IHSAA Executive Committee

Minutes from the May 3, 2004 meeting in Indianapolis

PRESENT

Chairperson Cassel White, William Amerson, Linda Barnett, Randy Barrett, Dennis Bunda, Jim Feist, Phillip Gardner, Phil Hoskins, Lee Lonzo, Patrick Mapes, Pam Noble, Geoff Penrod, Michael Powell, Janis Qualizza, Roy Simpson, Debb Stevens, Roger Weaver, Director Elect Nancy Alspaugh, Director Elect Paul Neidig, Commissioner Blake Ress, Associate Commissioner Ray Craft, Assistant Commissioners Bobby Cox, Sandy Searcy, Theresia Wynns, Sports Information Director Jerry Baker and Attorney Robert Baker.

MINUTES

The minutes of the March 26, 2004 were recommended for approval. A motion for approval was made by Janis Qualizza; seconded by Phil Hoskins; motion passed 17-0.

REVIEW STATUS OF GYMNASTICS AS AN IHSAA SPONSORED SPORT

Assistant Commissioner Searcy reported on the status of gymnastics as an IHSAA sport. Per IHSAA By-Law C1-4, sports that do not maintain at least 25% participation of the member schools will be reviewed annually for purposes of determining future tournament and recognition status. The number of member schools that participate in gymnastics has remained consistent for the past four years at approximately 86. A motion to continue IHSAA sponsorship of girls gymnastics was made by Jim Feist; seconded by Bill Amerson; motion approved 17-0.

APPROVE THE DATE CHANGE OF THE JUNE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Commissioner Ress requested permission to change of date of the June Executive Committee Meeting to Jun 25^th, 2004, in an effort to consolidate the meeting with the IHSAA Board of Directors Retreat. A motion to approved the recommendation was made by Randy Barrett; seconded by Dennis Bunda; motion approved 17-0.

REPORT FROM THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Members of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee, Lindsay Jackson, Bloomington North High School, and Kevin Lehman, Fairfield High School, presented their year end report. The group’s activities included conducting student meetings that were held in conjunction with the Fall Area Principals meetings, and planning for the first annual IHSAA Student Leadership Conference.

2003-04 BOYS & GIRLS TRACK & FIELD TOURNAMENT STARTERS

Assistant Commissioner Cox presented a list of track and field starters who have applied to work the 2004 tournament series.

2003-04 GIRLS TENNIS TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS

Assistant Commissioner Wynns presented a list of USTA officials who may assist with the 2004 girls tennis tournament series.

2003-04 BASEBALL TOURNAMENT UMPIRES

Associate Commissioner Craft presented a list of baseball umpires who have applied to work the 2004 baseball tournament series.

2003-04 SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT UMPIRES

Assistant Commissioner Searcy presented a list of softball umpires who have applied to work the 2004 softball tournament series.

TRANSFERS

Assistant Commissioner Craft reported on transfers that have been ruled upon during the 2003-04 school year. This report included the following actions as of May, 2004:

Full Eligibility 2,621

Limited Eligibility 180

Ineligible 58

Total 2,859

SPORTSMANSHIP

Assistant Commissioner Wynns relayed information pertaining to unsportsmanlike conduct reports that have been received this year. Up until this point, unsportsmanlike conduct reports for sports have decreased from last year at this time. Mrs. Wynns commended the ongoing education that member schools are providing to insure that sporting behavior is an expectation.

FINANCIAL REPORTS ON SELECTED WINTER SPORTS

Assistant Commissioner Searcy provided the Executive Committee with the annual attendance and financial report for the 2003-04 Gymnastics Tournament Series. The net total for the gymnastics tournament series was relatively consistent, showing a deficit of $8,500, which is a slight improvement from last year’s figures.

Assistant Commissioner Searcy presented the Executive Committee with attendance and financial data for the 2003-04 Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving Tournament Series. For the fifth time in five years, girls and boys swimming finished on the positive side of the ledger. Total attendance increased, which was reflective in the increase in revenue.

Assistant Commissioner Cox reported on the attendance and finances for the 2003-04 Wrestling Tournament Series. Total attendance figures increased from last year, which positively affected the overall revenue.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Commissioner Ress presented the monthly financial report of the Association.

LITIGATION REPORT

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

PENALTIES ASSESSED

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

Chesterton High School

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 15-1.2 (Softball player practices with summer travel team).

1. The Chesterton High School softball program is issued a warning.

2. The IHSAA concurs with your decision that the student athlete involved in this rule violation shall be suspended for four games.

3. The administration of Chesterton High School is commended for its reporting and handling of this matter.

Indianapolis Cathedral High School

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 9-13 (Sunday workout with selected boys track team members).

1. The Indianapolis Cathedral High School boys’ track program is issued a warning.

2. Coach Jim Nohl is reprimanded for conducting a Sunday workout session for selected runners in violation of Rule 9-13.

3. The action taken by Indianapolis Cathedral High School in suspending Coach Nohl and the three athletes involved in this violation is accepted and supported by the IHSAA.

4. The administration of Indianapolis Cathedral High School is commended for its reporting and handling of this matter.

South Bend St. Joseph’s High School

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 18-1.6 (Boys track coach knowingly entered academically ineligible athlete in meet – PROBATION)

1. The South Bend St. Joseph’s High School boys’ track and field program is placed on probation. Probation is a more severe type of warning.

2. Coach Jim Murray is severely reprimanded for knowingly entering an academically ineligible athlete in a competition. This is an intentional disregard of the IHSAA By-Laws and cannot be tolerated.

3. South Bend St. Joseph’s High School is directed to follow the steps outline in Rule 3-9 of the IHSAA By-Laws for resolving this matter including the notification of the other school’s involved in this meet and the forfeiture of any points earned by the ineligible student athlete.

4. The administration of South Bend St. Joseph’s High School is commended for its reporting and handling of this matter once the error was discovered.

South Spencer High School

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 9-13 (Sunday batting practice with selected softball team members)

1. The South Spencer High School softball program is issued a warning.

2. Coach Tara Compton is reprimanded for condoning a Sunday workout session for batting practice in violation of Rule 9-13.

3. The administration of South Spencer High School is commended for its reporting and handling of this matter.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Fall Area Principal Meetings

COMMUNICATIONS

a. Letter from Eric Anderson, Athletic Director, Blessed Theodore Guerin High School

b. Email from Nick Karazsia, Principal, Linton-Stockton High School

c. Letter from Michael J. Manning, Principal, Randolph Southern High School

d. Letter from Bernie Meyer, Athletic Director, Boonville High School

e. Letter from Bill Sharpe, Athletic Director, Jimtown High School

f. Letter from Bob Swank, Cross Country Coach, South Knox High School

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

A motion to adjourn the May 3 meeting of the IHSAA Executive Committee was made by Patrick Mapes; seconded by Linda Barnett; motion passed 17-0. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held during the Board of Directors retreat, held on June 25th.

NOTE TO ATHLETIC DIRECTORS

For the first time, IHSAA tennis rules interpretation meetings will be held during the Fall of 2004. Boys and girls head tennis coaches will be expected to attend these meetings.