N. C. Track & Cross Country

Coaches Association

Founded 2002

 

DePaul Mittman, Executive Director                                                                 Phone: 336-255-3403 

6204 Bay Hill Ct.                                                                                                 Email: depaulmittman@bellsotuh.net

Greensboro, NC  27410                                                                                       Website: www.nctccca.org

 

 

July 20, 2009

 

Dear NCHSAA Board Member:

 

Each track and field season, many athletes participating in the NCHSAA Regional and State Championship leave the meet dejected instead of elated. The parents and coaches leave the meet angry, upset and confused. Not because of the athletes performance, but because the athlete was disqualified. They are disqualified for rules infraction. The general response is “I’ve been doing this all year and no one said anything!” They are correct. They have been breaking rules the ENTIRE season and no one enforced it until they reach the Regional or State Championship. How does this happen? Track meets in NC are officiated by the coaches. They are not certified officials and they are not required to be certified!  We would not host a football game or volleyball match without certified officials. Why do we subject our track and cross country athletes to an unsafe environment?

 

Our concern is not just about disqualifications or championships; it is about safety. Does the discus cage meet minimum safety standards, is the long jump pit wide and long enough or does the high jump have the proper landing pad? The rules book covers the questions and the meet officials should know the answers.

 

The North Carolina Track & Cross Country Coaches Association (NCTCCCA) Board of Directors proposes the following:

 

  1. All NCHSAA member schools must have at least one (1) National Federation Certified Track-Cross Country Official on their coaching staff in order to host a cross-country or track and field meet. If a school hosts a meet, without a Certified official, they will be subject to a fine from the NCHSAA. This will go into effect with the 2010-2011 school year.

Rationale: Safety. In all other NCHSAA sports, the officials must be certified. Cross Country and Track and field meets have been officiated by the individuals who as have not had to prove competence. This brings track and cross-country in line with all sanctioned sports.

 

  1. All Conference, Regional and State Meet Directors, Assistant Directors and Referees and officials must have National Federation Certification. This will go into effect with the 2009-2010 school year.

 

  1. Certification workshops and testing will be administered twice a year: the NCTCCCA Clinic held each January and the NCCA Clinic held each July. The National Federation Certification Exam is a 100 question open-book test. Passing score is a grade of 80. Certification is good for a 2-year span.

 

If you have questions or concerns please contact one of us.

 

 

DePaul Mittman                                                                                              Alton Tyre, Sr.

NCTCCCA Executive Director                                                                      NCTCCCA President