IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2005-06

Boys/Girls Cross Country Advisory Committee

December 7, 2005

The IHSA Cross Country Advisory Committee met at the IHSA Office, Bloomington, Illinois on Wednesday, December 7, 2005, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Committee Members present were: Larry Bassett, Elmhurst (York); Mark North, Sparta; Jim Raabe, Jacksonville (I.S.V.); Kris Roof, Chicago (Lane); John Szabo, Bloomington H.S.; Chris Perry, Peoria H.S.; Others in attendance, Ron McGraw, IHSA Asst. Executive Director; Cheryl Mitchell, IHSA Administrative Assistant; Geza Ehrentru ; Randy Simmons, Peoria High School; Dennis Bowman, Peoria High School; Owen Fuller; Art Pahl (ITCCCA); Jerry Parsons (ICA), Mike Garcia (ITCCCA); Glen Cothern (ITCCOA); Jerry Riebling, Mercury Sports and Illinois Valley Striders.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Item III-F Online Entries Deadline

Adjust the deadline for online entries from 4:15pm Tuesday, to 4:15 on Monday the week of the Regional Meets.

Rationale: This additional time would benefit the Regional Hosts as they set up their Regional Meets.

Approved Item 1

2. Item VIII-G-5(Tournament Rules)

At all Regional and Sectional Meets the host school must use a video camera and some method of viewing the video (ie.lap top computer, television, etc.) at the finish line. The video system does not need to be elaborate. However, it must be sufficient to capture the entire finish of each race in the event there is a need to review the finish for scoring purposes. This is not a requirement to use video review to score each race. It is a precautionary measure to be used by meet management and IHSA officials, at their discretion, if/when their primary scoring system fails.

Rationale: Simple video technology is readily available, easy to use and will provide a back up scoring system. In the event that the primary scoring system fails (this can occur for many reasons) it is critical that a secondary system exists so the meet can be scored accurately.

Approved Item 2

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Splits

Meet management will work with Mercury Sports to attempt to include split times on the final results provided to coaches and fans at the park. The ability to provide split times is dependant upon the technology available at the time.

Tag (Chip) Language in T&Cs

The T&Cs currently state that the tags (chips) will be attached to the ankle by use of a strap. While this was a successful means of attaching the tag (chip) to the participant, this language will be removed from the T&Cs. This is a management issue not appropriate for the T&Cs. At this time it is likely that the straps will continue to be used in the 06-07 State Finals. Technology changes rapidly and we do not wish to eliminate alternatives as they develop due to this language being a part of the T&Cs.

Approved Item 3 (Originally Listed as Administrative Recommendation)

Order of Inspection by Clerks

We will include in the State Qualifiers packets the time schedule and order that schools will be issued their tags (chips) and inspected by the Clerks of the Course at the start line.

Schedule Change

If Cross Country remains a two class system we will add 15 minutes to the schedule relative to the start of the awards ceremony for each class. The A awards will begin at 12:15 and the AA awards will begin at 3:00.

Posted Results

Meet management will post multiple copies of the race results in the coaches’ area. Security will be on hand to ensure that only coaches have access to this area.

Video Review at State Finals

The Lynx Finish Line System is being explored as a possible replacement for the current video system being used at the State Finals. If used correctly, this system has advantages over our current video system. At this time the Lynx System is being explored as an alternative with no commitment by meet management to convert at this time.

Coaches Names on Teams List of Participants

The IHSA will incorporate the names of coaches on the List of Participants document provided to Regional/Sectional hosts.

ITEMS OF GENERAL DISCUSSION:

The committee reviewed and discussed all comments and suggestions sent to Ron McGraw. Many ideas were discussed and considered during the 3 hour meeting. All items that received a motion and a second from our group were put to a vote. This year, all votes were unanimous.

1. Cross country as a three (3) class system?

2. Review the finish line procedures. Is it working?

3. Multiplier

4. Can names be downloaded from the internet directly into a scoring software?

5. Can we put the names of the coaches on the rosters that Meet Managers use to enter their names?

6. Will mile splits ever be available on the final results?

7. Will mile by mile scoring ever be available?

8. Will the IHSA ever have video available of the State Meet?

9. Can coaches get into the medical area if their athlete is being treated there?

10. What can be done about the “Inequities” in Regional Assignments? The committee will be briefed on the current policies regulating seeding and bracketing of State Series.

11. Should the Regional Level of competition be eliminated in Cross Country?

12. Should we move the Regional dates to avoid ACT testing?

13. Should we seed the State Series in Cross Country 3 weeks prior to Regional competition?

14. Can we move the awards ceremony back inside?

15. Cross country as a four (4) class system.

16. Can bib numbers be worn lower on the jersey?

17. Should we adjust the video review time (allow an additional 15 minutes)?

18. Provide for a system for the Referee and Asst. Referee to cover their costs associated with being present at the Friday’s coaches meetings.