Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association

Meeting Notes 6/21/03

WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION

Minutes of June 21, 2003 Board Meeting

093:    The Board meeting of the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association was held on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 9:35 A.M. at McDonald School, 144 NE 54^th Street, Seattle, WA.  Present were Dave Low, Steve Corley, Brandon Fortier, Rob Hawley, Chris Long, Tony Olney, Vern Smith and Gail Shelton. 

094:            Summer email addresses have changed for the following Board members:

            Tony Olney � [email protected] and Rob Hawley � [email protected]

095:    The creation of a handbook/rulebook for the Association was discussed.  Vern suggested that many of the policies currently being used could be found in past minutes.  Gail will give Dave Low all old minutes to review to begin the process with the assistance of Tony Olney and Brandon Fortier.  It was suggested that the Board have a secured file on walax.com for this process.

096:    The final product will be available to coaches on Walax.com, with a hard copy mailed upon completion.  Updates or amendments to the handbook will be posted on Walax.com with a hard copy to be mailed to each coach.  It was agreed that each coach will acknowledge that they read the rules and regulations in the handbook and will abide by them.

097:    The Association does not have enough teams at this time for 4A, 3A, and 2A divisions.  The goal is to have as many teams in Division I as possible.  It was agreed that the Board, not individual teams, would decide which teams would play in which divisions.  If a team is struggling in their Division, members of the Board will talk with the coach and the Board will step in and help where possible

098:    The Cascade Division was discussed as well as jv and how those teams will be defined in the future.  Discussion followed several avenues such as Division I or II with Cascade players moving up and down and jv being a freshman/soph team; or, Division I or II with jv players moving up and down and Cascade being overflow players.  It is clear that the intent of the Cascade Division and jv teams must be defined.  The Board will open this up for discussion at the general membership meeting and carry this matter over to the next Board meeting for a decision.

099:    It was agreed that the formation of a new team on the east side is a good thing for the Leagues and that both teams need to be supported by the Association.  Brandon explained which high schools will feed into the Lake Washington program and which will feed into the Eastside (or Northshore) program.  It seems the middle school feeder programs are the issue with both programs.

100:            MOTION            Current players who are sophomores, juniors and seniors in the fall of 2003 will have the choice of playing for Eastside LC or Lake Washington LC.  Skyline players may choose between Eastside or Issaquah.  A friendly amendment was proposed that once a player selects a team he must stay with that team.  PASSED

101:    Chris Long reported on the proceeds from the championship games at Seahawk Stadium.  The games made money that was split evenly between the Men�s Council and the Women�s Council of the Washington State Lacrosse Foundation.   It was the understanding of the Board that in addition to the $5,000 loan repayment, the WHSBLA would receive $3,700 (based on the 2002 championship games).  That did not happen.  It was proposed that in the future the WHSBLA sell the boy�s championship rights to WSLF for an amount to be determined at a later time.

101:    It was agreed that eligibility issues be carried over to a future meeting.

102:    It was agreed that the matter of coaching qualifications be carried over to a future meeting.

103:    It was agreed that the matter of Walax/Sonoma be carried over to a future meeting.

104:    It was agreed that recommendations for All-American voting process be carried over to a future meeting.

105:    The 2004 season begins March 1, 2004 at which time official practices can begin.  The season will run for twelve (12) full weeks.  The ten (10)-practice rule is in effect.

106:    The assigning of officials was better than it has been in the past, but the Board agreed to work with Erik on this matter.  Regarding play-off officials and final game�s officials, the Board suggests that each coach rate the top three (3) officials they had during the season.  This information will assist the Board in recommending to Erik Smith officials for the play-offs and finals.

107:    The meeting adjourned at 11:00 A.M.

                                                                                                Gail Shelton, Secretary