items of interest - ghsa newsletter

Your GHSA Office Has an Amazing Staff to Serve You and Your Schools

It’s hard to believe that we are already finishing three months of school and I’m nearing my fourth month with the GHSA. As we approach the end of our regular football season, the postseason will soon be here for cheerleading, softball, cross country, volleyball, one-act play, and more. While traveling across Georgia, I’m continually impressed by the dedication and talent of our coaches.

As we progress through the year, I want to highlight a few important points:

Financial Health of the GHSA

The GHSA is in a strong financial position. We have waived member dues and catastrophic insurance for the last five years. In September, we mailed checks to our member schools equaling two member shares of dues and catastrophic insurance – a total of $670,880. In addition, in waiving dues and insurance for 2024-25, we have returned over $1million to our member schools this year. Our latest audit is complete with no exceptions, and we finished “in the black” once again—a positive outcome!

Meet Our Outstanding Staff
In my time with the GHSA, I have come to appreciate our incredible staff, particularly our administrative assistants, who ensure our organization runs smoothly.

• Robin Bullington: As the office manager, Robin oversees finances, manages the budget, processes deposits and accounts payable, organizes Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meetings, evaluates contracts, handles playoff and championship finances, hotel & catering arrangements for championships, human resources & payroll, building maintenance and purchasing.
• Pam Thompson: Pam is responsible for all things related to officials, including processing registrations, overseeing officials’ camps and clinics, rule books, service plaques and awards, maintaining records for over 8,500 active officials, processing officials passes and coordinating training materials for 153 GHSA charter official’s associations.
• Julie Jones: Julie manages the Coaches Education Program for community and lay coaches, schedules classes and processes registrations. She played a key role in implementing the GHSA Community Coach database. She also administers the ParaPro to Head Coach Program. In addition, she collects Intent to Participate Forms, membership dues and processes general emails to the GHSA Office.
• Sheri Eubanks: As the receptionist, Sheri greets visitors and handles various administrative tasks, including processing School System and Lifetime Pass Applications, Ejection Reports, processing fine payments, organizing hardship and appeal board hearings, championship pass gates, wrestling weight management and NFHS Participation Survey.

• Stacey Jones: Stacey processes non-transfer and transfer eligibilities, interrupted eligibility, and eighth-grade eligibility, while also updating contact information for schools and serving as the liaison for riflery. She also takes care of school staff passes, finances for region, area, & sanctioned events, trophies and medals, and processes fines for failure to attend rules clinics.
• Linda Crowder: Linda assists the GHSA Office in a variety of areas with administrative tasks, mail processing, championship medals, assists with coaches' passes, GHSA Statement of Compliance, championship pass gates, and assists Associate Directors with preparation for numerous championship events.

This dedicated group does an exceptional job supporting the GHSA. Please take a moment to thank them for their hard work when you get the chance! As we continue through the school year, let’s celebrate our amazing coaches and staff, and look forward to an exciting postseason ahead!

TIM SCOTT - Executive Director - (extension 41) Administration, Interpretation of GHSA Rules, Hardship Applications, Appeals, Coaches Education Program tim.scott@ghsa.net

JAY RUSSELL - Assistant Executive Director - (ext. 23) Football, Golf, Hardship Eligibility jayrussell@ghsa.net

ROBIN HINES - GHSA Legislative Liaison/Consultant. By-law interpretations, Eligibility, Hardship rulings, Swimming, Bass Fishing

robin.hines@ghsa.net

ERNIE YARBROUGH - Liaison/Consultant - (ext. 27) Championship Logistics, Flag Football, Lacrosse ery@ghsa.net

TANYA ANDERSON - Associate Director - (ext. 29) Literary, One Act Play, Esports, Cross Country, Track & Field, and Event Sanctioning tanyaanderson@ghsa.net

DON CORR - Associate Director - (ext. 34) Softball, Wrestling, Baseball, Sports Medicine, Post Season Ranking don.corr@ghsa.net

DARRELL LANE - Associate Director - (ext. 42) Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Officiating Department darrell@ghsa.net

PENNY PITTS MITCHELL - Associate Director - (ext. 22) Cheerleading, Game Day Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Dance, Student Leadership, Title IX penny@ghsa.net

CARROR WRIGHT - Associate Director - (ext. 39) Coach’s Liaison, Compliance & Transfer Eligibility, Sportsmanship cwright@ghsa.net

MARVIN JAMES - Media Director - (ext. 26) Press Releases, Media Coordination of State Events, Newsletter, Constitution & Calendar, Tennis marvin.james@ghsa.net

ROBIN BULLINGTON - Office Manager - (ext. 33) Budgeting and Finances, Playoff & Championship Finances, Staff Procedures robin@ghsa.net

JULIE JONES - Administrative Assistant - (ext. 24) Community Coach Program, Entry Notification, Dues, Paraprofessional Head Coach Program juliejones@ghsa.net

STACEY JONES - Administrative Assistant - (ext. 32) Riflery Liaison, School Contacts & School Passes, Directory, Coaches’ Clinics, Trophies & Medals stacey@ghsa.net

SHERI EUBANKS - Receptionist - (ext. 0) Lifetime Passes, School System Passes, Ejection Reports, Publication Orders, Rules Violation and Ejection Fines, Wrestling Weight Management Coordinator, NFHS Annual Participation Survey sherieubanks@ghsa.net

PAM THOMPSON - Officials' Registrar - (ext. 30) Officials' Clinic Attendance, Officials' Registrations, Test Scoring & Records, Waivers, Officials and Evaluator Passes, GHSA Recruiting Grant, Publications and eBooks, Awards, Service Plaques pamthompson@ghsa.net

LINDA CROWDER - Administrative Assistant - (ext. 21) Organizing Championship Medals, Assist with Cheerleading, Student Leadership, Literary, School System Passes, Finance Reports linda@ghsa.net

We would like to remind member schools of the GHSA about our broadcast policies. During the regular season, the HOST school owns the rights to its events and must permit the visiting school to produce a broadcast (audio or video). The host school can use any platform to broadcast its regular season events. But the GHSA owns the rights to all state playoff events and anyone wishing to produce an audio or video broadcast MUST secure a contract from the GHSA and pay a right’s fee. This includes any event streaming, whether it be by the school, a parent or an outside media entity, and no matter the platform (even personal YouTube channels). No streaming of a state playoff event in ANY sport is allowed without first securing a contract from the GHSA. Email Media Director Marvin James at marvin.james@ghsa.net to request a broadcast contract. The only exception to this rule is if the school is a member of the NFHS School Broadcast Program (SBP). All schools participating in the SBP may live-stream any contest their team is participating in during the state playoffs (without a contract or fee) except any neutral-site event. A school hosting a state playoff event must allow the visiting school to stream the event without a fee if that school is an SBP member. In addition, if the visiting school is uploading the stream to the NFHS Network, the host school is prohibited from originating a separate stream on another platform. The NFHS Network has exclusive rights to any state playoff events it wishes to put on its network. If the host school is also an SBP member, then it also may stream the event. If a school is hosting a playoff event and an outside entity wishes to broadcast or stream the event, but does not have a contract from the GHSA, the host school should not allow the broadcast. Any questions about the GHSA broadcast policy, please contact Marvin James.

The 2024 ASPIRE (Adapted Sports Programs in Recreation and Education) Awards, emceed by actor, writer, and television personality Patrick Cusick, featured a night of deserved recognition and special achievements, delicious food, and a meet and-great with guest speaker Matt Stutzman, US Paralympian and Gold Medalist in Para Archery at the 2024 Paris Games. Attendees walked the red carpet, posed for professional photos, and enjoyed a night out to celebrate and honor the best in competitive school-based adaptED sports in 2024! A record 84 nominations were received this year! Congratulations to the 2024 ASPIRE Awards Recipients!

Vaughn-Storms Founders Award Recipients:

• Barry Ewing (Eagle Sportschairs), Georgia
• Minnesota State High School League (Minnesota State High School League), Minnesota
• Kyoya Itoga (Wheelchair Football Japan), Japan
• Terri Lakowski (Active Policy Solutions), Washington DC

Media Hero Award Recipients:

• Jon Nelson Electronic Media, GPB Sports
• Ethan Strang Print Media, LaGrange Daily News

Gail Hendrick Volunteerism Award Recipients:

• Rosa Hamlin Peach County Rolling Trojans (Peach County School District)
• Wellington deLuna Vazquez Georgia Blind Sports Association, Georgia State University
• Logan Wegienka West Georgia Wolverines (Troup County Schools)

Eli Wolff Advocacy Award Recipients:

• Dr. Tracy Butler Atlanta Wolfpack (Atlanta Public Schools)
• Dr. Robbie Hooker Clarke County Classic City Dawgs (Clarke County School District)
• Bobby Ryals Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)

Spirit of AAASP Recipient:

• Gavin Pijnenburg West Georgia Wolverines (Troup County Schools)

Community-Based Award Recipients:

• Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center (Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center) New York
• Therapeutic Recreation Department, Henry County Parks and Recreation Department Terry Nash, Harlon Matthews and Henry County Parks and Recreation Department (Henry County Parks & Recreation)

Leslie Sweatman Official of the Year Award Recipient:

• Steven Lewis (Official)

Coach of the Year Award Recipients:

• John Bolles (JV) Muscogee Lions (Muscogee County School District)
• Bryan Watts (Varsity) Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)

Most Improved Athlete Award Recipients:

• Naomie Wilson (Female JV) Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)
• Laniya Jones (Female Varsity) Clayton Eagles (Clayton County Public Schools)
• Jace Tolliver (Male JV) Peach County Rolling Trojans (Peach County Schools)
• Gabriel Williams (Male Varsity) West Georgia Wolverines (Troup County Schools)

Scholar Athlete of the Year Recipients:

• Elianna Stevens (Female) Houston County Sharks (Houston County Schools)
• Caleb Watters (Male) Peach County Rolling Trojans (Peach County School District)

High School Senior Athlete Award Recipients:

• McCarty McGraw (Female) Muscogee County School District
• JaQuavious West (Male) Houston County School District

Athlete of the Year Award Recipients:

• Madison Ryan (Female JV) Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)
• Kila-Ray Brown (Female Varsity) Clayton Eagles (Clayton County Public Schools)
• Paul Hart (Male JV) Muscogee Lions (Muscogee County School District)
• Jaedin Lowe (Male Varsity) Clayton Eagles (Clayton County Public Schools)
• Caleb Merriken (Power Chair Athlete of the Year) Muscogee Lions (Muscogee County School District)
• Najee Smothers (Most Valuable Player Overall League in Georgia) DeKalb Silver Streaks (DeKalb County Schools)

Education-Based Award Recipient:

• Troup County School System Kitty Crawford (Troup County School System)

Light Bearer Award Recipient:

• Tommie Storms Executive Director, American Association of AdaptED Sports Programs, Inc.

Thank you to the following 2024 AAASP ASPIRE Awards Sponsors: the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia High School Association, Eagle Sportschairs, Good Media Ideas, Grunduski Group, HAI, InkSpot, Stout Creative, Story Drive, Vocal Video and the AAASP Board of Directors.

The 2024 GHSA Cheerleading State Championships will take place November 15-16 at the Macon Centreplex. Admission is $15.00 per session and tickets are ONLY available digitally on GoFan (https://gofan.co/app/school/GHSA). The arena will be cleared between sessions each day so please make sure your ticket purchase is for your team’s session! NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY will be allowed from any mobile device (phone / iPad/ tablet) or cameras by spectators during the competition! There is a danger to the cheerleaders and this displays poor sportsmanship toward the team competing. Violators of this policy are subject to removal from the venue. Fans can watch every session live on NFHSNetwork.com/associations/GHSA for $11.99 all-access pass. Thanks to our partners: Team IP and Unforgettable Moment Photography.

Defending state championship teams are Lambert (Class 7A), North Forsyth (6A), Northgate (5A), Central Carrollton (4A), Mary Persons (3A), Mt. Paran (2A), Bleckley County (1A) and Walton (Coed).

Saturday, November 9 - Region/Sectionals, TBA

Friday, November 15 - 10 am (2a & 4A) 3 pm (Private & A)

Saturday, November 16 - 10 am (3A & 5A) 3 pm (6A & Coed)

The 2024 GHSA Cross Country State Championships, presented by Atlanta Track Club, will be held Friday and Saturday, November 8 & 9, at the Carrollton High School Course. Tickets to the event are $10.00 and are available for purchase ONLY on GoFan. Live results will be available online by Perfect Timing Group (www.ptgrouponline.com).

Defending boys state champions are Harrison, Marist, Chattahoochee, Westminster, Oconee County, Providence, Whitfield County and Atlanta Classical.

Defending girls state champions are: Marietta, Marist, Decatur, Pace Academy, Wesleyan, Athens Academy, Bleckley County and Atlanta Classical.

Schedule at Carrollton High School

Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

Private (1A-3A), 5A, A Div 1

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

A Div 2, 6A, 2A, 3A, 4A

Please ensure that the following statement is read as a public address announcement prior to the start of every GHSA-sanctioned contest: “The GHSA and its member schools have made a commitment to promote good sportsmanship by student/athletes, coaches, and spectators at all GHSA sanctioned events. Profanity, degrading remarks, and intimidating actions directed at officials or competitors will not be tolerated, and are grounds for removal from the event site. Spectators are not allowed to enter the competition area during warm-ups or while the contest is being conducted. Thank you for your cooperation in the promotion of good sportsmanship at today’s event.”

The 2024 GHSA State One Act Play Championships will be held at seven different sites on November 16th for Classes 5A, 2A, 3A, and A Division 2, and on November 18 for Classes 6A, 4A and A Division 1. Admission is free at all sites.

Defending state champions are Milton (Class 7A), Houston County (6A), Cambridge (5A), North Oconee (4A), Savannah Country Day (3A), Haralson County (2A), Bleckley County (A, Div. 1) and Georgia Military College (A, Div. 2).

November 16

Cambridge HS (5A) Site Info
Carrollton HS (2A)
Denmark HS (3A)
Tift Co. HS (A-D2) Site Info

November 23
Alexander HS (4A)
Monroe Co. PAC (6A)
Houston Co. HS (A-D1)

GoFan will upload all games into GoFan HQ for the school. Please note that all games will be hidden initially to allow for edits to date, time, etc. Edits to your events can be made in GoFan HQ. If you need assistance logging into your GoFanHQ, please reach out to schoolsupport@gofan.co

In case you have questions concerning help with GoFan, Fans should reach out to service@gofan.co Schools should use schoolsupport@gofan.co

(1) State Fast-Pitch Championships in Columbus

(2,4) Volleyball State Finals

(2,9) Complete Region One Act Play

(3) Hardship/Appeal Meeting

(8) Earliest Date for a Wrestling match and Basketball game

(8,9) State Cross Country Finals

(9) Earliest date for Dance Events

Region Cheerleading (A & COED sectionals)

(15,16) First Round State Football Playoffs; Cheerleading State Championships

(16) State One Act Plays (7A, 5A, 2A, 3A, A-D2)

(21) Thanksgiving Holiday - GHSA Office closed from 20th through 22nd

(22) Second Round State Football Playoffs

(23) State One Act Plays (4A, 6A, A-D1)

(29) Quarterfinal Round State Football Playoffs

(30) Determine Flag Football Qualifiers

The GHSA Staff Wishes You and Yours The Best of the Season!!!!

This month's featured licensees are Honig's Whistle Stop (honigs.com) Cliff Keen (cliffkeen.com), Smitty Official's Apparel (smittyusadyesub.com), Officials/umpires uniforms, apparel, and equipment; Rebel Athletic, Exclusive competition cheer and dance apparel and accessories. ( RebelAthleticCheer.com); Snapphound, an event photo platform that empowers schools and nonprofits to unlock valuable marketing and fundraising opportunities. (ghsa.snapphound.com/events); Gipper, official social media Graphics. Gipper empowers anyone at a school to create effective and compelling content for social media in just a few clicks. (gipper.com); TinyMobileRobots, field-painting robot. Technology is so easy anyone can lay out or reline a field in minutes: paint numbers, hash marks, and any custom logo to impress. Consume at least 50% less paint(tinymobilerobots.com). View the complete list of GHSA licensees at www.ghsa.net/licensing.