FHSAA Eligibility and Compliance Services Webinar Presentation Bylaw Article 8 Interscholastic Contests Bylaw Article 10 Compliance and Enforcement November 15, 2011 / 3 PM

Agenda Introduction(s) Review Procedures – Process for asking questions Review Purpose of Presentation Bylaw 8 (Interscholastic Contests) & Policy 7 Sanctioning Bylaw 10 Appeal Process Review Questions

Purpose Review Bylaw 8 as it relates to schools participating in FHSAA Sanctioned Contests (Corresponding Policy 7 Multi-School, Special and Sanctioned Athletic Events) Review Bylaw 10 as it relates to Due Process (The Section Appeals Process) – Objective: Enhance knowledge of process which benefits the athletic administrator, parent and students

Overview of Sanctioning Process

Schools which are members of the FHSAA Bylaw 8.3 Out-of-state schools which are members of an association that regulate athletics – Comparable to FHSAA Seasons Eligibility, etc. – Appeals process If school does not fit within above guidelines WHO CAN I PLAY?

SCHOOLS WITH WHICH CONTESTS MAY BE HELD Eligible Contestants. Member schools may only engage in interscholastic contests with the following: (c) Out-of-state schools which are members in good standing of associations which regulate interscholastic athletics for schools within their state. They must follow comparable eligibility guidelines and the season for the sport involved must run concurrently with that of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

8.3.1 Comparable Eligibility Rules: Age – does not exceed 19 years 9 months GPA – Academic standards comparable to those of the FHSAA, i.e. required gpa Limit of Eligibility – does not allow 5 th year players School team – must be a team representing a school in interscholastic contests

IS REQUIRED for any athletic event hosted by an FHSAA member senior high school which involves three or more schools such as a tournament or meet; preseason/fall classic tournament; preseason/fall jamboree; or any tournament or meet which is held to determine the champion of a city, county, conference or league. Special Events also require sanctioning. Approval is NOT REQUIRED for multi-team regular season events, such as tri-meets and quad-meets ; for any event in the recognized sports or for any event hosted by a member middle school or junior high school. POLICY 7 Policy Governing Approval of Multi-School Athletic Events

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY? The host member school is responsible for making application for approval on the forms entitled “Application for Approval of Athletic Event” Form AT2 & AT2s: Baseball, Basketball, Football Jamboree, Soccer, Softball, Girls Volleyball and Wrestling Form AT3 & AT3s: Cross Country, Football Classic, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field and Boys Weightlifting.

Does this event include one or more of the following? 1. Third party promoter or sponsor (Policy and 7.8) 2. Out-of-state team which not a member of their NFHS member state association or affiliate NFHS member association 3. International team participating If yes is checked for one or more of the above please submit a supplemental form in addition NEW FORMS - AT2S & AT3S

WHERE TO FIND THE FORMS? C2CSchools.com FHSAA Library C2CSchools.com FHSAA Library

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES An administrative fee shall be assessed each school making an application for approval in the sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football Jamboree, Soccer, Softball, Girls Volleyball, Wrestling The FHSAA will not receive any percentage of the gross receipts from these events, and it will not be necessary for host schools of these events to file a financial report form with the FHSAA Office. Football Classics - 20% of the gross receipts OR a flat fee as listed in Policy 9 ( Whichever is Less) Cross Country, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, Boys Weightlifting = 8% A complete financial report, with appropriate revenue shares, due within 30 days of the conclusion of the event.

LATE FEES Less than 30 days prior to the first day of the event: $50.00 Less than 10 days prior to the first day of the event: $ After the first day of the event: $ The application for approval must be received in the FHSAA Office not later than 30 Days prior to the first day of the event to avoid, in addition to the standard administrative fee, the following late processing fees:

INTERSTATE SANCTIONS: BORDERING STATE Alabama & Georgia Must submit each school’s contact information – A member of state association – Full School Name – Address

PARTICIPATION IN OUT-OF-STATE CONTEST Outside of Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. Submitted no later than 60 days of travel. Certification of Travel Approval Letter from the school Principal and/or Headmaster approving travel. Policy 7.5: New Form AT16 Application For Out of State Travel Application For Out of State Travel

1.Any interstate (between states) event involving two(2) or more schools which is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside of the school community, i.e. Nike, Reebok 2.Events with non-bordering states if five (5) or more states are involved 3.Events with non-bordering states if more than eight(8) schools are involved 4.Any event involving two ( 2 ) or more schools that involves a team from a foreign country INTERSTATE SANCTIONS: FHSAA & NFHS

Sanction Websites FHSAA Approved Events National Federation Approved Events

Overview of Appeals Process

Operational Bylaw, Article 10 Compliance and Enforcement 10.4 Due Process Types of Appeals – Eligibility – Exec. Dir. Ruling of ineligible – Rules Violations – Individual or member school found in violation – Disputes between Member Schools – Undue Hardship Waivers

Operational Bylaw, Article 10 Compliance and Enforcement 10.4 Due Process Categorization for Basis of Appeals for Eligibility – Request for a waiver – Association staff made incorrect ruling – Parent’s request

Appeals Committees Sectional Appeals (4.5) 4 Administrative Sections 7 members Can only sustain or overturn the decision, but cannot modify the decision Infraction Appeals ( ) One committee Five members Act on appeals of schools with major violations; appeals affecting more than one administrative section,

Appeal Process School / Individual Appeals School/Individual Commits Violation OR Requests Ruling FHSAA Penalty or Ruling Issued Appeal Section/Infraction Appeal (Denies) Appeal Board of Directors (Final)

Appeal Process Executive Director Appeals School/Individual Commits Violation OR Requests Ruling FHSAA Penalty or Ruling Issued Appeal Section/Infraction Appeal (Approves) Request for Review By Executive Director Board of Directors (Final)

Appeal Process School Determines Ineligible / Request for Waiver School determines student is ineligible NO FHSAA Ruling Issued X Section Appeals (Approves) Appeal Board of Directors (Final)

10.3 Protest Procedure Protesting Actions of Anther School. Any member school filing a protest over the eligibility of a student or the actions of a member school shall submit to the Executive Director in writing a full statement of the facts signed by the principal. The Executive Director shall provide the accused party or parties with a copy of the accusation and determine if the allegations warrant an investigation. Cross-reference 10.9 Allegations and Protests Allegations and Protests. Allegation and/or protesting actions of another school received less than forty-five (45) days prior to the beginning of state series competition in a sport may not be concluded prior to the conclusion of the sport’s championship series (corresponding with Bylaw 10.3) Withholding Information. Member schools (or persons defined in Policy ) who intentionally withhold information impacting state series participation shall be considered unethical and unsportsmanlike and addressed in accordance with Policy 41.

10.4 Due Process Eligibility Appeals. When a student is determined to be ineligible by a member school and/or is ruled ineligible by the Executive Director, the member school principal may appeal the ruling of the Executive Director if he/she or the student takes issue with it, and must do so at the student’s request Rules Violations Appeals. Any student athlete, coach or member school who is found to be in violation of the rules of this Association may appeal the finding of the Executive Director if he/she takes issue with it, or may appeal the penalty imposed if he/she believes it to be too severe, and must do so at the student’s request.

10.4 Due Process Undue Hardship Waivers. A member school principal may file a request for undue hardship waiver on behalf of the student when enforcement of the provision(s) which render(s) the student ineligible works an undue hardship upon the student, and must do so at the student’s request Basic Principle. The eligibility rules of this Association are designed to promote academic achievement and to encourage students to advance with their graduating class. Unless a student exerts every reasonable effort to make up credit not earned, such effort including attendance at summer school or other alternative programs, an undue hardship request seeking a waiver of the limit of eligibility shall not be granted Criteria for an Undue Hardship Waiver Determination. By seeking an undue hardship waiver, the student and the member school accept the fact that the student is ineligible under the FHSAA Bylaws but are asking for a grant of waiver of those Bylaws. For the purpose of determining whether to grant or deny an undue hardship waiver the Sectional Appeals Committees and the Board of Directions shall be guided by the following criteria, other criteria contained in these Bylaws and FHSAA Policies, and their respective experience related to high school athletics.

10.4 Due Process Potentially Sufficient Grounds for Undue Hardship Waiver. The fact that a student is unable or desires to participate in interscholastic athletics shall not, in and of itself, be grounds for granting an undue hardship waiver request. The fact that a student is retained in a lower grade because he/she misses school for a prolonged period of time due to serious injury or illness, which must be supported by a physician’s record indicating that the absence was directly and solely related to such injury or illness, or events which were beyond the control of the student and/or the parent or guardian which causes the student to miss school for a prolonged period of time causing the student to repeat a grade, may be grounds for granting an undue hardship waiver request.

10.4 Due Process Waiver of Bylaws Due to Special Circumstances. The principal of a member school or his/her designee may request a waiver of any Bylaw or other regulation, guideline, policy or procedure of this Association not directly related to student eligibility when special circumstances, in the opinion of the person or entity making the appeal, call for a relief from or a modification to the effects of the rule. Cross-reference Bylaw 8.3.1, previously reviewed.

10.4 Due Process No Appeal or Waiver of Florida Statutes. The Sectional Appeals Committee, the Infraction Appeals Committee and the Board of Directors do not have the authority to waive a provision of the Florida Statutes including but not limited to: (a) Mandatory GPA requirements; (b) Definition of a grading period as being one semester; (c) Mandatory grading scale; (d) Authority of school districts to establish codes of conduct by which students must abide to be eligible to participate in interscholastic competition; (e) Home Education guidelines; (f) Charter School guidelines. Clarification for (e) – In addition to referencing the date the form for registering intent is submitted, Association staff also considers the date of notarization in this process.

10.5 General Principles for Appeals and Requests for Waivers Cost of Appeal. The cost of an appeal, if any, including the Association’s attorney fees, shall be borne by the person or entity making the appeal if the finding of the Executive Director or the penalty imposed is upheld Burden Of Proof. The burden of showing error in the determination of ineligibility or in showing why a waiver should be granted is on the person or entity making the appeal. Such proof shall include, as a minimum, a brief statement of the facts involved, the specific bylaw(s) or policy(s) involved and argument in support of the relief requested. This statement shall be supported by any relevant documentary evidence available Complete and Accurate Submissions. The person or entity making the appeal must ensure that the information submitted to support such appeal or request is complete and accurate. In the event a decision by the Sectional Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors was made based on incomplete or inaccurate information, the decision shall be withdrawn and the sanctions provided by these bylaws shall apply.

10.5 General Principles for Appeals and Requests for Waivers Emergency Hearings. The President of the Association may conduct an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors by telephone conference call if, and only if, a decision made by the Executive Director or a Sectional Appeals Committee would eliminate a school, in a team sport, or an individual, in an individual sport, from a State Championship Series contest before the next meeting of the Board of Directors. The President shall not conduct an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors to consider undue hardship cases, or other cases, affecting a student’s eligibility unless such student’s eligibility would eliminate a school, in a team sport, or the student, in an individual sport, from a State Championship Series contest before the next meeting of the Board of Directors. In the event a member school requests an emergency hearing before the Board of Directors, requesting such hearing the member school consents to the hearing being conducted by telephone conference call and agrees to pay all expense including expenses such as the cost of the telephone conference call and the costs of the stenographic recording of such hearing. Cross-reference Bylaw and for definition of team and individual sports. Cross-reference Bylaw for terms of provisional eligibility.

10.6 Appeal and Request for Waiver Procedures Filing an Initial Appeal or Request for Waiver. An appeal or request for waiver must be filed with the Executive Director on the form(s) provided by this Association and must be accompanied by all necessary documentation. The appeal or request, including all required documentation, must be signed by the principal and received in the office of this Association not later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the filing dates established by the Board of Directors and printed in the FHSAA Planning Calendar. Appeals and requests received after the deadline date will not be considered at that Sectional Appeals Committee meeting, but will be placed on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting. Incomplete appeals or requests for waiver will be returned to the person or entity making the appeal for an opportunity to resubmit with all the necessary information prior to the deadline, if time allows. Cross-reference Deadlines are listed in the FHSAA Planning Calendar and posted on the FHSAA’s website under NOW DUE and CALENDAR.

10.6 Appeal and Request for Waiver Procedures Filing an Appeal or Request for Waiver to the Board of Directors. The request for an appeal hearing before the Board of Directors must be made in writing to the Executive Director, must be signed by the member school principal or his/her designee and must be received in the office of this Association within five (5) business days following the date of the Sectional Appeals Committee meeting or the Infraction Appeals Committee meeting. Failure to file a request for an appeal hearing before the Board of Directors within the five (5) business days following the date of the Sectional Appeals Committee meeting or the Infraction Appeals Committee meeting shall be deemed a waiver of the right of an appeal as granted herein.

10.6 Appeal and Request for Waiver Procedures Appearances Before Sectional Appeals Committee, Infraction Appeals Committee, Emergency Appeals Committee and/or Board of Directors. The person or entity making the appeal has the opportunity to appear before the Sectional Appeals Committee, Infraction Appeals Committee, Emergency Appeals Committee and/or the Board of Directors if he/she so chooses. The person or entity making the appeal must give notice of their choice to appear at the time the appeal or request for waiver is filed. Appearance by the student and a school representative is mandatory for an appeal or request for undue hardship waiver involving age, limit of eligibility and unsportsmanlike conduct provisions when heard by the Sectional Appeals Committee, and is optional when heard by the Board of Directors.

10.6 Appeal and Request for Waiver Procedures Procedure for Appearance. A person or entity making the appeal who is required, or who chooses, to appear before the Sectional Appeals Committee, Infraction Appeals Committee and/or the Board of Directors will be assigned a time for the appearance. A twenty (20)-minute block will be allotted for each case involving an appearance. Clarification: The twenty (20)- minute block is inclusive of school / student / parent presentation AND committee question and answers AND committee deliberation Student Appearance. A student who is required, or chooses, to appear before the Sectional Appeals Committee, Infraction Appeals Committee and/or the Board of Directors must be accompanied by a school representative and may be accompanied by his/her parent(s) or other individuals with whom he/she lives. The school representative who is required to accompany the student must be a full-time employee of the school and must be identified on the form at the time of filing. The student may be represented by an attorney. Such representation will not excuse the appearance of a student when that appearance is required.

10.6 Appeal and Request for Waiver Procedures New Evidence. The appeals committee may stay an appeal when new information is introduced and refer the case back to the FHSAA staff for review if the committee concludes that: (a) The new information was not available, and through the exercise of reasonable due diligence could not have been available, at the time the FHSAA staff issued its finding; and (b) The new information is demonstrably relevant to the findings of the staff.

10.6 Appeal and Request for Waiver Procedures Board Acts on Basis of Record in Case. The Board of Directors can act only on the basis of the record in the case. This record consists of the information that was available to the appeals committee at the time it rendered its decision. The Board of Directors may stay an appeal when new information is introduced and refer the case back to the FHSAA staff for review per the conditions of paragraph

10.7 Empowerment Sectional Appeals Committee Powers. The Sectional Appeals Committee is empowered to consider a request from member schools seeking exceptions to Bylaws and regulations, to hear undue hardship eligibility cases filed by member schools on behalf of student-athletes, and to hear appeals filed by member schools or other individuals. The decision in each case shall be by majority vote and may be appealed to the Board of Directors Board of Directors Powers. The Board of Directors is empowered to review appeals and requests for waivers and sustain, modify or overturn the decision of the Sectional Appeals Committee, Infraction Appeals Committee and/or the Executive Director in each case that comes before it Finality of Ruling. The decision of the Board of Directors in each case shall be by majority vote and shall be final Executive Director Initiated Reviews. The Executive Director may refer to the Board of Directors for review a decision of a Sectional Appeals Committee that directly conflicts with decisions of other Sectional Appeals Committees or of the Board of Directors on the same question or rule; or that, in the opinion of the Executive Director, is rendered in conflict with the rules of the Association or will have a great effect on the proper administration of the interscholastic athletic programs throughout the Association. The Executive Director will notify a member school in writing when a decision rendered by Sectional Appeals Committee will be referred to the Board of Directors for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Question: Where do I locate the EL10 Request for Eligibility Ruling Form and/or EL11 Request for an Appeal Hearing Form? Response: Both forms are located via C2CSchools. However, the EL11 requires additional, supplemental information. The EL11 and all additional information must be submitted via fax to or via to (or

FAQ Question: What kind of information should be submitted with the appeal? Response: The EL11 indicates information that is REQUIRED. However, the additional information, if any, should include supporting documentation. For example, if the basis of the appeal is for “financial reasons,” then a reasonable expectation is to include financial documentation.

FAQ Question: How much do appeals cost? Response: The costs vary. The cost to facilitate the appeal process is divided by the number of cases heard for that administrative section during the month of the appeal; and schools that are denied must pay their share of the costs.

FAQ Question: If the appeal is denied, does my school have to pay fees if the student requests the appeal and the school did not support the appeal? Response: Yes. For appeals that are denied (or the rule is not waived) the shared cost of the appeal will be forwarded to the school. Some schools and school districts have adopted policies that require the parents (student) to reimburse the school in such instances. (Some schools have required payment in advance of the appeal.)

FAQ Question: When will we know the outcome? Response: The committee will ask questions of the appellants and make a decision that day, in the presence of the appellants.

FAQ Question: What expectations does the Association have of me as a school representative? Response: Member school representatives are expected to assist in maintaining proper decorum of all individuals present and representing the school and/or student. (Reference Bylaw 6.1)

FAQ Question: Are the appeals recorded? Response: Yes. The appeals are recorded by a court reporter. Question: How might get a copy of the transcript? Response: Member school representatives and any other individual may purchase a transcript directly from the company providing the court reporter. FHSAA staff will provide the contact information upon request.

Conclusion Follow up questions may be submitted to or Be sure to identify your school for response.