NIAA releases proposed changes for 2009-10 school year

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association released a letter Monday outlining proposed cost-cutting measures for the 2009-10 school year, including a three-division realignment proposal.

The move essentially would combine the Northern 3A with the smaller current 4A schools into what would be called Division II. Division I would be made up of the larger 4A schools and Division III the state's smaller schools. It would most likely be in effect for all sports except football.

The proposed changes " which include reducing the maximum number of regular-season games " were discussed in a meeting this past Thursday with NIAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine and the state's 17 superintendents.

"As all of you know the current status of our State economy seems to be dismal at best, and no doubt will have a direct (effect) on educational budgets, which in turn directly (affects) our athletic and activities budgets," Bonine's letter reads.

"... the NIAA worked diligently to propose reductions and reorganization of classification, to address travel, loss of instructional time, rivalries, and competitiveness."

The letter was forwarded to the superintendents, the Board of Control and NIAA member schools in hopes of receiving "immediate feedback," it states. Another meeting between the NIAA Board and superintendents will be held in June for approval.

Meanwhile, the reduction proposals are being considered on an "urgent basis," with some possibly to be put in place as soon as the 2009 fall seasons, according to the letter.

NIAA Assistant Commissioner Donnie Nelson, however, said via e-mail that the proposals were sent out "just for the superintendents to digest," and that the changes "could happen soon, (or) may wait for a long time."

Bob Shaffer, Truckee's athletic director and head football and track coach, said last week that realigning between now and the fall 2009 season would create havoc among fall coaches who have already finalized their schedules.

"It's basically impossible to do (for the fall season)," Shaffer said, talking specifically about football. "Most of the teams in our league already have their schedules set in stone ... It would have to be the year after next."

As part of the proposed realignment plan, which is intended to reduce travel costs for most schools, 30 schools statewide would become members of Division I. Division II also would include 30 schools and Division III would have 46 schools. Each division would be made up of three regions, according to the proposal.

Truckee is proposed to be in the 13-member NIAA Division II Northern Region, while North Tahoe and Incline are proposed to be in the 16-member Division III Western Region.

With the exception of football, which will likely retain its four divisions, Nelson said, Truckee would share the Division II Northern Region with the other six current members of the Northern 3A, as well as current 4A schools Churchill County (Fallon), Elko, Hug, South Tahoe and Wooster. Rite of Passage from the 2A also would join.

North Tahoe and Incline would lose Rite of Passage from the current Northern 2A while gaining Coleville, Excel Christian, Gabbs, Gerlach, McDermitt, Pyramid Lake, Sage Ridge, Sierra Lutheran, Smith Valley, and Virginia City.

Again, Nelson stressed that the proposed changes were released simply for the superintendents to consider, and that any decisions are still far from final.

"There are a whole lot of steps involved before anything is approved. Nothing is set in stone," Nelson said.