During Tuesday’s Tournament Management Committee meeting, the focus was on the new football proposal put forth by Milton football coach Steve Dembowski. While some members acknowledged Dembowski’s efforts, there was a lack of enthusiasm for revamping the current system. TMC chairman Shaun Hart expressed interest in reviewing the proposal and discussing it with the committee, although issues like the tight schedule and impact on winter sports are concerning.
District representatives, including Scott Paine and John Brown, stated that their districts are against the new playoff proposal in its current form. Despite recognizing some positive aspects of the plan, they believe changes are needed before it can be supported. Additionally, the committee decided to move the statewide soccer finals from Nov. 16 to Nov. 23 to allow for more time for the tournament.
Other topics discussed included clarifying the opt-up procedure for teams, with concerns raised about some teams missing the deadline to move up a division in sports like lacrosse. There was also discussion about potential conflicts in winter sports, with officials threatening to refuse league assignments due to inadequate pay.
The committee’s deliberations shed light on the challenges and considerations involved in making changes to the high school sports system, highlighting the need for thorough discussion and consensus among members. The meeting demonstrated the commitment of those involved to address issues and improve the overall experience for student-athletes across the state.
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