January 2004

Dear Swimming Coaches & Officials:

Happy New Year & I hope you had a Happy Holiday Season! I'm looking forward to the second half of the season and hope we have a little less "winter weather" than we did in December. Districts on February 14 (Valentine's Day) will be here before we know it!

OFFICIALS' EVALUATIONS

Coaches, some of you are doing a good job of completing the evaluations, but many of you I have not heard from. For the betterment of swimming across the state, be sure you are filling out the official's evaluation forms and sending them to me. I believe the evaluations have helped draw attention to a few areas of concern during the past two years. With continued efforts by all of us, we can continue to improve the sport of swimming in Iowa.

DISTRICT SWIMMING INFORMATION

Complete information pertaining to district swimming is found on pages 76-78 of the 2003-04 IHSAA Handbook. District swimming officials have received this information and coaches can review it by asking the athletic director for a copy of the information from the handbook.

CORRECTION OF CLERICAL ERRORS IN DISTRICT ENTRIES

Correction of clerical errors made by the district meet staff when entering district entry times is permitted at the coaches meeting with reseeding of the events effected, if necessary.

USE OF FOREIGN SUBSTANCES BANNED AT THE DISTRICT AND STATE MEETS

All foreign substances (sprays, oils, lotions, etc.) used to aid speed and buoyancy are banned at district and state meets. The University of Iowa no longer permits the use of oils "motion lotion," sprays "Time-Off," etc. at the Field House Pool. They are very concerned about the deck becoming slippery and causing safety concerns, and the pool filtering system can no longer be relied upon to remove those foreign substances. It is permissible to use analgesics which are absorbed into the skin, but the analgesic cannot be mixed with baby oil, or other substances which are not absorbed.

POURING HOME POOL WATER INTO THE STATE MEET POOL

Teams are not to bring water from their home pools to pour into the state meet pool. There has been increasing concern about the safety on the deck and the poor sportsmanship that could be construed from this act. Everyone's cooperation is appreciated.

PROCESSIONS AROUND THE POOL AREA AT THE STATE MEET

Teams coming from the tunnel onto the pool deck wishing to carry banners or do cheers may do so provided they come out of the tunnel and immediately turn left to go to their seating area. Teams are not to cross the bulkhead, without permission from the IHSAA, or have a procession around the pool area.

I hope you continue to have a productive season. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to call, fax, write, or e-mail me. I look forward to seeing many of you at the state meet.

Sincerely,

Alan Beste

Administrative Assistant

abeste@iahsaa.org