AAA governing body passes new proposals
Five new proposals were given "do pass" votes at the annual Arkansas Activities Association governing body meetings at the Statehouse Convention Center on Tuesday afternoon.
In preparation for the upcoming 2022-23 school year, the Arkansas Activities Association Board of Directors has studied proposals from the various activity districts, suggestions from the AAA staff, results of the spring survey and advice from various committees before making recommendations and submitting the proposals included in this agenda. Clarifications and interpretations were made as well.
The board expressed its opinion on the long-term effect the proposals will have on the association through its recommendations and explanations. If a do not pass recommendation is made, the board feels that the long-term effect would not be in the best interest of the association.
A no recommendation indicates that the effect of the proposal could best be determined by the opinion of a majority of the schools voting. Discuss these proposals with your various staff members, then come to the meeting and express your opinion by voting.
Proposal No. 1 – Junior High Conference Tournaments – Passed 60 for 0 against. To allow junior high conferences to determine the method for declaring conference champions and junior high conference tournament champions. Effective 2021-2022 school year.
Proposal No. 2, which would change the number of games played by high school volleyball, basketball and soccer teams passed by a margin of 137 to 9. In order for a proposal to pass, it must receive at least a two thirds majority. Starting this fall, volleyball teams can play 30 regular season matches (including tournaments). For non-football playing basketball schools, those teams can now play 36 regular season games while football playing basketball schools can play 30 regular season games. The new rule removes the regular season tournament element from the number of games equation.
Also using AOA Registered Officials to standardize the use of registered officials at the varsity level passed 182 to 4 and will be effective during 2021-2022 school year.
Proposal No. 3 failed 137 to 47 for non-school team participation to align high school soccer participation with the competitive club program season.
Proposal No. 4 regarding football limitations passed by 182 to 1 and will allow football schools to have the maximum number of competitive opportunities during the regular season. The proposal is effective for the 2021-2022 school year.
Proposal No. 5 – Golf Individual Qualifiers passed by 124 to 2 and will standardize qualifying methods across classifications. Effective 2021-2022 school year.