The purpose of this organization is to govern, coordinate and develop participation in the Kentucky Youth, Middle School & High School lacrosse programs and coordinate participation in the Kentucky Youth Lacrosse program; adopt and enforce rules and regulations, develop schedules and administer to the needs of its members.
Board Meeting
February 19, 2013
Attendance- Mike Anderson, Greg Beachy, Wayne Coffey, Brandon Davis, Ann Fleming, Edie Fullerton, Tim Jones, Jacob Knight, Byron Miller, Chris Niblock, John Peabody, Kennedy Simpson, Ryan Smith, Andy Tarter (via telephone), Dean Walker, and Dusty Wethington
Absent- Crystal Kannapell, Vicki Latino, Greg Schuler, Bert Severns, and Bill Stewart
Ann called to the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. It was agreed to postpone approving the January 15th minutes as changes had been submitted, but the Board members had not seen them.
President’s Report-
Ann announced that Russ had resigned due to time constraints, but he is willing to continue to help as a committee member.
Ann made a motion “to elect Greg Schuler to the Board filling Russ’ term”; John seconded the motion and it was approved with one abstention. Ann made a motion “to elect Greg Schuler as Vice-President/President-Elect of the Board”; Wayne seconded the motion and it was approved with one abstention.
Ann made a motion “to elect Andy Tarter to the Board filling Steve Auden’s term”; Wayne seconded; Andy agreed to serve and the motion was approved unanimously.
Ann reported on the results on the USL Chapter Self-Assessment Survey. There were 33 responses (20 from KLA Board members, 2 from KLUB, 10 from BLOA, 3 from LYLA, 4 coaches, 0 KSLL, and 4 unknown. Of the 39 questions, we were found to be sufficient in 26 and in need of improvement in 13 (see attached for list of questions where we were in need of improvement). The next step is to hold a meeting with constituents to discuss results. It was agreed this should be in June, after the season.
Ann reported that Eric & Lisa Stumler had asked for an appeal to the Board’s decision that their son not be allowed to play for the Knights. Due to the time urgency of the season starting, the Executive Committee discussed this and denied the appeal. Ryan reported that the player continues to practice with the Knights, but will not play in the games. Wayne noted that BLOA would be notified.
Ann distributed position job descriptions that she has and asked each member to review, revise and return. If there was not one for a position, she asked that the Board member compile a list of job responsibilities.
Ann explained that USL has asked each Chapter to adopt their By-laws template and Ann had asked Byron to compare them to our existing By-laws. Byron reported that most differences in the proposed template are a good fix or change to ours or the change is of little significance (see attached for current KLA and USL template). He explained the following differences:
- what we call Board members, USL refers to as Corporate members
- USL template creates option for a Board member emeritus
- USL template has provision for teleconference attendance
- USL Article VI regarding Conflict of Interest is more detailed
- USL Article VII Standard of Care for Directors concerns Byron as exposing the Board to liability for lawsuits and questioned it’s necessity for KLA as a 501(c)3
- Article IX provides Board indemnification including for a criminal act concerns Byron as very broad and unnecessary
Byron will contact USL counsel to discuss and report back to the Board.
Treasurer’s Report
Chris stated that he has notified the grant applicants of their allocation, but no funds have been dispersed yet. As of January 31, the bank balance was $63,308. Chris reported we are in compliance with the IRS, Kentucky Secretary of State and US Lacrosse.
High School Boys-
Andy reported that he has emailed the coaches with forms and LOP. He will send a reminder Friday that the forms are due back by March 1st. Ann expressed her appreciation for him jumping in before he was even officially on the Board.
Tim suggested that the Player Waiver be revised without the year so it can be used for several years. Byron said this would be okay and any 2012 forms submitted for 2013 would need to have the year marked out & initialed by the player or parent.
Boy’s Development
John had previously emailed a report:
- turnout for boys conglomerate team has been low, so not sure if there will be a team
o working to get home school players
o has been in contact with players who have contacted KLA via website or email looking for a team
o will be making an announcement at St. Francis High (contacted ADs at Southern, Atherton & Brown re announcements with no response)
o will be using field at PRP with insurance he purchased
- Ft. Knox does not have enough players for a team this year
- Compiled a coaches contact list for Ryan
- Worked on finding teams for interested players without school teams
- Corbin is considering starting a team
- Concern about State Championships not based on division to encourage less skilled teams
- Wondered about history of LYLA’s knowledge of KLA grant application process
- Suggested having a Louisville Lacrosse Association under KLA for program development
John read a quote from Roberts Rules of Order about Board leadership and resigned effective immediately.
Dusty reported that he is in contact with 2 teams that are trying to start: Corbin will have a team this year for scrimmages; Shelby County is still organizing. Dusty also reported that he is aware of several new girls programs: Woodford County, a High School conglomerate in Lexington (largely Henry Clay) and a Middle School team at The Lexington School.
Tim asked about the ramifications for a team that does not attend the mandatory rules interpretation. Wayne said he would talk with Tim Yessin, but historically teams have had to pay a game fee to the official who does the make-up. Ryan suggested changing the LOP language from requiring a team representative to attend to requiring a coach to attend.
5th/6th and 7th and 8th Boys-
Ryan reported on the coaches meeting and rules interpretation that was held January 19th. He has scheduled 8 KLA games for each team with 5/6 on Mondays, 7/8 on Tuesdays and Saturdays open for coaches to schedule other games (requires contacting Wayne for officials; Christian Academy, Collegiate & KCD offered their facilities to allow multiple games for officials). Ryan has blocked off a Saturday at the end of April to allow scheduling of makeup games. The schedules will be sent out by Thursday. He reported that he is still waiting for required paperwork from teams including a new team information sheet.
Ryan reported that he and Mike held a coaching clinic on February 16th at North Oldham High School and had about 20 attendees. The clinic covered equipment, rules and drills. Ryan expressed the need to offer free resources to coaches on the website, citing www.NDlax.com as an example.
Ryan has tried to form a conglomerate team with individual players who have contacted the KLA looking for a team and the Rams have just folded leaving players without a team. Unfortunately, due to geography, lack of field space and lack of coaches (he is already coaching a high school team and two 7/8 teams), he has asked coaches of existing teams if they can pick up any players. This continues to be a need of the KLA.
3rd and 4th Grade Boys-
Mike reported that the coaches meeting went well and he is collecting forms from teams. 3/4 games will be played on 2 field at Thurman Hutchins Park from 12:30-4:00 on Sundays. He does have a few players looking for teams and he will ask coaches if anyone can pick them up. Ann expressed her appreciation to Mike for getting the season organized so well this year.
High School Girls-
Brandon reported that Jerry Wyman of Metro Athletics has said KSLL teams can not play anything after the end of District play May 6th due to KHSAA rule. This would not allow KLA teams that were also in KSLL league to play in KLA tournament even if a team opts out of KSLL district play. KLA has previously voted to require a minimum of 6 teams to hold a State Tournament and Brandon reported that Notre Dame Academy has now decided now to participate in KLA league, leaving only 5 teams. Ryan expressed his frustration with KSLL rules and selective enforcement. There was much discussion of whether the KLA should continue with a High School Girls league for this year with only 5 teams remaining, all of whom are also participating in KSLL and are already scheduled to play each other. Brandon recommended in the future that new teams arrange their first season as a JV schedule. Brandon made a motion “for 2013 season to cancel the High School Girls league”; the motion was seconded by Edie with 5 in favor, 5 opposed and 2 abstaining. The motion was tabled after Brandon agreed to ask KSLL for a waiver extending the date to May 17th or a minimum May 10th.
5th/6th and 7th/8th Girls
Edie reported the game schedules are complete with twelve 7/8 teams and seven 5/6 teams.
Edie had a request from Kammerer to allow a 7th grader to play on the 5/6 team although Kammerer has a 7th grade team. The request was denied.
Edie had a request from KCD to not require USL membership for their Middle School teams since they just purchased additional insurance for High School lacrosse teams. The request was denied.
There was discussion about a DePaul student who wanted to play on the Kammerer team since she was a previous Kammerer student. Edie said the coach had approved, but Brandon heard the AD had denied. It was agreed this was a school issue.
BLOA
Wayne reported that BLOA has increased his organizational efficiency and this year has held 2 regional meetings as well as three small groups. They have a goal of obtaining USL certification. Wayne reported that there are 4 new trainees in the Lexington area and 11 trainees in the Louisville area plus 2 new transfers to the area.
Wayne asked for clarification regarding whether a head coach can assign another coach/assistant coach as acting head coach for the game (even when present)? The Board agreed “no”.
Wayne asked for clarification regarding whether a head coach who is absent at the start of the game (late), but joins the team after the game has commence can then act as the head coach after the team has been certified by the acting head coach prior to the game? In other words, can he take over head coaching responsibilities when he arrives if he was not the head coach to certify? The Board agreed “yes” if the team is recertified at a break in the game (quarter/half-time).
KLUB
Greg reported that KLUB has also been improving and is implementing a new mentor program. The held a rules interpretation and have 9-11 new recruits.
Greg discussed the need for a projector for ongoing use difficulty sharing with BLOA. Filming is being used at rating days and play days and found to be very beneficial for evaluation. Greg made a motion “for KLA to purchase KLUB a camera and projector, up to $800”; Wayne seconded and Chris asked about KLUB revenue covering this cost with their increase in dues from increase in number of officials. The motion was unanimously approved.
Greg discussed 2 discrepancies in the girls’ LOPs:
Section 7.4 – Currently states that if a suspended game is replayed on another day, it must be played from the beginning. The USL rules have been revised in 2013 to state that a suspended game, if replayed on another day, must be played from the point of interruption.
Section 8.2 – Currently states that each team must have at least 12 able, properly equipped, roster players to play a game. Failing to have this number will result in a forfeit, unless otherwise agreed to by both coaches. Greg suggested that the LOP be revised to strike "unless otherwise agreed to by both coaches".
Wayne made a motion “to accept the revisions and change in the LOPs”; Brandon seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.
Website
Jacob reported that he provided training at each boys coaches meeting and at the MSG coaches meeting. Any coaches that need passwords should contact Jacob. He reported that there is also the ability now for teams to add their logo to their team page.
State Championships
Tim reported that he has received 1 RFP back from Georgetown College (which he had emailed to the Board members), but there is a $750/day site fee. He reported that Henry Clay is interested, but is concerned about volunteer ability to cover all day. The pros & cons of each site were discussed. Tim will contact Henry Clay to discuss volunteer needs and options and report back to the Board.
End-of-season Awards
Kennedy has not begun to work on the process for these yet.
Education and Special Event
Dean highlighted his report:
- we have 50 seats for the PCA online course and he will work with Ryan & Mike on this
- PCA sends us tips every 2 weeks and he and Ann will figure out best way to communicate
- there has been an increase in local clinics by various clubs and teams
- need to increase incentive for coaching certification after attending clinics
New Business
Ann discussed USL email offering Chapter fundraising opportunity with Odor Balance. Pros and cons of promoting sales for a third party were discussed. It was suggested to ask for samples to distribute at tournament first.