Thanks to everyone who's helped me gather info.To those who don't like the idea of shining a little light on this subject - shame on you! If we're in this for the athletes, we should want them all to have a fair shake.
If you're not in this for the athletes, then why are you still involved? Think about it...
Equipment
I contacted three (3) companies that make automatic timing equipment.
I held for quite some time before I finally spoke with Aaron, a tech at Daktronics. He began by stating that, if their equipment (relay take-off platforms) is installed properly, the system's reliability is "good". He said he was unaware of any controversy surrounding our high school state meet relay DQ's.
I got hold of Bob at Colorado. He said his company had tried using technology similar to that in the Daktronics system, but found it to be less reliable than they'd like. Colorado's relay take-off judging systems now work to sense pressure/force and he's happy to report that they've found it to be very accurate, even with smaller age group swimmers.
Jane at IST says they do not make a relay take-off platform. They do not have enough confidence in the technology to put a product out there. In fact, when asked to modify their timing systems to interface with another manufacturer's relay take-off platforms, they declined. IST is a sponsor (Platinum Partner) of NISCA.
To be reliable, the automatic systems must record both a finish and a take-off to the hundredth of a second. If a touch pad fails to register a finish correctly (happens once in a while, right?) and/or a lid fails to record a take-off properly, how can we continue on with "business as usual"?
High school swimming must modify current rules or stop using this equipment.
Rules
Organizations like TISCA, NISCA, UIL, and NFHS should all be working together to make rules that keep our competitions fair for all athletes.
Very reliable sources* have provided emails that indicate this has not been happening.
Stonewalling? Plausible denial? Patronizing B.S.? Stalling? Heads in the sand? Yeah, there's been plenty of it.
A couple of years ago the out-of-control arms race (tech suits) was hurting high school swimming. Cooperation between the above groups led to a quick revision of the rules that helped level the playing field for our athletes.
It's been over a year since Kevin Murphy began sounding the alarm on this issue. Now we've had a second round of relay DQ's that officials could not undo. Are we going to let it happen again in '12?
Here are some of the people that can weigh in on the side of our athletes - please give them the opportunity to do so. Edited 7:45 p.m. - The question has been asked about whether these folks have been contacted about this issue. While I can't speak for them all, I know some of them have. Still, you can't assume they've all heard about it, so let them know what you think needs to be done.
UIL Athletic Director - Dr. Mark Cousins
UIL Assistant Athletic Director (Swimming) - Traci Neely
UIL Swim & Dive Rules Interpreter - Frank Swigon
TISCA President - Penny DiPomazio
NISCA President - Dana Abbott
NISCA President-Elect - Arvel McElroy
NISCA Rules Chair - Paul Torno
National Federation of State High School Associations
Video Evidence
Without going into details, I'm convinced that the Southlake Carroll Girls' 400 Freestyle Relay in the 2011 UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships "A" Final was a perfectly legal swim.
For now, you're just going to have to trust me on that.
Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
These folks provide our sport with the best possible venue for our state championship meets.
When scheduling conflicts come up, a few call for moving our state meet to a different site. Are they kidding? Be objective and tell me why another facility is better suited to hold big-time swim meets. You can't, can you?!?!
They do everything they can possibly do for us.
Our problems are in our rules. Unfortunately, they can't make/change our rules...
* Let's call them Deep Dipper, Deep Flipper, and Deep Dripper
13 comments:
Nice background work Button. I'm surprised that anyone doesn't want a light shining on an issue. I don't see what anyone has to gain by keeping things status quo?
In regards to the RTOPs - clearly more work has to be done before we can all agree that they work well or don't. But as a non-techie - I wonder - how can it measure "human touch"? Dog touch? Feather touch? TOWEL touch? What actually is it measuring???
Clarification please: Are you suggesting that the folks listed should be contacted by interested parties? Or are you suggesting that these folks have already been contacted and are working on it?
'What actually is it measuring???'
human body is made mostly of water. that's what technology is sensing. am told wet towel can defeat technology and show swimmer still there even after swimmer is gone.
since they don't have water in their bodies, technology is no good for detecting relay take-offs for beings from distant galaxies.
'Or are you suggesting that these folks have already been contacted and are working on it?'
not sure about all having been contacted, but these are people of influence in these organizations. if they cannot help, they certainly will know who can.
WAIT - are you saying this thing is measuring water? I hope not - really? at a swimming event???
i'm not a facebook-er, but it seems that this might be a good reason for someone (else) to start a facebook page dealing with this issue. might help folks do a better job of connecting and formulating a plan.
sharing info on what's been done and what's going to be done might keep a few hundred folks from reinventing the wheel this week and next.
just a suggestion...
The people that Button have listed are all people who make very critical decisions and rules regarding our sport. Those of us who spend a good portion of our time on high school pool decks (or in the bleachers) need to BOMBARD these guys with email letting them know that rule changes need to be made. Let's not let them get by with saying that they have received no complaints. Demand for change should come from every group - officials, parents, coaches and athletes. Each group has a different participation in and perspective on the sport, but we ALL share an interest in maintaining its integrity and fairness. All who see the video footage of the state meet are apalled by the footage that is absolutely conclusive - the obvious "safe start", the incorrect resulting splits, and the faces of kids as they are robbed of what they have worked so hard to achieve. Use your influence to get everyone you know to email these guys - high school teams, club teams, coaches and officials from all over the state. The groundswell is growing and we cannot be ignored if we work together...so let's make our voices heard.
People who read this blog-- coaches, parents, swimmers, officials-- please don't assume that everyone else is writing emails! EVERYONE who wants this rule changed needs to write these people for maximum impact. I would say to especially focus on Traci Neely and Frank Swigon. In addition to being the rules person, Frank Swigon is the head referee for the state meet. Forward this information to anyone who might be interested.
I agreed...good article.
Thank you, Mr. Button, for your unbiased view and for the work you have done to keep this issue front of mind. Your analysis, as well as some of the comments on this blog, have helped educate many on this subject and now with the contact information you provided, we can advocate directly to those who have the power to make a change.
Has anyone heard anything more than a cursory reply from the UIL?
This is the only reply I have heard from Neely:
"Yes, we have received the information concerning the relay exchange utilization of electronic touch pads. We are currently reviewing a proposal for change by the schools with staff, Dr. Mark Cousins, UIL Director of Policy/Interim Athletic Director and Tony Timmons, UIL Director of Officials. Thank you for your communication."
I asked specific questions and asked her if she could not answer them to please direct me to someone who could. She did not reply.
Is there someone at UIL that will answer questions?
Has anyone received a response from Swigon? My long email went completely unacknowledged. Does anyone know who he reports to?
Should we also email Tony Timmons? Seems like he might oversee all officials?
Thanks
That is the exact response that I received from Traci Neely. The UIL is trying to marginalize us. I believe this "let them eat cake" attitude will not serve them well for long.
I did not hear back from Swigon either.
I forwarded my email onto Tony Timmons, who is over the officials.
Supervisor of Officials: Tony Timmons (432) 249-0381 Fax: 512.471.5908 ttimmons@uiltexas.org
Same here - same cut and paste response from Neely. I did however, get a great response from some of the others on the list - Nisca and Tisca seem to care...
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