IHSAA Executive Committee

Minutes from the December 11, 2003 meeting in Indianapolis

PRESENT

Chairperson Cassel White, Linda Barnett, Randy Barrett, Dennis Bunda, Jim Feist, Phillip Gardner, Phil Hoskins, Lee Lonzo, Pam Noble, Geoff Penrod, Michael Powell, Janis Qualizza, Roy Simpson, Debb Stevens, Roger Weaver, 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 November 7, 2003 meeting were presented for approval. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Randy Barrett; seconded by Phil Hoskins; motion passed 14-0.

CERTIFICATION OF 2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS

Commissioner Ress presented the results of the Board of Directors elections that were conducted by mail from December 1-10, 2003, for certification. The ballots are open to inspection by any candidate or principal of a member school.

NORTH DISTRICT

Female Seat

Nancy J. Alspaugh, Manchester 51

Linda Barnett, Clinton Central 44

Darlene Mathew, Westview 29

Susan Mishler, Whitko 17

Nancy J. Alspaugh elected to serve a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2004.

Urban Seat

Janis Qualizza, Merrillville 105

Janis Qualizza elected to serve a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2004.

SOUTH DISTRICT

Female Seat

Denise Bessler, Henryville 32

Denise Farrell, Indianapolis Cathedral 21

LeAnne Kelley, Pike Central 45

Pam Noble, Connersville 57

Pam Noble re-elected to serve a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2004.

Minority Seat

Roy Simpson, Indianapolis Northwest 125

Roy Simpson re-elected to serve a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2004.

Urban Seat

David Marcotte, Ben Davis 56

Paul Neidig, Evansville Central 96

Paul Neidig elected to serve a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2004.

DISTRICT III

Class AAAA

William T. Amerson, Jeffersonville 46

Dave Jarvis, East Central 17

Pat Malone, Evansville Harrison 38

William T. Amerson elected to complete a term that runs until June 30, 2006.

A motion to certify election results was made by Lee Lonzo; seconded by Phillip Gardner; motion passed 14-0.

HOLIDAY BONUS FOR SUPPORT STAFF

Commissioner Ress requested that members of the support staff receive a holiday bonus as they have in recent years. Phillip Gardner made a motion that members of the support staff receive holiday bonuses; Dennis Bunda seconded the motion; motion passed 15-0.

APPROVE IHSAA SPONSORSHIP OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Assistant Commissioner Searcy presented a proposal for the IHSAA to sponsor a Student Leadership Conference in the summer (June 26^th) of 2004. This one day conference will be held at a central Indiana high school. A motion to approve the 2004 IHSAA Student Leadership Conference was made by Jim Feist; seconded by Phil Hoskins; motion passed 15-0.

APPROVE CHANGE IN A 2003-04 GIRLS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL HOST SITE

Commissioner Ress presented letters from each member school participating in girls basketball sectional #44, confirming their request that Switzerland County host the 2003-04 girls basketball sectional. After some discussion, a motion to approve Switzerland County as the 2004 host was made by Randy Barrett; seconded by Dennis Bunda; motion passed 15-0.

BASEBALL COACHES PROPOSALS

Denny Kas (Noblesville), Phil Jones (Executive Director), and Dave Bischoff (New Haven), representing the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA), appeared before the Executive Committee to present their proposal for changing the baseball tournament series format. The proposal included reinstatement of a baseball semi-state and the advancement of two teams per class (rather than four) to Indianapolis for a state championship game at Victory Field. Action will be taken at the January Executive Committee meeting.

MIDWEST STATES SEMINAR

Chairman Cassel White reported on his attendance, along with Commissioner Ress and Sports Information Director Jerry Baker, at the Mid-West States Seminar at Rosemont, IL. Items discussed included litigation, as well as participation and eligibility policies that various states have adopted.

2003-04 GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS

Assistant Commissioner Wynns presented a list of basketball officials who have applied to work the 2003-04 Girls Basketball Tournament Series. Of the 245 experienced officials and 124 new officials who applied, the IHSAA will choose 256 to work the tournament series.

IHSAA BASKETBALL SHOWCASE REPORT

Commissioner Ress announced plans for the Boys and Girls Basketball Showcases to be co-sponsored by the IHSAA and the basketball coaches associations, and hosted by Ben Davis High School. The boy’s showcase is scheduled for April 17, 2004, while the girls showcase will be held on July 24, 2004.

TRANSFERS

Associate Commissioner Craft reported on the transfers that have been ruled on for the 2003-04 school year. This report included the following actions as of November 7, 2003:

Full Eligibility 2,010

Limited Eligibility 155

Ineligible 36

Total 2,201

SPORTSMANSHIP

Assistant Commissioner Wynns updated the Executive Committee on the unsportsmanlike conduct reports that have been submitted. As of November 7, 2003, there have been 440 reports filed. This figure shows an increase over last year’s numbers, and is reflected by an increase in football, boys soccer, and boys basketball reports.

LITIGATION

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

PENALTIES ASSESSED

Brebeuf Jesuit High School – (Girls’ soccer coach sent recruitment letters to selected junior high students-PROBATION)

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 20.

1. The Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School girls’ soccer program is placed on probation through November 30, 2004.

2. Coach Sean Bartram is severely reprimanded for illegally contacting selected students to encourage their enrollment and future athletic participation at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.

3. The administration is instructed to conduct staff development sessions for the entire coaching staff to ensure there is a thorough understanding of the IHSAA By-Laws and a dedication to upholding them.

4. The administration must remain diligent in its supervision of the athletic programs in order to preclude future, similar incidents, which could result in a more severe penalty.

Corydon Central High School – (Unlicensed officials worked two junior varsity football games)

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 14-1.

1. The Corydon Central High School football program is issued a warning.

2. The names of the officials that worked these games should be forwarded to the IHSAA offices

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

Indian Creek High School – (Girls’ basketball staff taping game between two future opponents)

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

1. The Indian Creek High School girls’ basketball program is issued a warning

2. Coach Dana Scott and other members of the coaching staff involved in this illegal act are reprimanded.

3. Indian Creek is directed to take the appropriate steps to educate their coaching staff on basic IHSAA rules as a preventative measure to lessen the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.

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

Morristown High School – (Non-rostered player participated in volleyball tournament-PROBATION)

Commissioner Ress reported the following action as a result of a violation of Rule 3-9.4.

1. The Morristown High School volleyball program is placed on probation through November 8, 2004.

2. It is strongly suggested that future sectional entry lists be reviewed with the utmost care and posted conspicuously in locker rooms for student athletes to review before submission to the IHSAA.

3. In response to the recommendations and actions taken by Morristown High School and because the student athlete appears to be the victim of circumstances, the Commissioner’s office will allow the student athlete to participate in the volleyball tournament under a hardship eligibility provided that the school pays a $200 fee in return for making a change on the original entry list.

4. The administration of Morristown High School is commended for its prompt response on this matter once the problem was discovered.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Reactions and Comments regarding IHSAA Centennial Events

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Letter from Priscilla E. Dillow, Retired Volleyball Coach, Ben Davis High School

2. Letter from Dr. Philip N. Eskew, Jr., St. Vincent Family Life Center, Indianapolis

3. Letter from Lee H. Hamilton, President & Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

4. Letter from Marty Johnson, Boys’ Basketball Coach, East Noble High School

5. Letter from Richard G. Lugar, United States Senator

6. E-mail from Scott Martin, Athletic Director, Indian Creek High School

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to:

Bruce Whitehead, 2003 NIAAA Award of Merit Recipient – Former IHSAA Board of Directors Member & Athletic Director @ Crawfordsville High School

A motion to adjourn the November meeting of the IHSAA Executive Committee was made by Phil Hoskins; seconded by Janis Qualizza; motion passed 15-0. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be at IHSAA headquarters at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2004.