An important issue has arisen in regard to the proposal that was approved by the Executive Committee at the April meeting to allow football players to use shoulder pads in approved team camps.
Several members of the full Executive Committee asked what the definition of "next school year" was. I originally judged that eligibility rules and out-of-season participation rules establish August 1st as the beginning of the GHSA school year -- yet we have official football practice occurring earlier than August 1st. And the GHSA fiscal year begins on July 1st. So there is no clear answer.
As a result of this ambiguity, I am interpreting the situation so that the GHSA will allow shoulder pads to be worn in approved camps during June and July of 2013.
Ralph Swearngin
