Chairman Dale Crafton, Vice Chairman Mike Blackburn, Dan Cunningham, Dennis Eller, Patrick Mapes, Michael Necessary, Janis Qualizza, Cecil Raymond, Jean Shonkwiler, Oren Sutherlin, Joseph Trimboli, Directors Curtis Casbon, Jim Feist, Phillip Gardner, Lee Lonzo, Pam Noble, Mike Powell, Commissioner Blake Ress, Associate Commissioner Ray Craft, Assistant Commissioners Bobby Cox, Sandy Searcy, Theresia Wynns, Sports Information Director Jim Russell and Attorney Robert Baker.

Minutes of the Jan. 11, 2001 meeting were recommended for approval. A motion for approval was made by Joseph Trimboli; seconded by Oren Sutherlin; motion passed 11-0.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns reported on the general format and host site changes for the 2000-01 Girls Tennis Tournament Series. The following changes in host sites were recommended:

A motion to approve the recommendations for the 2000-01 Girls Tennis Tournament Series was made by Michael Necessary; seconded by Joseph Trimboli; motion passed 11-0.

Assistant Commissioner Searcy reported on the general format, sites and other preliminary plans for the 2000-01 Softball Tournament Series. The following recommendations were made for host sites:

The state finals will be conducted under the same format as 2000 with Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern and North Central (Indianapolis) being the host sites for the semi-final games on Friday, June 8. Carmel will host the three state championship games on Saturday, June 9.

A motion to approve the recommendations for the 2000-01 Softball Tournament Series was made by Cecil Raymond; seconded by Jean Shonkwiler; motion passed 11-0.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported on the general format, sites and other preliminary plans for the 2000-01 Baseball Tournament Series. Included in the baseball proposal were the following changes in host sites:

Additionally, it was recommended the following schools host the four-team regionals:

A motion to approve the recommendations for the 2000-01 Baseball Tournament Series was made by Joseph Trimboli; seconded by Patrick Mapes; motion passed 11-0.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported he had met with representatives of the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (IATCCC) to discuss the IHSAA Cross Country State Tournament format and site. The Indiana University cross country course will be unavailable for the Cross Country State Championships on the current corresponding date for 2001. After discussion of potential sites, it was the recommendation of the (IATCCC) to establish a four-level, three-week tournament format. This format will allow the Cross Country State Championships to be conducted at the Indiana University site, one week earlier. A motion to approve a three-week, four-level tournament in which the Cross Country State Finals will be conducted at Indiana University was made by Joseph Trimboli; seconded by Dan Cunningham; motion passed 10-0-1. The dates for the 2001 Cross Country Tournament Series are:

Approval was requested for Commissioner Ress and IHSAA Attorney Robert Baker to attend the legal seminar sponsored by the National Federation on April 20-22, 2001 in Indianapolis. A motion to approve the IHSAA’s participation in the NFHS’s legal seminar was made by Michael Blackburn; seconded by Joseph Trimboli; motion passed 11-0.

Commissioner Ress requested permission for the executive staff and the Board of Directors to attend the annual meeting of the National Federation of State High School Associations in Maui, Hawaii, June 27-July 2, 2001. A motion to approve this request was made by Cecil Raymond; seconded by Oren Sutherlin; motion passed 11-0.

Associate Commissioner Craft recommended that two automobiles be traded for the purchase of two new vehicles. A motion to approve the recommendation and accept the lowest of three bids was made by Patrick Mapes; seconded by Mike Blackburn; motion passed 11-0.

Chairman Dale Crafton made the following Investment Committee appointments: Commissioner Ress, Associate Commissioner Craft, Dale Crafton, Dennis Eller, Phillip Gardner, and Joseph Trimboli

Tim Cleland of Delta High School appeared before the Executive Committee to present the following proposals on behalf of the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTCA) and the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA):

1. An option of 10 dual matches and four tournaments (three matches per tournament) for a total maximum of 22 matches should be offered to supplement the current options.
2. The use of USTA certified officials in the IHSAA tournament series at the regional level should be a consistent policy throughout the state.

Associate Commissioner Craft reported on transfers that have been ruled upon during the 2000-01 school year. This report included the following actions as of Feb. 14, 2001:

Full eligibility -- 2,014.

Limited eligibility – 171.

Ineligible – 25.

Total – 2,210.

Assistant Commissioner Wynns reported on the unsportsmanlike conduct reports that the Association has received as of Feb. 15, 2001. A total of 905 unsportsmanlike reports have been filed in seven different sports.

Commissioner Ress presented the monthly financial report of the Association. Associate Commissioner Craft reported on Association investments.

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

Sports Information Director Russell reported that Mike Montgomery, sports director of WSAL-AM/WLHM-FM, Logansport, has been selected as the IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award recipient for 2000-01 in District I. Montgomery has served with distinction as the play-by-play voice of high school athletics in Cass County since 1987. He was honored in pre-game ceremonies at the Logansport-New Castle boys basketball game on Jan. 19, 2001.

It was also reported that John Hodge, sports editor of the New Castle Courier-Times since 1988, has been selected as the IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award recipient for 2000-01 in District IV. Under his direction, the Courier-Times has distinguished itself for coverage of high school sports in Henry County. He was honored during pre-game ceremonies of the Muncie Central-New Castle boys basketball game on Jan. 27, 2001.

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

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 9-13:

1. The Goshen baseball program is issued a warning.
2. Baseball coach Matt Chupp is reprimanded for causing this violation to occur.
3. The IHSAA accepts and supports the actions taken by the administration in response to this violation.
4. The administration is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of unethical behavior:

1. The Hammond wrestling program is issued a warning.
2. Wrestling coach Joe Spoto is severely reprimanded for permitting this violation to occur.
3. Athletic director Rick Badovinich is commended for preventing any illegal acts from occurring.
4. The disciplinary actions taken by Hammond High School officials in response to these unsportsmanlike acts are accepted by the IHSAA.

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 9-18.3:

1. The Northview girls basketball program is issued a warning.
2. Freshman coach Pam Brazzell is reprimanded for causing this violation to occur.
3. The IHSAA accepts and supports the actions taken by the administration to prevent future, similar incidents from occurring.
4. The administration of Northview High School is commended for its prompt reporting and handling of this matter.

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 15-1.2a:

1. The Tipton boys and girls basketball programs are issued a warning.
2. The student athlete who participated in a non-school sponsored basketball game shall be suspended for three contests.
3. The administration of Tipton High School is commended for its reporting and handling of this matter.

A motion to adjourn the February meeting of the IHSAA Executive Committee was made by Joseph Trimboli; seconded by Dennis Eller; motion passed 11-0. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be at IHSAA headquarters at 8 a.m. on March 23, 2001.