1. Call to Order
President Bob Coffin called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. In attendance were Bill Crossman, Mary Linnell, Lorne Ulven, Len Williams, Jim Hopson, Rosalie Flynn, Greg Johnson, Wade Weseen, Kevin Vollet, Lee Reimer, Bryan Matheson, Larry Lafrentz & Kim Platt.

1.1 Adoption of Minutes
The minutes from the January 26 & 27, 2001 were previously circulated. A review of the action list occurred.

MOTION by Hopson/Vollet to adopt the minutes from the January 26 & 27, 2000 meeting. CARRIED

2. Adoption of Financial Reports (Jan. & Feb.)
The financial report for the months of January and February were circulated. A review of the financial statements occurred.

MOTION by Flynn/Ulven to accept the financial statements for January and February as circulated. CARRIED

3. Decisions / Directions

3.1 Sask Sport Hall of Fame Induction Dinner
The Sask. Sport Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will be held June 16. The cost is $70.00 per person or $500 per table of 8.

MOTION by Ulven/Johnson that the Association purchase four tickets for the Sask Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. CARRIED

3.2 Team Disqualification
Warman High School forwarded a protest to the SHSAA office regarding the North Central 3A Boys Basketball District final. Investigation of the protest determined that Prince Albert Wesmor used an ineligible player in the game. According to SHSAA Bylaws Wesmor was required to forfeit the game and were further disqualified from participation in any additional playoff competitions. Warman was declared the District Champion.

MOTION by Crossman/Hopson to place Wesmor Community High School on probation for one year for using an ineligible player in a Basketball contest. CARRIED

MOTION by Williams/Johnson to place the Boy's Basketball coach of Wesmor Community High School on probation for one year for using an ineligible player. CARRIED

3.3 Team withdrawals from provincial competitions
Oxbow Prairie Heights withdrew from competition after teams were allocated positions in the Regional tournaments. The school had an internal communication break down regarding their intent to participate in play-offs. The school was not able to field a team for the Regional tournament and thus forced to withdraw.

MOTION by Hopson/Weseen that Oxbow Prairie Heights School be required to pay the $200.00 penalty indicated in the SHSAA Bylaws for withdrawing from playoffs leading to a provincial championship. CARRIED

MOTION by Hopson/Weseen that the penalty paid by Oxbow Prairie Heights School be forwarded to Assiniboia Composite School to offset their expenses incurred to replace Oxbow in the regional tournament. CARRIED

The following schools withdrew from the playoffs leading to the provincial championship in basketball. Moose Jaw Vanier, Senator Myles Venne School, Prince Albert Holy Cross, Arcola, Langenburg, Invermay, Macklin. The reasons varied from discipline action within the school to a decision to withdraw made six weeks prior to the provincial final.

MOTION by Flynn/Vollet that the reasons for withdrawal given by the schools listed be accepted and no penalty applied. CARRIED

MOTION by Flynn/Vollet that a letter of concern be written to schools that withdrew from the basketball playoffs. The letter is to encourage schools to participate in future playoffs. CARRIED

3.4. Student Eligibility A request for exception to the eligibility bylaws was received from Campbell Collegiate on behalf of a grade 12 student. The student missed more than a year of school due to a period of severe depression. The executive has requested documentation from medical professionals.

MOTION by Weseen/Johnson to allow an exception to the eligibility bylaws making the Campbell student eligible for the 2001/2002 school year. The exception will be granted upon receipt of documentation from medical professionals. CARRIED

3.5. Small Cities Basketball Rotation There were no bids received this year for the Small Cities championships. A rotation for 4A Regional Basketball Hosts was created and circulated to the 4A schools. The SHSAA requested feedback from the schools and used this feedback to revise the original rotation. Schools will have the option to pass. If a school passes they will move to the bottom of the rotation.

MOTION by Flynn/Williams to adopt the rotation for Small Cities Championships as circulated. CARRIED

3.6 Wrestling Tournament Letter of Concern A letter was received from Swift Current Comprehensive High School regarding injuries and questioning the weight classes at the Bedford Road High School Wrestling Tournament. The wrestlers at this tournament were divided into two categories, Elite and Novice with weight categories different from those stated in the SHSAA Handbook. This concern was discussed with the coach from Bedford prior to a letter being written to the school. Bedford Road responded to the letter from the SHSAA stating that the weight classes they used were within the SHSAA expectations. Bedford Road expressed concern that the SHSAA would write the letter of concern to their school.

The Executive Director was instructed to respond stating the concern of the SHSAA and all Members in insuring all competitions be conducted in a safe manner. The letter is to indicate that the Members expect that school athletic programs will abide by the SHSAA bylaws and policies adopted by the Association to conduct the activities. If the existing bylaws or policies are not acceptable then a school or district should work with the Association to revise the particular bylaw or policy, not just establish their own standard.

3.7 Professional Development Policy The Professional Development policy was circulated and there was discussion about the budget for professional development for executive members.

MOTION by Hopson/Ulven to accept the new professional development policy as presented with a recommendation for a yearly reviews at budget meetings. CARRIED

3.8 U of R - Ernie Nichols Retirement
Dr. Ernie Nichols of the University of Regina will be retiring after 40 years of service in the sport field. A scholarship fund has been initiated and the University of Regina has requested consideration of sponsorship for the scholarship fund. The scholarship will be for students in the Sport and Recreation Degree program.

MOTION by Williams/Weseen that the SHSAA donate $100.00 to the Ernie Nichols Scholarship Fund. CARRIED

4. Committee Reports
4.1 Awards
A written report was circulated and the handbook will be amended accordingly. The merit award nomination deadline has been changed from April 30 to March 31. It was suggested that the creation of a coach's award should be reviewed. The SHSAA has many coaches and this would be a good opportunity to recognize both males and females involved in coaching the student athletes in our schools. The committee will create a proposal for a coach's award for presentation at the May meeting.

4.2 Long Range Planning
A written report was circulated. The committee is looking at preparing information packages about the Association and organizing presentations for administrators at Principals, LEADS and SSTA meetings.

MOTION by Ulven/Linnell to send a letter to SSTA members inviting them to the AGM so that they will be better informed as to the partnership and the workings between the SHSAA and the SSTA. CARRIED

4.3 Symposium
A written report was circulated. The timetable, budget and committee member responsibilities were noted. The Level II NCCP course is not available this year; only the Level I NCCP course will be available for the pre-conference session. Registration forms will be distributed with the April Bulletin.

4.4 Corporate Sponsorship
A written report was circulated. The committee discussed a number of ideas and is developing some guidelines and goals.

4.5 Student Leadership
Renee Verge, teacher at Moose Jaw Peacock, and five students will be offered the opportunity to attend the Leadership Conference in Indianapolis July 13-15, 2001.

4.6 Annual General Meeting
Preparations for the AGM in Yorkton, June 20-21 were discussed. Final preparation by the Executive Council will take place at its May meeting.

4.7 Coop Program
The committee discussed the philosophy of cooperative agreements, reasons for it, and whether it is being abused. Committee members will be provided with a copy of the cooperative agreement application that is currently being sent to schools. The committee will review the application form and criteria and provide a report to the May Executive meeting.

5. Discussion

5.1 Executive Reports
Curling - a written report from commissioner Mike O'Donnell, RHSAA was circulated. Hosting of this event required a great deal of work. Mike thanked all of the schools for providing their information in an expeditious manner. This was only third time all categories were hosted at one venue and it was received well.
HOOPLA - a written report was circulated. Moose Jaw hosted for the first time and did a tremendous job. Each school involved approximately 70 staff and students as volunteers for different jobs during the weekend. Moose Jaw media provided fantastic media coverage.
Wrestling - Mike O'Donnell, RHSAA Commissioner of Athletics, submitted a report and that was circulated. Everything went well and the host school was well prepared. This was the largest wrestling provincial ever and the size of the facility has become a factor as the number of athletes continues to increase.
Football Sask. AGM - Bob Coffin circulated a report. Their official group would like to work with the SHSAA in the areas of recruitment and training of officials. Investigate the possibility of offering a certification clinic at the Symposium.
Sportsmanship Awards - Sportsmanship ballots were given to each team at Provincial Curling and at HOOPLA to incorporate student involvement in the decision making process. The promotion and recognition of Sportsmanship is well received and an excellent program for the Association.

District Meeting Reports
North West - it was suggested that someone else should do the basketball seeding and that it should be done all season; they wanted to know how regional sites are determined
South Central - a letter was received from an administration group questioning recruiting tactics of individual schools
South East - working on development of officials, there is a lack of volleyball officials North East - no concerns
Central - no concerns
Regina - discussed the transfer policy and including grade 9's in the student levy fee; they will not be sending midgets to Provincial Track & Field
Saskatoon - discussed sport seasons and recruitment letters being sent to feeder schools; they are working on promotion of officials - grade 12 graduating students can be sponsored by SSSAD to attend an officials clinic; they suggest that team pictures be published in the HOOPLA program with the rosters
Officials Commissioner - Basketball Canada is trying to develop a set of rules that will apply to all basketball groups. SHSAA will respond to the CSSF and Basketball Canada with encouragement for this initiative.
SPEA - they are working on the set up of a website; the Canadian Schools Sport Federation has met with Denis Coderre, Secretary of State for Amateur Sport and Mr. Coderre seems to be trying to get physical education, school sport and the universities to work more closely within his frame work for the Canadian Sport model.

5.2 AGM Resolution Review
The AGM Agenda was set and will be published in the April bulletin. Motions being proposed by the Executive Council were reviewed.

5.3 Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics committee circulated the Code of Ethics for Officials and Coaches with modifications. They will be reviewed at the May meeting for acceptance.

5.4 Basketball Seeding
- Letters of Concern The issue of seeding remains a hotly debated topic for some people. The executive realizes the controversy that will always be present with seeding. Few people get to see the entire provincial scene in each category and are providing opinions that may be valid from their perspective but usually are somewhat narrow in their focus. The idea of continual seeding throughout the season is fraught with problems as well. The office is encouraged to get as much information as possible, continue to get feedback from coaches and do their best to provide fair Regional tournaments keeping in mind all of the factors that have been presented in the past.

5.5 RABO Concerns Regarding Payment of Officials
The SHSAA received an invoice from the Regina Association of Basketball Officials for officiating at regional basketball tournaments. The invoice was based on the RABO fee structure. RABO was informed of the SHSAA fee structure and paid accordingly.

5.6 Official's Commissioner - Report on SHSAA Rule Exceptions
Bill Crossman circulated a copy of the rules governing SHSAA activities and the changes. The executive was asked to review the report and respond to Bill.

5.7 Wrestling Criteria
A letter was received from a parent asking the Association to evaluate the current wrestling criteria that limits the number of wrestlers per school, per weight class, which are eligible to participate at Provincial Wrestling. The Association will seek feedback from schools involved in wrestling.

5.8 School Team Entry Per Activity
To be added to May meeting agenda.

5.9 Web Site Report/All Canadian Sport.ca
A report was circulated with statistics on use of the web site. The Association is pleased that so many visitors are making use of the information and services provided on the web site.

The new Event Tracking System unveiled for curling and basketball was very popular judging by the number of visits in March. The Event tracking System allows host venues to update the web site directly form the venue immediately following contests.

A company called All Canadian Sport has come forward with a proposal to have SHSAA get involved with their website. They currently have a concept but nothing is concrete.

6. Information
6.1 Basketball Memorandum
Letter was circulated. To be discussed at the May meeting.
6.2 Letters Regarding University Tournaments
Letter was circulated. To be discussed at the May meeting.
6.3 Star Phoenix - Dave Deibert
Letter was circulated. To be discussed at the May meeting.
6.4 History of Eligibility - 2000/2001
Letter was circulated. To be discussed at the May meeting.
6.5 Cheerleading
Letter was circulated. To be discussed at the May meeting.
7. Old Business
8. New Business
9. Next Meeting
Wednesday, May 2, 2001 @7:00pm
10. Adjournment
Adjourned by Jim Hopson at 4:50pm