NORTHEAST DISTRICT ATHLETIC BOARD---OHSAA

                                                 Holiday Inn, 4073 Medina Road @ I-77& Route 18

                                                                  Akron, Ohio 44333

                                                      Thursday February 21, 4:00p.

                                   The meeting was called to order by President Mike Kovach @ 4:00p.  

                      Attending the meeting------

                                    Board Members             Howard Friend

                                                                        Dale Gabor

                                                                        Lynn Gotthardt

                                                                        Bill Koppel

                                                                        Mike Kovach

                                                                        Joe Lynch

                                                                        Rocco Nero

                                                                        Bill Schumacher[Arrived @ 4:20p.]

                                                                        Phil Stevens

                                    Treasurer Al Lopez and Secretary Larry Acker

            Guests: District Officials Committee Secretary, Fred Vicarel [excused]                   NEOIAAA Liaison, Paul Powers, District Boards’ Committee/Officials Liaison, Ron Knight and Special Guest, Dr. Dan Ross, Commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

There was a motion by Rocco Nero seconded by Bill Koppel to approve the meeting agenda as presented.. Motion carried 8-0.

There was a motion by Lynn Gotthardt seconded by Phil Stevens to approve the minutes from the previous [1/23/08] meeting as provided. Motion carried 8-0

 There were no financial reports presented by Treasurer Al Lopez due to the fact the computer is down so complete financial reports will be presented/reviewed at the April meeting.

Mr. Lopez did however, review two pertinent financial items of information for the board----credit card itemized expenses and a plan/proposal for the board to consider addressing the matter of tourney ticket reconciliation by starting in the sports where there are no presale tickets such as volleyball.                                             

            President Mike Kovach opened the floor to Commissioner Ross who addressed the board with a full page agenda of issues facing the State Association/Office at this time. Highlights included:                     

·  State 7/8 grade Committee, focusing on philosophy/mission

·  State Sub-Committee is studying divisional format again.

·  Elections for District Athletic Board Positions will be held in April.

·  Strategic Plan & 2008 Referendum Issues Pending.

·  Sponsorships & Ball Contracts Update

·  My OHSAA Update & Coaching Education Program

·  BASA Superintendent Appeals & Mandatory Grade Report Date[Policy]

·  Foundation Service Week & Foundation Operations[Fiscal Mgt./Governorance]

The board thanked Dr. Ross for attending our meeting and complimented him on his leadership and commitment to the goals/mission of the OHSAA & NFHS!

Northeast District Board of Control Representative Dale Gabor followed up on major items of business discussed/reviewed at the February 14th State Board of Control Meeting including 2 transfer and 1 residence by-law appeal. Mr. Koppel [7/8 Grade Rep]. and Mr. Stevens Ethnic-Minority Rep. commented briefly on several board of control matters.

The District Board’s Committee met on February 13, 2008, and Mr. Knight reported briefly on the agenda items discussed/reviewed. No action was taken.
Mr. Kovach was excused from this meeting due to inclement weather preventing his travel to Columbus.

             Mr. Friend reported that the Audit/Finance committee will be doing audits again soon.Dr. Ross indicated that the auditors recommended the Northeast District Treasurer and or Finance Committee arrange for a presentation at the All District Boards Summer Conference on tournament accounting and reporting practices. Efficient and fiscally sound tournament operations provides for revenue going back to member schools by tourney receipt sharing and or bonus payments.

 Mr. Kovach reported that officiating assignments for the winter sports sectional/district tournaments is complete and the committee will only deal with unforeseen conflicts and adjustments due to any late withdrawals of schools from a given tournament

 Mr. Gabor reviewed winter tournament assignments as of today[2/19/08]and noted there have been adjustments due to late registrations coupled with the fact the state office decided with the new technology system deadline dates for entry and withdrawal would not be strictly enforced. Through Mr. Gabor's extended efforts and diligence all changes/updates will be posted on the NRDAB Web Site.

Mr. Gabor recommended the board approve the listing of spring tournament sites and assignments as presented.  Mr. Schumacher moved and Mr. Nero seconded a motion to approve the recommendations as presented and reviewed. Motion carried 9-0.

Mr. Gabor then presented and reviewed the revised and updated spring sports tourney regulations for baseball, softball and boy’s and girl’s track .There was a motion by Mr. Friend seconded by Mr. Lynch that the sports regulations for spring sports be approved. Motion passed 8-0. [Mr. Stevens had to leave [excused] the meeting to conduct/supervise a tournament game at Warrensville]

Mr. Acker reported to the board that the district web site is being updated by Web Coordinator Genne Zimmerly with several new features being incorporated into the operation—the district swimming results were posted via a link and basketball tournament brackets are linked to the State Web site for ready access .Mrs. Zimmerly will attend the April 17th meeting to review web site operations, updates and answer questions, etc.  

Mr. Acker will seek price quotes for banquet arrangements for the District Board Scholarship Banquet on June 24, 2008.

Distributed was an updated listing of the spring sports tourney manager's names and addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. This information will be posted along with the updated spring sports tourney regulations on the Northeast District Web Site under Tournament Managers.

There were three [3] nominations for 2008 media service awards as follows: Dave Burchman print media [retired sports writer with the Warren Chronicle], Tim Alcorn, broadcast media [WEOL Elyria], John Kempf, print media [News Herald]. Mr. Stevens may nominate a broadcast person,

There was a motion by Mr. Nero seconded by Mr. Friend to order and arrange for presentation of a plaque to a student athlete who bowled a 300 game during the district bowling tournament. Motion passed 8-0. The name of the student will be forthcoming and arrangements for the presentation will be announced.

Other Reports----

             Paul Powers, NEOIAAA Liaison, reported that Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Administrators annual conference/meeting is scheduled for April 20 and 21 in Cuyahoga Falls @ the Sheraton Hotel. Plans call for the conference schedule to coincide with a State P-R Meeting for Northeast District Administrators—Superintendents/Principals and Athletic Directors to review referendum issues prior to a vote in May.

            NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL—.April 3, 2008 @ 9a.

            NEXT DISTRICT BOARD MEETING—THURSDAY APRIL 17, 2008 @ 4p.

            SPRING SPORTS MANAGER’S MEETING—TUESDAY APRIL, 1, 2008 @ 5p

 

            SUBMITTED BY—LARRY ACKER, Secretary NEDAB.