NFHS rules writing committees consist of experts in the given sport.  Each committee member is nominated by state associations, as is the chairperson, who guides the members through their work.  Each of the NFHS’s eight sections are represented on the given rules committee.  To allow for equal representation, there is also a member of the NFHS Coaches Association and the NFHS Officials Association on each rules committee.  Each committee member serves a four-year term.

The NFHS is pleased to welcome three new members of the Track and Field Rules Committee: Alvin Briggs, Jeff Carpenter and Dan Doherty.

Alvin Briggs, Section III, is the Associate Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Prior to joining the ASHAA, Alvin served as the director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

Briggs attended Auburn University where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree. Alvin is married to Roxie and together they have two children, Champ and Kandiss.

Jeff Carpenter, Section VIII, started teaching at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho in 2011. He graduated from Boise State with a degree in Health Promotion.  “Coach Carp” played football for the Broncos on the Blue Turf from 2001-2005. After spending 5 years in the private sector as a fitness director/performance coach for a large corporate fitness center, he decided to pursue his passion for teaching and coaching.

Carpenter has had the pleasure of coaching the girls track & field team to 6 district titles, 4 state championships, and 1 runner-up.  In that time, he has also coached the boys track & field team to 4 district titles, 3 state championships and 1 runner-up. In 2016, Carpenter was honored as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s (USTFCCCA) Girl’s Track & Field Coach of the Year. He was also named the Idaho State Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year for both boys and girls track and field in 2016, 2017, and 2018.  Carpenter also coaches junior varsity football at Bishop Kelly High School. 

Dan Doherty, NFHS Coaches Association, is the head coach of girl’s cross country at Pearl River High School. During his tenure at Pearl River, Doherty also has served as the head coach of winter and spring Track and Field. 

Throughout his coaching career, Pearl River has won a total of 2 state federation champions, 8 state championships, 35 Rockland County championships, 82 sectional championships and 88 league championships in cross country and winter and spring track and field.  

In addition, Doherty is the Director of Rockland County CYO Track and Field and Cross Country Program and has been a Track and Field official for New Jersey High Schools, New York State High Schools, New York CHSAA, New York PSAL and USA Track and Field since 2003.

Doherty graduated from Montclair State College in 1979 with a degree in Physical Education and Health. In 1993, Doherty obtained his master’s degree in Computer Education from Long Island University.

The new members take over for Que Tucker (Section 3), Robert Springer (Section 8) and Scott Smith (NFHS Coaches Association). All outgoing committee members served the membership well.

The Track & Field Rules Committee Meeting will take place June 10-12, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN.