Athletic directors
to discuss issue of
classificationHIADA members are on Maui
this week to come up with a plan
To classify or not to classify, that's the $20,000 question this week as the Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association convenes for its 43rd annual conference at the Sheraton Maui Resort in Kaanapali.
Four proposals for state tournament classification promise to create the biggest news at the meeting.
One plan, which is being submitted by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (which organizes and runs all state tournaments), calls for a two-tiered state football tourney. In past years, similar proposals failed to generate enough support at HIADA meetings.
This year, the football proposal has the financial backing of HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya, who has offered to put up $20,000 to cover financial losses that critics of classification fear.
The HHSAA is also offering a plan to create two-tiered state basketball and volleyball tournaments, while the Oahu Interscholastic Association is pitching a plan to classify various sports.
In addition, Waimea High School athletic director Jim Kitamura is submitting a state classification proposal that encompasses all sports. It calls for four-tiered state tournaments in which public and private schools are separated and then divided into two divisions each.
The creation of a girls water polo state tournament is another topic on the three-day HIADA agenda.
The athletic directors are also planning to discuss:
>> Placing football officials from around the state in one organization that would fall under the jurisdiction of the HHSAA.>> Moving all future air riflery and judo state tournaments to Oahu.
>> Adding a shot clock for basketball.
>> Creating a rule that prohibits bands or audio systems from hindering football teams' ability to hear their signals.
>> Adding rally scoring and allowing a let serve in volleyball.
All proposals at the conference must first be approved by committees before being heard by the full HIADA body.
Measures making it out of HIADA move on to the HHSAA executive board for final approval June 25 at an Oahu site to be determined.
HHSAA