December 4, 2005 in Sports

Sixth classification process wraps up

By The Spokesman-Review
 

WIAA meeting

ON THE AGENDA

Today: Central Valley High principal Mike Hittle and activities coordinator Butch Walter appeal the Bears’ forfeiture of 13 wins from last year. Also, classification names for next year will be finalized, cross country season extended a week and cities make bids to host state championships.

Monday: New classification numbers will be unveiled, with the announcement of each school’s classification. Also, sites for the new tournaments will be selected.

CLASSIFICATIONS

With the addition of a sixth classification in state play, a new name was needed. The WIAA has decided upon 2B for the smallest schools, to go with 1B, 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A for the other classes.

“What does WIAA stand for? Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the governing body of high school sports in the state.

“What is the WIAA’s Executive Board? The 10-person board, which makes decisions on most of the WIAA’s rules and regulations, is made up of one representative from each of the WIAA’s nine districts along with one rotating member. Locally, Chewelah athletic director Joe Fiest represents District 7, Al Falkner, Gonzaga Prep principal, represents District 8 and Oakesdale athletic director Ken Lindgren is District 9’s representative.

One of the most important meetings of the WIAA’s Executive Board will be held today and Monday at the organization’s headquarters in Renton.

The WIAA governing council will announce the makeup of the new classifications Monday, capping more than a year of moving to a sixth classification, brought about by a desire to split the B class in half and a wish to even out the other four classes. The board will decide today what to name the new classification.

Also today, Central Valley High will appeal its District 8-imposed forfeiture of last season’s basketball victories. The forfeits, due to the use of an ineligible player, were based on an administrative error.

The appeal, by CV principal Mike Hittle and activities coordinator Butch Walter, probably will be denied, but the school has an ulterior motive, according to Walter.

“I’m not sure the rules as they are written would allow for overturning (the forfeits),” Walter said. “But that’s not necessarily our objective at this point of time. We want the Executive Board to be aware what we see as the concern regarding this rule.

“Sure, we would love to see them overturn it, but realistically it won’t happen.”

In response to the situation, District 8 is expected to put forward an amendment in front of the next Representative Assembly revamping the rules concerning ineligible players.

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