12:51 update ...
The meeting has ended. The headline isprobably the discussion about changing the state basketball tournaments.The possibility ofshifting the Prep Bowl also is intriguing.
I'll be writing a story for tomorrow's sheet...
12:17 update...
The board is discussingchanging the format of the state basketball tournaments for boys and girls. The main point of discussion is moving state quarterfinals -- currently played on Wednesday or Thursday -- to the previous Saturday. This may allow for more people to attend the games and for students to miss less school.
The plan (although this is so preliminary that it's not fair to call it a "plan") would mean four teams in each class would return to the Twin Cities for the state semifinals and championship games.
It's a work in progress. It could not be implemented before the 2011--12 season.
The board is taking a five-minute break...
10:55 update ...
The board has approved a motion to requirevolleyballs with colored panels – instead of all-white balls -- to be used during all varsity play, effective with the 2010-11 school year. And the meeting marches on ...
10:15 update ...
MSHSL executive director Dave Stead spoke briefly to the board about the timing of the Prep Bowl and Gophers football games and what could happen to the state football playoffs if the Metrodome goes away and is not replaced with another covered stadium.
The Big Ten season will be extended one more week, which means the second day of the 2010 Prep Bowl series will be held on the same Saturday at the dome as the Iowa-Minnesota game at TCFBank Stadium.
If the Metrodome goes away andprep playoff games are held at TCF, the MSHSL may have to change the date of the Prep Bowl year by year,depending on the Gophers' schedule. That would also mean making adjustments to the first dayof footballpractice, the first game date, etc.
“The dome for us is especially important,” Stead said. Original post...
As we all try to figure out what's happening with Seantrel Henderson and where he will really attend college, I'm sitting in the board room at the Minnesota State High School League.
The MSHSL board of directors is holding its February meeting. The agenda is light on action items; the board may adopt new guidelines for volleyballs, and there may be some action on state quarterfinal football game sites.
The travel policy, which limits out-of-state travel beyond bordering states and provinces to round trips of 600 miles or less, is listed as a topic for discussion. Also on that part of the agenda is an item called "super regional basketball." We'll see what that's all about.
Updates will be posted here as warranted.
John Millea is on Twitter at Twitter.com/stribjohn