Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

AMENDMENTS for the 2012 Representative Assembly

Revised March 15, 2012

The strike through text is proposed to be deleted from the current handbook wording. The bold and shaded text is proposed to be added to the current handbook wording. Amendments that pass will go into effect on August 1 unless noted otherwise.

HS AMENDMENT #1

4.9.0 DEMONSTRATION OF DECLINING ENROLLMENT – Schools in the 2B, 1A and 2A classifications able to demonstrate (via the P223) that enrollment in their school district for the next two-year classification cycle is below the cutoff point determined by the classification process for both years will have the option to participate in the lower classification. Movement by a school will not force another school into a higher classification to replace the school with declining enrollment. Utilizing this procedure would override 4.2.0 for the two classifications affected.

NOTE: All subsequent subsections of Article 4 would be renumbered.

Issues:

1. The current classification system does not address declining enrollment.

2. The current classification system counts two graduating classes that never participate during the following two-year cycle.

3. Many schools have been forced to play in the higher classification or play an independent schedule when they know that they will have fewer students in their school during the upcoming cycle. For example, even though Medical Lake knew the military base would be undergoing a reduction in force and that significantly fewer students would be attending the school during the current cycle, its appeal to be classified as a 1A school was denied since their P223 numbers indicated it was a 2A school. At this date, Medical Lake High School has 416 students in grade ten through twelve, almost 100 students below the 512 2A cutoff. The next smallest school in the league has 535 students.

4. Safety is a prime concern when a school has declining enrolment and plays contests against schools of much greater enrollment. Disparity is school size is a prime concern particularly in football.

Pros:

1. This new rule would eliminate the appeal process which can be an expensive trip for schools not located near the WIAA office.

2. This new rule would allow schools to participate in their actual classification based on the number of students actually attending that school during the two-year cycle.

3. This provides a positive experience for kids to compete with other teams nearer their size.

4. League stability would not be an issue because schools that played in the lower classification would be committed to that classification for two years.

Cons for HS Amendment #1:

1. Scheduling would be an issue because schools that played in the lower classification would be committed to that classification for two years.

2. Schools may not be divided equally into each classification. This amendment is not written with the idea to push a school into a different classification if another school chooses to implement the Declining Enrollment Rule. The current classification system is not designed to balance the number of schools in each classification during the second two-year cycle.

Proposed by Kettle Falls High School, Northwest Christian School-Colbert, Mary Walker High School, Northport High School, Medical Lake High School, Cusick High School, and Odessa High School.

HS AMENDMENT #2

12.3.0 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - A student, in order to try out and to participate in cheerleading activities, shall meet and maintain the following WIAA eligibility requirements as listed in Article 18 of the WIAA Handbook, with the exception of Article 18.10.0 (Transferring Students,) and local school district standards.

17.11.0 Physical Examination

18.4.0 Age Limits

18.5.0 Student Member of a School (incoming eighth or ninth grade students are considered to be members of the school)

12.3.1 A student, in order to participate in cheerleading activities, shall meet and maintain all eligibility requirements as listed in Article 18 of the WIAA Handbook.

Rationale: The WIAA eligibility criteria are designed to prohibit student athletes from transferring from one school to another for athletic reasons. Cheerleaders, however, would be eligible for varsity competition immediately upon transferring to another school if a different program was determined to be more desirable. Some schools offer cheerleading as a sideline activity only and its cheer squad does not compete, whereas other schools offer cheerleading programs which provide both sideline and competitive experiences. Since cheerleaders are required to meet all eligibility criteria the same as all other athletes, a cheerleader should also be restricted to subvarsity competition following a transfer to a different school.

Proposed by the WIAA Executive Board.

HS AMENDMENT #3

13.2.0 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS (DANCE/DRILL), page 15

13.2.0 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - A student, in order to try out and to participate in Dance/Drill Team activities, shall meet and maintain the following WIAA eligibility requirements as listed in Article 18 of the WIAA Handbook, with the exception of Article 18.10.0 (Transferring Students,) and local school district standards.

17.11.0 Physical Examination

18.4.0 Age Limits

18.5.0 Student Member of a School (incoming eighth or ninth grade students are considered to be members of the school)

13.2.1 A student, in order to participate in dance/drill activities, shall meet and maintain all eligibility requirements as listed in Article 18 of the WIAA Handbook.

Rationale: The WIAA eligibility criteria are designed to prohibit student athletes from transferring from one school to another for athletic reasons. Dance/drill participants, however, would be eligible for varsity competition immediately upon transferring to another school if a different program was determined to be more desirable. Some schools offer dance/drill as a performance activity only and its dance/drill squad does not compete, whereas other schools offer dance/drill programs which provide both performance and competitive experiences. Since dance/drill participants are required to meet all eligibility criteria the same as all other athletes, a dance/drill participants should also be restricted to subvarsity competition following a transfer to a different school.

Proposed by the WIAA Executive Board.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #4

17.5.0 OUT-OF-SEASON - DEFINITION – Out-of-season is that time during which paid or volunteer coaches can not coach present or future squad members.

HIGH SCHOOL - Out-of-season for all high school sports shall be from August 1 until the first day of the specific sport turnouts, and from the final day of the state tournament in that classification for that sport until the conclusion of the final spring sport state tournament, and a school-designated consecutive ten-day period to be scheduled following the spring state tournaments and prior to the start of football.

During the designated consecutive ten-day period all athletes and coaches are prohibited from using school equipment and facilities including the weight room and exercise facilities of any type. Coaches may not have contact with current and/or prospective athletes on or off the school campus for any type of coaching purposes.

NOTE: The school-designated ten-day period will be declared on the annual WIAA member form.

The August 1 cutoff date is waived for school coaches who coach during the summer in non-school programs provided that team has qualified for the next level of competition which ultimately leads to the state/regional/national championship/World Series in baseball and softball.

MIDDLE LEVEL – Out-of-season for middle level sports shall be from August 1 until the conclusion of the final day of the middle level spring league schedule, or the final spring school contest in the event the school is not a member of league in that sport, or the final day of the high school spring state championships, whichever is later, and a school-designated consecutive ten-day period to be scheduled following the spring state tournaments and prior to the start of fall sports.

Rationale:

1. The ten-day “dead” period will allow for kids to be kids and coaches to spend time with their families for ten days. The “dead” period will provide for a much-needed break. Everyone needs to get away from the mental grind at some point, knowing that they are not falling behind anyone else since everyone will have the same designated break. Schools are losing both coaches and athletes due to burn-out. Even the most high-level, dedicated athletes need to rest and recover sometime.

2. The “dead” period will also allow for annual maintenance and/or upgrades to school district facilities.

Proposed by Zillah High School, Naches Valley High School, River View High School, Columbia-Burbank High School and Goldendale High School.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #5

17.5.7 A coach may have one (1) organizational meeting with the incoming freshmen or sophomore at each middle or junior high school for students who are enrolled in the middle or junior high school whose attendance area is within the high school’s attendance area and one (1) two (2) meetings with the squad prior to the opening day of practice to issue equipment and to explain to the participants such issues as insurance, physical examinations, season's plans, training regulations and any other pertinent information deemed necessary by the coach. Coaches may also meet the squad to prepare for summer activities or for leadership training or other training that is not sport specific.

A. This restriction does not apply to fundraising activities unless the fundraising activities include the students participating in skills that are specific to the sport being coached. Fundraising activities are subject to the approval and rules of the participating school districts and/or Association Student Body governments.

B. Organization or implementation of the wrestling weight management program is not considered to be the one (1) organizational meeting.

Rationale: This change will give coaches the opportunity to develop leaders on the squad and participate in team building and leadership activities similar to those offered by Bruce Brown and others. It will also allow coaches to organize in the spring for summer activities.

Pros: This change will allow student-athletes the opportunity to receive non-sports related training and/or leadership training during a time when there is no practice which is the time period when skills training and development is a priority.

Cons: Allowing for the additional meeting time could potentially distract student-athletes from their current sport of participation. There is also the possibility that coaches could include sport-specific.

Proposed by Jackson High School, Everett High School, Cascade High School, Marysville Getchell High School, Marysville Pilchuck High School.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #6

17.5.4 Use of school equipment except football helmets and shoulder pads, facilities and/or transportation is contingent upon local school district written policy.

A. School uniforms, football helmets and shoulder pads may be worn ONLY during the WIAA season for that sport except during Washington State Coaches Association feeder or all state contests. NOTE: Uniforms are considered to be the school issued contest uniform (practice or shooting shirts are not classified as school uniforms) and are defined in the adopted rule book for each specific sport.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #6

17.10.2 School districts may authorize the use of facilities, school equipment except football helmets or shoulder pads (such as football helmets and shoulder pads, balls, etc), sport specific apparatus (such as batting cages, football sleds, nets, etc), facilities, and/or transportation for individuals and/or teams during the summer if approved by the local school board. School football helmets and shoulder pads may be issued to students participating in Washington State Coaches Association feeder or all state contests.

Pros: Not allowing this specialized equipment to be used except during the designated school season would:

1. Decrease the number of hits a student could take in a day or in a season, potentially reducing the risk of injuries, particularly concussions.

2. Assist schools to better manage risk.

3. Allow schools to manage equipment better, particularly if a player using the equipment over the summer does not return to the original school.

4. Eliminate the need to recondition helmets between uses, if used by a player during the summer.

Cons: Athletes may not be prepared to the same extent as in year’s past, but all teams would have the same amount of time for conditioning and preparation.

Proposed by Jackson High School, Everett High School, Cascade High School, Marysville Getchell High School, Marysville Pilchuck High School.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #7

17.11.0 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION - Prior to the first practice for participation in interscholastic athletics a student shall undergo a thorough medical examination and be approved for interscholastic athletic competition by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination.

17.11.3 The school in which this student is enrolled must have on file a statement (or prepared form) from the WIAA-approved or school district-approved physical form signed by a medical authority licensed to give a physical examination, certifying that the participant's physical condition is adequate for the activity or activities in which the student wishes to participate.

Rationale for MS/HS Amendment #7: The WIAA Medical Aspects of Sports Committee recommended that a standardized physical examination form be utilized so that all student athletes are being evaluated based on the same criteria. The standardized form would also be of benefit to school administrators responsible to clear student athletes for participation.

Proposed by the WIAA Executive Board.

HS AMENDMENT #8

17.14.0 AUTHORIZED CONTESTS- HIGH SCHOOL - Individuals or teams representing a member high school in an interscholastic athletic contest may compete only against teams or individuals from (a) another WIAA member school; (b) Out-of-state schools which are members of state high school associations that belong to the National Federation; (c) College freshmen; and (d) Alumni of that school.

Rationale: Allowing high school athletes to compete against college freshmen is in conflict with WIAA handbook rule 18.22.3 whereby a high school student athlete would forfeit any remaining high school eligibility in that sport by competing on or against a college team.

Proposed by the WIAA Executive Board.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #9

Eighth graders could be used to salvage the high school junior varsity team if at any time during the season the number of participants on the high school team does not exceed specified numbers. That specified number of participants is the number of participants required to start a contest plus the nearest whole number equal to 280- percent (5) of the number of participants required to start a contest.

Basketball: 14 16

Issues:

1. When eighth graders are brought up to salvage either the junior varsity program, the current rule requires that high school basketball coaches limit the number of players who suit up on any given day (varsity and junior varsity combined) to 14 participants. We propose this number be increased to 16.

2. If a coach has 13 high school players and six eighth graders, then only one eighth graders is allowed to suit up on any given game day. It could take two weeks before an athlete would be able to play in two or three games in a week.

3. Unexpected things can happen. If a player misses practice the day before a game, is absent for the day, goes home early, gets in trouble at school, some of these things aren’t known to the coaches until the participants are already on the bus on their way to an away game and it’s too late to make roster additions.

4. The current rule makes it difficult for coaches to plan since if at any time during the season the high school players drop to nine or less due to illness, injury, etc, any and all eighth graders could play in order to salvage the varsity team.

Pros:

1. The higher number would allow coaches two more participants per game day which may make the difference in playing four quarters versus only two quarters at the junior varsity level. The additional playing time would be beneficial to those players.

2. With the cost of travel for both school districts and parents, it makes financial sense to allow the junior varsity athletes the most playing time available and make the trips to other schools more worthwhile.

3. Because of limited number of participants at some schools, it is sometimes difficult to schedule a full 20 game junior varsity schedule. Allowing 16 participants to suit up on a game date may allow the junior varsity teams to play four quarters versus two quarters on game days when there is a junior varsity game.

Continued pros for MS/HS Amendment #9:

4. Additional participants could actually increase playing time for each participant since there would be more quarters available at the junior varsity level.

Proposed by Wilbur-Creston High School, Northport High School, Selkirk High School, Cusick High School and Odessa-Harrington High school.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #10-1

19.13.1 Judgment calls by a contest official may NOT be appealed unless either 1) the wrong student athlete is ejected from the contest, or 2) there is a discrepancy in the official’s written conduct report and what actually occurred in the chain of events leading to the ejection. In these cases the athletic administrator will contact the WIAA staff person responsible for that sport and request a review of the ejection. The review may include, but not be limited to, the officials conduct report, a written summary and request by the athletic administrator, film of the incident provided by the athletic administrator and discussions with pertinent WIAA, WOA and school officials. After a review of the ejection, a WIAA staff member will communicate to the athletic administrator what action, if any, is to be taken. Ejections resulting from a misinterpretation or misapplication on the part of the ejecting contest official(s) may also be appealed. Pictures, video and/or replay recording devices may not be used to determine whether an ejection was due to judgment, misinterpretation or misapplication on the part of the ejecting contest official(s).

19.13.2 Verbal notification of the intent to appeal shall be conveyed to the WIAA upon receipt of the official’s conduct report given to the contest official by the coach of the ejected person prior to the "next live ball” or resumption of play. The verbal notification shall be based on an identified misapplication or misinterpretation of a specific rule.

Rationale for MS/HS Amendment #10-1: There currently is no formal process in place to insure that a student athlete who is unjustly ejected from a contest has an opportunity to have that ejection reviewed. There is no desire to open a can of worms here, but there are cases that warrant a second review. If the wrong individual is ejected or if the “ejectable” offense cited in the conduct report did not actually take place, telling our student athletes they are guilty because it was a judgment call doesn’t create a palatable learning experience. We are in the business of teaching our kids to be accountable for their actions. We shouldn’t hold them accountable for the mistakes of others.

Proposed by Skyview High School, Columbia River High School, Prairie High School, Mountain View High School and Camas High School.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #10-2

19.13.1 Judgment calls by a contest official may NOT be appealed. Ejections resulting from a misinterpretation or misapplication on the part of the ejecting contest official(s) may be appealed. To insure due process, all ejections may be appealed. Only Pictures, video and/or replay recording devices which are official school property and operated by a designee of either school may not be used to determine whether an ejection was due to judgment, misinterpretation or misapplication on the part of the ejecting contest official(s) warranted.

19.13.2 Verbal notification of the intent to appeal shall be given to the contest official by the coach of the ejected person prior to the "next live ball” or resumption of play or to the official’s association/board from the principal/designee within one (1) school business day after receiving the official’s conduct report. The verbal notification shall be based on an identified misapplication or misinterpretation of a specific rule.

19.13.3 An appeal may be heard by the principal/designee of the ejected person. Providing the principal/designee finds a misapplication or misinterpretation of the rule, the principal/designee may stay the suspension, but may not vacate the ejection. The principal/designee must contact the WIAA office, the school’s member district and the school’s member league with their intent to appeal the ejection within one (1) business day after receiving the official’s conduct report to verify the misapplication or misinterpretation of the rule prior to contacting the league.

19.13.4 The principal or designee will report his/her decision and rationale to the league of the school's membership for review within one (1) school business day after the conclusion of the contest in which the ejection occurred.

19.13.5 The hearing procedures, as outlined in 28.0.0, shall be followed. The league shall review the ejection in a timely manner and either affirm the decision of the principal/designee with the understanding that the one (1) contest suspension shall not be assessed or overrule the decision of the principal/designee, whereby the ejected person shall be required to serve the one (1) contest suspension. The suspension will be stayed until the final league decision is rendered. Any league action shall be in writing and specify the reasons for the league decision. This action requires final approval from the member school’s district. Failure of a school for any reason to enforce the regulation and/or decision of the league will be considered a school violation.

19.13.6 For tournaments, qualifying and/or state events any appeal will be heard by the games committee, providing the appeal was approved by the school principal/designee. A decision will be given no later than two (2) hours before the next event in which the ejected person might participate.

19.13.7 Providing the games committee finds misapplication or misinterpretation of a rule, the penalty may be vacated.

19.13.8 Failure of the school to enforce the regulation or decision will result in the disqualification from and forfeiture of all remaining contests of that event. Due process procedures of the WIAA Handbook and Rule Violations and Penalties will apply to any further action.

19.13.9 The severity of the penalty for the second ejection or for aggressive physical contact may be appealed to the WIAA Executive Director upon presentation of rationale and written documentation signed by the WIAA member school principal or superintendent desiring and supporting penalty modification within two (2) school business days after the conclusion of the contest in which the ejection occurred.

Pros:

1. Provides due process.

2. Allows for the review of an outcome which may be the result of emotion rather than the logical application of a rule.

3. Provides schools with the opportunity to remove an unwarranted ejection from their record.

4. Provides a review process of ejections that may actually reduce the number of ejections.

5. Removes the confusion surrounding the misapplication of a rule versus a judgment call.

Cons:

1. In closely spaced contests an ejected participant may need to serve their suspension before there is an opportunity to review the ejections.

2. Would require leagues to respond quickly with a review committee if a principal wishes to appeal an ejection.

3. May increase risk in some sports if officials become hesitant to eject participants who are playing in an unsafe manner.

Proposed by Colville High School, Medical Lake High School, West Valley High School (Spokane), Columbia High School, and Newport High School.

HS AMENDMENT #11

23.3.1.2 Head Coach - High School - Annually or bi-annually attend complete a WIAA approved rules clinic for the sport being coached, or pass the WIAA approved sports rules test required of officials for the sport being coached prior to the end of the third week of the sports season.

a. Head coaches are required to annually complete the online rules clinic in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance/drill, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, track and field, and wrestling.

b. Head coaches are required to complete the online rules clinic in gymnastics and tennis in their first year of coaching and every other year in subsequent years of coaching.

c. DEFINITION OF A HEAD COACH - A head coach is that person in charge of the highest level team for that building (e.g.), the person responsible for the highest level (varsity) team in a building that houses grades 10-12 is the head coach; the person who is responsible for the highest level team in a building that houses grades 7-9 is the head coach.

Rationale for HS Amendment #11: There are few rules changes in the sports of cross country, golf, gymnastics and tennis. With few rule changes, completing the online rules clinic every other year would still provide head coaches with an adequate knowledge of the rules for that sport. School districts could still require its coaches to annually complete these online rules clinics.

Proposed by the WIAA Executive Board.

MS/HS AMENDMENT #12

27.6.0 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION - Violations of the rules of this Association shall render the offending school liable to a penalty by the action of the school, league, WIAA District or the WIAA Executive Board.

27.6.1 Probation - The school is placed on probation for a specified time by the league, WIAA District or WIAA Executive Board. An official letter shall be sent to the concerned school warning against further actions that are contrary to the aims and philosophy of the league, WIAA District or WIAA. During the probationary period, a school may participate in all interscholastic activities unless stipulated otherwise by the league or WIAA.

27.6.2 Restriction - As a condition of probationary status, the league, WIAA District, or WIAA Executive Board may take action that would restrict participation in league, WIAA District or state level activities. The restriction may be applied to an individual athlete or coach, team, group or school.

Authority to impose one or more of the following restrictions is vested in the entity as indicated: