History and Philosophy of the NCISAA

History of the NCISAA

1973-2008

The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) was organized by independent schools throughout the state of North Carolina who desired the opportunity to compete for state championships in various sports. Initially, the NCISAA was designed to oversee state play-offs and not to serve as a governing body for regular season play.

In July of 1973 representatives from twenty six North Carolina schools met with Calvin C. Criner at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh. Mr. Criner was, at that time, coordinator of non-public schools from the North Carolina Department of Public Education. James E. Williams, head of Wayne Country Day School, served as the organization's chairman. The following school year, state tournaments were conducted in boys and girls basketball, tennis, and golf. Membership gradually spread throughout the state, and an executive committee evolved and subsequently developed the association's first handbook.

In 1978 David A. Thompson, Director of Athletics at Charlotte Latin School, was elected President and served until 1985. During his tenure the Handbook was refined and regulations increased as membership continued to grow. In 1981 Wachovia Bank and Trust Company became the association's first corporate sponsor and agreed to present a Wachovia Cup for NCISAA athletic program overall excellence. In 1984 the first two division play-off was held in boys and girls basketball.

In 1985 Charles N. Carter was elected President, a Board of Directors was formed, and Kathy Bailey was hired as the first paid employee. Member schools accepted a system of state-wide realignment requiring all schools to affiliate with recognized NCISAA conferences as a condition of membership. In 1987, after two years of deliberation, the Board of Directors, with the assistance of attorney Durwood Laughinghouse, developed a constitution and bylaws which were accepted by the membership, and the NCISAA was incorporated by the state of North Carolina.

In 1991 South Carolina and Virginia schools were added to the growing organization. In 1993 Otho Tucker of the O'Neal School served as President for one year after which Charles Carter was once again elected President.

In 1995 the NCISAA restructured and approved a new constitution authorizing the head of every NCISAA school to be a member of the NCISAA Board of Directors. Elected from this board was an Executive Committee with one representative from each NCISAA conference. In 2005, the Executive Committee was reconstituted as the Board of Directors authorized to act on the behalf of the NCISAA membership. Officers of the Board of Directors are the President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer. At the present time, Dr. Richard Rankin (Gaston Day School) serves as President, and Dr. Marni Halvorson (Covenant Day School) serves as Vice-President. Under this structure, the working committee (originally the Board of Directors) is known as the Board of Managers and remains under the leadership of Charles N. Carter. During the past ten years the NCISAA has increasingly governed regular season play in addition to post-season play.

In 1998, after years of planning, the organization voted to expand to three classifications with thirty nine state tournaments planned in that year. These events are supported in part by donations from two major corporations: The Wachovia Corporation continues to subsidize a large part of the tournament awards and Wilson Sporting Goods supplies game balls for certain sports. In 2004 Dixie Bocock Sporting Goods, Martin Screen Print, Adidas, and Excalibur Awards became corporate sponsorship partners.

By 2001 the organization’s needs had grown to a level requiring an official Executive Director. While Chuck Carter had performed these services on a volunteer basis for many years, his position was officially recognized and he was formally hired by the Executive Committee as the NCISAA’s first Executive Director. Kathy Bailey, formerly Secretary-Treasurer, was appointed Business Manager and Executive Assistant. In 2003 NCISAA staff expanded to include Chappell Carter who served as the official NCISAA Web Manager until 2006 when he was appointed Director of Communications.

The year 2004 saw the implementation of a strategic planning process and the ratification of new bylaws with budgetary changes designed to ensure NCISAA leadership for the future. Additionally, the Executive Director took steps to form the North Carolina Federation of Athletic Associations providing an opportunity for the NCISAA, NCHSAA, and the NC Christian Schools to meet annually to discuss common issues and opportunities.

MISSION STATEMENT

The NCISAA exists to encourage interscholastic competition among North Carolina independent schools who are committed to integrity, sportsmanship, and fair play.

CORE VALUES

 We believe that the head of school is always ultimately responsible for the students and coaches representing a school. Therefore, the head must be willing to hold all school representative to the highest standards of behavior.

 We believe that interaction through statewide athletic activities is a character and community building experience.

 We believe that, because time and money are scarce resources, interruption of academic schedules, travel time and expense should be minimized.

 We believe that athletes should respect officials and accept their decisions and that coaches should show restraint and respect when dealing with officials.

 We believe that financial aid in any form in return for athletic participation is wrong.

 We believe that the main goal of conference and classification assignments is to provide equitable competition based on variations in school enrollments.

 We believe that schools must provide safe and adequate facilities for participants, spectators, and officials; the best possible officials for the events; and adequate control of spectators, players, and pre and post-game activities.

 We believe that coaches should instill in their players a love of the game.

 We believe that our governing body of school heads will fairly represent each conference in the state.

 We believe that schools should educate their supporters to cheer for their own teams and never to denigrate the performance of opponents or officials. We believe that schools must not tolerate a spectator - adult or student - whose behavior is disrespectful toward players, officials, coaches or other spectators.

As a non-profit organization, the NCISAA operates with the belief that the basic integrity of each member school is the most vital part of the organization.

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE

The NCISAA recognizes that independent school interscholastic athletic events must be conducted in such a manner that good sportsmanship prevails at all times. It is necessary that administrators and coaches be individually and collectively responsible for taking every possible step to promote good sportsmanship at every interscholastic event. These steps must include the provision of safe and adequate facilities for participants, spectators, and officials; the best possible officials for the events; and adequate control of spectators, players, and pre-game and post-game activities. Every effort must be made to promote a climate of wholesome competition. While the NCISAA governs varsity play, middle school and JV teams are expected to honor NCISAA rules of sportsmanship.

Failure to comply with any NCISAA rules or regulations may result in players, coaches, or schools

a) forfeiting an event,

b) losing state tournament privilege, and

c) being suspended or expelled from the NCISAA.

d) being fined by the NCISAA Executive Director as defined by the NCISAA bylaws.

ACTION GUIDE

Please refer to this guideline for dates requiring ACTION from Members. All forms may be found in the Appendix at the back of your Handbook.

ALL INFORMATION AND FEES SHOULD BE SENT TO:
Kathy Bailey
NCISAA
PO Box 1625
Fairview, NC 28730
Phone: 828-628-9069, FAX: 828-628-9439
email: ncisaa@aol.com

September 15

1. Membership fees and annual information including financial aid statement and foreign student declaration due in NCISAA office based upon September 1 enrollment..

2. Enrollment Roster for all students in grades 7-12 - based upon enrollment on September 1 - for the 07-08 school year due in the NCISAA Business Office. Rosters are required at the beginning of the year and additions may be made during the year (See p. 20.).

This is the FINAL DATE for all annual fees, membership information, and enrollment rosters. Fees and information must be postmarked NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 15. Any school failing to comply with membership requirements is subject to a LATE PENALTY of $25 per day until required information has been received by the NCISAA office. (See p. 14 for additional details.)

September 25

EMAIL FALL VARSITY SPORT ROSTERS directly to Patrick Jones at jones@tatnall.org or FAX to 757-853-2800.

Fall Tournaments Schools hosting a tournament must submit all expense reports and team standings to the NCISAA office within 10 school days after the end of the tournament. (Due 11/6 for fall sports except Football which is due 11/27) *

December 1

Applications for 08-09 membership as well as appeals for reclassification due in the NCISAA office. The Board of Managers will review all applicants at the winter meeting.

January 18, 2008

EMAIL WINTER VARSITY SPORT ROSTERS directly to Patrick Jones at jones@tatnall.org or FAX to 757-853-2800.

Winter Tournaments Schools hosting a tournament must submit all expense reports and team standings to the NCISAA Business Office within 10 school days after the end of the tournament. (WR & SW, Feb. 26; Basketball, March 5)

April 12

EMAIL WINTER VARSITY SPORT ROSTERS directly to Patrick Jones at jones@tatnall.org or FAX to 757-853-2800.

Spring Tournaments Schools hosting a tournament must submit all expense reports and team standings to the NCISAA Business Office within 10 school days after the end of the tournament. (All sports, May 27) *

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