IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2004-2005

Boys/Girls Track and Field Advisory Committee

September 7, 2005

The IHSA Track & Field Advisory Committee met in the IHSA Office in Bloomington, Illinois, on Wednesday, September 7, 2005. The meeting began at 10:00 a.m. and concluded at approximately 2:30 p.m. Committee members present were: Kevin Collins, Girls Coach at St. Charles (East); Jack Eddy, Girls Coach at Richton Park (Rich South); Dartha Hoskins, Girls Coach at Chicago (Lincoln Park); John Overstreet, Athletic Director/Coach at Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda); Rod Shurtz, Boys Coach at Huntley; Carolyn Tucker, Girls Coach at Rushville; Toby Vallas, Girls Coach at Knoxville; David Grim, Boys/Girls Coach at Chicago (Luther North); Jerry Parsons, Meet Manager, Nicole Schaefbauer, IESA Asst. Executive Director, Glenn Cothern Head Pole Vault Official, Downs, Geza Ehrentreu, Peoria Hts. IHSA Asst. Executive Director Ron McGraw was in attendance.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS RECOMMENDATIONS:

Item VII-C State Qualifying Standards

Approved a motion to change the following qualifying standards:

*Girls Class A 4x800 M. Relay from 10:25.5 MT and 1025.74 F.A.T. to 10:23.5 MT and 10:23.74 F.A.T.

*Boys Class AA 3200 M. Run from 9:37.0 MT and 9:37.24 F.A.T. to 9:35.0 MT and 9:35.24 F.A.T.

*Boys Class AA Discus from 153-0 to 155-0

Rationale:

The list of State qualifiers from the last five year was reviewed. By reviewing the number of extra State qualifiers and the qualifying standards from the past, it was determined that these standards should be adjusted.

Approved

VIII-O.-1-A Pole Vault Contestant Weigh-In

Regular Season: Coaches must download the Pole Vault Weight Verification form provided from the IHSA Web Site. The coach will be required to sign the form verifying that the vaulter’s weight meets the Pole Vault Pole Standard. Contestant shall weigh in wearing their school issued uniform, any clothing in addition to the school issued uniform that will be worn while vaulting, shoes and helmet. The combined weight of the person, all clothing, shoes and helmet will be the “competitor’s weight” used to determine compliance with NFHS Rule 7-5 inclusive. A coach must be present during the weigh-in.

Rationale: The NFHS has adopted this requirement. State Associations are allowed to create their own procedures.

Approved

VI.-G. Tournament Structure and Time Schedules

3200 M. Run

All four (4) Sectional of the 3200 M. Run will be run together beginning at 11:00 a.m. beginning with the first and second Sections of the Class A, followed by the first and second sections of the Class AA. The committee felt that it was in the best interest of the kids to run all sections together to provide the same conditions for all competitors in the 3200 M. Run.

Rationale: In an effort to create equity with regard to the weather conditions during these races, it was felt that the races need to be run at, or near the same time of day.

Tabled

VII-H. Seeding Procedures

In meets where the Fully Automatic Timing (F.A.T.) is used, semifinals may be eliminated. Competitors will be advanced from prelims to finals on the basis of heat winners and remaining times. Sectional Managers must have a plan in place in case F.A.T. fails to operate. If F.A.T. fails, go back to manual times.

Rationale: This language is intended to clarify what needs to be done at the sectional level of competition. Currently the language is not clear.

Approved

VIII-E. 34.92 Degree Sector for Discus and Shot Put

The IHSA State Track and Field State Series will incorporate the new 34.92-degree throwing sector for both the shot put and the discus. The NFHS has adopted the sector to be mandatory by the 2006-2007 season. The IHSA strongly recommends that all meets conducted this year adopt the 34.92 sector for safety reasons. This sector will be required by all member schools beginning in 2006-2007. It is important to note that this will likely require a modification to a school’s safety cage. Specific dimensions for this modification will be provided when they become available.

Rationale: The NFHS will formerly adopt this change in 2006-2007. It is being adopted for safety reasons. We would be foolish not to adopt the change immediately.

Approved

ADMINSTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Inconsistencies in Officials Enforcement of rule requiring “hard and unyielding surfaces” on the sides and back of high jump and pole vault landing pads

Work with officials to reinforce padding rules, etc.

Fully Automatic Timing (F.A.T.) vs. Manual Time (MT)

A statement should be added to the online List of Participants and the School and Manager’s Manual regarding the difference between Manual Time and Fully Automatic Timing (F.A.T.). Also, there should be a radio box next to each time submitted to indicate whether the time is a Manual Time or F.A.T. Time. A notice should also be added to the Terms and Conditions to make sure coaches convert the Manual Times or they will be converted for them. This subject will also be covered by the Rules Interpreter at all 2005-06 Track & Field Rule Interpretation Meetings.

Rationale: Our sectional managers need to know with certainty if the times being submitted by coaches are F.A.T. or manual. This will help sectional managers make that determination.

800 M. Medley Relay Exchange/Acceleration Zone:

Participants should be allowed to leave marks for the last exchange.

Rationale: It was determined by the committee that leaving these marks on the track has posed no safety concern to athletes in the past and therefore should be allowed to leave them in place.

Ticket Prices

The committee felt there should be more Ticket price advertising. Coaches and/or Athletic Directors should notify their athletes/parents of tickets prices at the state final. Due to the fact most track meets do not charge admission to meets and less people would be surprised when arriving at the state final when admission is charged.

Rationale: There was some concern that spectators were not aware of the admission price prior to arriving at the State Track & Field Meet.

ITEMS OF GENERAL DISCUSSION:

The committee reviewed and discussed all sectional reports and letters sent to Ron McGraw. In total, over 45 items were discussed and considered during the 4.5 hour meeting. All items that received a motion and a second from the Advisory Committee were put to a vote.