IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2006-07

Girls badminton Advisory Committee

May 16, 2007

The IHSA Girls’ Badminton Advisory Committee met at the Office of the Illinois High School Association on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Committee members attending were Barb Barrows, Naperville (Neuqua Valley); John Charters, Darien (Hinsdale South); Bob Hanson, Palatine (Fremd); Jeanine Konkolewski, Arlington Heights (Hersey); Mindy Meyer, LaGrange (Lyons). Also in attendance was Susan Hinrichsen, Assistant Executive Director of IHSA. Not attending, Theresa Busch, Hoffman Estates (H.S.).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Items V-D -- Sectional Assignments:

            Recommendation: Teams will be placed in their sectionals based on the following structure:
            Sectional A – 1, 8, 9, 16, 17, 24
            Sectional B – 2, 7, 10, 15, 18, 23, Individuals
            Sectional C – 3, 6, 11, 14, 19, 22
            Sectional D – 4, 5, 12, 13, 20, 21

Rationale: There are more teams and needed to add another round to the pairings.

Approved

2.         Item VI-C -- State Final Schedule:

            Recommendation: The following time changes shall be made to the state tournament:
            Thursday Hit-A-Round: 3-8:00
            Friday warm-up blocks are:     8:00-8:30, 8:30-9:00, 9:00-9:30
            Saturday: 8:30-9:20 warm-ups, 9:00-9:15 officials and coaches meeting, 9:30 Quarterfinal, sweet 16 for singles and doubles, 10:30 quarterfinals, 11:30 semifinals, 12:30 singles finals, 1:00 doubles finals, 1:30 award ceremony

Rationale: Adjustments to the time schedule allowed for based on the facilities and need.

Approved

3. Item VIII-C -- Sectional Substitution:

Recommendation: Remove the language “substitute’s name shall not have appeared on the original LOP.”

Rationale: This is an outdated restriction. With the sectional meeting taking place after the sectional complex, there is no need for this restriction.

Approved

4. Item XI-A – Officials

Recommendation: It is recommended that four officials are hired to work the state finals.

Rationale: This adds one more roving official working the state tournament. Two officials will be used for singles and 2 officials will work the doubles matches. Lantz building has 4 separate areas where 242 matches take place. Having one official for each of those areas would help manage all the matches. Cost for another official for both days, $262.50.

Approved

5. Item VIII -- New Tournament Rules

Recommendation: It is recommended that no electronic devices shall be used by participants while competing on the courts.

Rationale: Not needed and distracting.

Approved

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. This year the old scoring system was used instead of rally scoring due to a late rule book change. In accordance with IHSA by-law 2.010, contests participated in by member schools shall be governed by the rules written or officially adopted for play; rally scoring will be used next year. A link to the rally scoring system will be put on the badminton page so coaches can prepare for summer camps, clinics and play.

2. For the state final draw, the # 1 seed will be placed on line 1 and # 2 seed will be placed on line 32.

3. The sectional complex seeding process was discussed and clarified. The instructions will clarify that the coaches will discuss and vote if needed the blocks of 4 seeds. Once the blocks are determined, the slate, if clean, coaches will seed teams within their blocks by a vote.

4. Sectional Forms Recommendation: Provide a downloadable bracket program for sectional managers that will be used in the sectionals and the ScoreZone. John Charter will follow up with a school that uses one such program. IHSA will review the program to see if it is compatible with the needs of the state final program requirements and format. Additionally, the 8 or less tournament bracket can be deleted.

5. Next year, the state final qualifier mailing will be posted on the IHSA website instead of distributed at the end of the sectional tournament. A link to the Minerva site will also be included for teams to make advance orders for t-shirts.

6. The code of conduct was reviewed with no action taken by the committee.

7. An illustration will be added to the Casebook that clarifies an illegal serve will be called whether a player gains an advantage or not.

ITEMS OF DISCUSSION:

1. The committee reviewed the concerns with the Wilson Shuttlecock. The Wilson Classics were sent to the IHSA although the Wilson Gold or something comparable was designated as the official bird. Discussion revolved around the concerns that the feathers were brittle causing them to break in trio. They were also described as inconsistent because they started out fast from the tube and then later on became slow. The coaches were also concerned that the birds were breaking down much faster. IHSA will check into the issue with Wilson representatives.

2. State Final Recommendations: Recommended that the winners of the matches in the SRC are not announced. Results are posted and at times can be distracting. Matches, if possible, are called on the scoreboard in Lantz Arena. Cell phones are not allowed for workers or players while on court.

3. The committee discussed how the Team Academic Award was determined. Coaches should discuss their interest in this award through their school administration.

4. The committee supports a by-law recommendation to change their season limitation starting and ending dates to match the boy’s gymnastics season. Additionally, an increase of dates from 16-18 is also recommended which is in line with tennis, bowling, golf and other IHSA programs. A by-law proposal will be submitted to the IHSA.

5. The committee discussed the interest of boys participating in badminton. If a season was to be created, it seemed reasonable to put it in the fall and follow the tennis season concept.

6. Coaches were appreciative of the Coaches Clinic that Wilson conducted this year. Over 100 coaches attended and welcome another clinic.

7. The state tournament personnel of Kevin Hussey, Nancy Grant, Phoebe Church, Nackil Sung, and Ken Baker along with the volunteers and workers were recognized by the committee for their work in making the state final a success. Additionally, the Mattoon and Charleston Tourism Bureaus were recognized for supporting the tournament with the purchase of new nets, bleachers, storage units and flip score charts for each court, banners, hospitality and flowers for the tournament.

8. Jeanine Konkolewski, Mindy Meyers