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

For the 2015-18 term of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee, the NFHS welcomes four new members, Gerry Durgin, Peter Contreras, Beverlee Nielsen and Karen McNaught.

Gerry Durgin, Section 1, is in his 42nd year of education. He spent most of his career as an athletic administrator and served as the President of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in 2007. Mr. Durgin has worked with Volleyball in Maine since its inception. He currently works for the Maine Principals Association and is the Assistant Executive Director where he serves as the association’s liaison to volleyball. He has been the host and director of Maine’s state volleyball tournaments.  Maine is pleased with the growth of the sport and looks forward to the challenges it presents with geography and school enrollments.

Peter Contreras, Section 6, joined the Texas University Interscholastic League staff in August 1989 as the Public Information Officer. Five years after joining the League, he was promoted to UIL Assistant Athletic Director overseeing UIL State Championship events. Prior to joining the UIL, Contreras worked eight years at his alma mater Southwest Texas State University working in the sports information department as director.  Contreras graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science and a Master of Education. Currently Contreras oversees the Wrestling, Golf, Soccer and Softball State Championships along with volleyball. Contreras has served as the Volleyball State Tournament Director since 2012.  He has also served on past NFHS rules committees for the sports of softball, soccer and swimming and diving.

Beverlee Nielsen, Section 7, fell in love with volleyball as a child, watching her mother play in church leagues.  When she was old enough, she was excited to play on her junior high, high school and junior college teams.  When she stopped participating as a player, her coach invited her to officiate high school volleyball in Arizona, which she did and has continued each fall since 1980. Bev also enjoyed coaching and officiating with USA Club volleyball and membership in PAVO.  She served on the Arizona Interscholastic Association Officials Advisory Committee and in 2013 she was named Official of the Year.  Each year in late summer she trains and updates new and veteran officials.  She enthusiastically participates in the history and growth she has seen in both players and officials in volleyball.

Karen L. McNaught, NFHS Officials Association, resides in the Springfield, Illinois area.  As an Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Attorney General, she is a trial lawyer and litigates employment cases, other civil rights issues, and personal injury and contractual disputes.  She has been an Illinois High School Association volleyball official since 1988 and also officiated volleyball in Iowa while an undergraduate student.  She was a floor official at the IHSA Girls’ State Volleyball tournament in 2008, 2009, and 2012; is a volleyball clinician; and is on the IHSA Volleyball Rules Interpretation Committee.  When not officiating or working her day job, she might be visiting her older son at the University of Illinois; chasing after her younger son who is a cross country/long distance runner; laundering her husband’s soccer officiating clothes; or quilting.

The new members take over for Barbara Startup (Section I), Sally Marquez (Section VI), Padraic M.C. Tune (Section VII) and Patsy Burke (NFHS Officials). Each of the departing committee members served the membership well.

The 2015 Volleyball Rules Committee Meeting will take place January 5-7 in Indianapolis Indiana.