WESTERN REGIONAL MEETING
The VISAA Western Region Meeting was held at 10:00am on October 10, 2012 at Virginia Episcopal School. Dave Bechler conducted the meeting.
Attendance: Dick Kemper, Donna Satterwhite, Dave Bechler(EMHS), John Patterson(LCA), Tim Oditt(LCA), Dave Rocco(Cov), Frank Rocco(LCA), Jane Allen(CH), Katie Wood(CH), Charlie Williams(TCS), Jason Hannah(RCS), Albert Jennings(VES), and Scott Winston(VES).
The following issues were discussed.
Expansion of Lacrosse Tournament for Division I – Dick Kemper reported that the Executive Committee voted at the September meeting to approve the lacrosse committees request to expand the Division I tournament to a twelve team field provided it can be accomplished without excluding any schools from participating. Dick reviewed the committee’s reasons from the expansion request. The following general concerns were expressed:
1. Adding an additional playoff date during AP exams
2. Increased travel during AP exams
3. Conflict with conference tournament(VIC)
Jason Hannah questioned why Division II was not also expanding. Dick said the committee did not feel that Division II had as many schools at the same level of play as Division I. The concerns expressed were:
1. The Division II schools in the Western Region were not consulted prior to a decision being made.
2. Having a different tournament format for each division when there is approximately the same number of schools in each division.
3. What percentage of schools should make the playoffs? Some feel 50% is too high.
Tim Oditt expressed concern that there was not an opportunity for these concerns to be expressed by the schools of the Western Region prior to a vote being taken by the Executive Committee.
Donna Satterwhite said that she has placed the questions below on the agenda for the December Sports Chairs meeting.
1. Formalizing a process for requesting to change a present tournament format
2. What percentage of schools should make state playoffs?
3. How many schools should be required for a sport to expand to two divisions?
4. Should a sport have different tournament formats for different divisions?
Golf Tournament – Should consideration be given to the sport moving to the fall season?
Pros – Possible less travel with competition with public schools
Cons – Golf courses may not be as readily available in fall; moving another sport into the fall may make it harder for small schools to field all available teams
Option – Have both fall and spring championships
Rising Up Sports – Dick Kemper reported on working on a contract for internet streaming of state events. Issues are selling advertizing and using rights of individuals. The question of using for conference championships was asked. Dick will check.
Sports Committee Chairs – Donna Satterwhite reviewed the list – pointing out new chairs.
Frank Rocco said that Tom Brown, LCA’s girls basketball coach would like to serve on the state committee if a BRC DIV I representative is needed. Shannon Yopp (North Cross) is a BRC representative on the committee. Donna will forward the information to Phil Stinnie and Paul Sipes.
Donna stated that she is working with committees to have more representation from different regions and divisions.
VISAA Seeking Sponsorships for Championship Events – Dick Kemper needs help seeking foundations/organizations etc. to approach.
Suggestion of establishing an Outreach Committee to work in this area.
Website – Sarah Gobble is working on the new website. It will include a photo gallery and members only section, in addition to other updates.
On-Line Registration – It will be much better next year as one will only have to go in and make updates. This can be done now if there is a change in coaching status.
Sports Authority supplying Championship Tickets -
Status of Homeschool Students in VHSL Events – Dick Kemper reported his work with VHSL on having the word non-public removed.
Dick continues to try to get VHSL to recognize VISAA as the governing body for independent schools.
Provisional Memberships – At present a school must be a member of an accredited organization to be a member of VISAA. The question was whether this should be changed to allow schools in the process to participate in VISAA while in the process. There were mixed feelings.
Second Team All State Certificate – Dick Kemper showed the new certificate.
Sports Medicine Committee – Dick Kemper is working with a group to try to obtain funding for athletic trainers around the state to work with schools that do not have an athletic trainer on staff.
Leadership Training Course – Dick Kemper reported on a new Leadership Training Course being introduced: Concussion Awareness and Properly Fitting Equipment
Football Scheduling – John Patterson expressed his frustration that a year has passed and VISAA has not taken action to support Liberty Christian Academy in its efforts to fill a football schedule. Dick Kemper said that the time may have come with the Executive Committee needs to become involved and mandate scheduling.
Football Point System – The question was raised as to why no points are awarded to a team that loses to a team in the same division. This might add incentive to play schools within the division.
Football Committee – The question was raised as to whether the football committee has representation that could help LCA fill its schedule. Donna will check.
Announcements –
Send any suggestions for November membership meeting to Sarah Gobble or Dick Kemper
Become a member of VIAAA and NIAAA
The meeting was adjourned at noon.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donna M. Satterwhite, CAA