AISA LINK

January 22, 2001

WWW.AISAONLINE.ORG

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL WINNER!
CONGRATULATIONS!
SUMITON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

STATE BOARD MEETING:
The State Board Meeting has been moved to February 3, 2001.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

HEADMASTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

STATE BOARD MEETING:
The State Board Meeting has been moved to February 3, 2001.

ACADEMIC HANDBOOK:
Please make and distribute a copy of the  Academic Handbook to all faculty members responsible for Academic competitions at your school.

ATTENTION:
AISA MANDATORY TESTING GRADES ARE 2, 5, 7, AND 9.  
This includes OLSAT testing.

TESTING MATERIALS REMINDER:
If you have not received testing registration materials for use in April of 2001, please call Mrs. Rebecca Wicketts at 1-800-228-0752, Ext. 5629, IMMEDIATELY!

IMPORTANT SGA REMINDER:
Don't forget to get involved in the state wide  AISA SGA Can-a-thon!  Please contact, John Lindsey, SGA President, at Abbeville Christian.  For more information call (334) 585-5100.

ATTENTION HEADMASTERS: WANTED! - BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
A Blue Ribbon school exemplifies excellence in teaching, student performance, school life, and school and community interaction. A Blue Ribbon Award will be given by the AISA to schools that meet certain criteria.  Click on Blue Ribbon Schools on our Newsletter page for the Criteria and Application.

ATTENTION HEADMASTERS:
Blue Ribbon Criteria - Add to #3 Criteria AISA Complete Battery overall average score is higher than the school's local ability overall average.

2000-2001 REVISED ACCREDITATION VISITING TEAM SCHEDULE. SEE OUR ACCREDITATION WEB PAGE.

ACCREDITATION VISIT:
Sumter Academy's visit will be Monday, March 19, 2001.

ATTENDANCE REPORTS - Due monthly!

ACADEMIC NOTES

LOST & FOUND:
A bracelet was found at Faulkner University during the Drama Festival call the AISA office to identify & claim.   
Call the office at 334-263-9115/9116.

DRAMA FESTIVAL PICTURES

DRAMA FESTIVAL WINNERS:
The Drama Festival was a great day filled with outstanding presentations by AISA junior high and senior high students!  Twenty-five schools participated this year.  Congratulations to all our participants and winners!
A list of winners is at the end of the Link.

SEE ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR DATES OF ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS - FESTIVALS, ETC.
Choir and Band dates have changed.  See below.

ATTENTION ALL CHORAL DIRECTORS:
The music for Honor Chorus 2001 is now available at J.W. Pepper.  I will be making tapes as soon as my scores arrive.  Please fax me (334-821-0876) and let me know which voice parts you need taped.  I apologize for not calling in the list last month.  Marguerite Clayton, Lee-Scott Academy.

AISA HONOR CHORUS SELECTIONS FOR APRIL 6 & 7, 2001

ATTENTION CHORAL AND BAND DIRECTORS:
The Music Association met on Wednesday, January 17, 2001, at Huntingdon College.  the following actions were taken:

SPELLING BEE TIME IS NEAR!

ATTENTION SPELLING BEE:
District Spelling Bee Host/Contact (January 30,  2001)

STATE SPELLING BEE - February 6, 2001 - Huntingdon College Flowers Chapel

ATTENTION:  
Art Teachers:  Change in Academic Handbook
p.74-4.  Each district will enter only the  first place winner in the state competition.
p.81-90 Only submit one (1) entry to the State Art Competition.

ATTENTION:
Academic District Coordinators/Host School Academic Coordinators/Local School Sponsors.
Please read p.3-6 in the Academic Handbook and the section that covers your Academic Competition/Festival/Show/or Contest.  It is very important that you know and understand rules and regulations of each Academic event.  Call Don Oswald, AISA Academic Director, if you have a question.

ACADEMIC HANDBOOK:
You may review/copy academic competition rules. Go to Academic page of the AISA web site. Click on Academic Handbook.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR NOTES

MEMO TO ALL HEAD FOOTBALL COACHES:
I would like to tell you about a great opportunity that is available for your 2000 Senior Football Players and Their Families.  This opportunity is to have a team of Alabama Football Players from all associations to play in an international all-star football series called the Down Under Bowl.  This is played in the country of Australia.  Your Pro-Active support of nominating your players is essential to our state sending a great team to compete against other teams.

Please send me the names and their addresses (Phone Numbers Too) and fax them or e-mail them to:

Randy Ragsdale
Alabama Down Under Head Football Coach
Trinity Presbyterian School
1700 East Trinity Blvd.
Montgomery, AL  36106
School Fax:  334-272-9262
School Phone Number:  334-277-5835 Ext. 132
Voice Mail Number is #253
Home Phone Number:  334-279-0477
E-Mail:  rragsdale@trinity.pvt.k12.al.us

Our second Alabama team went last year with 27 players.  We had the following player from your association to go and play in the all-star games:  Josh Grantham - Coosa Valley Academy, James McAlpine - Demopolis Academy, and Corey Stewart - Marengo Academy.  We played in the Championship Game and Finished 2nd and look to winning the Championship this year.  Thank you for your help!

CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to South Montgomery County Academy Senior, John Andrews for being named the Montgomery Quarterback Club's Player of the Year.

ATTENTION FOOTBALL COACHES:
Please read Spring Practice Information on page 20 of your AISA Athletic Handbook.

ATTENTION:
The Athletic Committee met on January 10, 2001 and voted to open the football season on August 23-24, 2001.

VACANCY:
Marengo Academy is accepting applicants for a Head Football Coach and Athletic Director.  Contact Kathryn Friday at (334) 295-4151.

SPRING SPORTS ELIGIBILITY PAST DUE:
Spring sports eligibility lists were due in the AISA office by January 22, 2001.

ATTENTION AD'S, PLAN AHEAD:
The participation format for the following State Tournaments is as follows:

Final Four Basketball Tournament
February 15 & 16 - Class AAA Schools
February 16 & 17 - Class AA Schools
February 15 & 17 - Class A Schools

Final Four Baseball Tournament 
May 9 & 10 - Class A Schools
May 10 & 11 - Class AAA Schools
May 11 & 12 - Class AA Schools

West Regionals will be held in Selma on February 9-10.
East Regionals will be held at Faulkner University in Montgomery on February 9-10.

GO TO THE ATHLETIC NOTES PAGE FOR THE BRACKETS.

WRESTLING
WRESTLING GATE PRICES:
Maximum - $3.00 Adults / $2.00 Students
Tournaments - $4.00 Adults / $2.00 Students

ATTENTION WRESTLING COACHES:
Please bring a typed program ready roster to the seed meeting.  List wrestlers by weight class and note any super efforts or records.  Please limit to one page.

BASKETBALL

ATTENTION BASKETBALL COACHES:

ATTENTION BASKETBALL COACHES:
We need a team picture of your 2000 State Champions in girl's and boy's basketball.

Please have these in by February 2, 2001.

ATTENTION BASKETBALL COACHES:
Teams who are in the Final Eight Tournament needs to bring a roster to the state office on February 6 when the All-Star selection meets at 10:00 a.m.  

AREA BASKETBALL HOST TEAMS (Girls and Boys):

Please call the office by February 5, by noon to announce the teams who are advancing to the Final Eight from your tournament.

ATTENTION ALL STAR BASKETBALL SELECTION COMMITTEE:
This committee will meet in the AISA office on Monday, February 6, at 10:00 a.m.  See III, D, page 47, of your AISA Athletic Handbook for committee members.

PUBLICITY:
Attention Basketball Coaches - Call your game results into the Montgomery Advertiser at 1-800-488-3579, The Birmingham News at 1-800-283-4024, and/or your local media. Try to get scores on the wire service.

ATTENTION BASKETBALL COACHES:
Ron Ingram of the Birmingham News requests that you call your games in on a regular basis and update him every Monday a.m.  He needs your record, scores, etc. for state ranking and outstanding player purposes.

You may:

Call at 1-800-283-4024
FAX at (205) 325-2425
Email to RIngram@BhamNews.com

Coaches, let's publicize our programs and players.  Thanks!

ATTENTION ATHLETIC DIRECTORS (TENNIS-BASKETBALL-GOLF & SOFTBALL COACHES):
The AISA office has information for you on room rates for playoffs and championship games in Montgomery.

BASKETBALL GATE PRICES:
AISA Maximum charges for admission to AISA basketball games are:

Varsity - $4.00 Adults / $2.00 Students
Below Varsity - $2.00 Adults / $2.00 Students
Varsity Tournaments - $4.00 Adults / $2.00 Students
Jr. High Tournaments - $3.00 Adults / $2.00 Students

CONGRATULATIONS:
(AISA STATE INVITATIONAL JUNIOR HIGH TOURNAMENT )

1A-2A Girls
Autauga Generals - 1st Place
Wilcox Wildcats - 2nd Place

3A Girls
Monroe Volunteers - 1st Place
Morgan Senators - 2nd Place

3A Boys
Fort Dale Eagles - 1st Place
Tuscaloosa Knights - 2nd Place

BASEBALL
Macon-East Montgomery Academy will host a baseball and softball tournament on April 7, 2001.  If interested in participating, call Coach Glynn Lott at (334) 277-6566.

REQUIRED BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL RULES CLINICS ANNOUNCED:
Required Baseball and Softball Rules Clinics will be held on the following dates at 6:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted.  There is a $25.00 fine for schools failing to attend a clinic.

* Noted for changed date.

Pitching Clarifications Made in High School Baseball and New 2001 Rules

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Elliot Hopkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 31, 2000) - Several clarifications in pitching motions were approved by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee at its meeting here July 15-17.

The committee defined the "time of the pitch: in the windup position as occurring when the pitcher (a) first starts any movement of his arm(s) or leg(s) after stepping onto the pitcher's plate with his hand already together in front of his body; (b) with both arms at his side, first starts any movement with both arms or leg(s) prior to the pitch; (c) with either hand in front of the body and the other hand at his side, after bringing his hands together, first starts any movement of his arm(s) or leg(s) prior to the pitch.

In the set positions, the "time of the pitch" occurs the instant the pitcher, after coming to a complete and discernible stop, starts any movement with arm(s) and/or leg(s) prior to the pitch.

In addition, the committee clarified Rule 6-1-4 regarding the position of the pitcher's glove in the set position as follows:  "He shall come to a complete and discernible stop (a change of direction is not considered an acceptable stop) with the ball in both hands in front of the body and his glove at or below his chin."

Elliot Hopkins, director of educational services for the NFHS and staff liaison to change in language was meant to clarify the intent of these pitching rules.

Although the NFHS Board of Directors already had approved a new bat rule, which take effect January 1, 2001, the Baseball Rules Committee approved this change as a part of its official rules change for the 2001.

The new bat rule in effect for the 2001 season will state that the diameter at the thickest part of the bat should be no greater than 2 5/8  inches, and the bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat.  For example, a 33-inch-long bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces.  Previously, the maximum diameter was 2 3/4 inches and the unit differential was five.

Regarding bats, the committee noted that bats that are altered, that deface the ball o r that do not meet the rule specifications are illegal.  Bats that are broken, cracked or dented shall be removed upon discover without penalty.

In Rule 1-1-5, the committee agreed to delay the implementation of the catcher's helmet and mask combination meeting the NOCSAE standard from January 1, 2001, to January 1, 2003.  Also, in Rule 1-1-5 the committee voted to give state high school associations the flexibility to allow commemorative or memorial patches (not to exceed 2 1/4 square inches) on jerseys in an appropriate and dignified manner without compromising the integrity of the uniform.

As is being done with rules in other high schools sports, the Baseball Rules Committee adopted language in Rule 4-2-3a to address sportsmanship.  The umpire-in-chief is to receive verification from both coaches that all participants are properly equipped and emphasize to the coaches and captains that all participants are expected to exhibit good sporting behavior throughout the game(s).

Baseball is the fourth-most popular sport for boys at the high school level with 455,305 participants during the 1998-1999 season, according to the athletics participation survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations.  In terms of school sponsorship it ranks third with 14,486 schools nationwide offering the sport.  In addition, there are 1,331 girls in 136 schools across the country who participated in baseball during the 1998-1999 season.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Bruce Howard or John Gillis, 317-972-6900

SOFTBALL
AISA will use the 12" yellow high seam softball.

SOFTBALL COACHES:
Faith Academy is hosting a Softball Tournament on March 30-31, 2001.  Coach Head needs 2 more teams.  
Call Coach Head at 334-633-7267.

GOLF
ATTENTION GOLF COACHES:
The AISA State Golf Championship will be held on April 30 and May 1, 2001, at Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery.  The AISA office has put motels and phone numbers for reservations in the Link.  The Arrowhead Pro Shop number is 1-334-272-7188 / 272-7180.

The AISA State Golf Tournament will play the next three years on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses.

Policy of the AISA:  Spectators will not be allowed to use golf carts at the State Golf Tournament.

POWERLIFTING
Pickens Academy will host the State Powerlifting Meet on Saturday, March 3, 2001.  Call Lane Wright (after 1 p.m.) at (205) 367-8144 for more information.

SWIM TEAMS
Escambia Academy is seeking schools which may have swim teams interested in competing.  Whether you have established team or are starting a new program, we would be interested in talking with you about arranging some meets.  Please contact Chad Prewett (AD) 334-368-2080 or Patty Castleberry 334-368-8063.

AISA 
OFFICIAL BALLOT/SURVEY
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

The AISA Council, Athletic Committee and the Athletic Standing Committee has enclosed the following proposals for a survey to our schools.

Football:  Please check which proposal is best for your school.

 _____  ---  If a team is behind forty points or more at halftime or when a team gets behind forty points after halftime the clock will run continuously the rest of the game, no matter what the score becomes.

_____ ---  If a team is behind forty points or more at halftime or when a team gets behind forty points after halftime the clock will run the rest of the third quarter continuously.  If the team is behind fifty points at the end of the third quarter the game will be over.  If a team is not behind fifty points at the beginning of the fourth quarter the game will be played with a non-stop clock the remainder of the game which will be twelve minutes.

_____ ---  Leave the football game as it is now.

The National Federation Rules Book gives the authority of the State Association to establish a point differential to terminate games at halftime or thereafter and establishing guidelines to use a running clock when the point differential is reached.  P.14, 15, and 28 in the Football Rules Book - 2000.

The above ballot and survey is understood and our decisions are stated.

Signed:  __________________________________________  Headmaster

                         ______________________________________   Athletic Director

COMPLETED BALLOT MUST BE IN AISA OFFICE BY 2-7-2001

2000 AISA STATE DRAMA FESTIVAL WINNERS

Poetry Interpretation
1st - Two & One are a Problem - Harrison Chambers - Tuscaloosa Academy
2nd - Someone Should Have Tought Him - Kimberly Thompson - Taylor Road Academy
3rd - Walrus & the Carpenter - Meredith McCoy - Springwood School

Monologue
1st - The Rainmaker - Blake Tyson - Patrician Academy
2nd - The Goddess - Samantha Chambers - Tuscaloosa Academy
3rd - Cinderella - Cile Martin - Fort Dale Academy

Duet Acting
1st - God - Laura Lynn Lester & Ali Jones - Crenshaw Christian School
2nd - The Rainmaker - Robert Tucker & Rachael Allen - Patrician Academy
3rd - Tangled Up In Blue - Trey Smith & Eva Hammock - Lee-Scott Academy

Mime
1st - Late - Ashley White - Chambers Academy
2nd - Grocery Shopping - Stephen Formica - Mobile Chr. School
3rd - Stuck On Myself - Kate Williams - Lee-Scott Academy