The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board of Directors took action on several issues during its annual September meeting.

Positive feedback from around the state prompted the board’s decision to continue to allow schools the option of beginning football turnouts on the Wednesday preceding other fall sports starting dates for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

The board also approved continuing the Emerald City Kickoff Classic preseason football festival at Seahawks Stadium for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

The 3A/4A Basketball Committee presented the WIAA executive board recommendations regarding the state championship tournament format and locations.

The committee made significant format change recommendations to begin with the 2005 championships. The 2004 3A and 4A state basketball championships will be administered as they were in 2003.

The executive board did not take any formal action regarding the 3A and 4A basketball tournaments, but did discuss the committee’s recommendations.

The committee’s first recommendation is to move the 3A state tournament, in its current format, to Seattle. The committee suggested utilizing Key Arena, Bank of America Arena and/or Seattle Pacific University.

The second significant recommended format option is to combine the 3A and 4A tournaments at one site, with single-elimination games on the opening day.

The tournament would start on Tuesday with one classification playing 16 (eight boys and eight girls) single-elimination games. The following day, the next classification would use that same format.

The final eight teams in each tournament would then play off in a modified double-elimination format to decide the state championships.

This proposal would create some very unique fan features. For instance, Friday’s schedule would feature eight semifinal games and Saturday would feature four state championship games all at one site.

The executive board, on first reading, approved the creation of the Washington Prep Grand-Prix, a proposed one-day invitational track and field meet featuring the top returning placers of all classifications from the previous year’s state championship meets.

The proposed event would take place during the regular high school track and field season.

All action by the executive board must be approved on three readings. At this time, the board will seek input on the proposed Grand-Prix from school administrators.