NEBRASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL

 

The Board of Control met January 18, 2008, at the Association Office, Lincoln, Nebraska, with members present as follows:

                                                            District I           --  Terry Kenealy, York

                                                            District II          --  Dr. Bob Reznicek, Omaha Westside

                                                            District III          --  Jay Bellar, Battle Creek

                                                            District IV         --  Max Kroger, Ord

                                                            District V          --  Dr. Dallas Watkins, Dundy County-Stratton

                                                            District VI         --  Kent Halley, Mitchell

 

Rick Moses, Nebraska Department of Education liaison; Ron Powell, Lincoln Journal Star; Dr. Peg Naylon, Omaha Public School; Dick Beechner, Kearney Visitors Bureau; Roger Jasnoch, Kearney Visitors Bureau; Rich Brodersen, University of Nebraska-Kearney; John McBride, University of Nebraska-Kearney; Kristi Unick, Kearney Visitors Bureau; Paul Younes, Kearney Holiday Inn & Convention Center; Karen Hand, Lincoln Public Schools; Jeff Maul, Lincoln Convention and Visitor Bureau; Stu Pospisil, Omaha World Herald; Renee Seifert, Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Orv Qualsett, Grand Island; Bryan Gallagher, Grand Island Sports Council; Tom Jeffers, Indianhead Golf Professional; Dennis Dolliver, Norfolk Public Schools; Lora Young, Norfolk/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Deb Loseke, Columbus/Platte County Convention and Visitors Bureau; KC Belitz, Columbus Chamber of Commerce; Al Niedbalski, Columbus; Doug Dunbar, Quail Run Professional; Brent McGrew, Quail Run Assistant Professional; Dr. Roni Huerta, Omaha South High School; Craig Brown, student, Omaha South High School; family members Alice Harlan and Pamela Harlan; Carlos Ruiz, student, Omaha South High School and Bruce Chubick II were also in attendance.

 

Chairman Dallas Watkins called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m.

 

1.     It was moved by Kent Halley, seconded by Jay Bellar, to approve the Consent Agenda.  Items in the Consent Agenda included approval of the following: the meeting agenda as amended; minutes of the December 7, 2007, regular meeting; revised minutes of the December 7, 2007, regular meeting; the December 10, 2007, special telephonic hearing; the December 2007 financial report; the new cooperative sponsorships for Douglas County West and Concordia High School for Girls Soccer and Softball; Norfolk, Norfolk Catholic, and Lutheran High Northeast High Schools for Girls Soccer; Rock County and Keya Paha for Boys Golf; and Northwest and Grand Island Central Catholic High Schools for Girls Soccer and Boys Tennis.  Motion Carried, 6-0.

2.     It was moved by Bob Reznicek, seconded by Terry Kenealy, to set the December 2010 Moratorium dates as December 22-26, 2010.  Motion Carried, 6-0.

3.     It was moved by Max Kroger, seconded by Kent Halley, to approve and certify the official 2007-08 enrollments for 2008-09 classifications.  Motion Carried, 6-0.

4.     The Board discussed the format and game times for the 2009 State Football Finals. It is anticipated that a final decision on dates for playoff games and game times for Finals will be made next month.

5.     Omaha South High School was represented by Dr. Roni Huerta, Athletic Director, Dr. Peg Naylon, Omaha Public Schools, student Craig Brown, mother Pamela Harlan, and grandmother Alice Harlan, to appeal the eight-semester hardship waiver ruling for Craig Brown that had been made by the Executive Director to grant a ninth semester of eligibility; the school and family had requested a tenth semester of eligibility, as well.  Following a presentation of evidence, those representing the school provided clarifying information and answers to Board members’ questions.  The hearing concluded with notification that the Board would take action on the appeal later in the meeting.

6.     Omaha South High School was represented by Dr. Roni Huerta, Athletic Director, Dr. Peg Naylon, Omaha Public Schools, student Carlos Ruiz, and Bruce Chubick II, Omaha South High School volunteer coach, to appeal the eight-semester hardship waiver ruling for Carlos Ruiz that had been made by the Executive Director to grant a ninth semester of eligibility; the school and family had requested a tenth semester of eligibility, as well.  Following a presentation of evidence, those representing the school provided clarifying information and answers to Board members’ questions.  The hearing concluded with notification that the Board would take action on the appeal later in the meeting.

7.     The Board heard presentations from Grand Island, Lincoln, Norfolk and Columbus to host the State Girls Golf Championships. 

8.     The Board heard a presentation from Kearney to host the State Cross Country Championships.

9.     It was moved by Jay Bellar, seconded by Bob Reznicek, to enter executive session at 11:50 a.m. for the purpose of discussing the two, eight-semester hardship waiver hearings.  Motion Carried, 6-0.  It was moved by, Terry Kenealy, seconded by Bob Reznicek to exit executive session at 12:35 p.m.  Motion Carried, 6-0.

10.  It was moved by Jay Bellar, seconded by Max Kroger, to enter executive session at 12:55 p.m. for the purpose of discussion on litigation.  Motion Carried, 6-0.  It was moved by Max Kroger, seconded by Jay Bellar, to exit executive session at 1:30 p.m.

11.  On a motion by Terry Kenealy, seconded by Jay Bellar, the Board adopted findings of fact to deny the Omaha South appeal for a tenth semester of eligibility for Craig Brown.  Motion Carried, 6-0.

12.  On a motion by Kent Halley, seconded by Max Kroger, the Board adopted findings of fact to deny the Omaha South appeal for a tenth semester of eligibility for Carlos Ruiz.  Motion Carried, 6-0.

13.  It was moved by Max Kroger, seconded by Kent Halley, to award the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 State Cross Country Championships to Kearney, pending mutually acceptable terms for hosting during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.  Motion Carried, 6-0.  If acceptable terms for hosting the 2010 and 2011 Championships cannot be negotiated, the bid award would be for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, with proposals being requested for the 2010 and 2011 seasons at a later date.

14.  It was moved by Max Kroger, seconded by Kent Halley, to award all three classes of the 2008 and 2009 Girls State Golf Championships to Grand Island.  Motion Failed, 3 For (I, IV, VI), 3 Against (II, III, V). The matter was tabled until later in the meeting so that cost comparisons of the proposals could be more fully developed.

15.  It was moved by Bob Reznicek, seconded by Jay Bellar, to select Don Briggs, Dennis “Buck” Edwards, Dwaine Gahan, Lavelle Hitzemann, Steve Johnsen, John Post and Bruce Vires as the 2008 Distinguished Service Award recipients.  Motion Carried, 6-0.  Those individuals will be honored at the 2008 NSAA Boys State Basketball Championships.

16.  It was moved by Bob Reznicek, seconded by Max Kroger, to select Douglas Scott Latter, Ron Mimick, Jim Morrison, Jim Strehle and Gene Wissenburg as the 2008 Outstanding Service Award recipients.  Motion Carried, 6-0.  Those individuals will be honored at the 2008 NSAA Boys State Basketball Championships.

17.  The Board discussed and reviewed actions taken on legislative proposals at the January NSAA District meetings.  The Legislative Commission will meet on February 13, 2008.

18.  Following additional discussion about the girls’ golf hosting proposals, it was moved by Bob Reznicek, seconded by Jay Bellar, to award the 2008 and 2009 Girls’ State Class A Golf Championships to Norfolk and the 2008 and 2009 Girls’ State Class B and C Golf Championships to Grand Island.  Motion Carried, 6-0.  After consulting with each community, NSAA will determine which courses will be used for each Championship.

19.  Dr. Tenopir reported on infractions by member schools that resulted in sanctions.  Verdigre High School self-reported a violation of the outside participation rule, the student received a one-game suspension; Freeman High School self-reported three students violated the outside participation rule, each student received a one-game suspension and Bloomfield High School self-reported a violation of the outside participation rule, the student received a one-game suspension.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

 

The next meeting of the Board of Control will be held in Lincoln on February 13, 2003.  The Legislative Commission will also meet that day.

 

 

__________________________

Debra Velder

Associate Director