Meeting was convened at 4:20 p.m. by Chairman Majikes
ITEM 1 Chairman Majikes called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.
Absent but accounted for: Jim Marcks, Phil Cappellini and Don Kanavy
Advisors Present: Phil Latinski, District II Solicitor Don Rogers
ITEM 2 A motion was made by Tom Finan, seconded by Jay Starnes, to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2007 meeting. All Ayes
ITEM 3 Frank Victor, District II Treasurer, indicated that he is currently in the process of receiving and accounting for all of the various game reports for the Fall Championships and will submit a complete and updated report of all accounts at the next meeting. A motion was made by Maureen Williams, seconded by Joe Lalli, to approve the Treasurer’s report as given. All Ayes
ITEM 4 SPORTS REPORTS:
· Cross Country (Bill King): The Cross Country committee will examine the meet day schedule for the Varsity District Championships with an eye toward “tightening” the schedule for next year. Bill also congratulated District II schools for their outstanding representation in the State Championships with two top three finishes. Elk Lake’s girls finished 2nd in the AA State meet and Scranton Prep’s boys finished third.
· Field Hockey (Tom Finan): A number of issues were discussed regarding the Field Hockey Championships with an eye toward next year’s event including the exclusion of coaches from the seeding meeting, increased communication with the District Soccer committee in the scheduling of venues; and, the possible elimination of Halloween as a playing date.
· Football (Tom Jenkins): The Football playoffs are moving into the second weekend of district competition with semifinals in AA and AAAA (sub regional with XI) and finals in A and AAA.
· Soccer (Jay Starnes): Jay thanked Ray Lowery, Irv DeRemer, Al Holtzer, Tom Rokita, Bob Coleman and Jack Kelly for their assistance in the recently completed District Soccer playoffs.
· Volleyball (Maureen Williams): Maureen thanked all of the hosting schools and Athletic Directors who provided a helping hand during the Volleyball championships.
· Basketball (Frank Victor): Frank informed the committee that at the most recent District Basketball Committee meeting it was decided that we would continue with our Open Tournament format as we have for the past few years. Information will be forthcoming to the schools at a later date.
· Swimming (Jim Higgins): Jim announced that the dates for this year’s Swimming and Diving Championships are as follows: Seeding Meeting (February 21st); Diving (February 23rd); Swimming (February 29th and March 1st). More information will be forthcoming as the dates of the competitions approach.
· Wrestling (Rich Walton): The District Wrestling Committee will be meeting shortly to establish procedures for this year’s championships.
ITEM 5 Chairman Majikes updated the committee on concerns that were brought
to his attention as the District Chairperson regarding potential eligibility
concerns with the Volleyball program at Lake-Lehman. Chairman
Majikes explained that the issue had been investigated and there were not
any violations that needed to be addressed by the committee.
ITEM 6 Chairman Majikes read an email received from a concerned citizen from Lake-Lehman regarding the scheduling of the District Soccer Play in game between Tunkhannock and Lake –Lehman played at 3 p.m. in Forty Fort. The parent raised a concern about such an early starting time on a week day when parents are working.
ITEM 7 Chairman Majikes reviewed the recent eligibility situation regarding the Mid Valley football program and the resultant forfeiture of three varsity football games in which an ineligible player participated. Included in the report were a number of correspondence exchanges between the Mid Valley Administration and the District Chairman.
ITEM 8 Chairman Majikes provided a review of the proposed High School Athletics Accountability Act of 2007 that has been presented in the U. S. House of Representatives requiring coeducational secondary schools to make available information on equity in school athletic programs.
ITEM 9 A motion was made by Jim Higgins, seconded by Tom Jenkins to grant eligibility for the 2007-2008 school year to Alexandra Stankiewicz, Mid Valley to Holy Cross, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, Residence and Recruiting, of the PIAA By-Laws. All Ayes
ITEM 10 Chairman Majikes announced that the PIAA State Fall Workshops will be conducted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at the State Offices in Mechanicsburg. Schedule is as follows: Cross Country (10 AM), Field Hockey (Noon), Soccer (Noon) and Football (2 PM).
ITEM 11 State Board of Directors Items:
· A discussion was held regarding eligibility concerns in Football including the glorification of Hoover High (Alabama) of MTV fame as well as the recent rash of eligibility concerns in District XII (Philadelphia) in which three schools have been forced to forfeit contests as a result of using an ineligible player.
· On a first reading, the Board of Directors passed a modification of the Baseball rule 4-2-2, 10 runs after 5 innings, to include 15 runs after 3 innings, and modify Rule 4-2-2to permit a time limit for those contests played in community/public parks that prohibits a new inning from starting after a predetermined time.
· On a first reading, the Board of Directors amended the policy regarding Requests for Accommodations Due to Disabilities, to allow for a PIAA member school to request for a student-athlete with disabilities the right to use either a pull cart or motorized cart in the sport of golf.
· The PIAA now has four registered trademarks that allows for only authorized users the opportunity to utilize the trademark. An authorized user includes a PIAA member school, Chartered Chapters of PIAA registered sports officials or a licensee who has entered into an agreement with the PIAA.
· In an update of the transfer rule revisions, on July 27, 2007, the Board of Directors considered further revisions to the initial proposal. As those changes were deemed substantial, they were approved on a first reading basis so that the Districts could have adequate time to review them. Additionally, an ad hoc committee previously appointed to study the issue was directed to reconvene to consider the draft changes and the reactions to them. In short, the proposed revisions of the Transfer Rule would do the following: (1) provide for immediate eligibility to all students entering 9th grade for the first time, at the school in which they enroll, and (2) automatically make most students who transfer after enrollment in 9th grade ineligible to participate at the varsity level for one year. The exceptions are primarily limited to bona fide changes of residence or other substantial and compelling changes in circumstance. The proposed changes were passed on a second reading by a vote of 21-8.
· On a first reading, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to provide for the establishment of District and Inter-District competition in the sport of bowling effective July 1, 2010.
· On a first reading, The Board of Directors voted to provide for the establishment of District and Inter-District competition in the sports of Boys’ and Girls Lacrosse, effective July 1, 2010.
· It was emphasized that the head coach of a coaching staff of each member senior high school Team must attend at least one PIAA mandatory rules interpretation meeting each year for each boys’ sport and each girls’ sport coached by that staff. The Principal of a member school may appoint a representative of the coaching staff to attend said annual mandatory rules interpretation meeting if the head coach of the coaching staff has not been designated by the school district or private senior high school.
ITEM 12 A motion was made by Danielle DiPietro, seconded by Mike Costanza, to adjourn the meeting. All Ayes
Meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
REMINDER, THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3rd.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A BUSINESS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH AT 4:15 PM AT WILKES-BARRE VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Ognosky
Mike Ognosky
District II Secretary