BOARD MEETING – May 7, 2013
The Board met in Lexington on May 7 for the final time this year. The meeting was separated into two sections, committee meetings and a full board meeting. The following discussions and actions were taken:

FULL BOARD MEETING
The Board heard a comprehensive review of current legal matters as well as prospective legal matters during a short closed session.

The Board as part of its consent agenda, approved reports concerning:

• The minutes of a previous meeting; and
• A standard report of transfers, appeals, penalties and non-64 hour coaches.
• The Board also reviewed the Association bills, and approved the interim budget reports including those bills written through April 30.

The Regulation and Adoption Committee, chaired by Bill Beasley, continued its review of the Bylaws, and finalized its proposals that will be included. Those proposals include proposals to amend:

• KHSAA Enrollment Rule (currently numbered Bylaw 4, to start the four-year count of eligibility upon enrollment in grade nine (9) due to various appeals and court cases where the 8th grade records had been challenged or were not verifiable;
• KHSAA Transfer Rule (currently Bylaw 6), Add a provision to Section 3 defining athletic advantage to state that it would be considered athletic advantage if a student played on a school or outside team for a particular coach, and then “followed” that coach to the coach’s new place of employment;
• KHSAA Penalty Rule (currently Bylaw 33), add a possible penalty for a coach or athletic employee violating KHSAA rules, a “show cause” penalty, designed to ensure that adults are punished for rules violations that are in fact committed by adults, instead of the students.

The Regulation and Adoption Committee discussed several other issues, but has chosen not to present a proposal for the 2013 Annual Meeting including:

• The Committee declined to author a proposal regarding changing the definitions contained in Bylaw 13 related to Need Based Aid, but instead directed staff to take the results of the annual survey along with other data and bring back to the Board a different alternative;
• The Committee declined to author a proposal to amend Bylaw 25 by reducing game limitations in the team sports of baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. While many of the members remained concerned that the KHSAA limits exceed most of the limits of neighboring states, it was noted that the data available for games actually played indicated that a majority of the schools are NOT playing the maximum, and appear to be managing the situation. The Committee determined it best to provide feedback to the membership and see if the membership wanted to initiate a proposal;
• The Committee declined to author a proposal to change the start of football contact practice. The Commissioner reported to the Board that an ongoing survey was being conducted and would be used as part of the work during 2013-2014 regarding alignment to help best determine the necessary changes. Until that work is complete and its full impact known, the committee declined to author an amendment and directed the staff to continue to work with leaders of the Football Coaches Association on possible pre-season proposals to rectify any perceived problems.

The Regulation and Adoption Committee took no action on a proposal and request from the Bluegrass State Games to extend a scrimmage exception to the sport of basketball, and offered suggestions for the organizers of the games to retool their proposal and perhaps return to a future meeting.

The Executive Committee, chaired by Boyd Randolph, discussed a wide variety of issues related to the management and staff of the Association, including an impressive amount of positive feedback from the membership. The Committee then recommended (which was approved by the Board) to approve the following recommendations made by the Commissioner:

• After evaluation of the position and the wide variety of positive benefits to bringing counsel inside, continue the agreement to have in-house general counsel;
• To designate Assistant Commissioner Butch Cope as Associate Commissioner effective July 1, to ensure continued smooth flow of operations in the event of any extended absence by the Commissioner;
• For the start of the fiscal year and forseeable future, to not fill the vacated Support Staff position that it is currently open;
• To continue the successful internship program;
• To make revisions to the staff salary schedule effective July 1, 2013.

The Audit and Finance Committee, chaired by Carrell Boyd, also conducted a variety of actions and all were approved by the Board of Control including:

• Approval and congratulations on a successful internal corporate sales report (those corporate accounts directly managed by the Association);
• Approval of an interim report from outside corporate sales team, iHigh, Inc., with a change in strategic direction for long-term, year-round partnerships;
• Approval of the FY2012 KHSAA Audit (which is posted on the KHSAA web site);
• A review of the KHSAA IRS Form 990;
• Approval of a draft budget to allow for operations until a final budget is adopted in July.

The Individual Sports Committee, chaired by Stan Steidel, spent a great deal of time reviewing the Track and Field/Cross Country alignment of teams. The alignment was set to expire with the conclusion of the 2012-2013 school year. Following discussion, the Board approved the distribution of a DRAFT of a possible means of dividing the teams into regions with the following highlights:

• A desire, like Football, the other sport in classes, to make 1A contain fewer schools;
• A desire to have the postseason meets in as tight geographic clusters as possible, regardless of the number of teams in the cluster;
• A desire to continue having the same alignment in Cross Country that is out there for Track.

The alignment has been distributed via the KHSAA web site, with feedback from Principals/ADs expected back to the office. ALL feedback will be compiled and given to the Board in July. At the July meeting, the Board will continue its discussions with the following pertinent notes made to the membership:

• With the way track and cross country are managed (mostly without contracts), there is no sense of urgency to get the project finished. The project could be revised multiple times before final adoption, and an implementation date selected at a later time;
• The last alignment in track went through approximately three iterations before the project was complete. As an individual sport, there are many more variables than are present for the other sport that is classified.
• While coaches input is valuable, the official input (per Bylaw 1) must come through the Principal or Designated Representative of the school;
• There remains the option available to the Board to leave the class division system as it currently stands, and simply adjust the schools whose enrollment has changed and place only those schools in new regions;
• It was reiterated on multiple occasions that the distributed material was a DRAFT and not a final product;
• The Board will continue its work at its July meeting.

In other business, the Board:

• Approved its 2013-2014 meeting schedule (which will be online very soon);
• Awarded the 2014 State Bowling championships to Collins Eastland in Lexington, with a commitment for 2015 based on event success following evaluation;
• Heard a report from staff on Prime Date Policy Compliance. The Board requested the staff be insistent that ALL available efforts be exhausted by any school who fails to meet the 40% minimal directive;
• Approved a change in schedule for the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame Banquet to be held on a Sunday afternoon (April 27 in 2014);
• Approved a Strategic Plan for the KHSAA through the 2016-2017 school year.

At the end of the meeting, the Board heard the following reports:

• A passionate report from KBE/KDE rep David Couch on the value of interscholastic sports and the difference it had made in both his life, and the many thousands of others who had participated;
• A report on the minimal feedback following the Board’s changes in State Competitive Cheer;
• Information about the FHSAA legislative situation (Florida); and
• Information about the IHSAA (Indiana) and its new allowance for participation by home schooled students.

The meeting concluded with heartfelt thanks for outgoing Board of Control members Gene Norris (Georgetown, KDE appointee), Kelley Ransdell (Region 9-16 Female who has accepted employment outside of Regions 9-16), and outgoing member and Board of Control President Boyd Randolph, whose second term had expired. While their contributions were missed, new Board members Gwen Gibbs of Wolfe County and Scott Hawkins of Woodford County participated in a large part of the meeting and through this orientation, will be very successful when they first begin service in July.

Pursuant to KRS 156.070 (2), the Kentucky Board of Education is responsible for all levels of interscholastic athletics in all grades and has delegated such authority to the KHSAA for many years. For most of that time, the regulations have focused on play
at the high school interscholastic level (grades 9-12). The Kentucky Board of Education has, for a couple of years, been reviewing issues related to participation in middle school interscholastic athletics. Originally, KBE asked KHSAA to convene a small committee
to review the situation regarding the lack of statewide regulations at the middle school level, and help determine what regulatory amendments were necessary to ensure the health and safety of the student participants. During the midst of that review, there
was a request for additional review by the General Assembly. A legislative Task Force on Middle School Athletics was formed as a result of the passage of 2012 HCR 155 of the Kentucky General Assembly. Following several months of meetings and deliberations,
most if not all of the recommendations contained in that report revolved around health and safety of the students, and the members of the Task Force were not swayed in their recommendations by past practice, but only with the best interests of the students
in mind from a health and safety perspective.

At its April meeting, the Kentucky Board of Education reviewed and approved the second reading of several changes to 702 KAR 7:065 which will be effective in July, following final approval through the legislative process. The regulation as approved is
listed at http://portal.ksba.org/public/Meeting/Attachments/DisplayAttachment.aspx?AttachmentID=163594. The changes have now been given two independent
readings by the Kentucky Board of Education, and have the support of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council. The following summarizes the changes made at the middle school level:

Designation of the KHSAA to manage middle school interscholastic athletics
By virtue of these amendments to this key regulation, the KHSAA will be responsible for being the agent to manage middle school interscholastic athletics. Such management will be dramatically different at the middle school level than current high school
operations. Areas of focus will center on student safety, sports medicine, best practices, and the general welfare of the students as well as controls on specific outside groups who conduct middle school interscholastic events.

KHSAA Requirements:
In addition to those requirements listed in the specific areas below, the KHSAA shall:

• Provide notice to the middle schools related to any program conducted by KHSAA related to education school administrators about the provisions of Title IX;
• Provide a mechanism to facilitate the monitoring and tracking capabilities for the middle schools to ensure compliance with the provisions of KRS 160.445 (http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/160-00/445.PDF,
• Provide the required sports safety course for coaches and required development of venue specific emergency action plans) and other coaching requirements;
• Conduct all meetings related to middle school athletics in accordance with KRS 61.805 through 61.850;
• Require that the common schools at the middle school level may only compete in contests against schools that adhere to these provisions; and
• Issue an annual report to the Kentucky Board of Education on the status of interscholastic athletics at the middle school level, including any recommendations for changes in statute, regulation or policy.

Requirements for Coaches
The requirements for coaches in the middle school level will mirror the requirements at the high school level, but not be identical. Coaches at the middle school level (paid or unpaid) must meet the following criteria:

• Shall be 21 years of age;
• Shall not be a violent offender or convicted of a sex crime as defined by KRS 17.165 that is classified as a felony;
• Shall submit to a criminal records check under KRS 160.380; and
• Shall have graduated from a public or accredited high school.

Safety, Sports Medicine and Risk Minimization Changes

• Before practicing or playing, each student must have a physical (KHSAA will develop specific form for middle school level) signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, advance practice registered nurse or chiropractor (if performed within the chiropractor’s scope of practice);
• Middle school interscholastic teams shall adhere to all high school sports medicine policies including:
  • Heat Index and Heat Illness Programs;
  • Wrestling Weight Management Programs; and
  • Concussion and other head injury Policy Programs.

Creation of a Middle School Advisory Committee
The regulation calls for the creation of a Middle School Advisory Committee. This committee, which is to be autonomous from the high school Board of Control, will be appointed by the Commissioner in the initial phase. However, based on feedback and recommendations, a system of elections, terms and conditions will be developed. The Middle School Advisory Committee shall:

• Be regionally distributed including middle school administrators from throughout the state;
• Provide an opportunity for nonprofit athletic groups, parents and others to participate and provide input on sports, athletic events or other school district issues relative to middle school sports;
• Meet not less than twice annually to review current programs and policies, make statutory or policy recommendations, and assist in the development of model guidelines for schools, districts, conferences and associations; and
• Report regularly to the Commissioner of the KHSAA and work in conjunction with the Commissioner on a formal written annual report to the Kentucky Board of Education.

Requirements for groups that sponsor middle school interscholastic events:
Any organization conducting a school based event at the middle school level shall submit the following to the KHSAA, which shall then be published on the KHSAA web site:

• Financial reports of all sanctioned and approved events; and
• Documentation of financial accountability including verification of federal status and tax documents including an annual IRS Form 990.

Students repeating a grade in grades Six (6) through Eight (8)

• Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, any student repeating a grade for any reason in grades 6-8 will be ineligible to participate in middle school interscholastic athletics; and
• During the 2013-2014 school year, the KHSAA is to ensure that all forms of communication efforts are utilized to inform the middle schools in the state of this coming restriction.

Students enrolled below grade nine (9) playing “up” to the high school level
For many years, legislation (KRS 156.070(2)(c)) has barred any local Board of Education (including the Kentucky Board of Education and its designee to manage interscholastic athletics, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association) from barring participation
at the high school level by 7th and 8th grade students, unless those restrictions involved soccer and football. Students not yet enrolled in grade seven (7) were not directly regulated as far as the allowances for participation, except at the local level.

Students in grades seven (7) and eight (8) will continue to be allowed to compete provided they are not in conflict with any other KHSAA bylaw.

During the middle school Task Force, compelling testimony was given that from a sports medicine and health perspective, the co-mingling of students below grade six (6) and high school students in an athletic environment, including locker rooms, travel,
etc., is not in the younger student’s best interest. Research showed a compelling probability of bullying situations, differences in maturity and physical development, and a pattern of successful positive practices in other states where segregation of the
two age groups was best for the students involved. While it was recognized that there is the occasional elite athlete capable of physically competing with high school students, this factor was not compelling when factored against the reasons to stop such
play. In addition, it was noted that play at the high school level is expected to be school and education based, not necessarily community based, and the positives gained from a restriction outweighed the negatives.

• Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, students below grade seven (7) will not be permitted to play at any level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity) of high school athletics.
• Students who have participated at the high school level (during any period defined by Bylaw 25) prior to the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year will be “grandfathered” in to the regulation, and allowed to continue to compete at the high school level provided such participation is not in conflict with any other bylaw.
• This phase-in will be completed by the start of the 2016-2017 school year at which point no student below grade seven (7) will have a participation opportunity at the high school level.
• During 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, only those students who have participated on the high school level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity) prior to the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year will be permitted to continue such participation.

Other Eligibility Rules to be Defined Locally
During the 2013-2014 school year, local schools/school districts/conferences or associations of schools will be required to develop rules and limitations with respect to the following:

• A defined age limitation for participating students;
• A policy regarding the participation of students below grade six (6);
• A limitation on practice time prior to the season in any sport or sport-activity, such limit not to exceed the practice time adopted for play at the high school level;
• A limitation on the number of scrimmages and regular contests in each sport or sport-activity, such limit not to exceed the allowable number of contests for that sport or sport-activity at the high school level; and
• A limitation on the length of the competitive season in each sport or sport-activity, including any invitational activity following the season, such limit not to exceed the allowable number of contests for that sport or sport-activity at the high school level.

As the 2012-2013 school year concludes, additional guidance will continue to be provided by the staff of the KHSAA relative to the development of these additional rules.

This year was unusual in that in the midst of the regular review of potential changes at the high school level, the Kentucky Board of Education also had to discuss issues and policy considerations reviewed by the legislative Task Force on Middle School Athletics, formed as a result of the passage of 2012 HCR 155 of the Kentucky General Assembly. Most if not all of the recommendations contained in that report revolved around health and safety of the students, and the members of the Task Force were not swayed in their recommendations by past practice, but only with the best interests of the students in mind from a health and safety perspective.

At its April meeting, the Kentucky Board of Education reviewed and approved the second reading of several changes to this regulation which will be effective in July, following final approval through the legislative process. The regulation as approved is listed at http://portal.ksba.org/public/Meeting/Attachments/DisplayAttachment.aspx?AttachmentID=163594. The changes have now been given two independent readings by the Kentucky Board of Education and have the support of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council. The following summarizes the changes made at the high school level:

Playing “up” to the high school level

For many years, legislation (KRS 156.070(2)(c)) has barred any local Board of Education (including the Kentucky Board of Education and its designee to manage interscholastic athletics, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association) from barring participation at the high school level by 7th and 8th grade students, unless those restrictions involved soccer and football. Students not yet enrolled in grade seven (7) were not directly regulated as far as the allowances for participation, except at the local level. Students in grades seven (7) and eight (8) will continue to be allowed to compete provided they are not in conflict with any other KHSAA bylaw.

During the middle school Task Force, compelling testimony was given that from a sports medicine and health perspective, the co-mingling of students below grade six (6) and high school students in an athletic environment, including locker rooms, travel, etc., is not in the younger student’s best interest. Research showed a compelling probability of bullying situations, differences in maturity and physical development, and a pattern of successful positive practices in other states where segregation of the two age groups was best for the students involved. While it was recognized that there is the occasional elite athlete capable of physically competing with high school students, this factor was not compelling when factored against the reasons to stop such play. In addition, it was noted that play at the high school level is expected to be school and education based, not necessarily community based, and the positives gained from a restriction outweighed the negatives.

• Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, students below grade seven (7) will not be permitted to play at any level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity) of high school athletics.
• Students who have participated at the high school level (during any period defined by Bylaw 25) prior to the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year will be “grandfathered” in to the regulation, and allowed to continue to compete at the high school level provided such participation is not in conflict with any other bylaw.
• This phase-in will be completed by the start of the 2016-2017 school year, at which point no student below grade seven (7) will have a participation opportunity at the high school level.
• During 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, only those students who have participated on the high school level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity) prior to the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year will be permitted to continue such participation. 

Other Editorial Changes

Throughout the regulation, changes were made to various sections to clearly delineate the differences between the existing high school regulations, and the new middle school regulations.

KHSAA Bylaw Changes

KBE also gave approval to changes in the KHSAA Constitution and Bylaws per votes conducted among the member high schools. Included in those proposals were:

• Technical amendments to Bylaw 5 (Minimum Academic Requirement) to specify that measurements for proper grade level are against the credits officially recorded to the transcript, and reinstatement to athletics is based solely on the original school academic calendar;
• Substantive Amendments totally overhauling Bylaw 7 (Foreign Students) to make clear that 1) only CSIET approved agency students are eligible on a J-1 VISA; 2) criteria for the waiver of the one-year period were clearly delineated; and 3) A waiver may not be granted if athletic advantage can be proven. In addition, the technical Federal requirements for students on F-1 VISAs will also be incorporated into the rule. As a result of these changes, Bylaw 7 will be divided into multiple bylaws for clarity upon final printing;
• A technical amendment to Bylaw 11 to specify that coaches/players sitting out games due to ejection will have the suspension games be based on the published schedule at the time of the ejection;
• Bylaw 14 was modernized based on the need to remove outdated requirements for paper verification, etc.;
• Bylaws 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28 as well as the KHSAA Constitution were amended to make it clear the requirements for competition between and among schools, including the removal of many outdated requirements;
• Bylaw 25 was amended to specify that in sports and sports activities conducted involving member school coaches during the school year but outside the season as defined by bylaw 25, competition can not be held on a member school campus if the competition involves more than half of a normal team (in other words, if more than five baseball players from the same school were on a team, they could not play games on that campus). This will continue to allow for small group and individual instruction, but preclude the conducting of a “second season” in a different time of year;
• Bylaw 25 was also amended to minimize the regulatory requirements for the sport-activities of Archery, Bass Fishing, Bowling and Competitive Cheer; and
• Bylaws 29, 30 and 31 were consolidated with respect to officials.

Many of the bylaws will be renumbered prior to publication for 2013-2014, and staff will produce additional helpful documents in the months to follow. 

Please feel free to email the Commissioner’s office if you have any questions.

At its April meeting, the Board continued its discussion regarding game limits for the sports of the KHSAA.  The Board had asked staff to research surrounding state limits for comparison (results are posted as attachments at http://portal.ksba.org/public/Meeting.aspx?PublicAgencyID=4374&PublicMeetingID=8983&AgencyTypeID=1). In addition, at this discussion, the Board asked for further reports about the actual number of games being played, using the scoreboard data as a resource (that data is also posted in the committee material). The review of game limits originally began with a request from the State Superintendents and Principals Associations following open dialogue at their meetings and has continued for many months through discussion at the state AD conference and many other meetings such as the different sport advisory committees and state coaches’ conferences. Among the issues of concern originally expressed by school administrators were missed school time due to travel, academic performance degradation due to fatigue and travel costs and other expenses. In addition, the subject has been discussed with various other constituencies of the Association over the last couple of years. Though the variance from the states surrounding Kentucky can be quite large (see the material in the Board site referenced above), that does mean change will or won’t happen.

Through this discussion, the Board members gave a final first reading approval to a proposal which would reduce the game limits in the KHSAA team sports to:

• Baseball and Softball, change from 36 to 32
• Volleyball, change from 36 to 31
• Soccer, change from 21 to 18
• Basketball, change 30 to 28
• Football, eliminate the open week and start the season one week later to avoid August play.

Be mindful that this is NOT a final decision as the Board will make a final determination as to what, if anything is authored for change to be considered by the Annual Meeting when it meets on May 7.

BOARD MEETING – April 15, 2013

The Board met in Lexington on April 15. The meeting was separated into two sections, committee meetings and a full board meeting. The following discussions and actions were taken:

FULL BOARD WORK SESSION

The Board had an extensive work session concerning the KHSAA state events and KHSAA financial position. The Board’s stated long range goal is to have a reserve fund equal to one-year budget in reserve in case of severe drops in event or program revenue. While the Board is making progress toward that goal, it is the objective and duty of everyone involved to ensure our financial stability during this current and any other tremendous economic downturn. With an operating budget of nearly $4 million, and only $340,000 in unrestricted cash as of the final June 2011 audit, we obviously will need to continue working toward that goal.

The focus of this session however, was on the event revenue for the Association. Over a ten-year period, in particular, the last five years, attendance has taken a precipitous decline in boys basketball, which long has been the cash cow of the Association. This work session, primarily delivery of data from staff to the Board, was critical as future plans are made. Various alternatives are being considered to help augment and supplement the revenue in basketball while not raising ticket prices for the general public. A review was conducted concerning:

• Past ticket revenue totals, including drilling down to type of order (school, school system, public, etc.) for both boys and girls;
• A review of team reimbursement totals for KHSAA events to help determine the cost of this Commissioner’s desire to look at increasing the amount of  expenses paid to participating teams;
• A review of the new incentive program for ticket sales by competing teams wherein a rebate was returned to those squads;
• Printing and other circulation results were also distributed; and
• A collection of data from the past task force that looked at Sunday play.

The work session did not result in any additional Board action at this time.

FULL BOARD MEETING

The Board heard a comprehensive review of current legal matters as well as prospective legal matters during a short closed session.

The Board approved reports concerning:

• The minutes of a previous meeting; and
• A standard report of transfers, appeals, penalties and non-64 hour coaches.

The Team Sports Committee recommended an action (that was approved by the full Board of Control) to allow the Commissioner and specific Board of Control members to meet with schools in Region 15 to look at tournament formats to alleviate and remedy geographic and numerical imbalances due to a long standing pattern of consolidation and loss of schools ;

The Officials Policy Committee recommended the following items be approved (which were approved by the full Board of Control):

• The game fee for football was increased by $5 per official per game at the varsity level beginning in 2013 as part of the Board’s every four year review of its sports fees. The mileage and travel add-on at the regional level cannot be reduced. Non-varsity fees remain the total jurisdiction of the Regional Policy Boards; and
• The game fee for soccer was NOT to be adjusted as part of the every four-year review. The Board was extremely sensitive to the fact that the requirement for three officials is still relatively new and has had a budgetary impact on all members.

The Regulation and Adoption Committee met and considered potential Bylaw changes to be put on the agenda of the Annual Meeting. Any proposal authored by the Board of Control must have two readings before the Board. This gives them a chance between meetings to further consult with their schools or constituents, and be ready for that final vote. But even if approved with that final vote, that only puts the item on the Annual Meeting Agenda. The Bylaw changes must get a 2/3 vote of the schools at the Annual Meeting in the fall, and then they begin the long and arduous process of being approved as state regulation. I say all of this to be sure that you realize that even if a proposal is approved to go on the agenda, it is not a “done deal” and many times requires a long phase-in period.

The proposals given a second reading for adoption at the Annual meeting concerned:

• Bylaw 4- start four-year count of eligibility at enrollment in grade nine instead of promotion from grade 8 due to many issues related to the inability to consistently make middle school principals aware of the rules of the KHSAA; and
• An amendment to the Due Process Procedure clarifying age rule appeals;

The Board then continued its discussion regarding game limits for the sports of the KHSAA.  The Board had asked staff to research surrounding state limits for comparison (results are posted on the link above under the regulation committee meeting). In addition, at this discussion, the Board asked for further reports about the actual number of games being played, using the scoreboard data as a resource. The review of game limits originally began with a request from the State Superintendents and Principals Associations following open dialogue at their meetings and has continued for many months through discussion at the state AD conference and many other meetings such as the different sport advisory committees and state coaches’ conferences. Among the issues of concern originally expressed by school administrators were missed school time due to travel, academic performance degradation due to fatigue and travel costs and other expenses. In addition, the subject has been discussed with various other constituencies of the Association over the last couple of years. Though the variance from the states surrounding Kentucky can be quite large (see the material in the Board site referenced above), that does mean change will or won’t happen.

Through this discussion, the Board members gave a final first reading approval to proposals  which would reduce the game limits in the KHSAA team sports to:

• Baseball and Softball, change from 36 to 32
• Volleyball, change from 36 to 31
• Soccer, change from 21 to 18
• Basketball, change 30 to 28
• Football, eliminate the open week and start the season one week later to avoid August play.

Be mindful that this is NOT a final decision as the Board will make a final determination as to what, if anything is authored for change to be considered by the Annual Meeting when it meets on May 7.

The Board also reviewed on a first reading basis, two additional proposals to:

• Amend Bylaw 6 to add moving with a coach for whom a student has already played after being in grade nine (except for a family member) when a coach changes jobs to a different school; and
• Amend Bylaw 33 to consider a Show Cause penalty to Bylaw 33 in the event of a school being penalized for violations and a coach who was involved in those violations deciding to change to be employed at another member school.

If you have opinions about this issue, please submit that to the office and it will be shared with the office. You should always feel free to contact your Board of Control members as well.

The Board also approved regular reports of business including the bills of the Association through March 31 and the regular Board financial reports;

The following other items received approval:

• A change in the schedule for conducting Competitive Cheer championships was approved which will culminate with the championship scheduled the week after the football finals on a regular basis;
• A draft division of schools was approved wherein 35% of the schools will be in Class 1A, 40% in Class 2A and 20% in Class 3A for a new Track and Field and Cross Country alignment. With that information, staff will draft proposed specific regions for further presentation in May.
• A change in the schedule for State Basketball play where the finals will be played on Sunday afternoon with the semifinals on Saturday evening. Times can be adjusted based on major event conflicts;
• A change in the schedule for State Volleyball play where the finals will be played on Sunday afternoon  with the semifinals and quarterfinals being in split sessions on Saturday.

Several other items were discussed without action including the format of the Hall of Fame banquet.

As you can see, the hours they were in the office were packed. Again if you have questions or suggestions, feel free to send them in to the office, or contact your Board of Control members.

 We have:

• The outstanding All round athlete from Western Kentucky who was all-state in three sports and who has been far too long getting his due from this Hall;
• A young track phenom who was second fastest among his own siblings when he started running and later became America’s fastest human
• A man who dedicated his entire career to students as a middle school coach, three-sport high school referee, and a teacher to younger officials
• A man whose visions of opportunities for students and persistent desire for excellence allowed him to excel as a tennis coach and help re-start the state championships after World War 2
• A baseball coaching legend from Etown with more than 700 wins and legions of young men’s lives that he shaped
• A basketball coach from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky who has worked tirelessly for more than four decades to be sure students had opportunities to participate
• A girls’ basketball star from Northern Kentucky who when she was playing and wanted to score, simply couldn’t be stopped, and now gives her time and talent to shape the next generation of girls’ stars
• A tennis star from Northeastern Kentucky who, when she stepped on the single’s court against her opponents, they knew they were already beaten
• A long time coach in track and field and cross country who continues today to give back to the sport and constantly models the phrase, “servant leadership”.

 Yes, I would say this is one time we all have to agree, the Hall of Fame selection committee got it right with their induction class. Neither the KHSAA nor this Hall of Fame, can focus on a single sport. While basketball and track and field were our original two sports, we must constantly recognize that the Association has grown to where we now sponsor forty championships in 12 sports and 4 sport activities and the participants in each of those groups are just as deserving of our time, talents and attention. We must recognize and appreciate the past, but we cannot live there. Today’s times are among some of the most difficult financially that our schools and this organization have faced and as the saying goes, it will likely get worse before it gets better. Our challenge as administrators, coaches, officials and even fans, is to keep our single focus on the opportunities for students during those short times they have in our programs, and be happy if adults also benefit along the way.

I also cannot stand here tonight without another brief moment of recognition and Reflection. This hall is a little emptier tonight. In the last year, we have lost several inductees from past classes, including former Commissioners Louis Stout and Billy V. Wise. We continue to think about and pray for, the families of these two outstanding leaders, along with the other members of this hall who have left us since last year. And we especially pray tonight for one of the patriarchs of this program who continues to bravely battle illness, the gentleman from the Appalachian mountains who regularly spoke to this group, mr. dee dawahare, as well as all the members of that great family.

Best tip I was ever given about speaking to a group like this, was to make sure you are finished speaking before the audience is finished listening. Hopefully, I have accomplished that. But I hope that tonight, as you look at the variety of this class, and the outstanding accomplishments of these great individuals, that you will constantly help keep our focus on the kids of today, who will fill these audiences tomorrow. The students in high school sports and activities today are tomorrow’s leaders. In every respect- school, community, civic, state, national and international. Nothing is a better training ground than high school sports and activities. Let’s all do our part.

However, the NFHS Sports Medicine Committee, as part of its 4th edition Sports Medicine Handbook provided to the member schools, has set up best practices documentation and suggestions to dealing with extreme cold. The recommendations are posted on the KHSAA web site at /sportsmedicine/nfhs/coldweatherrecommendations.pdf

Please feel free to use this valuable resource document. If you need additional copies of the Sports Medicine Handbook, contact Marilyn Mitchell (mmitchell@khsaa.org) at the KHSAA offices.

Billy V. Wise, who served as the fourth Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association from 1991-1994 and spent twenty-five years with the KHSAA, passed away early Thursday afternoon.

“Billy Wise was one of the finest gentlemen to ever cross the paths of the member school representatives and administrators, coaches, game officials, Board of Control members and our staff. His value at a pioneering time of sports expansion at the KHSAA was of tremendous benefit to all the students in the Commonwealth,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “His leadership during his 25 years of service to the KHSAA was instrumental in guiding the officials through the adoption of the 1971 Federal Court order and was vital in steadying the association during the financial trials surrounding his time as Commissioner as the Association moved into a new headquarters. ‘Coach’ as he was known throughout the state, had the unique ability to forge relationships even among people who didn’t agree about a topic. I had the pleasure of working with him for 10 years and today, I can truly say that all licensed officials lost an icon and a leader, and the Commonwealth has lost one of its finest gentlemen.”

Wise began his career with the KHSAA as Assistant Commissioner in 1969 after serving as athletic director for the Lexington Parks Department for twelve years. His original primary duty at the KHSAA was to guide the registration and licensing of officials for the KHSAA, and as a former high school and collegiate official, he was as Commissioner Sanford noted at the time “eminently qualified for that role.” He was on the officiating staff of the Southeastern Conference, Ohio Valley Conference and the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, was an eighteen-year high school official, and officiated professional football in the Continental league. A graduate of Stamping Ground High School, Wise earned an Associates Degree from Campbellsville College before serving a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. When he returned from the Army, he completed his Bachelors degree at Transylvania College.

In 1979, he was promoted to Executive Assistant Commissioner in 1979, and to Commissioner in 1991. For twenty-two years, Wise conducted rules meetings throughout the state for football and basketball officials and coaches, ensuring the accurate teaching of the rules and mechanics. At the national level, he was a two-term member of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee, a four-year member of the NFHS Football Editorial Committee, and a member of the Competition Committee. During his term on sports rules committees, he was instrumental in getting the rules changed to many of today’s provisions, including standardization of football blocking techniques and the adoption of the three point shot at the high school level. Wise handled day-to-day management of the sports of basketball, football, golf and many other sports during his tenure.  Wise retired as commissioner on June 30, 1994. He was inducted into the Transylvania Barr Society, Transylvania Athletic Hall of Fame, Campbellsville University Athletic Hall of Fame and the  Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame.

“Billy was here at the KHSAA throughout a transitional time.” Tackett commented. “Not only was he here for the initial implementation of the Federal Court order regarding officials, he helped lead he Association through the implementation of Title IX, and was at the helm when we took that next step in growth by moving into our current headquarters. Our thoughts remain with his wife Bonnie, and his three children, Steve, Gary and Missy along with his grandchildren. We certainly mourn with the family as it is a tough loss.”

In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his children, Stephen V. Wise, Lexington, Gary L. (Anita) Wise, Louisville and Melissa Wise (William) Renner, Union, KY; sister, Mary Jane Marshall, Georgetown; grandchildren, William Chase Renner, Taryn Wise, Spencer L. Wise and Chelsea Wise Renner; sister-in-law, Betty Wise, Georgetown; and numerous nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Kim Wise West. He was preceded in death by his sister, Yvonne Wise and brother, George H. “Jack” Wise, Jr.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Parkinson’s Research.

Please send expressions of condolence to Bonnie Wise, 240 St. Ann Drive, Lexington, KY  40502.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 28 at Milward Funeral Home, 391 Southland Drive, Lexington from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Funeral services will be Monday October 29 at 1 p.m. at the Funeral Home, followed by burial in Lexington Cemetery.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Commissioner Julian Tackett today announced the hiring of Joe Angolia as the organization’s new Communications Director. Angolia brings over 10 years of experience in collegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I level to the position, the last seven of which were spent as the Sports Information Director at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR). He will  begin his duties at the KHSAA on full-time basis on November 12.

“We had an overwhelming number of qualified applicants for this position, but felt Joe’s experience and background made him an ideal fit for the KHSAA,” said Tackett. “He brings a wealth of experience in collegiate athletics, managing events and fulfilling media needs, a journalism background as well as a familiarity with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which will be a tremendous asset to this organization and our membership. Joe will be a valuable member of our leadership team and brings strengths that are very complementary to the talents of our existing staff, as well as allowing him to continue his personal and professional growth as we work to provide opportunities for students.”

Angolia joins the KHSAA after spending the past seven years as the Sports Information Director at UALR, where he coordinated the day-to-day media relations efforts of a 15-sport NCAA Division I athletic program. In addition to serving as the primary media contact for UALR’s men’s basketball, baseball and golf programs, Angolia also acted as the department’s web master, social media manager and publications coordinator. During the 2010-11 season, UALR was one of just 12 NCAA Division I institutions in the country to have its men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball teams qualify for their respective NCAA Tournaments.

“I am very excited and appreciative of the opportunity given to me by Commissioner Tackett to be the KHSAA’s new Communications Director,” said Angolia. “I am eager to get started and help the KHSAA promote the outstanding accomplishments of its membership and the talented student-athletes across the Commonwealth.”

In his seven years at UALR, Angolia had the opportunity to serve as the Media Coordinator for two NCAA Division I Basketball Championships. In March of 2008,he served as the Media Coordinator for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship First-/Second-Round games at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Ark. He revised his role as Media Coordinator in March of 2012 for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship First-/Second-Round games at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock. He also assisted the Sun Belt Conference by serving as the Statistics Coordinator at the league’s basketball championships each of the past four years.

Prior to his time at UALR, Angolia spent one year in the sports information department at Eastern Kentucky University and two years at Western Kentucky University. A 1998 graduate of Boyle County High School in Danville, Ky., he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications from Xavier University in 2002. He married the former Rachel Lee in Danville,Ky. in July of 2006.

– KHSAA –

About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school athletics in the Commonwealth. The Association is a voluntary nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of 280 member schools both public and private. The KHSAA sanctions state championships in 19 sports, licenses and trains over 4,000 officials, provides catastrophic insurance for its member school student athletes as well as overseeing coaching education and sports safety programs.

Thanks to all member school Principals for your work!