gardner for certification. Results are as follows:

Curtis G. Casbon, Michael Powell, Lee Lonzo, Phillip Gardner, Pam Noble and Jim Feist are elected to serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2000. Linda R. Barnett was elected to fill an open seat whose term started on July 1, 1999. A motion to certify the election results was made by Steve Riordan; seconded by Dan Cunningham; motion passed 8-0.

The Commissioner requested that Curtis G. Casbon be immediately appointed to the Executive Committee to fill the opening created by the retirement of director Frank DeSantis, Bremen. A motion to approve the appointment of Casbon to the Executive Committee was made by Michael Powell; seconded by Cassel White; motion passed 9-0.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns presented a list of basketball officials who have applied to work the 1999-2000 Girls Basketball Tournament Series. Permission was requested to select officials from this list. A motion for approval was made by Cassel White; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 10-0.

Commissioner Gardner requested the non-executive support staff receive a Christmas bonus as it has in recent years. Dan Cunningham made a motion that the support staff receive Christmas bonuses as follows: full time employees receive $100 after taxes and part-time employees receive $75 after taxes. Dale Crafton seconded the motion; motion passed 9-0.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns reported Maxfli (Dunlop balls) and Penn had bid for the contract to provide tennis balls for IHSAA tournaments during the calendar years 2000 and 2001. Having analyzed both bids, Mrs. Wynns recommended acceptance of the Penn bid. Mike Blackburn made a motion to accept Penn’s proposal to provide tennis balls for IHSAA tournaments in 2000 and 2001; Michael Powell seconded the motion; motion passed 9-0.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported that Indiana University’s cross country course may become a part of an expanded golf course. At this time, the Indiana University Board of Trustees has not made a final decision, but we should be cognizant of the possibility that a different state finals venue may need to be found.

Dan Cunningham, chairman of the Automobile Committee, recommended three automobiles be traded in on the purchase of three new vehicles. Bids were obtained from three dealers, with Eric Dickerson Buick of Indianapolis submitting the lowest bid. A motion to approve the recommendation and accept the lowest bid was made by Michael Powell; seconded by Steve Riordan; motion passed 10-0.

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.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported on the transfers that have been ruled upon during the 1999-2000 school year. This report included the following actions as of December 9, 1999:

Full eligibility -- 1,802 (89.3%).

Limited eligibility -- 188 (9.3%).

Ineligible -- 27 (1.3%).

Total -- 2,017.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns reported on the unsportsmanlike conduct reports that had been filed as of Dec. 10, 1999. The final tally for the fall sports season was 459 reports. At this early stage of the winter sports season, 33 unsportsmanlike acts have been reported.

The National Federation of State High School Associations is sponsoring the inaugural Girls & Women Sport Awareness Luncheon on Feb. 3, 2000 in Indianapolis. Outstanding contributors will be recognized in several categories, with an emphasis on competition, participation and contributions to girls and women. The National Federation has requested the IHSAA participation in this event as an award sponsor. Permission was requested by Commissioner Gardner for the IHSAA to contribute the $1,000 that is required to become an award sponsor. A motion to support National Girls & Women in Sports Day to become an award sponsor was made by Priscilla Dillow; seconded by Michael Powell; motion passed 10-0.

John Leemhius and Dave Healy of Ernst & Young LLP presented the annual auditor’s report on the Association to the Executive Committee. They issued an unqualified opinion on the Association’s financial statements for the year ending June 30, 1999 and recommended no changes in the accounting policies of the Association.

Dennis Kas, baseball coach at Noblesville High School, and Bill Jones, executive director of the Indiana Baseball Coaches Association (IBCA), appeared before the Executive Committee to present the following proposals on behalf of the baseball coaches.

• The baseball tournament series be changed from a four-week format to a three-week format. Regionals would include four teams, with four teams in each class advancing to the state finals. The semi-finals would be contested Friday with the championship games on Saturday. The IBCA recommends the semi-finals be played at college sites.
• In the sectional tournaments, the bye teams would play the second game of the semi-finals and the winner would be the visiting team in the championship game.

Sports Information Director Russell reported that Paul R. Condry, president, Regional Radio Sports Network in Crown Point, has been selected as the IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award recipient for 1999-2000 in District I. Condry produces play-by-play broadcasts on stations in Michigan City, Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Howe and Kalamazoo, Mich. He is also the publisher of monthly Northern Indiana High School Sports Report and the annual Indiana High School & Collegiate Football Guide. He was honored during pre-game ceremonies at the inaugural Region Roundball Rumble Dec. 3 at the Hammond Civic Center.

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

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 6-10.

1. The Boonville High School volleyball program is issued a warning.
2. Coach Mary Cox is reprimanded for her role in permitting this violation to occur.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 9-13.

1. The Fort Wayne Snider High School wrestling program is issued a warning.
2. Coach Mike Ester is reprimanded for causing this violation to occur.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

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

1. The Indianapolis Manual High School girls basketball program is issued a warning.
2. The three student athletes involved in this violation shall be suspended for three season contests.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Commissioner Gardner reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 15-3.2a.

1. The Salem High School girls basketball program is issued a warning.
2. The four student athletes involved in this violation shall be suspended for three season contests.
3. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

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

William (Bill) Knoth, a student at Indianapolis Cathedral High School, had been declared to have limited eligibility on the basis of Rule 19-6.2. A hearing was requested to appeal the ruling and request full eligibility. Having listened to the presentations and analyzed the documentation provided, the Executive Committee upheld the decision of the Commissioner. Dale Crafton made a motion to uphold the decision of the Commissioner; seconded by Steve Riordan; motion passed 7-0.

Jesse Whitlock, a student at Silver Creek High School, had been declared to have limited eligibility on the basis of Rule 19-6.2. A hearing was requested to appeal the ruling and request full eligibility. Following the hearing, both sides were requested to submit finding of fact to the Executive Committee. Following the hearing, the student and legal counsel for the IHSAA submitted findings of fact. Following discussion by the Executive Committee on the presentations in this case and having analyzed the documentation provided, Al Logsdon made a motion to uphold the decision of the Commissioner; seconded by Cassel White; motion failed 0-7. Jesse Whitlock shall have full eligibility based on Rule 17-8.

Ryan Garrett, a student at Attica High School, had been declared to have limited eligibility on the basis of Rule 19-6.2. A hearing was requested 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. Following the hearing, legal counsel for the student and for the IHSAA were provided an opportunity to submit findings of fact. Having listened to the presentations and analyzed the documentation provided, the Executive Committee upheld the decision of the Commissioner. Al Logsdon made a motion to uphold the decision of the Commissioner; seconded by Dan Cunningham; motion passed 7-0.

1. Letter from David V. Cranfill, president, Cranfill and Co.
2. Letter from Mark Ferguson, athletic director, Batesville High School.
3. Letter from Alan Matheis, athletic director, Northeast Dubois High School.
4. Thank you note from Nicole Necessary, Winchester, Ind.
5. Letter from Arthur Smith and Frank Simon, vice presidents, Fox Sports Network.
6. E-mail message from Gary and Terri Worden, Ossian, Ind.
7. Letter from principals and athletic directors, Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference.
8. Various communications regarding volleyball tournament format

A motion to adjourn the December meeting of the IHSAA Executive Committee was made by Michael Powell; seconded Priscilla Dillow; motion passed 8-0. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be at 8 a.m. Jan. 13, 2000 at the IHSAA office.