BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Parents/Coaches Meeting – May 14, 2002

Terry Bove, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. in the Council Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Rich Chongaway, Bill Harvey, Mike Hurley, Jack Kun, Rick Paglia, Dave Porco, Brett Reese, Stan Sbei, Russ Spicuzza, Tom Vater, Mark Vescovi, Theresa Vescovi, and Brian Wassel.

Secretary’s Report: The April meeting minutes were officially approved. The minutes were available online in a timely manner last month. Mr. Chongaway suggested posting the minutes on the bulletin boards of the South Park Shoppes, the Community Center, and the Municipal Building.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack Kun reported that the final proceeds ($19,851.03) were received from the BP Recreation Department for the spring registration. The cash will be at appx. $14,000.00 at the beginning of next week. This is in line with the budget. The bill for the flight shirts came in under budget. If travel coaches need referee money due to rained out games, please call Jack to make arrangements for getting a check.

President’s Report: Terry passed out copies of PA West’s guidelines for lightning safety. (“If you hear it, clear it…If you see it, fleet it.”) If a parent feels that a game or practice should be suspended due to lightning, feel free to speak up about it. Sometimes coaches are too intent on the game or practice to realize that lightning occurred. If anyone would like to read the guidelines, go to pawest-soccer.org/lightning.html. There will be no games at Millenium this week due to the BBA’s 50^th anniversary celebration being held there. Terry passed out copies of a letter from the BP Community Coalition, in which they asked that all sports teams begin play AFTER 1:00 on Sundays. Brian Wassel advised that nearly all games are scheduled after 1:00 on Sundays. However, occasionally a need arises to schedule a game earlier.

Speakers: MLS representative, Brett Russel, and James Meara, gave a synopsis of how things have gone this season both with the existing flight program and the new U-10 program. James noted that he has been very impressed with the improvement of the U-10 players. The players have really paid attention and worked hard during practices. James expressed thanks to the Paglia family for their hospitality for the last two months. The U-10 coaches present at the meeting, Rick Paglia, Stan Sbei and Mark & Theresa Vescovi advised of James’ positive effects on their teams. It was generally agreed at the meeting that the skills of an MLS coach are most beneficial to the U-10 age level for the players and for the youngest flight groups in order to build coaching skills.

Brett Russel provided the BPSA with a proposal for increasing the MLS program into the older flights and adding the MLS coach to the U-11 program. Brett also provided a breakdown of costs and suggestions for funding the additional program.

PR/Fundraising: Terry Bove advised that a Uniroyal representative contacted him with reference to their national sponsorship of Top Soccer. They are offering to buy 500 soccer balls for the BPSA. Also, they will make a $4.00 donation to the BPSA for all tires sold to Association members during an upcoming month. Russ Spicuzza will be in touch with the Uniroyal rep. to get more details.

A question arose as to whether advertising space at soccer fields could be sold to benefit the Association. Many neighboring soccer organizations sell space to advertise such things as restaurants, gas stations, soccer equipment stores, etcetera. Terry advised that he would look into this question.

Community Day: Terry advised that a new chairperson is needed to coordinate the Association’s activities on Community Day. Responsibilities include organizing volunteers, setting up the booth, and arranging for food and other items to be sold. In past years, BPSA’s booth has been a great success but can only be accomplished through the generous donation of your TIME. Anyone interested in leading or helping out with this committee, please contact any Board member or email tvescovi@adelphia.net.

Web Site: Richard Chongaway suggested a Frequently Asked Questions section be placed on the website. Questions concerning travel, Cup soccer, coach licensing, player safety, etcetera, could be addressed in this manner. If anyone has a question for this section, please email it to: tvescovi@adelphia.net. This will be developed over the summer on an ongoing basis. Stan Sbei will write a section describing the BPSA travel program.

Registration: Terry passed out copies of the new fee schedule for next fall’s registration. Fees for all players were raised by $5.00.

Fields: Board members commented on the need for more field maintenance on the Millenium field. The grass has many bald spots, the remaining grass is rarely mowed and the field has several holes where puddles form. Discussion held on possible remedies.

Flights: The Memorial Day Tournament will be held for flights at the Bethel Park High School Stadium. Teams should arrive at the stadium at their normal flight times. Flights 4 and 5 will have their Tournament at Millenium Field. The Association hopes all players, coaches and parents enjoy the Tournament. The weather has been rather dismal for flights this spring. Let’s hope for sunshine for Memorial Day!!!

Jack Kun and Theresa Vescovi commented on the low number of Flight 4 children showing up for the Saturday flights from 11:00 to 1:00. During the month of May, baseball games are held on Saturday that conflict with flight times. Lengthy discussion was held on how to respond to this issue for next season. Decision was made to switch times for Flights 4 & 5. Beginning in the fall, Flight 4 boys will be held from 8:30 to 10:30, while Flight 5 will move to 11:00 – 1:00. (Both flights will stay at Millenium.)

Tournament: Plans are continuing for the November Bethel Park U-11 Tournament.

Tryouts: Tryouts for next year’s U-10 travel teams will be held on Saturday, May 18, after flights. Tryouts for next year’s U-11 team will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 on May 22^nd at Park Avenue and May 24^that Ben Franklin. Players need only attend ONE tryout. U-10 Girls tryouts will be held Wednesday, June 5th at Millennium.

Age Group Commissioners: The following coaches were appointed commissioners:

Commissioners are responsible for meeting with coaches and devising a logical plan to organize teams as soon as possible.

Budget:: Jack Kun passed out the proposed budget for the 2002-2003 seasons. Discussion was held concerning new items to this year’s budget such as new travel uniforms (2 sets per year), MLS programs, and saving for future matching-grant programs. Decision made to continue the existing U-10 and flight MLS program. However, additional MLS programs will be postponed for further review for next year’s spring season. Budget was approved.

Monthly Meetings: Regular monthly meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month in the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Meetings start at 8:00 p.m. during the fall and spring seasons and 7:00 p.m. otherwise. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS. YOUR VOICE AND IDEAS ARE IMPORTANT TO THIS PROGRAM. The date and place for the next meeting is Tuesday, June 11, 2002 at 8 p.m. in the Council Caucus Room (behind Council Chambers).