Notes from the President
Volume I – February 2009
It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that I look forward to assuming my duties as president of the IATCCC. Please allow me to thank Dennis McNulty for his time and leadership as the outgoing president of our association. Let me also thank those members of the Sectional Council for justifying their faith in selecting me as president.
Let me begin by addressing your concerns toward Vice President Bill Duffy and myself. Some of you have sent e-mails regarding our lack of experience in the area of cross-country. Let me assure you that we shall give our best to personally provide for all aspects of the IATCCC. Bill and I will see to it that Cross Country as well as Track and Field will receive the respect and commitment it deserves. We welcome all comments and concerns in regards to making both sports better. Please do not be the naysayer who comments vehemently but never attends a council meeting. The only way changes are going to be made are with your involvement.
IHSAA CONCERNS
I had the opportunity to meet with Assistant Commissioner Phil Gardner on Monday, February 9, 2009. Mr. Gardner shared with me the possible fall implementation of a cross country sectional realignment. The IHSAA would like to align the cross country sectional teams to mirror the track and field sectional teams. The IHSAA has an Executive Committee meeting on March 27 to further discuss these changes.
Mr. Gardner and I spoke about alternating the boys and girls cross country start times for the state meet. He felt this was something that could happen right away without committee approval.
Mr. Gardner also addressed the possibility of advancing four teams to the state cross country meet instead of three. At this time that will not happen and would have to be introduced at the March 27 Executive Committee meeting. Mr. Gardner was more concerned about conducting a survey to see if the coaches would be interested in advancing five additional runners to the state meet from non-advancing teams. I will speak with Julie Alano and other council members about putting a survey together in regards to the plus 5 format.
Other minor concerns that we discussed were to ensure that team camps at the state meet were to be for coaches and athletes. It appears that parents and relatives were coming into the team camps causing unwanted distractions.
Finals of the Hoosier State Relays on March 21 will be scored; as it was discussed at the January Sectional Council meeting and passed by council vote. It was also suggested to double the relay scoring and to hand out team trophies. More information regarding this matter is on the HSR site.
I wish all of you a great season and please feel free to email me your concerns.
Kenneth Browner
IATCCC President