HighSchool OT

High School Sports

NCHSAA makes changes to policies

May 2, 2012

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors completed its spring Board meeting on Wednesday at the NCHSAA offices.

"The Board had a very productive meeting over the past two days," said Davis Whitfield, commissioner. "We had a very challenging and comprehensive agenda, but the Board members engaged in thoughtful discussion and looked at our Association matters from a global perspective. I am pleased with the result of this Board session."

Items which the Board studied and approved included:

-- adoption of a "mercy rule" in soccer; if a goal differential of nine is reached by halftime or at any time in the second half, the game shall be terminated, to go into effect for 2012-13; at least one half of game must be completed

-- approved going back to 12 weeks to play 11 football games, starting with 2013 season, and approved two-year football calendar for 2013 and '14

-- approved additional scheduling allowance for wrestling for one tri meet and one "multi team event" per week

-- approved moving starting date for two-pound growth allowance for wrestling from January 1 to December 25

--approval of four booking agents, including Mark Kadlecik in soccer, Triangle Officials Association; Leigh Harris in wrestling, Mountain Officials Association; David Culbreth in wrestling, Southeastern Officials Association; Brad Allen in basketball, Southeastern Officials Association

--approved requiring each non-faculty coach and newly hired coaches to take "Fundamentals of Coaching" course through the National Federation to coach a team at an NCHSAA school; recommend all coaching staffs be certified in this area within three years

--added fine of $250 to Handbook if schools have non-compliant uniforms to NFHS rule codes

-- discussed NCHSAA's 100th Anniversary Celebration and timeline of events

-- approved additional ways to return additional revenue to member schools; take operating budget overage and also review any extra interest income from Endowment, and half of that, based on a formula, will be distributed to schools which participated in bracketed team sports playoffs. Schools traveling would receive full share, hosting school would receive half share

-- adopted structured rate of expense reimbursements for football playoffs from first round through regionals

-- reviewed 2011-12 budget

-- approved four-year contract for commissioner

-- approved NCHSAA strategic plan after presentation from Dr. Larry Price, who helped to facilitate the process

-- a report from Paige King of Eastern Alamance High School of the NCHSAA's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC)

On Tuesday, the Board had approved the realignment plan for 2013-17 after hearing appeals.