NSAA District Meeting Results

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November results from District meetings around the state

DISTRICT 1

Public Comment: Melissa Whaley (guest) discussed inquired about the NSAA sanctioning the sport of lacrosse. She noted that Nebraska has 1,000 youth athletes playing the sport and previous meetings with NSAA staff have occurred. Native American schools are very interested in the sport. 24 states currently sanction lacrosse.

Legislative Proposals
1. Class C1 and C2 Girls and Boys Basketball Sub-District/District Assignments. Passed (20 For, 5 Against, 20 Abstain)

Classes C1 and C2 schools are divided into four regions (Western, Central, Northeast and Southeast as examples). The westernmost region will be made of the 5-6 furthest western schools. The remaining three regions will be composed of 15-18 teams based on geographical area. Those three regions will then serpentine into 3 districts of 4-6 teams based on wildcard points set on our current date. The highest-seeded team will host the sub-district. The winning team in each sub-district will qualify for the district final. The next 6 non-sub-district winners with the highest wild card point averages will also qualify for the district final.​

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2. Class C1 and C2 Volleyball Sub-District/District Assignments. Passed (20 For, 6 Against 24 Abstain)

Class C1 and C2 schools are divided into four regions (Western, Central, Northeast and Southeast as examples.) The westernmost region will be made of the 5-6 furthest western schools. The remaining three regions will be composed of 15-18 schools based on geographical area. Those three regions will then serpentine into three districts of 4-6 teams based on wildcard points set on our current date. The highest-seeded team will host the sub-district. The winning team in each sub-district will qualify for the district final, and the next six non-sub-district winners with the highest wild card point averages will qualify for the district final. ​

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3. Utilization of 35-Second Shot Clock for Varsity Contests Class C only (C1 and C2). Passed (21 For, 7 Against, 22 Abstain)

Implementation of the 35-Second Shot Clock Rule for State Association implementation as allowed for by the NFHS 2022-23 Basketball Rule 2-14 for NSAA Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Contests in Class C1 & C2 Basketball Only, beginning with the 2024-25 school year/season. ​

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4. NSAA Girls Wrestling Classification Proposal - Adding Class B. Passed (18 For, 14 Against, 18 Abstain)

The girls wrestling classifications will be determined by the following method: Girls wrestling teams will be divided into two (2) classes based on girls enrollment. Class A would be for the largest 56 schools based on girl enrollment, and the remaining schools would be placed in Class B. ​

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5. New Bylaw 1.5.3.9 - Law Compliance. Passed (49 For, 1 Against, 0 Abstain)

The Board of Directors may amend the Constitution and Bylaws of the NSAA outside of the Legislative Procedure and Authority process contained in Paragraph 1.5 by action taken at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, when those changes are required by law. Any amendment made by the Board of Directors will take effect immediately upon its passage or at such time as designated by the Board of Directors, and the Executive Director will notify all member schools of the amendment and will update the official copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of the NSAA to reflect the action of the Board of Directors. ​

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6. Home School Transfer Bylaws. Passed (50 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain)

New 2.7.6.8 Transfer from a Member School to a Home School. Students who were regular member school students and transfer to a home school in grades 9 through 12 remain eligible to participate for the member school under the following conditions: 1) The student must have received twenty (20) credit hours for the immediate preceding semester; 2) the student must be continuously enrolled in at least twenty (20) credit hours of instruction, and a minimum of five (5) credit hours must be from the member school the student represents in interscholastic competition; 3) the student's part-time enrollment must be in the school in which the student's home school is located. For example, an option student who elects to home school and enroll as a part-time student in the student's resident school is considered a transfer student who must meet all transfer student eligibility requirements. ​

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7. Play Production Outstanding Actor Awards. Passed (40 For, 6 Against, 4 Abstain)

Change wording from Outstanding Male and Female Performer Awards at districts and state to two Outstanding Performer Awards at districts and state. ​

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8. Speech Final Round Tie-Breaker Determination. Passed (48 For, 1 Against, 1 Abstain)

Determining Final Rounds: The final round shall consist of six (6) contestants. The following procedures will be used to determine which students advance out of the preliminary rounds:​

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1 - Lowest Cumulative Speaker Rank if ties in cumulative score bring the number to more than six (6), the following priority system shall be used to break ties:​

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2 - Opponent's Average Rank (Strength of Schedule) - comparison of which students had more competitive rounds, based on the opponent's average rank. ​

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3 - Head-to-Head Competition: a) if the tied speakers met in only one preliminary round, the speaker that ranked higher in that round advances. b) if the speakers met in both preliminary rounds, and the same speaker ranked higher in both rounds, that speaker advances. ​

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4 - Reciprocals: Rank 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Reciprocal 1 - 1/2 - 1/3 - 1/4 - 1/5 - 1/6 - 1/7 as a Decimal 1 - 0.5 - 0.33 - 0.25 - 0.20 - 0.17 - 0.14. Then add these numbers and the contestant with the highest score is the best of the three and the next, highest score receives the next rank, etc. ​

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5 - Cumulative Speaker Points​

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9. Weekly Participation in Interscholastic Play Production. Passed (30 For, 11 Against, 9 Abstain)

Participation in interscholastic Play Production by any high school student is limited to three contests per calendar week, Monday through Saturday. There shall be no interscholastic Play Production competition on Sunday. This proposal will only increase costs to schools if schools choose to participate in three contests per week. ​

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10. District Final Host in Girls Basketball in C1 and C2. Passed (24 For, 2 Against, 24 Abstain)​

a) In Classes C1 and C2, the girls team winning the championship in each sub-district will advance to the District Final​

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b) The sixteen (16) teams qualifying for the District Final will be matched up using a serpentine method and placed on a 16-team bracket based on wild card point averages through sub-districts. The higher-seeded team will host the District Final game. The girls teams winning the District Finals will advance to the State Tournament. ​

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11. District Final Host in Boys Basketball in C1 and C2 Passed (25 for, 2 Against, 23 Abstain)

a) In Classes C1 and C2, the boys team winning the championship in each sub-district will advance to the District Final​

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b) The sixteen (16) teams qualifying for the District Final will be matched up using a serpentine method and placed on a 16-team bracket based on wild card point averages through sub-districts. The higher-seeded team will host the District Final game. The boys teams winning the District Finals will advance to the State Tournament. ​

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c) If teams are more than 180 miles apart, the District Final game will be played on the Saturday following sub-district play.​

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12. District Final Host in Volleyball in C1 and C2. Passed (25 For, 2 Against, 23 Abstain)

a) In Classes C1 and C2, the girls team winning the championship in each sub-district will advance to the District Final​

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b) The sixteen (16) teams qualifying for the District Final will be matched up using a serpentine method and placed on a 16-team bracket based on wild card point averages through sub-districts. The higher-seeded team will host the District Final game. The girls teams winning the District Finals will advance to the State Tournament. ​

 

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DISTRICT II

Public Comment: Melissa Waylee spoke about adding Lacrosse as a NSAA sport.

Nathan Simmons talked about the importance of E-Sports and adding to the NSAA as a sanctioned activity.

Legislative Proposals

1. Class C Softball District Assignments. Passed (44 For, 0 Against, 41 Abstain)

Teams are placed into 10 districts based on serpentine method (not modified), based on the NSAA wildcard point system, on Monday of Week 12, prior to the first district tournament. The top seed in each district will be offered a contract to host the district tournament. If the higher seed is unable to host the district tournament, the subsequent seed shall be offered a contract until a location is secured. . If the total number of teams is not divisible by four (4), then sub-districts of five (5) teams will be created for extra teams over that number divisible by four (4). Class C sub-districts will be single elimination with the winner qualifying for district finals. The highest seed will be the host unless they choose not to host.​

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2. 2-Hour Organized Practice 10 weeks prior to start of season. Passed (60 For, 18 Against, 7 Abstain)

If member schools choose to hold off-season sports specific work-outs but due to facility and time restraints, member schools can have the following option limiting coaches to 2 hours per week for a maximum of 10 weeks. "Sport specific" workouts (does not include weight lifting and conditioning) Note: Anytime a coach works sports specific skills with an athlete, that time counts toward the 2-hour team total for that sport that week.​

3. Baseball Fall Evaulation Period. Failed (13 For, 27 Against, 45 Abstain)

Beginning with Week 14 of the NSAA activities calendar schools are allowed a 3-week evaluation period with no more than 15 hours of practice time per week. During this time frame, coaches are allowed to work with an unlimited number of players from their school who are interested in participating in baseball. These would be sport specific workouts (hitting, pitching, fielding, etc...) and would not include conditioning or weight lifting.​

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4. Determining Finalists for District and State Speech. Passed (61 For, 2 Against, 22 Abstain)

5. Dual Sport Opportunity During the Same Season. Motion Failed (14 For, 47 Against, 24 Abstain)

The division of sports seasons shall be as follows. No school shall register more than one varsity team per sport. Students may participate in a team sport and an individual sport or two indivdiual sports in the same season (noted below). The decision to allow students to participate in two sports in the same season would be determined by school administration with consideration to the school's ability to provide both opportunities. ​

Definition of individual or team sport is consdered an individual sport if a single person can compete in the sport and still be eligible for the postseason. A sport is considered a team sport if the schools is required to have a minimum number of players to compete.​

Indivdiual Sports: Boys/Girls Golf, Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Cross Country, Unified Bowling, B/G Wrestling, B/G Swimming, B/G Bowling, B/G Track, Unified Track​

Team Sports: Softball, Football, Volleyball, B/G Basketball, Baseball, B/G Soccer​

6. Change Outstanding Performer Awards for District and State Play Production. Passed (43 For, 22 Against, 20 Abstain)

7. Increase Play Production Weekly Competition Limit from two performances to three. Failed (22 For, 35 Against, 28 Abstain)

8. Girls Wrestling - Add Class B. Passed (63 For, 1 Against, 21 Abstain)

9 Class C1 and C2 Girls and Boys Basketball Sub-District/District Assignments. Failed (20 For, 24 Against, 41 Abstain)

Classes C1 and C2 schools are divided into four regions (Western, Central, Northeast and Southeast as examples). The westernmost region will be made of the 5-6 furthest western schools. The remaining three regions will be composed of 15-18 teams based on geographical area. Those three regions will then serpentine into 3 districts of 4-6 teams based on wildcard points set on our current date. The highest-seeded team will host the sub-district. The winning team in each sub-district will qualify for the district final. The next 6 non-sub-district winners with the highest wild card point averages will also qualify for the district final.​

10. Implementation of 35-second shot clock for Class C (C1 and C2) Basketball Varsity Contests. Passed: (40 For, 12 Against, 33 Abstain)

11. Home School Transfer Bylaw. Passed (84 For, 0 Against)

12. New Bylaw 1.5.3.9 - Law Compliance Passed (75 For, 4 Against, 6 Abstain)

13. Use of Student Managers at Basketball Practice. Passed (47 For, 21 Against, 17 Abstain)

14. Class A Golf District Assignments. Passed (28 For, 1 Against, 56 Abstain)

District tournament host schools and specific golf courses will be selected before the season begins in order to secure hosts and golf courses for the events. After post-season seeding, the host schools will be assigned to one of the four districts so there is one host-school per district. The NSAA Director of Golf will make the simplest one-team trades between districts so that host teams with the closest average differentials to a team in another district are switched.​

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ADD: THE TOP FOUR SEEDS WILL NOT BE SWITCHED IN ORDER TO SPLIT UP THE HOST SCHOOLS. A HORIZONTAL SWITCH WITH THE CLOSEST AVERAGE DIFFERENTIAL WILL BE MADE WITHIN THE ROW OF THE HOST SCHOOL.​

15. Addition of a new NSAA Championship Sport/Activity: eSports. Passed (42 For, 30 Against, 13 Abstain)

16. Dual Participation in Bowling. Failed (18 For, 23 Against, 44 Abstain)
Add new subpoint to 3.5.1 to allow Bowling to be exempt of Dual Participation penalty during the season of the sport

Bowling Outside Participation. During the school sport season of bowling, a student may, after fulfilling all requirements, practices and competitions of the school bowling team, practice and/or compete as a member of a non-school bowling team or as an individual participant in an organized non-school bowling practice or competition under the conditions listed below.​

17. Coaches and Sponsors. Passed (77 For, 3 Against, 5 Abstain)

School districts may choose to hire their own external coaches and employ those individuals who do not possess a Nebraska Teacher Certificate, or Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate.​

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18. Spring Softball Evaulation Period. Failed (12 For, 32 Against, 41 Abstain)

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Beginning with Week 40 of the NSAA activities calendar schools are allowed a 3-week evaluation period with no more than 15 hours of practice time per week. During this time frame, coaches are allowed to work with an unlimited number of players from their school who are interested in participating in softball. These would be sport specific workouts (hitting, pitching, fielding, etc...) and would not include conditioning or weight lifting.​

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19. 8-Man Football - Eligibility Number (51) - Classification Structure (add Class D3) and Playoffs. Failed (12 For, 14 Against, 59 Abstain)

20. 8-Man Football - Eligibility Number (55) - Classification Structure (add Class D3) and Playoffs. Failed (12 For, 14 Against, 59 Abstain)

 

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DISTRICT III

Public Comment: Mel Waley provided public comment on sanctioning Lacrosse at the NSAA Level. Ms. Waley
remarked on the postitive aspects of Lacrosse, as well as the availability of coaches and officials within the state of Nebraska. Mr. Bellar thanked her for her time and her comments.

Legislative Proposals

1. Classification of Schools: Basketball, Volleyball, Cross Country - 65 in Classes A-B. Passed (43 For, 7 Against)

Schools shall be divided into six classes for Basketball and Volleyball. This classification is based on grades 9-11 enrollment from September of the year that immediately precedes the one-year classification period. Class A will be classified based on a total enrollment of 850 or above. Class B, C1, C2, D1 and D2 will be classified using girl-only and boy-only enrollment. The top 65 largest schools registered for basketball and volleyball shall be in Classes A and B. Schools will a combined total enrollment of 850 and above will be placed in Class A. The remaining schools will be placed in Class B. The remaining schools registered for basketball and volleyball are split evenly into four classes: C1, C2, D1 and D2. ​

Boys and Girls Cross Country shall be divided into four classes for competition as follows: 1) Base don combined boy-girl enrollment in grades 9-11; 2) the top 65 schools will be split into Class A and B; 3) schools with a total enrollment of 850 and above will be Class A and the remaining schools will be placed in Class B. NOTE: Classifications will be done on a yearly basis, except for Class A, which will be done on a two-year classification. 2022 was the first year of the two-year Class A classification period. 4) the next 60 largest schools registered for Cross Country shall be placed in Class C; 5) the remaining schools registered for Cross Country will be placed in Class D; 6) Boys and Girls teams from the same school will be placed in the same class (Exception for cooperatives). ​

2. Dual Participation. Passed (32 For, 17 Against, 1 Abstain)

Eliminate language restricting students from participating in two sports during the same sports season. ​

3. Establish and Implement a Classification/Competitive Balance Committee. Passed (29 For, 21 Against)

A Classification/Competitive Balance Committee will be established to address school classification issues for purposes of competitive balance. The committee shall be comprised of fourteen (14) representatives appointed by each of the six District Management Committees. ​

District I shall have three representatives; District II shall have three representatives; District III shall have two representatives; District IV shall have two representatives; District V shall have two representatives; and District VI shall have two representatives. The NSAA Executive Director shall serve as an ad hoc committee member. ​

The purpose of the committee will be to analyze data and other information to make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding classification of schools and competitive balance. The Committee will hear appeals from schools that wish to opt down from their assigned class and be eligible for district and state competition. ​

The committee will consider the following factors: a) Socioeconomics of the school's population; b) Demographics of the school's population; c) Geography; d) Competitive history and balance; e) School enrollment factors (students in alternative schools, enrollment trends); f) Student participation rate in NSAA activities. ​

The committee will make a recommendation on each appeal to the Board of Directors for approval. Deadlines for appeals will be determined by the Board of Directors. ​

The Classification/Competitive Balance Committee will be in place for the 2024-25 school year activities and representatives for 2024-25 will be the 2023-24 Classification Committee members. ​

4. Home School Transfer Bylaws. Passed (49 For, 1 Against)

(Same proposal as in District I above)​

5. New Bylaw 1.5.3.9 Law Compliance. Failed (20 For, 29 Against, 1 Abstain)

(Same proposal as in District I above)​

6. NSAA Girls Wrestling Classification -- Adding Class B. Passed (44 For, 3 Against, 3 Abstain)

(Same proposal as in District I above. NOTE: Using 2022-2023 enrollment figures, Class A would be 56 schools and Class B would be 101)​

7. 8-Man Football Eligibility Number (51) -- Classification Structure and Playoffs. Passed (39 For, 10 Against, 1 Abstain)

This proposal has tow major components that would affect the classification and playoff structure of 8-man football. First, this proposal would move the eligibility number for 8-man football to 51 boys in the three-grade count. Currently, that number sits at 47. Second, this proposal would change the 8-man classification structure from a two-class division to a three-class division. 8-Man teams would be classified in one of three classes (D1, D2 or D3). ​

8. 8-Man Football Eligibility Number (55) -- Classification Structure and Playoffs: Passed (35 For, 14 Against, 1 Abstain)

This proposal has tow major components that would affect the classification and playoff structure of 8-man football. First, this proposal would move the eligibility number for 8-man football to 55 boys in the three-grade count. Currently, that number sits at 47. Second, this proposal would change the 8-man classification structure from a two-class division to a three-class division. 8-Man teams would be classified in one of three classes (D1, D2 or D3). ​

9. Change in Determining Final Rounds at District and State Speech. Passed (41 For, 3 Against, 6 Abstain)

(Same proposal as District I above)​

10. Increase Individual State Cross Country Medalists from 15 to 20. Failed (21 For, 27 Against, 2 Abstain)

This proposal would increase the number of state cross country medalists from 15 to 20. Rationale: The number of individual medals earned in cross country, considering the number of participants per state race is 80 in the larger classes up to 150 in the smaller classes with only 15 medaling. Currently, Cross Country awards 15 medals per class -- plus one All-Class gold. Comparison of Awards by Sport: Cross country - 15 Medals + 6 Team Championship members Girls Golf - 15 Medals + 4 Team Championship members Volleyball - 56 Medals for Champion and Runner-up Teams (C1 & C2) Football - 220 Medals for Champion and Runner-up Teams (C1 & C2) Basketball - 56 Medals for Champion and Runner-up Teams (C1 & C2) Wrestling - 84 Medals for 14 Weight Divisions Bowling - 12 medals for team Champion and Runner-up and 8 individual Track - 128 Medals plus Team Medals -16 Events : 24 Qualify minimum in each event and 8 get medals. 33% of Athletes that qualify receive medals. The following information represents the percentage of Cross Country Athletes who received medals using 2021 data. BOYS Class A -95 finishing runners (15.8% receive medals), Class B - 87 runners (17.2% receive medals) Class C - 119 runners (12.6% receive medals) Class D- 132 runners (11.4% receive medals) GIRLS Class A- 93 runners (16.1% receive medals) Class B- 88 runners (17% receive medals) Class C- 118 runners (12.7% receive medals) Class D- 126 runners (11.9% receive medals)​

11. Increase Number of Allowable Competitions in Play Production. Failed (1 For, 49 Against)

(Same as proposal above in District I)​

12. Change Outstanding Performer Awards in Play Production at Districts and State. Passed (43 For, 7 Against)

(Same as proposal above in District I)​

13. Class C Softball Districts. Passed (23 For, 7 Against, 20 Abstain)

Class C softball teams would be placed into 10 districts. The ten districts will be determined using a serpentine method (not modified), based upon the NSAA wild card point system, on the Monday of week 12, prior to the first district tournament. The top seed in each district will be offered a contract to host the district tournament. if the higher seed is unable to host the district tournament, the subsequent seed shall be offered a contract until a location is secured. If the total number of teams is not divisible by four (4), then sub-districts of five (5) teams will be created for extra teams over that number divisible by four (4). Class C sub-districts will be single elimination with the winner qualifying for the district finals. The highest seed will be the host unless they choose not to host. ​

14. Utilization of 35-Second Shot Clock in Class C Basketball for Varsity Contests. Passed (23 For, 7 Against, 20 Abstain)

(Same as proposal above in District I)​

15. FROM THE FLOOR: Utilization of the 35-second shot clock in Varsity Contests for Classes D1 and D2 in Boys and Girls Basketball. Passed (27 For, 18 Against, 5 Abstain)

16. FROM THE FLOOR: Utilization of the 35-second shot clock in Varsity Contests for Classes C1, C2, D1 and D2 in the state of Nebraska. Passed (34 For, 15 Against, 1 Abstain)

 

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DISTRICT IV

Public Comment: Mel Whaley spoke to the group about encouraging statewide interest in lacrosse. Marketing materials and surveys will be sent out. Flyers distributed at meeting.

Legislative Proposals
1. Utilization of 35-second Shot Clock for Varsity Contests - Class C only. Failed (39 For, 39 Against, 23 Abstain)

2. Home School Transfer Bylaws. Passed (95 For, 2 Against, 4 Abstain)

3. New Bylaw 1.5.3.9 Law Compliance. Passed (100 For, 0 Against)

4. 7th and 8th Grade Participation in Activities and Athletics at all High School Levels. Failed (16 For, 79 Against, 5 Abstain)

This proposal allows schools that need/want to use 7th and 8th graders to fill all levels of high school athletics and activities the opportunity to do so. There are also many younger athletes that are ready to compete at that level. These students can compete at the Junior High and High School level like they do in other states. The numbers below show the participation change from 2013-2014 to 2022-2023 (not listed here). The proposal would give more athletes the opportunity to play in games at all levels and decrease the number of games/seasons (varsity and sub-varsity) getting canceled on a daily and yearly basis. Schools would get the opportunity to decide if they wanted to do this, make the decision on what 7th and 8th graders play at the high school level, and if the 7th and 8th grade students playing in high school are allowed to play in junior high. This is how it has been done in several states successfully and helped decrease the number of lower level and varsity contests getting canceled. Student athletes would now have the opportunity to have 12 semesters of eligibility and 6 years of participation in any sport/activity. The 19-year-old age limitation at the top end of age eligibility would stay the same. Students that participate in High School sports would have to select their school for eligibility and the option rule would start for them. ​

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5. 7th and 8th Grade Sub-Varsity Eligibility. Failed (18 For, 79 Against, 4 Abstain)

This proposal allows schools that need/want to use 7th and 8th graders to fill sub varsity levels of high school athletics and activities the opportunity to do so. These students can participate at the Junior High and High School level like they do in other states. The numbers below show the participation change from 2013-2014 to 2022-2023. The proposal would give more athletes the opportunity to play in games at these lower levels and decrease the number of games getting canceled on a daily basis. Schools would get the opportunity to decide if they wanted to do this, make the decision on what 7th and 8th graders play at the high school level, and if the 7th and 8th grade students playing in high school are allowed to play in junior high . This is how it has been done in several states successfully and helped decrease the number of lower level and varsity contests getting canceled. Student athletes would now have the opportunity to have 12 semesters of eligibility, and up to 6 years of participation in any sport/activity. The 19 year old age limitation at the top end of age eligibility would stay the same. Junior High students would now be allowed to practice with high school teams. Students that participate in High School sports would have to select their school for eligibility and the option rule would start for them as soon as they play in a high school activity. Students and parents could choose for their child to not participate at this level thus not starting their school of choice. Comparisons Football 11 2013–9,984 / Football 11 2023-8,463Football 6/8 2013-3,456 / Football 2023 6/8-3,456Boys BB 2013-7,409 / Boys BB 2023-6,472Girls BB 2013-6.207 / Girls BB 2023-4,990Volleyball 2013-7,111 / Volleyball 2023-6,708Track & Field B & G 2013 15.392 / Track & Field B & G 2023-15,384Wrestling B 2013 4,519 / Wrestling B 2023 4,537Play Production 2013 3,355 / 2023 2,745*Take into consideration these numbers from 2013 (State Population of 1.866 Million) to 2023 (1.975 Million) of a roughly 200,000 increase in state population. ​

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6. Dual Sport Participation. Failed (19 For, 77 Against, 4 Abstain)

We are proposing that athletes have the opportunity to dual sport during every sports season. This means they can participate in more than one sport and be eligible for the postseason. Each school will decide on how this is handled at the local level. ​

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7. Change in Determining Final Rounds at District and State Speech. Passed (82 For, 9 Against, 9 Abstain)

8. District Final Host in Basketball. Passed (82 For, 4 Against, 14 Abstain)

Similar to above, in Classes C1 and C2, higher seeded teams will host District Finals​

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9. District Final Host in Volleyball. Passed (82 For, 2 Against, 16 Abstain)

Similar to above, in Classes C1 and C2, higher seeded teams will host District Finals​

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10. Increase Number of Allowable Competitions in Play Production Per Week. Passed (47 For, 44 Against, 9 Abstain)

11. Change Outstanding Performer Awards and District and State Play Production. Passed (62 For, 30 Against, 7 Abstain)

12. 2-Hour Organized Practice 10 weeks prior to start of season. Failed (46 For, 53 Against, 2 Abstain)

If member schools choose to hold off-season sports specific work-outs but due to facility and time restraints, member schools can have the following option limiting coaches to 2 hours per week for a maximum of 10 weeks. "Sport Specific" workouts (does not include weight lifting and conditioning). Note: Anytime a coach works sports specific skills with an athlete, that time counts toward the 2-hour team total for that sport that week. ​

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13. Girls Wrestling Classification - Add Class B. Passed (70 For, 7 Against, 23 Abstain)

14. Allowing students to dual sport in each season. Failed (26 For, 60 Against, 14 Abstain)

Student are already participating in more than one activity per season. Some within schools and some out. (For example, several students already play volleyball and cheer or dance. Some do their in season sport as well as a traveling team. Others are also participating in rodeo or trapshooting in addition to their NSAA-sanctioned sport without any adverse issues in their studies.)​

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15. Greater Recognition Awards for District and State Cross Country and/or the redistribution of Class D classifications. Failed (39 For, 47 Against, 14 Abstain)

If a team qualifies for state, they deserve a recognition plaque. There are other NSAA-sanctioned activities and sports which get a plaque even if they don't qualify for state. One Act, for example, only sends the top team to state, but their second-place team still gets physical recognition. ​

With the increase in the number of schools who are taking up cross country as a sport, the pool of Class D teams participating in the district meet has grown exponentially. A few years ago, there were around 16 teams per district but this year our district has 24 schools participating. This means that in Class D, 40% of schools don't have a statistical chance to have a state qualifier and only 13% of those schools can qualify as a team. In contrast, Class B has a 50% chance of qualifying as a team. This makes those teams appear much more successful than the Class D schools who work every bit as hard as the larger schools and don't have the luxury of selecting the best of the best because they have more athletes to choose from. The districts need to be split into D-1 and D-2 because cross country is only going to continue to grow in the state since it's one of the most accessible sports to students. ​

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Of the individual events, earning a medal at state cross country is the most challenging in the state of Nebraska. Wrestlers have a 40% chance of earning a state medal, Track and Field athletes also have a 40% chance of earning a medal once they're state qualified, but state cross country athletes have slightly more or less than a 10% shot at recognition at state, depending on the year and which class they're in. In all Class divisions of the male state cross country races in 2022, 5th through 25th place all finished within a minute of each other. They certainly qualify as elite runners. Not only that, state wrestling offers more total medals per meet than cross country does in a 5 year span.​

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The State Meet needs to be televised. Even bowling was televised before it was state sanctioned. Most of the other state athletic event finals are televised. In many cases, this is perpetuating the idea among kids that cross country is a secondary, less important sport than the other fall sports. These kids work hard! They deserve the same recognition that state wrestlers get for their individual sports.​

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DISTRICT V

Legislative Proposals

1. Home School Transfer Bylaws. Passed (23 For, 0 Against)

2. New Bylaw - Law Compliance: Passed (22 For, 1 Against)

3. Class D Football - Utilize Week #0 to allow for 8-game schedule in 9 weeks; would allow current playoff format to remain intact. Passed: (11 For, 10 Against, 2 Abstain)

4. Football: Scheduling and officials be assigned by the NSAA. Failed: (5 For, 17 Against, 1 Abstain)

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As NSAA continues to establish schedules for all classes, this proposal asks that the NSAA take scheduling a few steps further:​

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1) The NSAA would schedule the date and time of the games in the proposal. ​

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2) Additionally, the NSAA would assign the officials for the contest at the time of establishing the schedule. ​

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3) Understanding that this would create additional burden for the NSAA staff, a "Scheduling Committee" would be established to assist the NSAA in this undertaking. a) the Scheduling Committee would consist of two members from each NSAA Legislative District that would "select/elect" members of their body to assist the NSAA in this process.​

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4) In assigning the officials for the contests the NSAA would utilize already established payment fees and procedures outlined for playoff games in the Football Manual.​

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5) Schools will be surveyed each scheduling cycle to determine the following: a) preferred time slot for games (ranked from "most preferred" to "least preferred"; b) Preferred officiating crews (both in-state and out-of-state); this will help the NSAA develop the pool of officials in which to assign to games. ​

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6) Officials will be surveyed each scheduling cycle to determine: a) Dates available; b) Willingness to officiate two games on the same day (and on which dates); c) Travel availability (distance, time frame, location in which the crew will be traveling from)​

5. Volleyball: Class C1 and C2 - higher seeded team host District Finals regardless of distance between two schools. Passed (15 For, 6 Against, 2 Abstain)

6. Basketball: Class C1 and C2 - higher seeded team host District Finals regardless of distance between two schools. Passed: (15 For, 7 Against, 1 Abstain)

7. Football - 8-man Classifications: Moves eligibility number from 47 to 55 and creates and third class of 8-man football. Schools would also play a 9-game season, with playoffs moving from 32 teams to 16 teams, and all playoff games being played on Friday nights. D3 teams would not be paired up against D1 teams unless it was a requested contest (i.e. rivalry game, close proximity to each other). Passed (14 For, 7 Against, 2 Abstain)

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This proposal has two major components that would affect the classification and playoff structure of 8-man football, First, this proposal would move the eligibility number for 8-man football to 55 boys in the three-grade count. Currently, that number sits at 47. Second, this proposal would change the 8-man classification structure from a two-class division to a three-class division. 8-man teams would be classified in one of three classes (D1, D2, or D3). Would use the largest 32 schools for Class D1 and separate the remaining 8-man schools evenly between Classes D2 and D3. Every attempt would be made to make sure a D3 is not scheduled against a D1 because of overall school size protecting D3 schools thus not causing a group of ineligible schools to form in Class D6. ​

8. Girls Wrestling - Add Class B with largest 56 schools based on girl enrollment being in Class A and remainder of registered schools placed in Class B. Passed: (20 For, 1 Against, 2 Abstain)

9. FROM THE FLOOR: Class D Basketball - Implement 35-sceond shot clock beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Failed (8 For, 14 Against, 1 Abstain)

 

[Alum-Ni]

DISTRICT VI

Legislative Proposals

1. Home School Transfer Bylaws: Passed (26 For, 1 Against)

2. New Bylaw 1.5.3.9 - Law Compliance: Passed (25 For, 2 Against)

3. Use of 35-second shot clock for varsity contests in Class C1 and C2 basketball. Passed: (23 For, 4 Against)

4. Use of 35-second shot clock for Class C1 Only Varsity Basketball. Passed (24 For, 3 Against)

5. Junior High Participants at High School Cross Country Practice. Passed (25 For, 1 Against, 1 Abstain)

Add 3.11.3.4 - A school may permit 7th and 8th grade students to participate in practice sessions and drills. This change would allow Junior High and High School cross country teams to share practice times, locations and coaches. Under the current rules, schools are not able to share practice times and locations, as it could potentially violate Approved Rulings and interpretations for 3.11.1-3.11.13. ​

6. Junior High Participant at High School Track Practice: Passed (24 For, 2 Against, 1 Abstain)

Add 3.11.10.5 - During the Track season, a school may permit 7th and 8th grade students to participate in practice sessions and drills. This change would allow Junior High and High School track and field teams to share practice times, locations and coaches. Under the current rules, schools are not able to share practice times and locations, as it could potentially violate Approved Rulings and interpretations for 3.11.1-3.11.13. ​

7. Out-of-State Transfers. Passed (14 For, 13 Against)

Changing 2.7.8 to allow students transferring from out of state to Nebraska schools using the May 1st transfer list. Currently the May 1st transfer list is only for Nebraska students transferring to other Nebraska schools. ​

8. Use of Student Managers at Basketball Practice (Class D Only). Motion Passed: (24 For, 3 Against)

Update 3.11.1.7 to: During the Basketball season, the only persons allowed to participate in any practice session, drill or scrimmage, are the team members and designated team student managers. A manager is defined as a 7th or 8th grade student in good academic standing who carries out duties for their high school team on a daily basis. These individuals will need to have an Athletic Physical and NSAA Consent Form on file with the school. Any other adult, college student or alumni may not participate in any practice session, drill, scrimmage, game or contest in which a school team or an individual who is a member of a school team is involved. ​

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Due to decreasing participation numbers in some schools, many teams have limited numbers of players out for sports which make it difficult to have enough high school participants to practice. Allowing 7th and 8th grade managers to participate in practice may allow teams to have adequate numbers of students to have effective practice sessions, drills and scrimmages. ​

9. Use of Student Managers at Volleyball Practice (Class D Only). Motion Passed: (23 For, 4 Against)

Update 3.11.11.4 to: During the Volleyball season, the only persons allowed to participate in any practice session, drill or scrimmage, are the team members and designated team student managers. A manager is defined as a 7th or 8th grade student in good academic standing who carries out duties for their high school team on a daily basis. These individuals will need to have an Athletic Physical and NSAA Consent Form on file with the school. Any other adult, college student or alumni may not participate in any practice session, drill, scrimmage, game or contest in which a school team or an individual who is a member of a school team is involved. ​

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Due to decreasing participation numbers in some schools, many teams have limited numbers of players out for sports which make it difficult to have enough high school participants to practice. Allowing 7th and 8th grade managers to participate in practice may allow teams to have adequate numbers of students to have effective practice sessions, drills and scrimmages. ​

10. Use of Student Managers at Wrestling Practice (Class D Only). Motion Passed (18 For, 9 Against)

Update 3.11.12.7 to: During the Wrestling season, the only persons allowed to participate in any practice session, drill or scrimmage, are the team members and designated team student managers. A manager is defined as a 7th or 8th grade student in good academic standing who carries out duties for their high school team on a daily basis. These individuals will need to have an Athletic Physical and NSAA Consent Form on file with the school. Any other adult, college student or alumni may not participate in any practice session, drill, scrimmage, game or contest in which a school team or an individual who is a member of a school team is involved. ​

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Due to decreasing participation numbers in some schools, many teams have limited numbers of players out for sports which make it difficult to have enough high school participants to practice. Allowing 7th and 8th grade managers to participate in practice may allow teams to have adequate numbers of students to have effective practice sessions, drills and scrimmages. Especially in wrestling where there may be a large difference in size to the high school participants to participate in practice which would result in safer practice partners. ​

11. Multi-Sport Opportunity During the Same Season. Motion Failed (9 For, 17 Against, 1 Abstain)

The division of sports seasons shall be as follows. No school shall register more than one varsity team per sport. Students may participate in a team sport and an individual sport or two indivdiual sports in the same season (noted below). The decision to allow students to participate in two sports in the same season would be determined by school administration with consideration to the school's ability to provide both opportunities. ​

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Definition of individual or team sport is consdered an individual sport if a single person can compete in the sport and still be eligible for the postseason. A sport is considered a team sport if the schools is required to have a minimum number of players to compete.​

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Indivdiual Sports: Boys/Girls Golf, Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Cross Country, Unified Bowling, B/G Wrestling, B/G Swimming, B/G Bowling, B/G Track, Unified Track​

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Team Sports: Softball, Football, Volleyball, B/G Basketball, Baseball, B/G Soccer​

12. High Seed Host District Finals in Volleyball and Basketball in Classes C1, C2, D1 and D2. Passed (20 For, 6 Against, 1 Abstain)

13. Create Additional Classes: (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, D3). Failed (4 For, 22 Against, 1 Abstain)

14. Create Additional Classes: (A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4). Failed (6 For, 20 Against, 1 Abstain

 

[EndzoneView]

So if it passed in 1 district does it go onto a vote for the whole state or how do these district votes work?

 

[Alum-Ni]

So if it passed in 1 district does it go onto a vote for the whole state or how do these district votes work?

The way I understand it......all proposals that are approved in each District meeting are sent to the Executive Director, who will then compile all proposals received from all districts and send to all member schools for study.

The districts will meet again (before February 1). The proposals that pass the second district meetings are forwarded onto the Legislative Commission.

Proposals for changes to the NSAA Constitution and Bylaws that receive 6 or more of the 14 votes of the members of the Legislative Commission -or- have passed in three or more District meetings, will be placed on the agenda for the Representative Assembly.

I believe (please someone correct me if I'm wrong), legislation must be approved by a three-fifths majority vote of the Representative Assembly to go into effect.