Message From the Executive Director …

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ON-LINE NEWSLETTER - The primary rationale behind the decision to establish this regular column was an effort to provide information to our member schools, and clear up many instances of misinformation that exist among not only our membership, but also within the general public.  In an effort to take communication with our schools and the general public to another level, the Athletic Union will begin a monthly online newsletter in December.  Anyone will be able to enter their email address on our web site to sign up to have this newsletter delivered directly to their desktop.  The sign-up button will appear on the web site in the next couple of weeks as we begin to build our database.  With our web site receiving over one million hits this month (so far) there is no telling how big this database may become, but the newsletter does create an opportunity to better communicate with our member schools, coaches, and the general public.

ATTIRE AT TOURNAMENT GAMES – In this era in which we have to be so careful of who enters our school facilities, we’ve been asked to address masks – in particular Halloween masks as volleyball tournament games will fall over Halloween night in many communities.  As a rule, no individual shall be allowed to wear a mask or any other headgear designed to restrict or limit the identification of the individual.  Face painting is certainly legal, and does not restrict the identification of an individual in the way a mask does.  And, of course, some schools have a mascot which accompanies the cheerleaders.  As long as the mascot is serving in the role of a cheerleader, and is an official member of the school travel party, this rule does not attempt to limit masks or headgear worn by mascots.

RULE MEETINGS – Basketball rule meetings begin within the next two weeks.  Don’t forget the head coach is now REQUIRED to attend a rule meeting or will not be allowed to participate in the tournament series.

COACHING CONTACT – With the end of the volleyball season occurring for 75% of our schools before the end of October, a review of the out-of-season contact rules is appropriate.  There is a manual with interpretations and guidelines on our web site.  If you have questions, of course you can contact the Athletic Union, or talk to your school’s Athletic Director.

There is one fundamental everyone must understand.  When the volleyball season is over (Nov. 11 at the end of the state tournament), school coaches, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER COACHES, may not coach, supervise or transport their school’s students in any non-school practice or competition until the end of the school year.  Meaning, when it comes to USAVB, AAU or other non-school teams, school coaches must not be involved.  A violation of this rule (the rule is actually a part of the Iowa Administrative Code) causes a school to lose its ability to field an interscholastic team for one year, unless the violating coach is terminated and removed from involvement with the school team.

Of course, this rule applies to all sports, not just volleyball, so make sure all coaches understand that in the off-season, instruction, supervision and transportation of students is illegal.

SOFTBALL - There has been a great deal of discussion about potential changes related to softball.  The decision has already been made to move from 50 to 40 games effective in 2008.  The Softball Coaches’ Advisory Committee met earlier this month, and the Board of Directors will consider two of its recommendations in November.  The first recommendation is to limit individual participation to a maximum of 65 games during the season, combined among all levels.  This recommendation considered the needs of a student participating in all 40 varsity games, and also playing in 25 non-varsity games. 

The second recommendation indicates support for a previous proposal that would move the start of the season forward one week, with practice beginning the Monday prior to regional track meets, and the first game date the Monday immediately after the state track meet.  The end of the season would move forward two weeks, with the state tournament being held the week prior to the state baseball tournament.  In reality, only the tournament series would move forward two weeks.  The end of the regular season would move forward one week, but the tournament series would be compressed one week to account for the additional time.  The fact the district and regional tournaments are still designed for the old days of runners-up advancing from district play, and the fact some teams have nine days from their last regional game to their first state tournament game gives many extra nights with which the tournament series can be tightened.  This recommendation will be considered during the November meeting of the Board of Directors as well.

Both recommendations, if approved, would become effective in 2008, along with the change from 50 to 40 games.

BOYS ON GIRLS TEAMS – The Athletic Union has a policy prohibiting boys on girls’ teams.  The question of boys being allowed to participate on girls’ teams has been around since the passage of Title IX in the early 1970s.  This legislation, in essence, forced the elimination of gender discrimination in educational institutions which receive federal funding.  A very visible impact of Title IX was the implementation of sports teams for girls and women at our high schools and universities where those teams did not previously exist.

The Office of Civil Rights and the United States Department of Education have held enforcement responsibilities for Title IX.  Decisions made at that level, and subsequently by district and federal courts, and even the United States Supreme Court, have determined that allowing males on female teams compromises the intent of Title IX as it relates to athletics.

Those decisions have held that allowing males to participate on female teams will adversely impact a gender (females) that has historically been underrepresented in the athletic arena.  The reasoning is that, in general, males have a potential to dominate female teams.  This would result in diminished female participation opportunities.  To the contrary, the courts have found that females participating on male teams do not tend to similarly dominate those teams, and would not reduce male participation opportunities. 

In addition, many schools. both inside of Iowa and nationally, have cut policies.  There are only a certain number of spots available on any team and it must be recognized that one boy earning a spot on a girls’ team diminishes participation opportunities for girls, which is also contrary to the intent of Title IX.

This isn’t about allowing one boy to play on a team.  Without such a policy, any (all) boys would be eligible to play on girls’ teams.  In theory, without such a policy, 30 boys may play junior high girls volleyball.  In theory, without such a policy, a team of six girls may one day face a team of six boys in a girls’ event.  It should be noted, that rules prohibiting boys on girls’ teams are common throughout the United States.

Girls should walk proud and tall knowing that their sport, whether it be volleyball, basketball, soccer or anything else is just as important, just as beneficial and just as credible as any sport in which boys participate.  Female sports and students who participate in those sports, particularly in Iowa, are second to no one.  It is our objective to ensure female students have limitless opportunities to participate and thrive in interscholastic sports.  It is also our objective to ensure we do nothing to reduce or hinder those opportunities. 

The next five weeks are the busiest of the year.  Champions are decided in three sports in which over 23,000 students participate.  By the end of the state volleyball tournament in less than one month, winter sports of basketball and bowling will be underway.  Good luck to everyone during the tournament trail, and here’s hoping the weather cooperates along the way.