NEBRASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

COMMITTEE ON CLASSIFICATION

Minutes of June 19-20, 2006 Meeting

The Committee on Classification met on Monday, June 19, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. and reconvened on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. at the NSAA Office. Dr. Bob Reznicek, NSAA District II Board of Control Member, chaired the meeting. The mission of the committee was to explore how classifications are determined, football and wrestling issues, the number of Class A schools, possibility of schools “opting up”, the ratio of enrollment of schools within classes, how revenue is tied to classification, optimum number of classes, number of schools per class and procedures for possible change.

Committee members present were Dr. Brian Maher, Centennial; Dr. Dan Endorf, York; Dr. Bob Reznicek, Omaha Westside, Mike McMahon, Omaha Skutt; Steve Borer, Madison; Corey Fisher, Elgin; Max Kroger, Ord; Mark Armstrong, Kearney; Dr. Dallas Watkins, Dundy County; Dr. Greg Barnes, Bertrand; Merrell Nelsen, Crawford; Dan Brost, Mullen. Ex-officio members included NSAA Staff Dr. Jim Tenopir, Debra Velder, Jennifer Schwartz, Bud Dahlstrom and Dr. Jack Gilsdorf, Nebraska Department of Education Liaison.

Dr. Jim Tenopir addressed issues in regard to classification that precipitated the decision to form a classification committee. As an advisory committee, the group was informed that any proposals for change that came from this committee’s work would be required to go thought the NSAA legislative process.

The meeting was turned over to the Chairman, Dr. Bob Reznicek. Dr. Reznicek directed the committee through a review of current NSAA classifications in all activities mindful that final consideration should be what is best for the kids across the state as well as the NSAA.

Upon completion of the review of all activities, the committee identified the following areas of concern and resolution:

1. Consider 32 teams in Class A Cross Country as well as the numbers of schools classified in the other classes: The recommendation of the committee was to submit a proposal through the NSAA legislative district meetings that Cross Country classifications be established as follows: Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, the schools registered for Cross Country would be divided into four classes. The 32 largest schools registered for Cross Country would be placed in Class A, the next 40 in Class B and the next 48 schools registered for Cross Country in Class C, the remaining schools would be placed in Class D. All Classes would have 4 districts.

2. Eliminate districts in Class C1, C2, D2 and D2 football and qualify all playoff teams via the Wild Card System: The recommendation of the committee was to submit proposals through the NSAA legislative district meetings that would eliminate district qualifying for the state playoffs for Classes C1, C2, D1 and D2 with all teams qualifying by wildcard points. Bonus points would be eliminated in all classes. The NSAA staff would continue statewide scheduling in football for all classes. The Committee recommended three separate proposals to be prepared: one addressing the proposed changes for Class C1 and C2; one addressing the proposed changes for Class D1 and D2; and one addressing the elimination of bonus points. Implementation would be with the 2008-09 school year.

3. Consider 32 teams in Class A football: The recommendation of the committee was to submit a proposal through the NSAA legislative district meetings that, in all sports that are comprised of 6 classes (basketball, football, volleyball), the 32 largest schools registered would be placed in Class A, the next 40 in Class B, and the remaining schools would be divided evenly into Class C1, C2, D1 and D2. Implementation for football would be the 2008-09 school year and the 2007-08 school year for basketball and volleyball.

4. Consider classifying football with a boy-only enrollment count: The recommendation of the committee was to not change how football classification is currently done.

5. Consider a move to five districts in wrestling to possibly minimize state qualifiers with losing records and assure that Class D districts can use a standard 16-person bracket: The recommendation of the committee was to not change the current 4-district format.

6. Consider options to minimize the number of wrestling qualifiers without winning records in Class A: The recommendation of the committee after considerable discussion was no action.

7. Consider changing boys golf classifications from A, B, C1, C2 to A, B, C, D: The recommendation of the committee was to submit a proposal through the NSAA legislative district meetings that the four classes in boy’s golf be recognized as A, B, C, D.

8. Consider qualifying three individuals and two relays in Class C and D track, eliminating additional qualifiers: The recommendation of the committee was that this item was not within the scope of the classification committee.

9. Consider the impact of reducing the number of classifications in NSAA activities: Upon review of all activities, the recommendation of the committee was to put the Lincoln-Douglas Debate schools on notice that if participation numbers at the state contest do not show an increase, the NSAA Board of Control will address whether the state contest will continue. In addition, the committee recommended that a proposal be submitted through the NSAA legislative district meetings that in Play Production, the 32 largest schools registered for play production be placed in Class A, the next 48 registered schools in Class B, and the remaining schools divided evenly into Class C1, C2, D1 and D2.

In identifying specific areas for further consideration or study, the committee recommended that Music re-assess their classification layout within a district and that Music and Journalism address how their classifications are titled.

The committee also discussed concerns relative to the status of the multiplier and the time frame and obstacles in gathering enrollment figures from the Nebraska State Department of Education.

Committee members will be provided with proposals to be submitted through the NSAA Fall District Meetings.

With no further business, the committee stood adjourned.

Debra Velder, Associate Director