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By TOM HOUSENICK; Times Leader Sports Writer
Tuesday, August 18, 1998     Page: 1C

EXETER- The first wave in an ocean of District 2’s planned changes isn’t
overpowering, but the adjustment will be felt by those who matter most- the
high school athletes.
   
District 2 finalized plans during Monday’s meeting at Wyoming Area High
School to expand the number of medals it will be awarding during its 1998-99
championships.
    Two other changes- the reduction of ticket prices and the dispersing of
stipends to schools whose athletes advance beyond district competition- could
be mapped out as early as next month’s committee meeting.
   
Even though District 2 ironed out specific numbers of medals to be awarded
for each sport, committee members said those figures could rise in specific
cases.
   
“If there are those who have been members of the team throughout the
season, I say we give (medals) to them all,” said Frank Victor, District 2’s
treasurer, who said the medals cost about $5.25 each. “Once we see how many
are entitled (to receive medals), we can make the adjustment from there.”
   
Tim McGinley, the soccer and wrestling chairman, suggested distributing an
equal number of medals for the district champions and runners-up in soccer
(boys and girls) and field hockey. It passed unanimously.
   
Also, the top four placewinners in wrestling will receive district medals,
a boost from the first three.
   
And there will be five more medals awarded to players on the first- and
second-place boys and girls basketball teams.
   
“We’re not going to bill the schools for a few extra medals,” added Charlie
Mecca, District 2 chairman.
   
The committee said it would address unique situations as they arise after
women’s representative Annette Barbini mentioned the state guidelines, which
limit the number of players that are allowed to dress in various sports.
   
“Lake-Lehman has 40 players on its volleyball team and only six play at one
time,” Barbini said. “The PIAA only allows 20 to dress, but those 40 are
members of the team all year.”
   
A total of 663 individual medals will be awarded during 1998-99 for varsity
championships.
   
An evaluation plan will likely be set up regarding the decrease in ticket
prices for all league and district contests.
   
At its previous meeting, the district committee announced plans to reduce
ticket prices for all league and district sporting events to $3 for adults and
$2 for students. And student tickets will be available at the door.
Previously, tickets cost $6 for a basketball playoff game and no student
tickets could be purchased at the door.
   
“We’re looking at a one-year monitoring scenario,” Mecca said. “I think
we’re going in the right direction. I don’t see the reduction significantly
decreasing our fund balance. Maybe more people will come to the games.”
   
District 2’s fund balance is about $177,000.
   
Mecca noted that member schools, who receive about 60 to 80 percent of the
gate receipts, will get less money back but the fans “will benefit greatly.”
   
Mike Ognosky said the committee will get a pretty good idea how the ticket
price plan is going during the scholastic football season. Football is the
biggest revenue-producing sport in the area.
   
District 2 also discussed contents of the soon-to-be distributed handbook,
including a directory of chairmen for each sport, specific sections of the
PIAA Constitution and By-Laws, a chart of the number of medals for each sport,
copies of eligibility and waiver forms and a media directory.
   
Member schools will receive several copies of the District 2 handbook.
   
The District 2 committee also heard testimony in two eligibility cases,
including a request by Old Forge’s James Rowlands for an extra semester of
eligibility after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the second football
game of last season. The senior already repeated 10th grade because of
“personal problems.” A decision will be announced today.
   
Specifics of eligibility cases remain private unless the athlete involved
requests a public hearing. Rowlands requested a public hearing.
   
A third eligibility case- regarding a transfer of a student/athlete from
Nanticoke to Berwick- was canceled when the 18 year-old boy decided not to
transfer.
   
The district committee’s plan to provide funds to schools whose athletes
advance beyond district competition will likely be mapped out at next month’s
meeting.
   
“It’s in the schools’ budgets to get through the regular season,” Victor
said. “But the incurred expenses in the postseason catch some schools off
guard. Hopefully, we can set up some sort of reimbursement for them.”
   
District 2 individual medals
   
Sport Boys Girls
   
Baseball/softball 18 18
   
Basketball 20 20
   
Cross country 20 20
   
Field hockey — 24
   
Football 40 —
   
Golf 8 4
   
Soccer 24 24
   
Swimming 63 63
   
Tennis 2 2
   
Track & Field 81 81*
   
Volleyball 15 12
   
Wrestling 52 52
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