GHSA

September 2014

‘New Guy’ Won’t Seek Change Just for Change’s Sake

The winds of change have come to the High School Association. Subtle changes in long-term tenure began with the retirement of Joyce Kay. Mrs. Kay had been a primary fixture in the GHSA for more than 35 years.

Joyce’s retirement was followed, shortly, by the retirement of Associate Director Dennis Payne, an 11-year administrator in football and .

Ultimately, the retirement of Dr. Ralph Swearngin, Executive Director, swept in the changes you will see for this and the coming years. Dr. Swearngin served as the Commissioner of Officials for nine years and as the Executive Director for the next 13 years.

Other changes within the organization have come with the beginnings of this school year: • Jay Russell, former Athletic Director at LaGrange High School has been named Assistant Executive Director. He will administer cross country, track and . • Ernie Yarbrough has been named as Coordinator of Officiating. Additionally, he will administer , and baseball; a change from prior years. • Tommy Whittle, Associate Director, will administer soccer now along with his duties in football and literary events. • Denis Tallini, a third year Associate Director, has been charged with the reorganization and revitalization of our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. • In addition, there are a total of 20 new members on the 2014-15 State Executive Committee out of the 58 representatives, bringing some new and fresh ideas to the GHSA’s rule-making board.

Admittedly, these are not sweeping changes, but they are reflective of our approach through the change process. The Georgia High School Association has many long standing regulations and procedures that have served our schools well in past years.

It is our intent to continue on the course as designed by our predecessors, while being keenly aware of the changes and challenges facing our member schools. Throughout the transitions experienced in the past four months, our message has been consistent: The GHSA is and has been firmly grounded and it is this “new guy’s” intentions to reflect the element of change, but not to seek changes for the sake of change. – Gary Phillips, Executive Director

Join the GHSA social media conversation @OfficialGHSA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Page 2 GHSA “Items of Interest” September 2014

GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Newsletter REMINDER: GHSA Membership Dues Issued monthly, September through April, by the Georgia High Must Be Paid On Or Before October 15th! School Association, P.O. Box 271 , Thomaston, GA 30286 Phone: 706-647-7473 Fax: 706-647-2638 Web: www.ghsa.net First Power Ratings on September 9 OFFICE HOURS: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday Vol. 33 September 2014 No. 1 The first power ratings for Class A football and softball by MaxPreps will be posted on GHSA.net on September 9. The - GHSA STAFF - power ratings will be updated each Tuesday after that for the Areas of Responsibility remainder of the respective regular seasons. Every GHSA member school must submit all game GARY PHILLIPS (extension 21) - Executive Director - results, regardless of classification, to MaxPreps in order to Administration, By-Law Interpretations, Hardship Rulings, manage the Class A football and softball power ratings and to Football Playoffs, Coaches Education Program verify Region Standings across all classifications. JAY RUSSELL (extension 25) MaxPreps offers coaches a stat management and com- - Assistant Executive Director - munication platform that enables them to efficiently submit their By-Law Interpretations, Transfer Eligibility, Cross Country, Golf, Track schedules, scores, rosters and statistics. ERNIE YARBROUGH (extension 27) MaxPreps is a 100% free service and is the official source - Coordinator of Officiating - Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Officials Training of power ratings, region standings and stats for the GHSA. For assistance, you may contact MaxPreps’ Georgia state DENIS TALLINI (extension 34) representative, Megan Nelson, at [email protected] - Associate Director - Lacrosse, , , Sports Medicine with any questions.

TOMMY WHITTLE (extension 23) - Associate Director - Football, Literary, One-Act Play, Soccer

CARROR WRIGHT (extension 39) - Associate Director - Coach’s Liaison, Compliance/Investigations, Sportsmanship

STEVE FIGUEROA (extension 26) Home ‘Pink’ is OK for September 8-13 - Director of Information/Media Services - Media Coordination for State Events, Newsletter, In observance of breast cancer awareness week, the GHSA Constitution & Calendar, Web Site Content, GHSA will allow schools to wear “pink” uniforms at their HOME PAM THOMPSON (extension 30) events during the week of September 8-13 for ALL fall sports. - Officials' Registrar - If a school does NOT have a home contest that week, it Officials' Registration, Testing & Online Clinics, Service Awards may request to wear pink at a home contest either the week TANYA ANDERSON (extension 29) prior to or the week following September 8-13. Schools should - Administrative Assistant - contact their GHSA sports coordinator with this request. Event Sanctioning, School Passes, Directory, Online Clinics for Coaches, Trophies & Medals The home team must inform the visiting team that pink uniforms will be worn, and the visiting teams must wear their JULIE JONES (extension 24) - Administrative Assistant - normal “dark” uniforms at these events. Coaches Education Program, Web Site Content, Entry Notification

SHERI BROOKS (extension 0) - Receptionist - GHSA Provides Catastrophic Coverage Hardship Hearings, Fines, School System/Retiree Passes, Publication Orders A reminder from the Georgia High School Association that ROBIN BULLINGTON (extension 33) the GHSA provides Catastrophic Accident Medical Coverage to - Office Manager - Budgeting and Finances, Dues, Playoff Finances, Staff Procedures participants at all member schools. Coverage is provided for students participating in STACEY BASILICI (extension 32) interscholastic competition (governed by the regulations of the - Administrative Assistant - state high school athletic/activities authority), including school- Non-transfer Eligibility, Literary & One-Act Play Liaison, School Contact Coordinator supervised practice, tryouts, pre- and post-game related activities including award banquets and covered travel, as defined under the policy. GHSA Licensed Products All student athletes, student managers, student trainers, student cheerleaders and students participating in interscholastic This month’s featured licensees are: Jostens, official championship competition are eligible. rings and jewlery (jostens.com); Musco Sports Lighting, leader in The GHSA Catastrophic coverage includes medical, developing sports-lighting technology solutions (musco.com); FieldTurf, disability, rehabilitative and custodial benefits per the policy. The official artificial turf (fieldturf.com); Hudl, official video exchange service policy carries a $25,000 deductible for accident medical expenses. (hudl.com), Planet HS, connecting high communities online Currently, the GHSA pays three-quarters of the policy (planeths.com); COOLShirt Systems, innovator of personal cooling premium for all member schools with the remainder coming from systems (coolshirt.com) and TeamIP, official merchandiser and online the school’s dues. store (teamip.com). View a complete list at www.ghsa.net/licensing. September 2014 GHSA “Items of Interest” Page 3

GHSA Approves ‘Blue Week’ to Fight Prostate Cancer The GHSA has teamed up with the Georgia Prostate Georgia is No. 4 in the country in prostate cancer deaths. Cancer Coalition in an effort to reduce prostate cancer One in every six men (one in every four African-American deaths in the state of Georgia. men) will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in “To promote prostate cancer awareness, the their lifetime. week of September 22-27 will be observed as “Georgia guys don’t have to die,” says Bill ‘Blue Week’ throughout our member schools,” said Buckley, GPCC board member and prostate GHSA Executive Director, Gary Phillips. cancer survivor. “We are convinced that as we All games played Friday, September 26, will increase awareness, we’ll detect this cancer be designated as ‘Know Your Score Night’ and earlier and decrease deaths. We are very thankful will feature reminders for men to have prostate that the GHSA has stepped up to help us in this exams and blood tests to establish their PSA “score.” statewide awareness effort.” Officials will be using blue penalty flags, coaches on both Just as the GHSA observes “Pink Week” to promote sidelines will be wearing blue wristbands and players will breast cancer awareness, “Blue Week” will become an wear symbolic blue ribbon helmets decals. annual event each September during the seasons to come.

GHSA Honors 2014 Cooperative Spirit Award Winning Schools Georgia Electric Membership 1-AAAAAA - Brunswick High School Corporation (Georgia EMC) is proud to 2-AAAAAA - Morrow High School 3-AAAAAA - Tri-Cities High School sponsor the GHSA Cooperative Spirit 4-AAAAAA - Kennesaw Mountain HS Sportsmanship Award and announces 5-AAAAAA - Etowah High School the 48 GHSA-member high schools that 6-AAAAAA - West Forsyth High School will receive the 2014 award. The award 7-AAAAAA - Meadowcreek High School honors schools that showed exemplary 8-AAAAAA - Berkmar High School 1-AAAAA - Harris Co. High School sportsmanship during the 2013-2014 2-AAAAA - Jones County High School school year. 3-AAAAA - Glynn Academy "The GHSA congratulates these 4-AAAAA - Mundy’s Mill High School member schools on their selection as 5-AAAAA - Hiram High School 6-AAAAA - Lakeside-DeKalb HS region sportsmanship award winners,” 7-AAAAA - Pope High School says Gary Phillips, GHSA Executive 8-AAAAA - Loganville High School Director. “We thank the GEMC for their 1-AAAA - Worth County High School support of our schools and efforts to 2-AAAA - Westside-Macon HS 3-AAAA - Cross Creek High School raise the emphasis on sportsmanship 4-AAAA - Upson-Lee High School in all competitions.” 5-AAAA - Columbus High School Since 2006, the GHSA and 6-AAAA - Marist School Georgia’s EMCs have sponsored the 7-AAAA - Cedartown High School Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship 8-AAAA - Lanier High School 1-AAA - Beach High School Award, which reinforces the GHSA 2-AAA - Jackson High School philosophy: “Students, athletes, 3-AAA - Swainsboro High School coaches, spectators and all others 4-AAA - Central-Carroll HS associated with high school activities 5-AAA - Ringgold High School 6-AAA - St. Pius programs should adhere to the 7-AAA - Banks County HS fundamental values of respect, fairness, 8-AAA - Morgan County HS honesty and responsibility.” Schools 1-AA - Pelham High School around the state are honored for 2-AA - Vidalia High School exhibiting exceptional sportsmanship 3-AA - Screven County HS 4-AA - Lamar County HS during competitive events. Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship 5-AA - Chattahoochee County HS Student athletes, fellow students, Awards are presented annually to the 6-AA - Lovett School school staff, parents and event GHSA-member high schools in the 48 7-AA - Armuchee High School spectators are recognized for the regions from the six classifications by 8-AA - Social Circle High School 1-A - Webster County HS sportsmanship they display. representatives from the EMCs during 2-A - Charlton County HS The award is not only a school fall athletic events and school 3-A - Calvary Day School honor, but a community honor as well. assemblies. 4-A - Marion County High School The GHSA region secretaries select Winners of the 2014 Georgia EMC 5-A - Strong Rock Christian 6-A - Christian Heritage School winners based upon the sportsmanship Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship 7-A - Warren County HS demonstrated during the school year. Award are listed in the next column: 8-A - Hebron Christian Page 4 GHSA “Items of Interest” September 2014

New NFHS Network Web Site Revolutionizes Event Viewing The NFHS Network, the leader in capturing the passion, experience on every computer, tablet or phone and now our pride, and energy of the high school experience by delivering broadcasts will also include live scores and play-by-play live sports and events, announced today the launch of their coming direct from the field or court through our Digital Scout newly enhanced, multi-platform site designed to stat tracking apps,” commented David Rudolph, enable and improve watching high school games CEO of PlayON! Sports. whenever you want, wherever you are. PlayOn! Sports, operator and manager of the During the 2014-2015 school year, the NFHS NFHS Network site, tapped leading integrated Network will deliver live broadcasts of more than marketing agency CSE to develop the enhanced 40,000 high school games and other events to fans multi-platform product redesign. The new site across a wide variety of platforms. The destination incorporates a responsive design construct to for these events is the redesigned NFHS Network optimize the mobile experience since more than site (www.NFHSnetwork.com), a joint venture 40% of the traffic last school year came from mobile between the NFHS, its member state associations devices. and PlayOn! Sports. About the NFHS Network: The NFHS Network “The newly launched simple, clean and easy showcases the unique accomplishments of to use NFHS Network site was purposely designed to allow students, whether they are a student-athlete participating in fans to access and view high quality high school events at the 27 different sports covered by the Network, or one of the any time from any devices.” commented Robert Rothberg, student broadcasters from schools around the country that President of the NFHS Network. “We have thousands of live produce events through the School Broadcast Program. The and on demand events and with the redesign, we’ve made it NFHS Network also features state playoff and championship easy to find and watch events and even create your own events for the 34 state members of the NFHS Network. highlight clips and share them socially through Facebook and All NFHS Network events are available online at Twitter.” www.NFHSnetwork.com as well as iPhone and Android On the new site, members of the NFHS Network will now mobile apps. The NFHS Network is a joint venture among be able to: the National Federation of State High School Associations • Easily clip and share highlights from on demand events (NFHS), its member state associations and PlayOn! Sports. using WeVideo’s video editor. PlayOn! Sports is based in Atlanta, Georgia and is the • Customize the home page by following their favorite nation’s largest high school sports media company. schools and states. • Enjoy an improved event viewing experience with integrated live game scores and stats. Scoreboard Show Kicks Off Aug. 29 • Save favorite events and create a personalized watch The Georgia High School Scoreboard Show, presented list. by Georgia Farm Bureau, kicked off a 16th season on Football “We understand that high school sports fans are busy Friday Nights with its first show on and often have conflicts preventing them from attending August 29. The popular program games, the new site makes it easier than ever for fans to has become a staple for high watch their favorite games by ensuring a great viewing school football fans across Georgia from 10 p.m., until midnight. GHSA Welcomes New Licensees The statewide radio network is carried over 55+ affiliate stations and The Georgia High School Association would like to streamed online. The show runs 13 welcome the following new licensees: weeks from August 29 to November 28 hosted by the COOLShirt Systems, Innovator of Personal Cooling legendary voice of Tommy Palmer for the ninth consecutive Systems (coolshirt.com). season. GameTime Fundraisers, Enables schools to sell official The Georgia EMC Countdown To Kickoff also began licensed pro/college team merchandise for fund raising on August 29 for a ninth season on 20+ radio affiliates from purposes (gametimefundraisers.com). 6-7:00 p.m. Countdown is the statewide “pregame show,” Jaxx Field Miracle, Official field drying agent for softball hosted by Tommy Palmer, featuring interviews and insights & baseball fields (jaxxusa.com). into Friday’s top games from expert correspondents throughout Total Wash Systems, official sports gear and equipment Georgia. cleaning service (totalwashsystems.com). Sponsors include: Georgia Farm Bureau, GHSA, Verizon, Daniel Automotive Group, Georgia Electric Memberships Corporation and Georgia Southern. Both live programs are produced by Palmer Sports Media in partnership with the Georgia High School Association. For a list of affiliates and more information about the programs, go to: www.palmermediagroup.com. September 2014 GHSA “Items of Interest” Page 5

GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA MARRIOTT / Macon City Center - MACON, GEORGIA Magnolia Ballroom September 15, 2014 - 9:00 a.m.

Call To Order ...... Glenn White, President Invocation ...... Carror Wright, Associate Director Roll Call ...... Steve Figueroa, Media Director Adoption of Agenda ...... Executive Committee

APPOINTMENTS: Monday - 9:00 am: Marc Khedouri, Athletic Director, Wesleyan School Appeal of student eligibility - Tony Taylor (eight-semesters)

Monday - 9:15 am: Heather Hardy, Principal, Jenkins High School Appeal of student eligibility - Isaac Silwimba (eight-semesters)

COMMITTEE PROPOSALS: 6. Discussion of the possibility of changing the spring and fall meeting dates for the State Executive Board of Trustees Committee for the year 2015-16. [GHSA Office] 1. Proposal to delete By-Law 4.23 (e), Page 51; under Reclassification that reads as follows: 7. Discussion of the possibility of changing the (e) Following the initial placement of schools into designation of the current regular season football regions, each new region shall meet to audit the week “0” to week “1” and thus allowing teams a full population numbers of its member schools. 12 weeks to schedule 10 games without restriction instead of the current 11 weeks. [GHSA Office] (1) If the numbers are accurate, a written notice of approval shall be sent to the GHSA office. (2) If there are discrepancies in the numbers, a Committee written notice shall be sent to the GHSA 1. Proposal to establish travel reimbursement for cheer office asking the Reclassification Committee officials for all associations. Questions to be to hear the appeal at the meeting that is considered include: scheduled to hear appeals of lateral A. How much are officials paid per mile? transfers. [GHSA Office] B. Would officials be paid one way or round trip? C. How would officials be paid if they are not able to 2. Proposal to allow coaches to work with three (3) car pool? [GHSA Office] athletes at any given time in out-of-season skill building drills. [Region 7-AAAAA] 2. Proposal to define/clarify By-Law 2.56 (page 35): Officials or an assignor of officials may not be a head 3. Constitutional Amendment: Article IV - Section 8 coach or an assistant coach at a GHSA school in the (page 10): same sport. [GHSA Office] A. Add: A President and a Vice President shall be elected as State Association officers at the spring Eligibility Committee meeting for a two (2)-year term after ratification of 1. Proposal to establish a deadline date for student the reclassification plan. [GHSA office] Note: this transfers to or from a non-member school in the would be the first vote and will require two (2) votes. semester prior to the school becoming a GHSA member school. [GHSA Office] 4. Proposal to approve the 2013-14 Audit Report. [GHSA Office] Football Committee 1. Proposal to allow schools that have a scrimmage 5. Review of the Catastrophic Insurance premiums for 2014-2017. [GHSA Office] (over) Page 6 GHSA “Items of Interest” September 2014

AGENDA, continued game/games canceled or suspended due to 2. Section L2 - Essay. Proposal to change as follows: inclement weather to have the following options: A. Separate contests will be held in Argumentative, A. Play the game on another night during the Personal, and Rhetorical Essay in all calendar week that the game was missed. classifications. (GHSA rules define calendar week as Sunday to B.1c Three topics will be selected as Saturday. Sunday competition is not allowed) appropriate for each essay discipline, or B. Play the game during another week that you do type of essay. not have another scrimmage or regular season B.1d A student may participate in only one game scheduled. No scrimmage game can be contest in Essay. scheduled after the Saturday of “0” week. 3. Section L3 - Extemporaneous Speaking. Proposal If option #1 and # 2 above are not available: to change as follows: C. Play a controlled scrimmage where a specific A. Separate contests will be held in Domestic and number of plays are decided upon by the two International Extemporaneous Speaking in all schools and approved by the GHSA Office on a classifications. Monday prior to a Friday or Saturday scrimmage B.5 A student may participate in only one game. You may not have a scrimmage game or contest in Extemporaneous Speaking. controlled scrimmage on the same calendar [GHSA Office] week of a regular season game. [GHSA Office] Committee 2. Proposal to establish a deadline for applications for summer (contact) camps as follows: 1. Proposal to implement a “Roster of Admissions” form for all coaches and participants in the State All applications requesting permission for summer Swim Meet. The roster would be due 72 hours prior camps at GHSA schools or other facilities must be to the competition. [State Coordinator] submitted by May 1. All subsequent correspondence to complete the application must be completed by May 15. [GHSA Office] 2. Proposal to increase the number of entries in the consolation finals at the State Swim Meet from 8 to 10 swimmers. The championship finals would thus 3. Proposal to clarify equipment allowed in summer be increased from 8 to 10 also, and 20 places would (contact) camps as follows: be scored rather than 16. [State Coordinator] Equipment is limited to helmets, shoulder pads and mouthpieces. Compression-style shorts, or any other shorts that have thigh pads and/or girdle pads Track & Field Committee are NOT allowed. [GHSA Office] 1. Proposal to add the 4 x 800 meter relay to the “Schedule of Events” at the State Track Meets. This would increase the event total from 16 to 17. [Region Lacrosse Committee 5-AAAAAA] 1. Proposal to Edit item “D” under General Information (page 77) to read: The number of Lacrosse matches allowed (not including state tournaments) shall be 2. Proposal to alter the format of the boys and girls eighteen (18). If a region/area chooses to hold a State Track Meets. The proposal is to combine region/area tournament, those matches must be genders at the two current sites (Jefferson and included as part of the 18-game total allowed. [State Albany) and split the two meets by classification with Coordinator] Note: Effective Immediately half competing at Jefferson and half at Albany [Region 5-AAAAAA] Literary Committee 1. Section L1 - Dramatic Interpretation. Proposal to change as follows (A & B together below): DIRECTOR'S REPORT: A. Change name of event to Oral Interpretation. Executive Director Gary Phillips will address the committee on several issues and introduce some guest B. Separate contests will be held in Humorous, speakers. Dramatic, and Duo Oral Interpretations in all classifications. B.1 The selection should be of good literary OLD BUSINESS: value and appropriate to the contest. B.3 A student may participate in only one 1. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: ARTICLE III - individual contest in Oral Interpretation, SECTION 2 - Subsection D, (page 7) (Second but may also enter in the group event of vote): Duo as per GHSA Rules. (over) September 2014 GHSA “Items of Interest” Page 7

AGENDA, continued Proposal to delete current “d” and add: The 4. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: ARTICLE IV - number of classifications and regions together SECTION 9 - Subsection H (page 12) (Second with the assignment of schools therein shall be vote) submitted to the Executive Committee. The Proposal to delete sentence: Members of the Executive Committee, by majority vote, may Hardship Committee and the Appeal Board will approve, reject, or modify in any way the not be eligible to vote (those members who proposals submitted by the Reclassification heard a specific case) as a member of the Committee. Executive Committee when an appeal goes before the full Executive Committee. 2. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: ARTICLE IV - SECTION 2 - Subsection D [new] (page 8) (Second 5. Proposal to reconsider the addition of By-Law 1.62 vote) (h), which was tabled at the September, 2013 Proposal to add: The Executive Committee shall meeting: have the authority to appoint smaller committees Students who are U.S. Citizens who have been to address issues related to the operation of the enrolled in a high school in a foreign country for Association and its regulated activities, and to the equivalent of at least one full semester shall, consider proposals made by such committees. upon return to the U.S., be eligible to participate The authority of the Executive Committee shall at a GHSA member school provided that the be plenary in all matters pertaining to the student lives in the new school’s service area Association and it may accept, reject, or modify and is otherwise eligible under GHSA age, eight- any proposals made or action taken by any semester, academic and other eligibility rules. committee, the Board of Trustees, the Appeal [GHSA office] Board, the Hardship Committee, or the Executive Director.

3. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: ARTICLE IV - SECTION 2 - Subsection E [new] (page 8) (Second NEW BUSINESS: vote) Proposal to add: Each member of the Executive Committee shall have the right to vote on all matters coming before the full Executive ADJOURNMENT Committee.

SCHEDULE OF SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS - Fall 2014 (Meetings Will Be Held at the Marriott Macon City Center Hotel)

SATURDAY, September 13 SUNDAY, September 14 (continued)

6:00 pm Board of Trustees (Private Dining Room) 11:30 am Track Committee (Salon A)

1:00 pm Swimming Committee (Salon B) SUNDAY, September 14 3:00 pm Retirement Reception to honor 9:00 am Eligibility Committee (Salon A) Dr. Gary Holmes and Walter Wade (Magnolia Ballroom) 9:30 am Literary Committee (Salon B) 4:30 pm Hospitality Room (Grand Salon B) 10:00 am Football Committee (Magnolia C/D)

11:00 am Lacrosse Committee (Salon B) Cheerleading Committee (Magnolia C/D) Page 8 GHSA “Items of Interest” September 2014

GHSA - September / October Calendar - 2014

September 1 Labor Day, GHSA Office closed 2 Hardship/Appeal Committee Meeting 15 State Executive Committee Meeting 16 Hardship/Appeal Committee Meeting 22 Deadline for notification of entry in Cross Country

October 1 Deadline to notify entry in One Act Play & to set Riflery schedules 6 Earliest date for Riflery match 7 Hardship/Appeal Committee Meeting 10 Deadline date to file Riflery schedules with GHSA office 11 Complete Region Softball 11 Determine Area Volleyball winners 13 Report Region Softball & Area Volleyball winners by 9 a.m. 14 Deadline for posting rosters in Cross Country 15 Deadline for payment of GHSA membership dues 15 First Round State Volleyball in 3A & 4A 15, 16 First Round State Softball Classes 2A-6A 16 First Round State Volleyball in A, 5A & 6A 20 Earliest date for swimming practice

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