Soccer Advisory Committee

Minutes
March 2, 2009 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Fla.


Meeting was called to order by Justin Harrison at 10 a.m. Each person in attendance introduced themselves. Members in attendance included: Todd Tinsley (Wolfson High School), Chris Byrd (Hamilton County High School), Joel Dobrowolski (Dr. Phillips High School), Angie Gayo (Lake Highland High School), Leo Madrigal (Miami Killian High School), Jeff Watson (Miami Country Day), George Arroyo (Sickles High School), Bob Bauman (Tampa Jesuit), Newman Stemple (BCAA, OAC representative), Dan Griffin (Boone High School, FACA representative). FHSAA staff in attendance: Justin Harrison, Paul McLaughlin, Denarvise Thornton, Raleigh Green (Intern)

1. Welcome, Purpose
Justin Harrison welcomed the members to the FHSAA office and reminded the members of the purpose of the meeting.

2. Complete Expense Vouchers
Committee members completed expense vouchers to be reimbursed by the FHSAA.

3. Review Agenda
Mr. Harrison amended the agenda to include OAC recommendations in the Old Business portion and added new discussion topics, an e-mail from Stephen Cass, Athletic Director at Episcopal High School, and the NFHS Soccer Press Release.

4. Select Chairperson
a) Jeff Watson was elected committee chairperson
Motion: Mr. Griffin; Second: Mr. Madrigal; Vote: Unanimous (9-0) to approve

5. Approval of March 3, 2008, Meeting Minutes
a) Mr. Harrison reviewed the minutes of last year's meeting with the committee and updated them on action taken on the items in the Old Business and New Business portion of those minutes by other committees.
Motion: Mr. Bauman; Second: Mr. Madrigal; Vote: Unanimous (9-0) to approve

6. 2009 State Tournament Review
a) Mr. Harrison commended Hillsborough County for their efforts in hosting this year’s boys and girls state finals tournament, stating it was a great experience and very well run. Mr. Harrison also commended the officials and schools involved for their overall quality of character and play during the tournament.
b) Members agreed with Mr. Harrison, stating the tournament was well run.
c) Members discussed parking issues, stating the signage directing them to the proper parking area could be improved.

7. Old Business
Recommendation #1
Revise the bracket so a district runner-up can only play its district winner in the region final
SAC 1st reading (3/08): 6-0 Approve
ADAC 1st reading (4/08): 8-0 Endorsed
SAC 2nd reading: Motion- Mr. Griffin; Second- Mr. Madrigal; Vote- Unanimous (9-0) to approve

Recommendation #2
Allow the “timeout” for water breaks in each half to be optional. At the meeting with the officials and coaches prior to the start of the game, permit the coaches to decide whether the water break/timeout should be used. Disagreement between coaches will require the use of a timeout.
SAC 1st reading (3/08): 6-0 Approve
ADAC 1st reading (4/08): 8-0 Not Endorse- Safety Precaution
SAC 2nd reading (3/09): Motion-Mr. Griffin; Second- Mr. Bauman; Amend language to include “without fall soccer this water break is no longer needed” at end. Vote- Unanimous (9-0) to approve as amended

Recommendation #3
Drop the Double Dual System and go back to the three-man system of one center referee and two sideline referee assistants.
SAC 1st reading (3/08): 5-0 to table (1 abstention)
Motion- Mr. Bauman; Second- Mr. Dobrowolski to pull off table Vote- Unanimous (9-0) to pull off table
SAC 2nd reading (3/09): Motion-Mr. Bauman; Second-Mr. Tinsley; Vote: Unanimous (9-0) to approve
Motion- Mr. Griffin; Second- Mr. Madrigal to Fast Track; Vote: 6-3 to approve Fast Track

8. New Business
There was no new business to discuss.

9. Correspondence/Discussion
a) Committee reviewed a proposal to widen the width of the field to 75 yards. The committee felt that while this was a good idea, the costs associated with reconstruction would be too much to make this idea feasible.
b) Committee recommended the FHSAA ensure that all future construction projects take into consideration the width of the soccer field.
c) Committee reviewed an e-mail the FHSAA received from Stephen Cass, AD at Episcopal High School in Jacksonville. Mr. Cass proposed moving the start date of soccer back two weeks to prevent overlapping sport seasons. There was discussion on having two major events (soccer and basketball) during the same weekend. Straw Poll Vote: 4-4 (1 Abstention)
d) Mr. Harrison read the NFHS Soccer Rules Changes News Release to the committee.

10. Review of 2008-2009 FHSAA Soccer Manuals
a) Mr. Harrison asked the committee for input on revisions to the upcoming soccer manual. The committee felt there were no revisions needed.

11. Sportsmanship
a) Mr. Harrison reviewed a handout that detailed the amount of ejections in previous years and stressed the importance of sportsmanship in high school soccer.
b) Mr. Thornton discussed the Double Dual system and his feeling that the system is effective in improving sportsmanlike play by decreasing the amount of flagrant foul and severe injury situations. The committee then voiced their concerns with the system to Mr. Thornton.

12. Shinguards
a)Mr. Harrison reviewed the new shinguard rules and how it has impacted the game.

13. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 2:13 p.m. (Motion- Mr. Bauman, Second-Mr. Dobrowolski)