Meeting was convened at 4:15 p.m. by Chairman Majikes

ITEM 1            Chairman Majikes called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. 

                        Absent but accounted for: Frank Victor, Jim Higgins, Ray Lowery, James Marcks, Tony Rusnak, Ross Scarantino, Rich Walton

ITEM 2            A motion was made by Tom Jenkins, seconded by Dino Galella, to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2006 meeting.  All Ayes

ITEM 3            The treasurer’s report was waived in Frank Victor’s absence.  Frank will present a complete review of the Fall Championship Playoff financial status at the next regular meeting.

ITEM 4            A motion was made by Tom Jenkins, seconded by Mike Ognosky, to approve the purchase of necessary computer equipment and software for the District Treasurer to utilize in the completion of required PIAA State Office reports.  All Ayes            

ITEM 5            The Committee reviewed paperwork submitted regarding the eligibility of

a Foreign Exchange student.  The nature of the request requires that the matter be referred directly to the PIAA State Office for their consideration.  No further action was required of the District II Committee on this matter. 

ITEM 6            A motion was made by Bill King, seconded by Phil Cappellini, to approve the eligibility of David Schiche, Germany to Wilkes-Barre Meyers High School, in accordance with Article VII, Foreign Exchange and International Students, of the PIAA By-Laws.  All Ayes

ITEM 7a.)A motion was made by on Don Kanavy, seconded by Danielle    DiPietro, to approve the eligibility of Leone DeMartino, Southview (NY) HS to Delaware Valley, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, Residence, and Recruiting, Section 2 of the PIAA By-Laws.  All Ayes

b.)    A motion was made by Phil Cappellini, seconded by Dino Galella, to approve the eligibility of Tyler Trudgeon, Newton (NJ) HS to Delaware Valley, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, Residence, and Recruiting, Section 2 of the PIAA By-Laws.  All  Ayes

c.)    A motion was made by Maureen Williams, seconded by Mike Costanza, to approve the eligibility of Corey Ellis, Beacon (NJ) HS to Delaware Valley, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, Residence, and Recruiting, Section 2 of the PIAA By-Laws.  All Ayes

d.)    A motion was made by Joe Lalli, seconded by Mike Ognosky, to approve the eligibility of Mark Senchak, Bishop O’Reilly to Wyoming Valley West, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, Residence, and Recruiting, Section 2 of the PIAA By-Laws.  All Ayes

e.)    A motion was made by Tom Finan, seconded by Tom Jenkins, to approve the eligibility of James Konicki, Seton Catholic to Bishop Hoban, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, Residence, and Recruiting, Section 2 of the PIAA By-Laws.  All Ayes

ITEM 8            Chairman Majikes reviewed an article describing “Market Street Sports Group”, a promotional group from Lancaster that has been contracted by the PIAA to promote its sports championships.  Potential projects include stadium signs, company-sponsored programs and giveaways, naming rights, pre-game parties and company-sponsored activities during breaks in the games. 

ITEM 9            Chairman Majikes presented a handout of the current enrollments and projected classifications for the member schools of the Philadelphia Catholic League that will be PIAA member schools, and eligible for various state championships, beginning in 2008-2009.  The 14 schools have the following current projections:  6 boys’ AAAA schools, 5 boys’ AAA schools, and 3 boys AA schools.  In girls’, there would be 6 AAAA schools, 6 AAA schools, and 2 AA schools.

ITEM 10          Chairman Majikes presented to the District II Committee a “thank you” from Tom Williams on his most recent appointment to assist with the District II Wrestling Committee and Championships.

ITEM 11          The dates for the upcoming District II Basketball tournament were established as follows: 

February 5th                 Deadline for submitting “intent to not participate” letter to Basketball Chairperson Frank Victor

February 19th               Basketball District Playoff Meeting for all participating schools at the Pittston Convention Center at 4 p.m.

February 19th, 20th       Boys’ and Girls’ Play-in dates for tournament fields with more than 16 participating teams (AA)

February 21st, 22nd       Boys’ (Feb. 21st) and Girls’ (Feb. 22nd) first round playoff dates

February 23rd, 24th       Boys’ (Feb. 23rd) and Girls’ (Feb. 24th) quarterfinal round playoff dates

February 27th, 28th       Boys’ (Feb. 27th) and Girls’ (Feb. 28th) semifinal round playoff dates

March 2nd, 3rd               Boys’ (March 2nd) and Girls (March 3rd) championship game playoff dates

ITEM 12          Chairman Majikes reviewed the following informational items from the January 10th general membership meeting of all District II member schools held at the PittstonConvention Center:

a.)    Football Chairperson Tom Jenkins reviewed the football proposals for the 2008-2010 cycle.  The Football Steering Committee has recommended that the following proposal be considered.  Football practice would begin with 3 or 4 days of non-contact, no pads practices for heat acclimation.  The second week of practice would be full pads, full contact culminating with the first scrimmage.  The second week of practice would then culminate with the first playing date rather than a second scrimmage.  There would be room for a 10 game schedule and 6 weeks of playoffs (District and State level) culminating in the state championships on the first Friday and Saturday in December.  Member schools present supported this proposal by a vote of 32-1.  They did not support the 7th part of that proposal which would move the beginning of the winter sports season back one week, with the first playing date on December 5th. 

b.)    Chairman Majikes reviewed the current PIAA policy concerning boys and girls participating and practicing together in interscholastic athletics.  Following a 1975 Commonwealth Court decision which prohibits the PIAA from establishing any rules or regulations that would prohibit boys from playing or practicing on girls’ teams, or to be segregated on the basis of sex, current PIAA policy leaves that decision to the local school districts.

c.)    Chairman Majikes led a discussion on proposed changes in the PIAA Transfer rules as proposed by District VII and passed on a first reading by the PIAA Board of Directors.  Following a long discussion, member schools present voiced their recommendation of those changes by a 17-10 vote.

ITEM 13          Football Chairperson, Tom Jenkins, reviewed a number of issues regarding District II football and addressed at the PIAA Football Steering Committee meeting held recently:

§         Teams playing consecutive post season games at the same site – this happens infrequently but may continue to happen based on availability and adequacy of facilities

§         Small games of chance at state playoff games – local groups are required to have a license to run such games as ‘50/50’s’, etc.

§         Games played at home fields in the State tournament – currently that is not a practice and will continue in that manner

§         Film exchanges with opponents having the choice of two games

A discussion was also held regarding ‘adequacy’ of facilities and the potential of moving sites based on “adequacy’.  The Football Committee will meet and attempt to establish a criteria in order to better determine ‘adequate’ facilities.

ITEM 14          Chairman Majikes set the date and time of the next District II Committee

                        meeting at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 19th at the Pittston Convention

                        Center.

ITEM 15          A motion was made by Joe Lalli, seconded by Maureen Williams, to adjourn the meeting.  All Ayes

Meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Ognosky

Mike Ognosky

District II Secretary