IHSAA changes semifinal foes for bye teams in 1st round of basketball sectionals
Associated Press
April 29, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS — Two bye teams no longer will play each other in the semifinals of a six-team boys or girls basketball sectional tournament.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association’s executive committee on Monday approved 15-1 a proposal by the state basketball coaches association to require the two teams with byes to face the first-round winners in the semifinals.

The change will go into effect with next season’s tournaments.

The committee also defeated 15-1 proposed changes to the five-, seven- and nine-team brackets and voted 16-0 against a proposal to move the sectional draw date a week earlier. It also voted unanimously to continue IHSAA sanction of gymnastics, even though fewer than 25 percent of the association’s member schools participate.

Due to the relatively few schools, however, the executive committee is required to review the status of gymnastics annually.

Among other actions at the committee’s monthly meeting, Wes-Del principal Phil Gardner was approved as a new IHSAA assistant commissioner, effective at the retirement of longtime associate commissioner Ray Craft at the end of June.

The IHSAA board of directors also had its annual meeting Monday and voted 15-1 to require newly hired athletic directors and activities directors starting this year to complete a specified organization and administration class before they may be retained for a second year.

The board also:

• Rejected a soccer coaches association proposal to allow teams an additional regular-season game if they choose not to compete in a controlled scrimmage or jamboree at the start of the season.

• Approved a rewording of rules to allow a basketball player to participate in up to five quarters in junior varsity and varsity games that are played on successive days.

• Approved a requirement for member schools to maintain at least one team in an IHSAA-sponsored sport for boys and for girls during each sports season.

• Defeated a proposal to prevent a multi-sport athlete suspended in one sport from participating in another sport until the suspension is served.

• Elected Merrillville athletic director Janis Qualizza board president and Manchester principal Nancy Alspaugh vice president for 2008-09.

• Named Fairfield principal Phil Hoskins executive committee chairman and Castle principal Phil DeLong vice chairman for 2008-09.