The following message is a slightly altered letter written to me (Jason Byrne, flrunners.com founder) from Coach Droze. We would like to encourage coaches to send their input to Gary. We also will be conducting a poll and encouraging forum dialog on this issue. Thanks!

Florida Coaches:

As a member of the track & field advisory committee, part of my job is to represent the collective opinion of coaches regarding FHSAA rules.

Next year will see a significant change in the maximum event rule. As you know, it's currently five events, of which no more than three can be running. In order to come in line with national standards, next year it must be four events maximum. The national rule is very straightforward:
"A competitor will compete in a maximum of four events."

The FHSAA Board of Directors will be voting next year to accept that rule change. Additionally, FHSAA staff wants to include a restriction to three running events, making the rule in Florida four events maximum, with no more than three running events.

At the recent FACA Track Clinic, the attendant coaches voted unanimously to recommend adopting the national standard verbatim, without the "three-and-one" restriction. However, obviously not every HS track coach in the state was there to express an opinion.

Flrunners.com gets widespread attention, so I wanted to know if I could request input from all coaches regarding this item. My basic statement/question is: "Given that in
2006 there will absolutely be a rule change limiting competitors to four events, do you favor a limit to three running events, or an open limit to four events of any combination?"

I hope to get the largest possible input, with insight from all angles about the item. This could have been posted on the forum; however, front page exposure is important for a few reasons:
1) In order to reach the maximum number of coaches,
2) While student opinions matter to me, FHSAA is focused on coach
input,
3) I cannot use the opinion expressed in anonymous postings.
If a
coach gives an opinion, I need a valid email or phone number for verification.

...So COACHES, if you would like to have your opinion heard on this matter please email me directly with a response by Jan 28. The FHSAA Board of Directors meets
Jan 30.

Bottom line is that this may be a rare opportunity for coaches to give direct input to FHSAA on a pretty big issue. Although I have my own opinions, I want to find out what most coaches think, and represent
that opinion.

Thanks,
-Gary Droze, Maclay School

EMAIL OPINIONS TO: GDroze@maclay.org