NCHSTCA Summer Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
NCTA Office, Greensboro
President Andrew Tuttle called the meeting to order with the following individuals also present:
Donald Clark – Vice President
Lee Matthews – Secretary
Ken Hazen – Vice President Emeritus
Steve Rochkind – 4A Representative
Pam Beecher – 3A Representative
Tim Medlin – 2A Representative
Robert Hogewood - NCTA
Vic Ramsey, Treasurer, and Jon Huffman, Technologist, joined the meeting by Zoom.
President Tuttle noted that Nick Theuner, 1A Representative, has resigned. Daniel Baines of Rosewood, Heather Brooks of Chatham Central, and Kelly Eldridge of Chatham Charter were discussed as replacements. On the motion of Tim Medlin (second by Steve Rochkind) the board approached Heather Brooks. She accepted, and an email vote of the coaches is forthcoming.
The board discussed the shortened and rescheduled “COVID 2020-21 boys’ and girls’ seasons. It was noted that there appeared to be fewer COVID problems during the girls’ season. Some of the same old problems were experienced. There was confusion about old and new lineup sheets, as well as teams not using the sheets since there was no dual team playoff. Coaches also noted problems with poor sportsmanship during USTA matches. This evolved into a discussion of the role of cheering as it relates to sportsmanship. Coaches noted the atmosphere at college matches with teammates cheering for each other in key matches. We agreed that we as coaches promote good sportsmanship, and cheering did not necessarily constitute poor sportsmanship.
The playoffs and team scoring were discussed. President Tuttle noted that our board did present a proposal to hold both duals and individuals held in tennis. That proposal was rejected so that tennis was not treated differently, as well as problems created by the overlap of the girls and boys’ seasons.
The team scoring used at the regionals and state championships was discussed at length. It was acknowledged that the scoring was useful for recognizing champions in an “unusual” year, Treasurer Ramsey noted it was not a valid test of team strength. There were also many championship ties because of the lack of a tie-breaking procedure. 2A Representative Medlin recommended ending the team scoring at the regional level. The board approved a recommendation on the motion of Donald Clark (second by Lee Matthews) to do away with the individual team championship at the regional and state level.
The “Everybody Plays” proposal presented by Vic Ramsey was presented to the athletic directors for vote, but only as a “bare” question without any background information or any “back story.” The proposal was rejected.
Seeding of the dual team playoffs was discussed at length. The NCHSAA plans to use an RPI system to fill the dual team brackets for all slots except the conference champions. The number of automatic qualifiers is yet to be determined due to the realignment changing the number of conferences.
The seeding discussion opened up the need to clarify the concept of forfeits during the season. It was noted that some coaches were taking forfeit wins when the opponent school had not fielded a team that season. It was the opinion of the board that forfeits should be awarded when a team folds during the season to equalize records across the respective conference. The board plans to recommend to the NCHSAA that the language in the handbook reflects the procedure for teams that fold during the season versus those that don’t field a team. The board will also suggest that the handbook address the number of players needed to field a team.
Robert Hogewood reported on plans for the upcoming coaches’ clinic. He stated that there would be no vendors present this year. The tennis session would have the morning sessions on the courts as usual, but there would be no afternoon session. The rules session would be conducted online.
The meeting was then adjourned.
NCHSTCA Meeting Minutes, June, 2021
NCHSTCA Summer Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
NCTA Office, Greensboro
President Andrew Tuttle called the meeting to order with the following individuals also present:
Donald Clark – Vice President
Lee Matthews – Secretary
Ken Hazen – Vice President Emeritus
Steve Rochkind – 4A Representative
Pam Beecher – 3A Representative
Tim Medlin – 2A Representative
Robert Hogewood - NCTA
Vic Ramsey, Treasurer, and Jon Huffman, Technologist, joined the meeting by Zoom.
President Tuttle noted that Nick Theuner, 1A Representative, has resigned. Daniel Baines of Rosewood, Heather Brooks of Chatham Central, and Kelly Eldridge of Chatham Charter were discussed as replacements. On the motion of Tim Medlin (second by Steve Rochkind) the board approached Heather Brooks. She accepted, and an email vote of the coaches is forthcoming.
The board discussed the shortened and rescheduled “COVID 2020-21 boys’ and girls’ seasons. It was noted that there appeared to be fewer COVID problems during the girls’ season. Some of the same old problems were experienced. There was confusion about old and new lineup sheets, as well as teams not using the sheets since there was no dual team playoff. Coaches also noted problems with cheering and sportsmanship during matches.
The playoffs and team scoring were discussed. President Tuttle noted that our board did present a proposal to hold both duals and individuals held in tennis. That proposal was rejected so that tennis was not treated differently, as well as problems created by the overlap of the girls and boys’ seasons.
The team scoring used at the regionals and state championships was discussed at length. It was acknowledged that the scoring was useful for recognizing champions in an “unusual” year, Treasurer Ramsey noted it was not a valid test of team strength. There were also many championship ties because of the lack of a tie-breaking procedure. 2A Representative Medlin recommended ending the team scoring at the regional level. The board approved a recommendation on the motion of Donald Clark (second by Lee Matthews) to do away with the individual team championship at the regional and state level.
The “Everybody Plays” proposal presented by Vic Ramsey was presented to the athletic directors for vote, but only as a “bare” question without any background information or any “back story.” The proposal was rejected.
Seeding of the dual team playoffs was discussed at length. The NCHSAA plans to use an RPI system to fill the dual team brackets for all slots except the conference champions. The number of automatic qualifiers is yet to be determined due to the realignment changing the number of conferences.
The seeding discussion opened up the need to clarify the concept of forfeits during the season. It was noted that some coaches were taking forfeit wins when the opponent school had not fielded a team that season. It was the opinion of the board that forfeits should be awarded when a team folds during the season to equalize records across the respective conference. The board plans to recommend to the NCHSAA that the language in the handbook reflects the procedure for teams that fold during the season versus those that don’t field a team. The board will also suggest that the handbook address the number of players needed to field a team.
Robert Hogewood reported on plans for the upcoming coaches’ clinic. He stated that there would be no vendors present this year. The tennis session would have the morning sessions on the courts as usual, but there would be no afternoon session. The rules session would be conducted online.
The meeting was then adjourned.