Another coaches association has released a public letter addressed to the NJSIAA concerning potential format changes to the NJSIAA Cross Country Meet of Champions, this time the New Jersey Cross Country Track and Field Coaches Association (NJXCTFCA) has entered the discussion.

The NJXCTFCA sent the letter listed blow late Tuesday night requesting that the NJSIAA hold off making a decision on the cross country Meet of Champions format to allow more input from those involved with the sport from around New Jersey.

While the official proposal and details to be voted on has not yet been released by the NJSIAA there was a northjersey.com article by Paul Schwartz covering a draft of what may happen published back in July. There is no confirmation on what the final proposal looks like.

In that draft the most notable of the potential changes involves a reduction in participation numbers at the long running meet as well as the elimination of a scored team championship at the event while still advancing some teams from the Group Championships.

The vote on the matter is currently scheduled to take place during the September 14th NJSIAA Executive Committee meeting.

This NJXCTFCA letter comes a week after the South Jersey Track Coaches Association (SJTCA) made a similar statement calling for the current format to remain in place. A format which crowns an overall team champion after squads advance through winning their Group State Championship or placing high enough in a statistical merge of the Groups.

Paul Schwartz of NorthJersey.com released an updated article on the situation including some coaches reactions on Thursday afternoon.

Statement From the NJXCTFCA to NJSIAA

Dear Ms. Maguire and Mr. Stumpf,

As the 2022 Cross Country season has already begun and meets are scheduled for this coming weekend we respectfully ask the NJSIAA to hold off on the proposed changes to the Meet of Champions this season.

The proposed changes have not been posted as promised which causes concern as to whether members of the Executive Committee will have both the time and input to make such an important decision.  To our knowledge the NJSIAA Constitution and bylaws that are posted online call for a much more extensive process to these changes and currently those dates to which any changes should be proposed and reviewed have elapsed.

Last year's "End of season" minutes specifically say that the NJSIAA was not including Cross Country as part of their proposed changes to eliminate Tournament of Champions (TOC) competitions.  If the NJSIAA truly feels that hosting a Meet of Champions with a team championship in the fall is not in the best interest of the sport and its athletes, then we urge them to take time to ask those groups specifically.  Aligning one sport with any other sport and saying they should all be treated equally is an apples vs. oranges comparison.  What works for one sport and helps it to grow and thrive may not for the other.  Current lengths and starts of season changes are further evidence to that idea.

The NJXCTFCA Executive Board believes that the current structure of the MOC, which was developed by the NJSIAA, has been a positive, competitive and safe meet for all competitors. Our Executive Board feels that keeping the meet "as is" is the best course of action at this time.

Sincerely,
NJXCTFCA Executive Committee
New Jersey Cross Country, Track & Field Coaches Association