Proposals to create a state judo tournament and revamp volleyball were among the items approved by the state's high school athletics directors during the final session of their annual conference yesterday in Lihue. [HIGH SCHOOLS]
HIADA approves judo tournament
By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThe proposals passed easily in the closing assembly of the Hawaii Interscholastic Athletics Directors Association's 42nd annual conference at the Kauai Marriott.
A measure to create a classified state football tournament did not survive the week, as it was rejected by a three-vote margin.
The 19 items passed by HIADA yesterday go before the Hawaii High School Athletic Association's executive board for final approval. The board is scheduled to meet June 19 in Hilo.
"There was very good dialogue and a lot of issues were addressed," said HHSAA Executive Director Keith Amemiya. "This conference is productive because it allows all the leagues to exchange ideas on a variety of topics."
The proposal to add judo to the 2003 spring sports schedule passed by a 63-0 vote. The new state tournament would bring the HHSAA's total to 21.
Changes to volleyball's state tournament format and scoring system were also approved.
The proposal to eliminate the pool play format used in state volleyball tournaments passed by a 32-16 vote. The tournaments would conform to the HHSAA's other 12-team tournaments (basketball, baseball, soccer and softball).
A recommendation to bring high school volleyball more in line with the college and international game also passed by a 62-4 margin.
The measure would implement rally scoring with matches becoming best-of-five. Games are a race to 25 for the first four games and 15 for the fifth. The measure also introduces the libero to state high school play and allows overhead passing and let serves.
Highlighting the list of recommendations rejected yesterday was the proposal for a two-tier football tournament.
The proposal to create a four-team Division II tournament to complement the existing eight-team tournament was rejected in committee by a 15-9 vote on Monday. But a request for a minority report allowed the measure to reach the floor of the general assembly yesterday. The proposal was then defeated 37-34 in a roll-call vote.
But a recommendation to create an HHSAA committee to study the feasibility of Division II tournaments passed by a 66-0 vote.
Also approved by HIADA was a measure to move the boys golf season from the spring to the fall and a recommendation to create an HHSAA committee to study pole vaulting safety.
Coaches recognized: Punahou swimming coach Jeff Meister and former Mililani baseball coach Glenn Nitta received the HIADA Outstanding Coaches Awards at the conference's banquet Monday night.
HIADA Outstanding Service Awards were presented to Kauai athletics director Charlene Quinones and Kaiser athletics director Bill von Arnswaldt. The HIADA Special Service Award went to Don Takaki, chairman of the board of Island Movers.