AURORA — Doherty athletic director Chris Noll was glad to see the Colorado High School Activities Association Board of Control vote against allowing coach-player contact on Sundays. But when the committee voted to allow teams to practice during winter break, well that just made his day.

“I was shocked winter break was overturned. I’m very, very excited about it, but I was surprised,” Noll said after Thursday’s meeting at the Red Lion Southeast Hotel. “I think it’s very good for the kids.”

Noll and other Colorado Springs representatives proposed the change last year but were defeated.

On Thursday, the amendment allowing Sunday contact was defeated 44-24, but the measure allowing practice over winter break from Dec. 28-31 passed 38-30.

Previously, teams were not allowed to practice from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1.

Thanks to a 52-17 tally, the board elected to push back the start of the 2010 spring sports season, starting with practices, until the last Monday of February.

This would delay the start of the season until mid-March and allow athletes to finish their winter sport. State basketball ends on March 14 this spring.

“I think moving springs sports back one week is fantastic,” Noll said. “For so many kids, the start of spring season overlaps basketball season, which is not even over yet.”

The board voted 44-21 to move every baseball state tournaments to Memorial Day weekend starting in 2010.

Also by a 47-21 margin, the board added Class A track and field.

In 2010, there will be five classifications with a Class A meet to be held one week prior to the combined 2A-5A meets, according to assistant commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green.

In years past, an unofficial Class A state meet was held two weeks before state, where the small school athletes competed in 2A.

–

Contact the writer: 636-0250 or sports@gazettedev.gazette.com  

OTHER CHANGES

• By a 38-30 margin, the board voted to limit schools who want to play down a classification to a single two-year cycle.• The board voted 46-22 to allow the football committee to determine conferences.• By a 67-1 vote, golfers will be allowed to use pull carts.

Colorado College goalie Richard Bachman (30) in the nets against Michigan Tech at the World Arena Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE