NCHSTCA Meeting Minutes, June 2018
NC Tennis Coaches Board of Directors
Summer Meeting – June 15, 2018
The meeting was called to order with the following members present:
Donald Clark – President
Andrew Tuttle – Vice President
Ken Hazen – Vice President Emeritus
Lee Matthews – Secretary
Jon Huffman – Technologist
Nick Theuner – 1A Representative
Wayne Knight – 2A Representative
Also present were
Jonathan Medford of Whiteville High School
Tra Waters – NCHSAA
Minutes from the winter meeting were unavailable. President Clark presented the treasurer’s report for Rom Teague. The beginning balance was $1129.63. The only activity was a deposit of donations from the Greene Central Super Scrimmage in the amount of $33.00. The ending balance was $1162.63.
President’s Report
Coach Clark remarked that the association had accomplished quite a bit during the year. The mandatory rules clinic was well received and well attended, including the satellite clinics. The rule allowing assistant coaches was also instituted for both the women’s and men’s seasons. He stated that stacking continues to be the one problem or complaint from coaches around the state.
The coaches voiced positive comments about the rules clinic and the assistant coach rule. It was suggested that certification requirements for assistants be included in the rules clinic slide presentation. It was also suggested that slides be specifically added regarding the stacking rule with examples of what stacking looks like. Coach Hazen also suggested the use of a uniform line-up sheet during the regular season similar to the one used for the dual team playoffs.
Business Items
Tra Waters gave an update from the NC High School Athletic Association. He reported that things had gone well this year, but admitted the rain was a “bear” this spring. Tra stated there was one issue of a player failing to show up for the regional semifinals on Saturday, and that resulted in a 15 player draw at the state championship. He also stated they handled a couple of stacking issues during the year. Tra stated as his duties as assistant commissioner increase there will be a transition to Caitlin McMannen as director in charge of tennis.
There was a discussion concerning the placement of two additional players on the regional draw. These additional players would be placed on lines eight and nine of the draw sheet. The motion by Andrew Tuttle reads, “At the regionals, the top two players by vote of the coaches will be seeded on lines one and sixteen of the draw. The next four players by vote of the coaches will be placed with number three and four on lines five and twelve, and numbers five and six on lines eight and nine. Team mates will be kept in opposite halves of the draw based on the regional seeding procedures.” The motion was seconded by Nick Theuner and carried unanimously.
In a discussion of the rules clinic, Tra stated that there would be an online option for coaches that could not attend the clinic in Greensboro. There is also the possibility of three satellite clinics, one each in the east, west, and central regions of the state. Tra stated that he would include the requested slides on assistant coaches and stacking in the rules presentation.
Coaches mentioned the problem of having to have their coaching ID made at the coliseum to get into the tennis clinic. The schedule of the tennis sessions at UNC-G was discussed. The possibility of going from 9AM to 1PM was discussed as a solution to coaches leaving early. The NCTA staff is still working on the final schedule and logistics of the clinic.
Nick Theuner addressed concerns about regional allocations for the small conferences in the 1A classification. For example, Voyager and Franklin Academy were the only two teams in their seven-team conference to field a boys’ team. Because of these numbers, a very good doubles team didn’t make the regional. Tra mentioned that this is a problem in the 1A classification. A possibility is to merge several small conferences like what is done in wrestling.
Coach Theuner brought up a proposal to expand the 1A dual team playoffs to 32 teams eliminating the first-round byes. This proposal would help grow the sport by allowing more young people to participate in the playoffs. He listed teams that could have been added to this year’s playoffs. Tra stated that with tennis having two championships, dual and individual, that the number of teams would remain the same. He also mentioned that 1A had the highest percentage of schools making the playoffs based on those fielding teams.
Tra gave an update on charter and/or private schools participating in the NCHSAA. A study of these schools showed no evidence of recruiting. Only three or four charter schools in 1A are winning most of the championships. Tra said that the association may need to look at limiting the size of the boundaries allowed to charter and/or private schools. Tra also stated that the charter schools are member schools and cannot be treated differently; however, if their numbers become large enough, they may wish to have their own separate championships.
In discussing stacking, Tra noted that the Association doesn’t require coaches to put their rosters in Max Preps. He did say it would be possible to create a regular season line-up sheet like the one used for dual team. Discussion included notifying opposing coaches of any line-up change, resting players in certain matches, and allowing for a coach’s intuition in managing matches and line-ups. The following motion by Andrew Tuttle, seconded by Nick Theuner, and carried unanimously will be added to the handbook. “Players are only allowed to move one spot up or down in the singles line-up from their position in the previous match. Players may move up more than one position if players are unavailable.”
Kelly Gaines and her staff from NCTA (Teresa Boylan, Andrew Waldrop, Robert Hogewood, Kevin Sierra) joined us for a working lunch. Topics for discussion included the summer clinic, scholarships, the Winston-Salem Open and the winter tennis weekend at Pinehurst.
*The clinic schedule is being finalized. Craig Jones will do the on-court sessions, Andrew will discuss the Tennis Foundation, and Robert will address team aspects of tennis.
*Andrew discussed college scholarships through the Foundation. The high school team grants, five at $1000 each, close August 1st.
*The Winston-Salem Open needs ball persons as well as operations staff. Robert encouraged high schools to come as a team. The high school play day and coaches’ workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 21st.
*Kevin spoke about the “Try Tennis” initiative, and Teresa discussed changes in tournament tennis.
*Kelly stated the need for nominees for NCTA awards between now and August 31st. The dates for Pinehurst are January 24 – 27.
After lunch Coach Clark notified the Board of the resignations of Annette Keip as 4A representative and Rich Dowler as 3A representative. Annette is moving to Texas. Her replacement, Cindy Lee, has expressed interest in filling Annette’s position. The Board asked Donald to communicate with her to thank her, but to also say that the board needed to see if there were other coaches interested in the position, before deciding on a replacement. The Board compiled a list of possible replacements for Rich Dowler.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Matthews, Secretary