Update from the OHSAA

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association held its regularly scheduled August Board of Directors meeting last Thursday in Columbus. The following are highlights of action taken by the Board. Complete minutes will be posted at ohsaa.org later in August.

•  The cross country representation and divisional breakdown for this fall was revised after the OHSAA discovered an error in the original calculations. In addition, district assignments to regionals were approved. That information will be posted soon on the cross country page on the OHSAA web site.


• The volleyball regional and state tournament draws were held. The draws, along with regional sites and regional and state tournament managers, will be posted at ohsaa.org.


• The boys and girls soccer regional tournament draw was held. Of note, in soccer, all regional game sites are listed as TBA so that the OHSAA may have flexibility in determining the best location possible for the qualifying teams. State tournament pairings are predetermined, with semifinal sites TBA.


• The Board denied two proposals from the Ice Hockey Coaches Association. The proposals were to 1.) extend the length of periods to 17 minutes from 15 minutes, and 2.) increase the state finals weekend from four teams to eight teams.


•  Heartland Christian School in Columbiana was granted OHSAA membership after completing the necessary requirements and serving a probationary period.


• The Board heard from the OHSAA staff regarding a new requirement placed upon coaches who are ejected from a contest. Previously, ejected coaches were required to take the “Fundamentals of Coaching” course, but that course has become a requirement for all coaches. Now, an ejected coach must take the “Teaching and Modeling Behavior” course offered by the NFHS per Rule 11.2 of the General Sports Regulations.


• As it did earlier this year for the 2009 golf season, the Board discussed and approved earlier dates that golf practice and competition may begin for the next several years. In 2010, golf practice may begin Aug. 2 and competition may begin Aug. 9. In 2011, golf practice may begin Aug. 1 and competition may begin Aug. 8. In 2012, golf practice may begin July 30 and competition may begin Aug. 6.


• The Board adopted a revised lightning policy in which the language was strengthened to make it clear that the wait period following the last lightning sighting must be 30 minutes.


• Divisional breakdowns and representation were approved for 2010 and 2011 in the OHSAA spring sports (baseball, softball, track & field and boys tennis). Of note, fall sports were approved in May and winter sports were approved in June.


• The Board heard from the OHSAA staff regarding heat precautions that were sent to each school.


• The New Administrator’s Workshop Aug. 4 was reviewed and it was confirmed that the workshop is an extremely valuable resource opportunity for new administrators. Of note, many veteran administrators also attend the workshop.