Libertyville / Vernon Hills High Schools IceCats Hockey Club
Board Meeting Minutes
March 2014
03/03/14 Board Meeting
Board members and current positions:
Stuart Vieth* – President
John Schueler* – Vice President
Kevin Constable* - Secretary
Scott Kaya* - Finance
Jack Glynn*
Roy Cox*
Jim Sakas*
Leslie Kovich*
Bob Silver
*Denotes attended meeting
Club members in attendance:
Mark O’Brian
Brian Peter
Kevin Walsh
Stephanie Lenzi
Mr. Strample
Stuart Vieth called the meeting to order and asked if any of the members had input they wanted to start the meeting with. Several parents expressed views, observations and concerns regarding the IceCats program, in general, and specifically the direction of the coaching. Some of the more substantive issues included: lack of communication between Varsity coach and kids/parents; Sr. kids not making the Varsity team; lack of a cohesive plan overall; lack of respect for Varsity coaching staff; no winning mentality; and lack of equal playing time at the JV level. There was a specific proposal that the JV coach be made the Varsity coach and also commentary noting that, at least in some instances, communication between JV player(s)and JV coach was lacking.
The Board members in attendance listened carefully to the points that were brought up and concurred with several of the items; there weresome items that needed further investigation/follow-up. Having heard the concerns of these parents, the Board took their ideas and concerns seriously and met with the Varsity staff.
Board Member Scott Kaya, asked “Had these problems been in existence all year and if so why had nobody brought them to the board meetings before the March meeting
Follow-up meeting with coach regarding Varsity program - 3/10/14
Board members and current positions:
Stuart Vieth* – President
John Schueler* – Vice President
Kevin Constable* - Secretary
Scott Kaya* - Finance
Jack Glynn*
Roy Cox*
Jim Sakas*
Leslie Kovich
Bob Silver
*Denotes attended meeting
In this meeting,Varsity program/coaching was discussed with the Varsity coach regarding the following points:
- Discipline-ensure player rules are established and consequences for violations are applied consistently;
- Mentoring- be a mentor to the kids – e.g., build relationship(s); be in a position to know the kids at a level to provide letters of recommendations, etc.;
- System-drive a system organization wide, including working with/partnering with the JV coach and ensuring there is a consistent system for players when they move from JV to Varsity;
- Communication- improve communication with players that is balanced, positive and more consistent feedback. Work to improve relationships with all parents. Improvecommunication with JV coaching staff;
- Growing program- continue to build relationship with Glacier as a feeder; and
- Continue to improve appearance–take on a more professional appearance including coaching staff at all IceCats practices/games/events and players on game days.
The Board presented the above talking points and staff was askedto explain the current state on each and where/how items can/will be improved.Each of the items was addressed in detail. As we progressed through the meeting, it became very clear that there was a disconnect between the JV and Varsity team. One significant item was a discussion around communications between Jr. staff and Varsity players, that fueled problems at the Varsity level. The Board felt strongly that this caused a significant amount of discontent and disrespect towards our Varsity staff.
After the discussion was complete, a formal vote was taken by Board members (7 Board members present representing a quorum) that the Varsity coach would be offered a one year contract and afforded the opportunity to address the above mentioned points. It was also formally voted that the JV coach would not be retained unless there was a concerted effort to work more effectively under the direction of the Varsity coach/Director.
In addition to being responsible for holding the coaching staff accountable, the Board agreed to set up a Coaches Liaison Committee. The purpose of this committee will be to meet with the head coaches at least once a month to discuss any issues such as player communications/conduct, parent interactions, change in playing time, disciplinary actions, etc. This will also be where parents can bring their problems during the season.
Follow up meeting with JV coach - 3/16/14
Board members and current positions:
Stuart Vieth* – President
John Schueler – Vice President
Kevin Constable* - Secretary
Scott Kaya* - Finance
Jack Glynn*
Roy Cox*
Jim Sakas*
Leslie Kovich
Bob Silver
*Denotes attended meeting
Six Board members sat with the JV coachand presented what had transpired over the last 3 weeks. The Board indicatedthat there was a serious disconnect betweenthe how the JV team is coached on the ice and how the Varsity team is coached (meaning 2 different hockey systems being employed). We noted that the Varsity coach had been retained for the next year and that a minimum requirement for moving forward was that a meeting be set upwith the Varsity coachto discuss this disconnect and to discuss the JV coaches’position on the staff. It was at this time that there was acknowledgement the same systems were not run, and since there was not an interest to connect with the Varsity coach to further address, it was mutually agreed to move forward in a new direction with the JV staff.
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