CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors concluded its spring meeting on Wednesday, May 6, at the NCHSAA Offices. During this two-day session, the Directors discussed various agenda items, taking formal action on Wednesday. The following day, on Thursday, May 7, the NCHSAA convened its Annual Meeting, where the Nominating Committee presented proposals for new Board of Directors members, and votes were cast accordingly.
On Wednesday, the Board of Directors approved the sanctioning of two new sports for the 2026-2027 school year. Both Women’s Flag Football and Men’s Volleyball will be NCHSAA-sanctioned sports next school year.
NCHSAA Board of Directors Votes to Sanction Flag Football
NCHSAA Board of Directors Approves Men’s Volleyball as Sanctioned Championship Sport
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors also approved the following items:
Finance and Personnel
- Approved the Teall Properties Group contract renewal for a 10-year extension. Current 5-year contract with Teall Properties Group (TPG) is up for renewal to continue serving as ‘new partnership development’ arm.
Policy
- Approved requiring head coaches to complete a youth mental health and first aid training program once every three years. Options will be provided for satisfying the requirement (NFHS Learn Coaching Mental Wellness, National Council for Mental Wellbeing Youth Mental Health First Aid, or an option presented by the school with NCHSAA approval). Effective 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved the NCHSAA as the official data collection method to inform decision-making, such as sanctioning a new sport. The NCHSAA will provide the official data. All data needs to be accurately represented to the board.
- Approved the optional use of backstroke ledges in swimming in accordance with the NFHS allowance. Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year
- Approved requiring the “Judging Springboard Diving” course on NFHS Learn for all diving judges/officials on an annual basis. Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year
- Approved the six-dive format now that the NFHS is allowing states to modify the number of dives performed by participants during a state meet. Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year
- Approved clarifying language that pertains to wrestling; Wells Fargo points will come only from Dual Team wrestling, not the individual tournament.
- Approved enhancing application notes to the felony rule. Application Note 1.2.10 would read “an adjudication of delinquency is not a felony conviction for purposes of that rule.”
Add clarifying language to Statute of Limitations 3.3.12
Clarify how the grievance/internal remedy process operates for officials. 3.4.2
Provide examples of specific behaviors 3.3.6.d.26
Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year and reflected in 2026-2027 NCHSAA Handbook - Approved editing section 3.3.6.c.19 of the handbook to read “participation in or hosting an in-or-out-of-state unsanctioned event” in the Level 3 infraction on the Penalty Code.
Review and Officiating
- Approved the Eastern Swimming & Diving Association regional supervisor – Bob Landry and approved the interim Mountain West Volleyball Association regional supervisor – Ed Rewis. Effective: Immediately.
- Approved increasing assigning fees in all sports from $150 to $300 for varsity and $100 to $150 for junior varsity. This would also include the change fees. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved requiring two officials on every mat for dual team playoffs, beginning with round 3 and beyond. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved requiring two additional officials (plus the number of mats) for each individual regional tournament. This is an increase of one additional official. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved if a wrestling regional originally scheduled for two days is changed to just one day, the officials shall receive one and a half days’ pay for that event. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved clarifying the NCHSAA position in 3.4.1(a), and 3.4.2(d)(1 on using non-NCHSAA regional supervisors/associations to make assignments for non-sanctioned contests. Require: Each school must use only NCHSAA-registered and eligible officials in all competitions and must work through an NCHSAA-approved regional supervisor. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year
Sports
- Approved increasing the number of daily contests for swimmers and divers from one to two. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved adjusting the number of qualifiers for swim and dive regionals to include the top 24 times/scores in individual events and the top 16 times in relays to include all classifications. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved conducting timed finals only at the state championship meets. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved aligning wrestling postseason girls competition dates with the boys competition dates. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved adjusting the current 2026-2027 sports calendar for tennis and basketball. Effective: immediately.
- Approved allowing junior varsity teams to conduct stand-alone scrimmages. Effective: 2026-2027 School Year.
The Board received special reports from:
Austin Roberts, a junior at Providence High School member of the NCHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Council, discussed the SAAC Program in North Carolina and the Student Leadership Council.
As well as the North Carolina Coaches Association, the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina School Board Association, and the Regional Supervisors Advisory Committee.
2026 Annual Meeting
On behalf of the Nominating Committee Chair, Marc Payne, Angie Miller presented the following recommendations for a vote by the membership.
Executive Board
Mark Garrett, President – Superintendent, Henderson County Schools
Andy McCormick, Vice-President – Principal, Union Pines High School
Stephen Gainey, Past-President – Superintendent, Randolph County Schools
New Members
Dr. Eric Bracy – Superintendent, Cumberland County Schools
David Johnson – District Athletic Director, Wilkes County Schools
Asim McGill – Athletic Director, Martin County High School
Tracey Slade-Nixon – Principal, Northside-Pinetown
Dr. Matt Stover – Superintendent, Catawba County Schools
Dr. Kelly Withers – Superintendent, Rowan-Salisbury Schools
The voting members on the Zoom call unanimously approved the Nominating Committee’s recommendations. These appointments will become effective on July 1, 2026.
