Executive Director’s Notebook I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1& 3 Executive Director’s

Notebook

2 NSAA Board of Directors &

NSAA Staff

4 December U.S. Bank

Believers & Achievers

5 Music Manual Updates &

Baseball Pitch Counts

6 2017-18 Music Educator

Award Recipient

7 November Board of

Directors Meeting Notes

8 2017-18 NSAA

District Meetings

9 Are your officials on the

NSAA officials roster?

10 Requirements for Ejected

Coaches & Players

11 Student Advisory

Committee Spotlight

12 NFHS Heart of the Arts

Award

13 NFHS Spirit of Sport Award

14 Speech Judges

Registration

Please see You Are Wonderful! on page 3

500 Char leston St . , Sui te 1, L incoln, NE 68508 www.nsaahome.org 402-489-0386

NSAA News December 2017

Dr. Jim Tenopir, NSAA Executive Director

You Are Wonderful! A famous singer had been contracted to sing at a Paris opera house, and ticket sales were brisk. On the night of the scheduled performance, the sold-out opera house was abuzz with excitement, awaiting the performer. However, at the scheduled start time, the house manager took to the stage to announce that the scheduled performer had fallen ill and would be unable to perform. However, the house manager

stated that they had found a suitable replacement that would provide comparable entertainment. Disappointment filtered through the audience, with obvious frustration in not being able to enjoy the name act. The replacement performer gave the performance his best effort, but upon finishing, silence was deafening. No one applauded. But from the balcony, a young boy stood and said, “Daddy, I think you are wonderful!” With that endorsement, the crowd broke into thunderous applause. I don’t know the veracity of this tale, but I do know that we all need people in our lives to occasionally stand up and tell us that we are wonderful! As someone who has been involved in the start of many, many sports and performing arts seasons, I know that the excellence of participants, sponsors and coaches often go unheralded. We are on the verge of another sports season, and there are many students statewide that are preparing for a season of fun, grueling practices and great efforts. Participation requires hard work and sacrifice. Students need to be saluted for their efforts. They need to know that because of their efforts, they are “wonderful!” Parents sacrifice much so that their children can have the opportunities for success in the school’s activities program.

“NSAA activities… the other half of

education.”

Page 2 December 2017

Kathi Wieskamp

District I

Lincoln Public

Schools

Mark Norvell

District I

Fillmore Central

Nolan Beyer

District II

Millard Public

Schools

Dr. Bob Reznicek

District II

Boys Town

Dan Keyser

District IV

Sutherland

Jay Bellar

District III

Battle Creek

Alan Garey

District V

Medicine Valley

Dr. Troy Unzicker

District VI

Alliance

Dr. Jim Tenopir

Executive Director

Deb Velder

Associate Director

NSAA Board of Directors

NSAA Staff

Jennifer Schwartz

Assistant Director

Ron Higdon

Assistant Director

Jon Dolliver

Assistant Director

Nate Neuhaus

Assistant Director

Dan Masters

Assistant Director

Jeff Stauss

Assistant Director

Ashton Honnor

Marketing

Specialist

Megan Huber

Business Manager

Cindy Callaway

Office Manager

Ronda Schmidt

Administrative

Assistant

Alicia McCoy

Administrative

Assistant

December 2017 Page 3

Whether that be allowing students to participate in lessons or camps, or waiting dinner for their child returning from late practices, or parents attending all or most of the student’s concerts, contests or tournaments, parents play a vital role in the success of the school’s activities programming. Parents, too, need to occasionally hear that they, too, are “wonderful!” We have coaches who are preparing for another season of coaching young men and women, not only on the X’s and O’s of the sport, but also providing life lessons that students will carry with them the rest of their lives. Those lessons come in the form of planned learning opportunities, spoken words and student observations of how coaches handle obstacles and success. Coaches often face stressful situations based on the outcomes of games, the expectations of athletes and their parents, and self-imposed stressors. Yet, coaches need to occasionally hear that through their efforts and leadership, they are “wonderful!” Administrators set the stage for expectation of coaches, students and spectators. Administrators deeply know the need for high school activities to be education-based activities. They know deep down that there are lessons to be learned in developing school spirit, stressing sportsmanship and following rules and regulations. Administrators are to be commended for the courage they show in assuring that student cheers and chants need to remain G-rated and non-discriminatory. There are certainly times where administrators need to hear that they are “wonderful!” Too often, the efforts by these various groups get overlooked, either because they are merely doing what is expected of them or doing what they’re paid to do. Understandable. But it often goes unnoticed the amount of time, effort and sacrifice that each of these groups commits during a sports season. Next time you feel approval for the efforts and accomplishments of students, coaches, administrators or parents, don’t be reticent in voicing that appreciation. It’s not inappropriate to be that person who is willing to stand up and say, “You are wonderful!”

The NSAA Would Like to

Thank Our Corporate

Partners

You Are Wonderful! from page 1

MaxPreps Statistics Leaders

GIRLS BASKETBALL BOYS BASKETBALL

GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING

Page 4 December 2017

December U.S. Bank Believers & Achievers

Brandon

Unverferth

Raymond Central

Brock Wiese

Lindsay Holy Family Bryson Williams

Lincoln Southeast

Claire Everitt

St. Mary’s

Claire Opheim

Bennington

Courtney Hrnchir

Hitchcock County

Dakota Empfield

Scottsbluff

Dani Carter

Alliance

Darin Archibald

Gordon-Rushville

Dustin Ternus

Humphrey St. Francis Emma Arthur

Hastings St. Cecilia Emma Bjork

Syracuse

December 2017 Page 5

NSAA Cup

Information about the

NSAA Cup competition

and standings can be

found on the NSAA

website here.

2017-18 NSAA Cup

Classifications may be

found on the NSAA

website here.

Music Manual Updates

The NSAA Board of Directors approved the 2017-2018 Music Manual at the November Board meeting. There are a number of changes and updates in this year’s manual surrounding District Music Contests:

Changes with music copyright guidelines

Gender neutral / inclusive language following Bylaws changes approved in last year’s legislative process

Exempt / homeschool students eligibility Member school Instrumental, Vocal and Orchestra directors are reminded to review the manual here.

I M P O R T A N T L I N K S

2017-18 NSAA Constitution & Bylaws

2017-18 NSAA Media Manual

2017-18 NCPA Academic All-State Information

NSAA Catastrophic Insurance

NSAA Sanctioned Events

Requests – Contests, Officials, Equipment

Become an NSAA Official!

Coaching Steps to Certification

Baseball Pitch Counts

During the November meeting, the NSAA Board of Directors approved the pitch counts for the 2018 baseball season following recommendations from the pitch count committee. Recommendations were defined following the post-season coaches survey last summer. Highlights include: increasing the range of pitches in the second tier of the chart, providing easier remembered numbers on the pitch count tiers and language to clarify pitch tracking in doubleheaders and suspended games. The pitch counts are posted on the NSAA website here.

NSAA State Unified Sports, Bowling

The NSAA State Unified Sports, Bowling Championships will be held in Lincoln on December 4th at Sun Valley Lanes. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased online here or at Sun Valley Lanes the day of the Championships. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. with a 10:30 a.m. start. The tentative championship bowling schedule is as follows:

10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies 11:00 a.m. – Seeding Round 12:15 p.m. – Lunch 1:30 p.m. – First Round (Best of 5 Match Play) 2:30 p.m. – Final Four 3:30 p.m. – Finals *Awards to follow the Finals

For more information about NSAA Unified Sports, Bowling click here.

Page 6 December 2017

Music Director Tom Jaworski Receives National &

State Recognition

Former Adams Central High School Instrumental Music Director Tom Jaworski has been named the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Section 5 and Nebraska’s 2017-18 Outstanding Music Educator of the Year. Jaworski was nominated for the NFHS award by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) in collaboration with the Nebraska Music Educators Association (NMEA). Nominations are based upon outstanding service and unselfish devotion to interscholastic music by high school or college music educators. The NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award was first given in 1989 when seven individuals

received sectional awards. Since then, 170 sectional and 305 state awards have been awarded. Also, 1989 marked the beginning of an annual selection of a NFHS Citation recipient. The Citation is one of the highest awards presented by the NFHS in the fine arts. Jaworski will be considered for the Citation next summer.

Jaworski holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He is recognized as an outstanding music teacher that strived to develop music programs that grew personal development amongst students, pride in the local school and brought national recognition to the community through performances across the country. In his 43 years of teaching, Jaworski made his impact at Genoa, Aurora, Weeping Water and Adams Central High School. He has served for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA) or NMEA in some capacity since 1974.

Over the years Jaworski has earned numerous professional honors and accomplishments including: High School Teacher of the Year, the NSBA’s “Donald A. Lentz Award,” the Nebraska Department of Education’s “Award of Excellence Teacher” and he was inducted into the NMEA Hall of Fame. His students have performed nationally at multiple Presidential Inaugural Parades, in the Nebraska Statehood festivities in the Capitol Rotunda and have received countless Superior Ratings and All-State Band recognition.

Jaworski was honored and presented with the awards in Lincoln at the Nebraska Music Educators Association annual awards banquet on November 17th.

Nebraska’s NFHS Music Educator Award Winners since 2002 2002 - Bryan Johnson, Oakland-Craig High School 2003 - Dean Dahlke, Bertrand High School 2004 - Gene Torrens, Elkhorn High School 2005 - Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn High School 2006 - Fred Ritter, Columbus High School 2007 - Sharon Hoffman, Bayard Public Schools 2008 - Byron Braasch, Lewis & Clark Middle School 2009 - Stan Johnson, Shickley Public Schools 2010 - Dave Klein, Kearney Public Schools 2011 - Cheri Helmer-Riensche, Papillion-La Vista South High School 2012 - William Reichert, Broken Bow High School 2013 - Cheri Helmer-Riensche, Regional Winner, Papillion-La Vista South 2013 - Rita Stinner, Western Nebraska Community College 2014 - Rex Barker, Millard South High School 2015 - Patricia Ritchie, Millard West High School 2016 - Denise Cotton, Lincoln Southwest High School 2017 - Tom Jaworski, Regional Winner, Adams Central High School

December 2017 Page 7

November NSAA Board of Directors Meeting Notes

NSAA Board of Directors Meeting

November 9th, 2017

NSAA Office – Lincoln, NE

Items of Note:

The Consent Agenda was approved as presented at the meeting. For a complete list of items on the consent

agenda, including approval of new cooperative sponsorships and renewals of existing agreements, please click

here to view the full minutes from the meeting.

The NSAA Board of Directors, by an 8-0 vote, will be permitting football schools that opt down in classification

in year one of the classification cycle and are therefore ineligible for the playoffs to be eligible for the playoffs

in year 2 of the cycle if their enrollment number in year 2 drops within the enrollment range of the class to

which they opted down.

The NSAA Board approved unanimously to not award bonus points in the wildcard system for schools that opt

down in football.

The board discussed the number of medals provided to schools at the NSAA Football Championship Finals. It

was then moved and passed on an 8-0 vote that the NSAA Will provide medals for a designated number of

football players in each class. Schools with regular season travel squads in excess of that designated number

will be permitted on the sideline, but schools will be responsible for their admission.

The NSAA Board discussed regulations on the makeup of the NSAA Board of Directors.

The NSAA board also adopted an updated equity investment range of 20%.

The 2018 Baseball pitch counts were approved by an 8-0 vote. For full information, visit this link.

The 2018-19 NDE enrollment numbers for classification purposes were presented to the NSAA Board of

Directors and approved on an 8-0 vote. Full 3-grade enrollment and gender counts are available on this page,

under “Enrollment Numbers”.

Dr. Tenopir reported on the latest meeting of the Dual Wrestling Championships Committee. The committee’s

proposal was submitted via the NSAA Legislative process and passed in Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6. For full minutes

from latest Dual Wrestling Committee meeting and details on the proposal in the NSAA legislative process,

please click here.

The next meeting of the NSAA Board of Directors will be held in Norfolk, NE on December 6th, 2017.

Page 8 December 2017

2017-18 NSAA District Meetings

District 1 Wednesday, January 10 – 10:00 a.m. – NSAA Office, Lincoln District 2 Wednesday, January 10 – 10:00 am – Boys Town Conference Center District 3 Wednesday, January 10 – 12:00 noon – Norfolk Country Club District 4 Wednesday, January 10 – 1:00 pm – Kearney High School District 5 Wednesday, January 10 -1:00 pm CST/12:00 pm MST – The Tassel, Holdrege District 6 Wednesday, January 10 – 9:00 am – Alliance Public Library

Stay up to date on all of the

NSAA action at

http://nsaahome.org/. Like

us on Facebook and follow

@nsaahome and

@nsaaevents on Twitter,

and @nsaahome on

Instagram and Snapchat.

Are your head and assistant coaches C.E.R.T.I.F.I.E.D?

NSAA Bylaw 2.12 stipulates, “In order to serve as a head or assistant coach or sponsor of any activity sponsored by the NSAA, the individual must possess a valid Nebraska Teaching Certificate or Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate and have a written contract of employment as a coach or sponsor with the schools in which he/she is to perform these duties.” Yes, this does include coaches/directors/sponsors/advisers in the non-athletic activities as well: Play Production, Music, Speech and Journalism. Individuals that do not possess either of the certificates listed above, may serve as a head or assistant as long as they successfully complete the requirements for a Special Services Coaching Permit (NSAA Bylaw 2.12.2). This information can be found on the NSAA webpage under the Coaches tab. It is important to remember that certification is not complete until the individual has applied and received their certificate from the Nebraska Department of Education Certification Office. Schools should request a copy of the certificate and have it on file at the school. Non-certified personnel may be contracted by the school, but such personnel shall be Coaches Aides. (NSAA Bylaw 2.12.3). There are restrictions and limitations for Coaches Aides. Refer to the respective Bylaw for a complete listing in regard to Coaches Aides. If you should have questions in regard to coaching requirements, contact Debra Velder at dvelder@nsaahome.org.

December 2017 Page 9

Have you followed the NSAA social media channels?

Two NSAA Fall Championships remain! Be sure to follow all of the NSAA social media channels to stay updated on the latest Championship action. @nsaaevents on Twitter is your primary source for Championship scores and updates.

Are your officials on the NSAA Officials Roster?

3.12.2 Officials for Varsity Contests. Only those officials who are registered with the Association may be used by member high schools to officiate varsity competition in football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, soccer, softball and volleyball competition, and start track & field meets. Athletic Directors are expected to confirm that all officials hired to officiate varsity contests have been classified by the NSAA. The NSAA Officials Roster is available on your AD login page under “NSAA OFFICIALS & JUDGES.”

Page 10 December 2017

Requirements for Ejected Coaches & Players

Enforcement of the “sit-out rule” for ejections from high school contests for unsportsmanlike conduct is a responsibility of the member school. Failure to properly enforce this rule could result in other sanctions by the NSAA. Administrators will be expected to promptly file a report with the NSAA whenever a participant or coach from their school has been ejected from any high school contest. Such filing must be done online under the AD login section of the NSAA website. Enforcement of the “sit-out rule” is expected to begin immediately, regardless whether it is regular-season or tournament play. Any athlete ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be ineligible for the next athletic contest at that level of competition and any other athletic contest at any level during the interim. Any athlete ejected for a second time during a season from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be ineligible for the next two contests at that level of competition and all other athletic contests at any level during the interim. Any athlete ejected for a third time during a season from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be ineligible for the next three contests at that level of competition and all other athletic contests at any level during the interim, in addition to other penalties the NSAA or school may assess. During the time of their “sit-out” suspension, athletes who are ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct may not suit up or participate, but it is the school’s discretion whether such athlete is able to travel with the team or sit on the team bench. (The athlete is permitted to practice per school’s discretion.) Coaches who are ejected for the first time will be required to sit-out the next contest at that level, plus all other contests at any level during the interim. Coaches may not be present at the contest site during the time of their “sit-out” suspension. The coach will also be required to successfully complete the NFHS online course “TEACHING AND MODELING BEHAVIOR” within 10 days of the ejection. Coaches who are ejected a second time in a season will be required to sit-out the next two contests at that level, plus all other contests at any level during the interim. Coaches may not be present at the contest site during the time of their “sit-out” suspension. The coach will also be required to successfully complete the NFHS online course “FUNDAMENTAL S OF COACHING” within 10 days of the ejection.

NSAA Important Dates &

Deadlines

NSAA Cup Information

NSAA Publications Order

Form

NSAA Fall Championship Results

GIRLS GOLF SOFTBALL

BOYS TENNIS CROSS COUNTRY

VOLLEYBALL FOOTBALL

December 2017 Page 11

Student Advisory Committee Spotlight

In the thick July heat, student leaders from across the United States and Canada gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana, to improve their leadership skills. The 2017 National Student Leadership Summit, hosted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, was three days of inspiring speakers, dynamic workshops, endless networking and participating with local Project Unify Athletes. Workshops covered topics such as inclusiveness, using social media as a positive tool and communication. Through a thought provoking workshop modeled as a debate, students compared

their experiences and values. The session was led by Dr. Greg Dale, who is a sports psychologist and leadership program director at Duke University. Dr. Dale posed simple questions at first and asked leaders to choose the side that they agreed with most. As the workshop continued, questions grew deeper and more personal. Questions ranged from team dynamics and personal beliefs to how other teammates or coaches are treated. Students respectfully shared and advocated for their thoughts. The key aspect to this workshop was communication. More specifically, open and honest verbal communication. In the age of technology, this skill has often been lost and teams or groups are negatively affected. This leadership summit showed students how vital it is to talk face to face with teammates, coaches and teachers. Another perk to this workshop was simply the flow of information among state leaders. Students from the southwest could learn new ways to make an impact on those around them from what students from the northeast shared, just as Nebraska student leaders did. Overall, the communication that occurred at the NSLS was one of the most important benefits of the summit. With their improved communication skills and greater awareness of national and international perspectives, students returned to their home states, provinces, and territories excited and ready to make a difference.

Connor Lammel, Junior at Millard South High School

Munksgaard to be Inducted in NIAAA Hall of Fame

Former Lincoln Southeast athletic director Larry Munksgaard will be inducted into the NIAAA Hall of Fame on December 12th in Phoenix, Arizona. Munksgaard was the athletic director at Lincoln Southeast for 17 years from 1993-2010. During his tenure, the school won 35 NSAA state championships and 10 Omaha World Herald All-Sports Championships. For the full NIAAA Hall of Fame press release, click here.

New Online Courses on Supervising Afterschool Activities & Hazing Prevention for Students National Federation of State High School Associations

November 1, 2017 – New online education courses on “Supervising Afterschool Activities” and “Hazing Prevention for Students” are now available through the NFHS Learning Center at www.NFHSLearn.com. “Supervising Afterschool Activities” was created in partnership with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and Safe Sport Zone to help schools create a safer environment for students during afterschool hours and to implement school safety with an afterschool activities supervision plan. This course is geared toward coaches and administrators who oversee after-school activities, games and events. Funding for the course was provided by the NFHS Foundation. Click here for the full press release on the NFHS website.

Page 12 December 2017

NFHS Heart of the Arts Award

The NFHS has developed its “National High School Heart of the Arts Award,” which will be conferred to eight section winners as well as one national winner. The recipient must be an individual from a high school that is a member of an NFHS-member athletic or activity association. The recipient could be any student, adult or group associated with the school’s performing arts program. This award, which is similar to the Spirit of Sport Award, covers a plethora of performing arts disciplines: Music, Speech, Debate, Theatre, Visual Arts and other performing arts activities that state associations may sponsor. This award seeks to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive heart of the arts that represent the core mission of education-based activities. The award may be given in recognition of a specific act or for an activity of longer duration. For example, it could be awarded to an individual (or group) that:

*has demonstrated exemplary “heart,” sportsmanship and/or citizenship in participation as it should occur;

*has exceeded normal expectations in assisting others within the school or community; or *has overcome adversity or a challenging circumstance. In the instance of a student, that student must be in good academic standing within his or her respective high school. Among the qualifying criteria that will be used are the student’s grade-point average, the activities in which he or she is involved, and community involvement. Other candidates should possess similar positive character traits, such as a high level of integrity and ethics. The nomination must be for something that occurred between January 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018. Nominated individuals do not necessarily need to still be enrolled in high school at the time of the nomination. The section winners and the national winner will be publicized in an NFHS press release, as well as in the “High School Today” magazine. In addition, the national winner will be recognized in person at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Chicago in June of 2018. If you have someone that is deserving of a nomination, please contact NSAA Assistant Director Ron Higdon at rhigdon@nsaahome.org. Nominations are due by January 15, 2018 to the NSAA. Please contact Ron with questions.

December 2017 Page 13

NFHS Spirit of Sport Award

The NFHS has developed its “National High School Spirit of Sport Award,” which will be conferred to eight section winners as well as one national winner. The recipient must be an individual from a high school that is a member of an NFHS-member athletic or activity association. The recipient could be a coach, athletic administrator, administrator, contest official, trainer, student-athlete or any others associated with the school or the school’s athletic program. This award seeks to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics. The award may be given in recognition of a specific act or for an activity of longer duration. For example, it could be awarded to an individual (or group) that:

*has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and/or citizenship in playing the game as it should be played;

*has exceeded normal expectations in assisting others within the school or community; or *has overcome adversity or a challenging circumstance. In the instance of a student, that student must be in good academic standing within his or her respective high school. Among the qualifying criteria that will be used are the student’s grade-point average, the activities in which he or she is involved, and community involvement. Other candidates should possess similar positive character traits, such as a high level of integrity and ethics. The nomination must be for something that occurred between January 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018. Nominated individuals do not necessarily need to still be enrolled in high school at the time of the nomination. The section winners and the national winner will be publicized in an NFHS press release, as well as in the “High School Today” magazine. In addition, the national winner will be recognized in person at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Chicago in June of 2018. If you have someone that is deserving of a nomination, please contact Assistant Director Ron Higdon at rhigdon@nsaahome.org. Nominations are due by January 15, 2018 to the NSAA. Please contact Ron with questions.

Page 14 December 2017

Nebraska Schools Activities Association Play Production and Speech Rules Meeting Schedules

All judges and head coaches are REQUIRED to complete an online rules meeting for their activity.

2017-18 Online Rules Meeting Dates

Speech

September 27 to January 10 No Charge to Head Coaches & Judges January 11 to January 17 Basic $25 Fee – Head Coaches & Judges January 18 to January 19 Late/Penalty $50 Fee – Head Coaches & Judges

**Please pay specific attention to the rules meeting schedule to avoid additional fees.

Activity Fee Deadline

Speech $25.00 January 19, 2018

NSAA Speech Judges Registration

The NSAA judge’s application for the 2017-18 school year is now available online at www.nsaahome.org.

Rules Meeting. All judges must view the respective online rules meeting to meet the rules meeting

requirement for each activity.

Please refer to your judge’s login page frequently throughout the school year for updates, reminders and

notifications.

Questions? Contact Cindy Callaway at ccallaway@nsaahome.org or 402-489-0386.

Registration Deadline Speech – January 19, 2018