MIAA Committee Highlights: September 18-23, 2024

The following are highlights from MIAA Committee meetings that took place from September 18-23, 2024. These highlights are not intended as a substitute for official meeting minutes, which will be posted if approved by the respective commitments at a future date.

Swim and Diving Committee – Monday, September 23, 2024

Election of officers

• Chair - Brad Bustin
• Vice-Chair - TJ Flanagan
• Sec - Mike Foley

Minutes of Dec. 12, 2023 & March 6, 2024 were approved

Format(s) – Update

• Richard Pearson and Tournament Directors spoke to formats as published and approved
• All information will continue to be updated on the website
• Schools need to be attentive to abbreviations used in Hy-Tek for registration; will be reminded

NFHS Rule Changes – update

• Peter Foley went over NFHS rule changes, mentioned watch wearing clarification The committee discussed uniform waivers and approval letters that can be sent out; AD’s to request of MIAA liaison

Hybrid Sports Discussion; State Tournament

A Subcommittee will meet again on Weds. Oct. 23 – 10:00 AM virtually

Rule Change Proposals – Action – Rules 1-17 & 26

• Committee members voted on proposals

Football Committee - Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Election of Officers

• Chair – Jay Costa
• Vice Chair – Don Heres
• Secretary – David Pignone

2024 Football Tournament

• New tournament director is expected to be appointed by the end of next week
• State finals at Gillette Stadium are being planned for Dec. 4, 5 & 6 same times as last year
  • Times: 12/4, two games, 5:30 & 8:00
  • 12/5, three games, 3:00, 5:30 & 8:00
  • 12/6, three games, 3:00, 5:30 & 8:00
• Brad Bustin will lead the south non-playoff planning, other regions same as last year
• Next year there will be another 1A week during the qualifying period; nine weeks to play only 8 games

2025 Playoff Proposal

• Jay Costa will present the playoff proposal to the TMC on Sept. 25

Officials’ topic

• Football rules videos have been posted on MIAA Football page
• Posted video about overtime clarifies A-B-A possession nuance in overtime

Rule Change Proposals

• The committee voted on the 2025-27 Rule Change Proposals

Soccer Committee – Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Election of Officers

• Danny Erickson, Athletic Director at Canton was voted as the Chair of the committee
• Karen Guilmette, Athletic Director at Monomoy will serve as Vice Chair.

2024 Soccer Tournament

• The State Finals will take place on the weekend of November 22nd and 23rd - The site will be formally announced very soon. The rules and expectations for Live Streaming for the tournament games needs to be announced, especially for games in the rounds of 16, 8, and finals.

Infraction reporting

• An email will be going out to Athletic Directors reminding them of a timely reporting of infractions. Schools and Athletic Directors are also reminded that we are a self-policing Association and tallying yellow cards and red cards is the responsibility of the schools. Also in this email will be a reminder regarding shin guards; these guards should be beneath the sock, size appropriate, and are mandatory for safety purposes. Common sense regarding the label and symbol on the shin guards should prevail when enforcing this rule.

Rule Change Proposals

• The committee voted on the 2025-27 Rule Change Proposals

Golf Committee – Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Election of Officers

• Chair: Michael Fitzpatrick (retiring at the end of the year)
• Vice Chair: Peter Jones
• Secretary: Tom O’Brien

Fall Tournament Updates

• All tournament directors have secured courses for the Fall tournament.
• Golf Genius will be the live scoring platform for all MIAA tournaments.

New Englands Format Update

• NEW- Girls will play on Sunday, boys on Monday, with a yearly rotation.

Other Actions

• Approved the Spring 2025 Golf Format
• Reviewed the 2025-27 Fall Golf Proposed Alignments. Reminded members of the October 1st deadline and where to find the appeal form.
• Showed members where to access the golf page and Tournament Central.
• Discussed a maximum score policy—more data will be reviewed after the Fall season.
• Discussed requiring all golfers to have a USGA Handicap (GHIN) which is free for students; further discussions with leagues are required.
• Reviewed and voted on rule change proposals.