Competitive Cheerleading Advisory Panel
Minutes
Sept. 9, 2008 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida
I. Introduction and Purpose
Mrs. Rohrer called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. In attendance were Dianne Sanzari (Coral Springs High School), Mary Singletary (Dillard High School), Rose Gleichowski (P.K. Yonge High School), Tracy DiPrima (Bloomingdale High School), Dina Langston (Brandon High School), Lanness Robinson (Hillsborough County), Kathy Tyree (Leon High School), Kathy Brannon (Orange Park High School), Gina Davis (Bay High School), Michael Blosser (UCA/Varsity Brands), Angie Ryan (Winter Park High School) and Carolyn Shoemaker (Sebring High School, FACA Representative). FHSAA Staff Members present were Dr. John Stewart, Denarvise Thornton, Shanell Young and Jamie Rohrer.
Mrs. Rohrer briefly explained that the purpose of the meeting was for Advisory Panel members to make recommendations to the FHSAA Board of Directors and Staff regarding the sport of Competitive Cheerleading.
II. Review Procedures, Agenda and Expense Vouchers
Mrs. Rohrer notified attendees that Roberts Rules would be used for any action items, briefly reviewed the Agenda and discussed the completion of expense vouchers.
III. Selection of Chairperson
By unanimous vote, Mrs. Rohrer was approved to be the Chairperson of the meeting. [Motion: Sanzari, Second: Singletary]
IV. Review and approval of April 16, 2007 Minutes
By unanimous vote, the April 16, 2007 Minutes were approved. [Motion: Sanzari, Second: Robinson]
V. Old Business
2008 State Championship
Mrs. Rohrer noted that the Inaugural State Championship was a great success. On behalf of the FHSAA, Mrs. Rohrer thanked Broward County Athletic Association and their staff as well as FAU and their staff for a job well done. Overall, all teams and participants had an excellent experience and the hard work and dedication from the BCAA, FAU and UCA/Varsity Staff and volunteers was greatly appreciated!
The committee also discussed the following items with regard to the State Championships and the FHSAA will review these items for future events:
AACCA Staff Members offering advice in the warm-up areas: Overall, the committee felt that it was a good idea for AACCA/UCA Staff Members to assist with identifying illegal stunts in the warm-up area. The committee discussed the extent of which AACCA should assist with correcting these problems. The FHSAA will work with AACCA/UCA to identify a process that will work best for the FHSAA State Championships.
UCA (Universal Cheer Association) affiliation: Committee members felt it is necessary for the FHSAA to make participating schools more aware that UCA will continue to assist the FHSAA with the State Championship event.
Timers: Committee members feel that timers should not be volunteers. Timers should be considered judges.
Stunting Questions and/or Rules Interpretations: Committee members felt that the FHSAA should do a better job in notifying schools that if they have questions regarding a rule, stunt or part of a routine, they can contact the FHSAA and/or Michael Blosser (UCA/AACCA Rep.) for an official ruling regarding any NFHS Spirit Rules.
Schedule of Events: The committee felt that it would help if a tentative schedule was provided to the schools at an earlier date so that arrangements could be made ahead of time to save on travel expenses. Although the entry deadline is not until January, the FHSAA will work with Michael Blosser (UCA) to create a preliminary schedule.
Judges: Dr. Stewart noted that with the budget and current economic times, we need to look towards us using local judges and possibly training judges for future FHSAA events. Dr. Stewart also noted the importance of using judges from various areas of the state to prepare for the possibility of additional FHSAA events in the future as the sport grows.
District and/or Region Qualifier Events: The committee discussed the possibilities of adding qualifying events for advancement to the State Championship. The FHSAA noted that that would be a possibility in the future as the sport evolves. However, at this time, we’ll be continuing with the current structure.
VI. New Business
2009 State Championship at Leon County Civic Center
The FHSAA staff noted that the 2009 and 2010 State Championships will be held in Tallahassee at the Leon County Civic Center. The FHSAA is looking forward to the upcoming State Championships and working with Leon County.
Judging Consistency (Discussion)
FHSAA Staff and committee members discussed judging consistency. It was noted that last year was a first for everyone made their best effort to be as consistent as possible. The FHSAA and UCA will continue to work together to make sure that fairness in judging is top priority.
Dividing Divisions into classes for fairness (Discussion)
FHSAA Staff and committee members discussed the possibility of dividing divisions into classifications. Due to the number of teams involved, at this point the current breakdown of divisions seems to work well. If the sport continues to grow and it becomes necessary to include classifications within the sport, the FHSAA will revisit the structure and review the breakdown of divisions as it deems necessary.
VII. Schedule Next Meeting
By unanimous vote, the next Competitive Cheerleading Advisory Panel Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. [Motion: Sanzari, Second: Robinson]
VIII. Open Agenda
Committee members overall felt that the Inaugural State Championship was a success. The committee was congratulated on their excellent representation at the State Championships and is looking forward to the upcoming event in Tallahassee. Mrs. Rohrer noted that committee members should remember that they are representatives of their school and their community and to promote good sportsmanship within their program. Committee members were also reminded that they are representatives of participating member schools in their area, so to reach out when possible to assist their counter parts if they have recommendations for the sport.
IX. Adjournment
By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 12:48 p.m.