A task force is examining the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) and how it handles various high school sports issues.
Andn DIAA’s executive director believes he has an understanding on what the organization needs moving forward.
DIAA is currently working on some major issues, such as Name, Imagine and Likeness rules for high school athletes and transgender participation in sports.
At the same time, it is also dealing with ongoing concerns surrounding student transfers and coaches’ contact with student-athletes out of season.
DIAA Executive Director David Baylor says the organization needs more staff to make things run more smoothly.
"Adding a finance marketing person to the team, a compliance director to the team, a liaison for each county because that direct person would have direct contact with the member schools, and we'll be able to triage and provide a direct service in a more immediate fashion than we're currently are able to," said Baylor.
DIAA is currently under the state Department of Education. It could stay that way, become an independent body like it is in Pennsylvania and other states, or create a hybrid option.
Baylor says being part of DOE and its administrative regulatory process can slow down their work, especially as it pertains to regulations.
He says it usually takes three-to-four months to get regulations adopted, changed or rescinded.
Baylor believes that needs to change in some way.
"We have to streamline the regulatory process. We also have to streamline the finance process. The finance process is cumbersome, in that you know to be able to get workers to work state championships and everything you want to be able to pay them in a timely fashion. Sometimes that has been a challenge," said Baylor.
Lawmakers created the task force last year. It began ist work in September and is slated to send its report on the DIAA to lawmakers by April 30.
