Coach Roberts and I spoke prior to the June 2 meeting. Based on the feedback from the coaches ballots distributed at the state meet his initial proposal was as follows.
1. Qualify 16 athletes per event.
2. Add more time to the state meet in order to accommodate the extra athletes.
3. Form coaches association in order to have uniform rules & regulations per section.
Coach Roberts reports the following measure was proposed and agreed upon by the Track Committee at the meeting on Thursday. The vote went 10-1 all AAA and Private School sections were represented. As soon as Coach Roberts gets me the minutes of the meeting, I will make them available to all of you as well.
Private and A/AA schools remain unchanged.
AAA Boys and Girls will qualify top 4 from each section for the state meet.
AAA Girls running prelims will be Wednesday afternoon.
AAA Girls field events and running finals will be as usual on Thursday.
AAA Boys running prelims will Thursday during Girls Field.
AAA Boys field events and running finals will be as usual on Friday.
No decision as of yet on how heats will be seeded. Also, no word on prelims being required for 3200, 1600 or 4x800. I also assume that DEC/PEN would remain unchanged. This may end up being a Track Association issue.
This is not a done deal, we still have to go through the Legislative Council and then the Board of Controls. The Legislative Council meets sometime prior to June 15. Please find out who your representatives are and lobby for this measure to pass. Formation of the TN TnF/XC Coaches Association should also become a priority at this point. We need to gather as many emails and phone numbers of all coaches as possible. {FYI I am not employed by the school system, therefore I have no direct access to Principals or ADs. I am willing to help in any way possible, but officers in the TN TnF/XC Coaches Association should probably be employed by the school system.} Please throw your hat in the ring and become active assistants to the your sport.
Thanks to everyone for their help and support to getting us this far. A special thanks to Coach Roberts for his efforts and time. BTW Coach Roberts will be having back surgery on Monday(?) Your prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery are needed.