Sportsmanship and Citizenship Advisory Committee Meeting
Held September 20, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. with the following members present: Deckelman, Boschert, Cooper, Justis, Lin, Shelby. Members present via conference call Holm and D’Amico. Also attending representing the Student Advisory Committee Mahon. Staff members present were West and Calfee.
West welcomed the committee members and then proceeded to have them introduce themselves to each other. West thanked them for their service on this committee and commented that it was refreshing and hopefully enlighting to have an active coach as a participant on the committee.
Motion Shelby, Second Lin to approve 2010 Sportsmanship/Citizenship Advisory Committee Meeting minutes. Motion passed 8-0.
West moved on to the Sportsmanship essay contest. A brief delay occurred in order for Calfee to email a copy of previous essay contest topics to Holm and D’Amico as the other committee members where reviewing this item in their meeting packet. Justis threw out a possible topic for the contest: “New to school activities, how incorporate sportsmanship into your team. Meanwhile, Deckelman interjected the idea of expanding the topic of “Things I wish adults new about sportsmanship” to “Things I wish my parents knew why I participate in activities. Mahon along with D’Amico thought that this particular topic of singling out parents might hamper participation along with negative feedback concentrated to the MSHSAA. D’Amico suggested that replacing the word parents with the word adults might soften the language, however would still have the same core meaning of the topic. Justis chimed in with the suggestion of the word everyone, Cooper suggested supporters, West suggested the word fans. Justis interjected that the core problem is that for the most part it is about individuals not the team anymore. That is her struggle as a coach…getting her team to come from individual athletes into a cohesive team.
Shelby introduced another possible topic of “Sportsmanship now-how it affects you in the future.” While the committee was receptive to the essay contest topic, the previous topic with some revisions seemed to strike a note with committee. West suggested that the committee take a straw poll regarding the two possible topics, and then begin to revise the suggested topics:
Topic: “Sportsmanship now- how it affects your future”. Straw poll votes: Justis, Lin, Shelby
Topic – “Things I wish parents knew why we participate in activities.” Straw poll votes: Boschert, Deckelman, Cooper, Holm, D’Amico (with amendment to change word parents to adults)
West noted that with 5 to 3 straw poll votes the topic of “Things I wish parents knew why we participate in activities.” West began to ask the committee about the revisions to the topic the conscious was to change a couple of words from the previously stated topic.
Motion Deckelman, Second Boschert to accept the following topic as the 2011-12 Sportsmanship Essay Contest Topic. “Things I wish everyone knew on why we participate in activities.” Motion passes 8-0.
West moved on the judging of the contest and deadlines. Shelby gave insight on the judging at the local level. Deadline to submit local entries to district coordinator will be corresponding date of November 21, 2011. Deadline to submit district winners to MSHSAA office will be the corresponding date of December 19, 2011. Lin confirmed the information needed back from district coordinators were the following: winning essay along with entry form, entry forms for remaining essay, along with a rank order of essay submissions as conducted by the district coordinators judging panel.
West moved on to the sportsmanship summit. West began with an overview of the summery materials that were available in the meeting packet. First, West asked the committee to review the summery as presented to the MSHSAA Board of Directors. This information includes summery of participation from previous years, breakdown of expenditures, comparison of previous year summit with current summit, finally a broad look at the evaluation summery. West pointed out that on the expenditure front this year’s summit was well below previous years. With the use of school facilities, the lower cost of catering, hotel and travel expenses and only one honorarium costs for this year’s summit were dramatically less. Regarding the participation numbers West asked the committee to take note of the 5-Star Leadership program. One of the requirements for this recognition is to send two representatives to the sportsmanship summit.
West moved location and time frame of the summit. West had the committee refer to the plot maps of participating schools from the previous four summits. West inquired to the committee if they would want to stick with current rotation of summit. Boshert commented that the schools are still coming, stick with the current plan. West wondered adding a site of Cape Girardeau or Hannibal would generate interest from those schools in that area. The committee came to a conscience if numbers begin slacks off then we have to look at moving or adding locales. Boschert commented having the summit on a Saturday hampers some schools from attending. Shelby agreed, his school could not attend this year due to a football conflict. West wanted the committee to examine the date and look at the dead period rule. According to West the summit would not violate the dead period rule, however it may impair from a public relations standpoint. D’Amico interjected that the previous date worked great. West suggested moving the summit back to during week. With no action taken on these topics the committee moved on to additional sportsmanship topics.
West spoke about regionalizing the summit. The student advisory committee wanted to “take the show on the road.” Meaning taking the breakout sessions presented at the summit and presenting them to smaller groups, more regional groups. West, commented that conferences could host a regional summit. The SAC would like to provide and facilitate a modified version of the summit breakout sessions.
West moved on the location of the summit. West wanted feedback from the committee on location. Justis being from the district that will host the next summit suggested the following schools to investigate hosting next year’s summit: Logan-Rogersville High School, Willard High School, Nixa High School, Ozark High School, any of the Springfield Public schools. D’Amico interjected that having the summit at a member school was great. He enjoyed seeing another school, along with what amities and informational material they offered, “It was cool being in a high school setting.” West stated that MSHSAA staff would entertain going to look at some of facilities suggested, and offered the committee to introduce any additional suggestions for the 2012 Summit. With no action take the committee pressed on.
West wanted opinions of the committee on the break out group size. Mahon and Boschert appreciated having the adults and students interacting. However, the committee suggested on having the groups be smaller and have one person facilitates. Student Advisory Committee members will be paired with committee member along with any other facilitator.
The committee liked the topics from last year’s summit, however from the suggestions on the evaluation forms with breakout sessions may be expanded.
West brought the suggestion of having a “host” hotel. D’Amico appreciated the opportunity to be included on the MSHSAA block for 2011. This helped with the planning of summit on his end.
Next topic of discussion was the food served at the Summit. Presented by West, one of the biggest negatives was the food. This negative was coming from both adults and students. Mr. D’Amico stated that part of his disappointment was expectation. At previous summits a hardy breakfast was served, at this year’s summit, only muffins, juice, granola bars and fruit were available. Deckelman suggested having the host school serve breakfast. Justis suggested having a great lunch is better than a hardy breakfast. Breakfast items to include next year: bananas, strawberries, grapes, apples.
Timeline, the committee still likes the current timeline. With the summit ending early afternoon that leaves time for driving home and make evening activities. While some might not like the early start time, the majority do not mind the timeline.
Keynote address was final item regarding the summit. D’Amico liked Bruce Brown and Aaron Brown who were slated four year ago. Justis liked Alston was able to tie everything together. Deckelman liked Alston’s final session. West liked Mark Schrenbrach, or Aaron Davis. Shelby liked Cameron Mills. The committee’s main concern was to have a dynamic speaker in the morning and keep it simple, short, with a little bit of punch in the afternoon. If that can be accomplished with one speaker that would be great.
West wanted to commend Rick Lin and the Gallatin High School administration on their respect and concern for Princeton High School administration and student body. West told the committee of the tragedy that affected Princeton High School a couple of weeks ago. Two of their students were taken in a car crash early in the week, and Gallatin and Princeton were to play a football contest that Friday. Princeton was going to forfeit the contest; however Gallatin just cancelled the game. West wanted to commend Gallatin for displaying care and sportsmanship toward a fellow member school.
Next regular scheduled meeting set for September 18, 2012.
Meeting evening prior to summit, time and location to announced later
Motion Boschert, Second Shelby to adjourn the Sportsmanship/Citizenship Committee Meeting, Motion passed 8-0.