Tennis Advisory Committee

Minutes
August 28, 2007 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


The meeting was called to order by Gary Pigott, FHSAA Tennis Administrator, at 10 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Bill Beard, Pace HS; Corbin Graves, Maclay School (Tallahassee); Karen Fay, Olympia HS (Orlando); Hank Deslaurier, Central HS (Brooksville); Jerry Stultz, Astronaut HS (Titusville); Michael Kypriss, Dr. Krop HS (Miami); and John Danise, Sebastian River HS (Sebastian)/FACA Chairperson. FHSAA staff members Denarvise Thornton and Paul McLaughlin were also present.

AGENDA ITEMS

Mr. Pigott reviewed the procedure for completing the expense vouchers and e-mail addresses were confirmed. Everyone in attendance introduced themselves.

Mr. Pigott welcomed the committee to the FHSAA Office, reviewed the agenda and gave the committee an overview of their purpose and objective as an advisory committee. The process for advisory committee recommendations was reviewed.

The committee selected Michael Kypriss as chairperson.

Discussion - Review of 2006 Tennis Advisory Committee Minutes: The Committee reviewed the results of the two recommendations from the previous year.

Tennis Season Starting Dates: Mr. Danise submitted this item on behalf of the 76 tennis coaches that attended the 2006 FACA Conference in Daytona Beach. The committee believes the tennis season should begin 2 weeks earlier in January, similar to the start of baseball & softball seasons (other spring sports).
Recommendation #1 (2006-07): It was moved by Mr. Danise, seconded by Mr. Beard and carried, Vote: Unanimous (8-0), to begin the tennis season 2 weeks earlier. Tennis season would begin the same week as baseball and 1 week later than softball.
Rationale: Due to FCAT dates and holidays, it is difficult to schedule all matches within the season window. Rained out matches and rescheduling become an issue. Tennis season ends just as baseball and softball playoffs are beginning. 76 tennis coaches at the FACA Conference were in support of this recommendation.
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS: Motion by Edwards, seconded by Sparkman (Unanimous to endorse 8-0)
2nd Reading TNAC: Vote: Unanimous 7-0
2nd Reading ADAC: Vote: Motion by Seybold, seconded by McPadden (Not endorse 7-3), Rationale: Concerned with length of tennis season in relation to other FHSAA individual sports (track, swimming, golf etc.)
Board of Directors: MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Modugno to deny a recommendation to extend the length of the tennis season by two weeks by moving the first permissible dates for practice and competition two weeks earlier. CARRIED.

Advancement of District Runner-up: Mr. Danise submitted this item on behalf of the 76 tennis coaches that attended the 2006 FACA Conference in Daytona Beach. Runners-up advance in all other sanctioned sports. For the 2007 TNAC meeting, Mr. Beard and Mr. Danise submitted a similar agenda item.
Recommendation #2 (2006-07): It was moved by Mr. Beard, seconded by Mr. DeFillippo and carried, Vote: Unanimous (8-0), to add the district runner-up to the tennis playoff system. Another regional dual match will be added to accomplish this recommendation. Runners-up advance in most other sports.
New Format: Adds one additional regional dual match.
Districts: Thursday and Friday with Saturday as a rain day or playoff day due to tie.
Region Semifinal: The following Tuesday, regional dual match at 3 p.m. District winner vs. neighboring runner-up. District winner hosts the match.
Regional Final: Friday, regional dual match at 3 p.m. Two winners from Tuesday regional semifinal play (possible district winner/runner-up rematch).
Rationale: Most other FHSAA sanctioned sports advance the district runner-up. Tennis just wants the same opportunity.
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS: Motion by Sparkman, seconded by McPadden (Unanimous to support 8-0)
2nd Reading TNAC: Vote: Unanimous 7-0
2nd Reading ADAC: Motion by Tomaini, seconded by Welch (Unanimous to support 10-0)
Board of Directors: MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Sheffield to approve a recommendation to expand the FHSAA State Tennis Series to include the advancement of district team runner-ups to regional competition. CARRIED.

Discussion - FACA Recommendations: Mr. Danise (FACA Tennis Chairperson) submitted four (4) agenda items on behalf of the FACA (Florida Athletic Coaches Association) for review: 1) Impact of Tennis Academies, 2) Players with ITF points, 3) 6th, 7th & 8th graders competing at the varsity level, and 4) Seeding more than 2 players at the district tournament. These areas were discussed as listed on the agenda. The committee took no action on these agenda items after discussion. The committee did make some comments regarding the participation of 6th-8th graders on varsity tennis teams. There should be a fair playing field for all schools and players. All schools should have the opportunity to play 6th, 7th & 8th grade students on their high school teams, not just some schools. The same years of varsity eligible competition should be available to all schools and players. Small schools depend on grades 6-12 to field a full team.

Discussion – Athletic Trainers at FHSAA Tennis Finals: Mr. Kypriss submitted an item regarding athletic trainers being available at each of the FHSAA Tennis Final sites. FHSAA staff agreed that it would secure and pay for the cost of having an athletic trainer present at each of the tennis venues.

Discussion - State Tournament Sites/Hosts: The following arrangements have been made for the FHSAA Tennis Finals. Mr. Pigott encouraged all committee members to notify anyone interested in hosting to contact him in the FHSAA office.
Class 4A: Site-Sanlando Park & Lake Brantley High School; Dates: Apr. 21-23,2008
Host: Edgewater High School, Orlando
Class 3A: Site-Sanlando Park & Lake Brantley High School; Dates: Apr. 23-25,2008
Host: Edgewater High School, Orlando
Class 2A: Site-TBA; Dates: Apr. 21-25,2008
Host: TBA
Class A: Site – TBA; Apr. 21-25,2008
Host: TBA

Discussion – USTA Officials at FHSAA Tennis Finals (see attached): Mr. Pigott submitted this item on behalf of the FHSAA Tennis Finals sites in Orlando & Tallahassee. For the 2007 FHSAA Tennis Finals in Orlando and Tallahassee, the local United States Tennis Association (USTA) officials associations chose not to accept the fees offered by the FHSAA and did not officiate the tournaments. Other tennis knowledgeable people were hired to serve in this capacity.
Recommendation #1 (2008-09): It was moved by Mr. Danise, seconded by Ms. Fay and carried, Vote: (6-1), to have the schools participating in the team portion of the FHSAA Tennis Finals to supplement the difference in the FHSAA budget and the fees requested from the local USTA officials.
Rationale: The tennis matches at the FHSAA Tennis Finals are very competitive and the presence of USTA officials is necessary to resolve disputes. At a state level event, the committee believes the players deserve someone in a neutral position to rule on these situations.
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS: Motion by Wambles, seconded by Feely (Unanimous to not endorse, 10-0)
Rationale: Dangerous precedent to set with regard to meeting demands for officials fees. Do USTA officials comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act?
2nd Reading TNAC: May 2008
2nd Reading ADAC: September 2008
Board of Directors: September 2008

Discussion – Dual Meet Championship; 6 singles and 3 doubles Match Format: Andrew Knott from Titusville H.S. submitted these to items for discussion. The consensus of the committee is that the dual meet format is not practical with regard to missed school time and additional length of tournament. The committee did favor the 6 singles and 3 doubles match format, but wanted to gather some feedback from the January district planning meetings before going ahead with a recommendation for a change in format. The request should include playing the 3 doubles points first, followed by the 6 singles matches.

Discussion – Forfeit at Region Match: The committee reviewed an e-mail from Trinity Prep (Winter Park) coach Sally Flynn about a team forfeiting their region match. Mr. Pigott reviewed consequences to this situation and the committee believes the new runner-up recommendation may help this type of situation. No changes were recommended.

Discussion – Substitution Rule for State Series: The FHSAA tennis regulations for alternates and substitution were reviewed as well as some situations from the 2007 season with regard to the FHSAA Tennis Finals and the Easter Bowl Tournament. The consensus of the committee is that the current FHSAA regulations are sufficient and it’s the responsibility of the high school coaches to know, understand and apply the rules accordingly.

Discussion - Tennis Regulations: The existing FHSAA Tennis Manual was reviewed. No changes were recommended.

Roundtable Discussion:
Meeting Date: Ms. Fay requested that the Tennis Advisory Committee meeting date be adjusted forward or backward around the U.S. Open dates as many coaches would like to attend the educational opportunities scheduled in conjunction with the 2-week tennis event.

Section E-mail Addresses: Ms. Fay requested, if possible, the contact information for the schools and coaches in the section that she represents so she may communicate with them. Mr. Pigott stated he would have to check with Michael Herchel, Network Administrator, for this request.

FACA Tennis Meeting Dates: Mr. Danise stated that the FACA meeting dates for the 2008 conference are Jan. 10-12, 2008 in Daytona Beach. The Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association (FHSTCA) will also meet during the FACA conference.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.