The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s executive board denied the 28 appeals schools filed to move into different high school sports divisions for the 2016-18 school years.

Representatives from each of the 28 schools argued their cases Monday during the board’s monthly executive meeting.  

“The board members deliberation and discussion was very intense but in the end they choose to support conference leadership in their efforts to address everyone’s concern through a cooperative scheduling process,” said Dr. Harold Slemmer, the AIA’s executive director.

Schools will know by Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. in which region they were placed. Schools are allowed to also appeal their region placement.   

Executive director report

During Dr. Slemmer’s monthly report to the board, Shay Pausa, a communications director for the AIA, reported on the results of a survey that the AIA’s member schools received.

The AIA sent the survey to administrators and coaches to gauge how well the AIA is communicating with its schools. The survey found that coaches wanted to have a larger role in the decision making process.

“They want a little more love,” Pausa said.

More than 550 of the state’s high school sports stakeholders answered the survey.

About 74 percent said that the AIA is doing a “fairly” good job of keeping schools informed. The survey’s results will be sent to the schools.

During Dr. Slemmer’s report, Gary Whelchel, the state commissioner of officials, was applauded for the thorough investigations of four ejection appeals, including the nationally publicized appeal of a student from Dysart, that Whelchel’s staff handled.

Gender identity proposal

Dr. Slemmer notified the board that the AIA’s Sports Advisory Committee wants to adopt a gender identity participation policy. To give the board time to study the proposal, a vote on the proposal won’t be taken until next month.

The board recommended that the tennis advisory committee review two proposals that would allow some non-playoff teams to participate in end of the season tournaments.

Agenda items approved

The board approved the following agenda items:

Saguaro’s request to allow football coach Jason Mohns to coach in the Team USA Under 18 International Bowl from Jan. 29-Feb. 3.

Hardship appeal requests from Hopi and Douglas.  

Pusch Ridge’s request for an exception to the number of games in a season bylaw. Pusch Ridge will be allowed to play its non-senior basketball players for eight quarters in one night instead of six.  

Sunrise Mountain athletic director Mark Faust’s selection to chair the 4A West Valley Region.  

Desert Vista’s request to have its girls cross country team compete in the Nike National Cross Country meet in Oregon.

The request to receive replacement AIA complimentary passes from Heber-Overgaard Board President Craig Blackburn and ASBA Flowing Wells member James Love.

All the of the additional game requests. https://www.aiaonline.org/files/15249/executive-board-meeting-agenda-november-16-2015.pdf

School violations

The following schools received an advisement for violations they self reported:

Centennial High school. Assistant coaches were paid stipends by the football team’s booster club. Since the the payment protocol wasn’t followed, the head coach was suspended for one game. Dr. Slemmer thanked Centennial High representatives in attendance for the quick and thorough investigation.

Apollo High. An athlete participated in an unspecified number of games while living with a guardian who didn’t have court ordered guardianship.

Camelback High. Two freshmen participated in an open gym session for a volleyball club a day before their last high school game.

Glendale High. A cross country student competed but hadn’t completed a concussion testMaricopa High. A Maricopa football player who took a swing at a Bradshaw Mountain at the end of the game started an altercation between the teams.

Lake Havasu. A football player improperly filled out a 520 transfer form.

Campo Verde received a warning for having a soccer player tryout without being fully cleared.