RIDGWAY, PA

The District 9 Committee held the March 13, 2002 meting at Aiello`s Café in Ridgway, PA.

The Following members were present: D.J. Bevevino, Roger Collins, Gary Elder, Tony Flint, Terry Hoover, Jeff Jovenitti, Jerry Linsenbigler, JimManners, Frank Palaggo, Larry Stiner, Aaron Straub, Susan Valentine, Tom Wagner, and Bob Wicker.

Chairman Hoover called the meeting to order at 9:40 AM.

A motion was made by D.J. Bevevino and seconded by Tony Flint to accept the minutes of the January 23, 2002 meeting. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Tony Flint and seconded by Larry Stiner to accept the treasurers` report. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Tony Flint and seconded by Jim Manners to authorize the payment of bills. The motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

A letter was received from Mr. David C. Brown, a PIAA approved basketball official, concerning a series of incidents that occurred at the Austin Area High School vs. Smethport Area High School basketball game. The game was played on February 8, 2002 at Austin Area High School.

A letter was received from Mr. James B. Evens, a PIAA approved basketball official, concerning an incident that occurred following a basketball game between Austin Area High School and Oswayo Valley High School. The game was played on February 14, 2002 at Austin Area High School.

Both incidents were discussed at length. A motion was made by Frank Palaggo and seconded by Jeff Jovenitti to conduct a hearing into both incidents on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 at 6:30 PM at Johnsonburg Area High School. The following people are requested to be present: the high school principals from Austin Area High School and Smethport Area High School and the officials who refereed the games on February 8^th and 14^th, 2002.

A motion was made by Roger Collins and seconded by Susan Valentine to grant athletic eligibility to Mariko Ikeuchi, a foreign exchange student, enrolled at Clearfield Area High School. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Gary Elder and seconded by Bob Wicker to approve the transfer of Amy M. Renud from Ridgway Area High School to Elk County Catholic High School. The motion carried.

A letter was received from Mr. Stanley Bem, the District 6 chairman, notifying District 9 that a hearing will be held with representatives from Johnstown Vo-Tech High School. The hearing concerns the District 6 School not honoring a contract with Punxsutawney Area High School.

A letter was received form Dr. Larry Henry, Superintendent at Karns City School District, asking the District 9 Basketball Committee to consider not playing triple header basketball games in future years.

A letter was received from McNees Wallace and Nurick , attorneys at law, dealing with options concerning corporate structure and reorganization of the PIAA. A copy of the letter was made available to committee members.

Mr. Bradley Cashman and Mrs. Melissa Mertz will represent the PIAA at the Annual District 9 Banquet.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

WRESTLING (TERRY HOOVER, CHAIRMAN)

The financial report for the team and individual wrestling tournaments were presented by Bob Tonkin.

The district committee discussed and will continue to discuss a number of situations and issues that occurred at the District 9 Individual Tournament. The issues included fan control, seating on the gym floor, security, abuse of the coaches and wrestlers passes, recognition of the Hall of Fame inductees, fans not paying to attend the event, etc.

Also, discussed was the disqualification of three wrestlers from the tournament.

A motion was made by D.J. Bevevino and seconded by Larry Stiner requesting the principals of Brookville Area High School, Redbank Valley High School, and Ridgway Area High School to provide in writing a summary of the steps their school district has taken to deal with the poor sportsmanship actions that led to the disqualification of their athlete. The motion carried with one abstention.

BASKETBALL (JIM MANNERS, CHAIRMAN)

The financial report and the final report of the 2001-2002 basketball tournament will be presented at the April meeting. Thus far there have been only three minor complaints throughout the tournament.

SWIMMING AND DIVING (LARRY STINER, CHAIRMAN)

Chairman Stiner presented the report of the District 6/9 Swimming and Diving Tournament. The tournament concluded with no problems and showed a small profit for District 9.

OLD BUSINESS:

Letters have been sent to District 9 schools inviting the head cheerleading coaches, athletic directors, and principals to a meeting to further consider District 9 cheerleading competition. The meetings will be held on April 4^th at 6:30 PM at Johnsonburg Area High School and on April 18^th at 6:30 PM at Brookville Area High School.

The finance committee met and considered a number of items including: selling programs and T-shirts at District 9 events, limiting the number of free meals to schools at the annual banquet, payment of committee members at district events, and an honorarium of $1,500.00 for serving as the District 9 chairman. The finance committee will meet on April 3, 2002 at 10:00AM at Aiello`s Café.

A motion was made by Larry Stiner and seconded by Jeff Jovenitti to enter an agreement with the Diamond Company to provide baseballs for the District 9 baseball tournament. The motion carried. Further information concerning the agreement will be sent to District 9 schools.

NEW BUSINESS:

A motion was made by Gary Elder and seconded by Tony Flint to provide each school in District 9 one free meal at the annual banquet. The motion carried. In past years, a number of schools reserved two meals and did not honor one or both of their reservations.

The winner of the 2001-2002 District 9 Sportsmanship award is Clarion Area High School. The PIAA Sportsmanship Banner and the $1,500.00 District 9 Scholarship will be present at the annual banquet. CONGRATULATIONS – CLARION AREA HIGH SCHOOL