BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Parents/Coaches Meeting – December 10, 2002

Terry Bove, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA) called the meeting to order at 7:00pm in the Council Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Rich Chongaway, Bill Harvey, Jim Miller, Rick Paglia, Dave Porco, Stan Sbei, Russ Spicuzza, Tom Vater, Mark Vescovi, Theresa Vescovi, and Eric Young. James Mearer, our representative from MLS, joined the meeting later.

Secretary’s Report: The November meeting minutes were approved and submitted to the website, with one correction: We only have seven full sets of uniforms and five sets of corner flags.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack Kun sent in a budget report via Theresa Vescovi. Jack advised that the bank balance to date is $9,940.27. All expected expenses are in line with the budget. We are still awaiting a check from the BP Recreation Department for fall registration fees. Jack was told by the Recreation Department that the check will be sent out this week.

President’s Report: Terry advised that four Board members decided to step down this year. Mike Hurley, Scott Talbott, Rick Paglia and Kurt Lesker have devoted many years to the betterment of soccer programs for children in Bethel Park. We owe much gratitude for their contributions over the years. Tom Vater, Mark Vescovi, Tom Boss and Jeff Moad accepted nominations and were placed on the ballot. The ballot was available this year on the website. Ballots were collected and given to Dave Porco to tally the votes.

Guest Speaker: Terry introduced James Miller, a landscape architect and member of the Bethel Park Recreation Board. Jim detailed the responsibilities of the Recreation Board and specifically what they are doing to try to improve the quality of our playing fields. He discussed the need for a maintenance plan that takes into consideration the heavy year-round use of our fields. Soil testing, aeration, a regular mowing schedule, and irrigation are just a few of the needed services to allow our fields to stand up to the heavy use.

Jim also talked about his experience in applying for grants from US Soccer, World Cup, etcetera. The BPSA needs to be aware of grant deadlines. The more specific we can be regarding our need for a grant, the more likely it is to be granted. There is a workshop held in August on how to apply for US Soccer grants.

Jim gave the Association a broader view of what the Recreation Board is trying to accomplish, as well as giving us some new ideas on what we can do to secure grants on our own. BPSA would like to thank Jim for coming to the meeting and for his dedication to the future of Bethel Park recreation programs.

Referees: There will be a referee recertification class held at the High School on December 14^th from 3:00-5:30.

Registration: All travel coaches are urged to call their players from their fall rosters to check on registration status. If they have not yet registered, URGE THEM TO DO SO. There will be no exceptions for late registration. Teams should be firmed up by the end of January. Table registration will be held in the Municipal Building on January 22^nd.

PR/Fundraising: Russ Spicuzza stated that he received a check from the photographer for approximately $700.00. He is still awaiting the check from the Uniroyal fundraiser. Tom Vater advised that he will place another article in the January/February edition of the Recreation News. This publication goes out to all the schools and will be a reminder to register for spring soccer.

Website: Mark Vescovi distributed a handout which detailed our website’s use over the last few months. These statistics showed that our members are increasingly turning to our website for soccer information. Usage has risen dramatically in the last month. Mark discussed the agreement that was reached between BPSA and our former web host, COBWEB. We will continue under our contract until August of 2003, however, BPSA has moved our site to another hosting company that allows more direct input and accountability. Some items that are new to the website are: 1) developed the capability to allow members to directly email questions or concerns to the Board members via email aliases; 2) created a mail list registration page that allows people to register online for the BPSA meeting minutes and communications; 3) created an admin section of the site that is secured. This allows for limited members to view the mail list; 4) added links for all local Cup teams and listed the tryout schedules; 5) added link to the Magic Moves program; 6) added the ballot for the 2003 Board election.

If anyone has any suggestions (big or small) for the website, please do not hesitate to contact Mark Vescovi at mvescovi@adelphia.net.

Equipment: Eric Young asked the Board if they wished to have new uniforms by this spring, or by next fall. Decision was made to have new uniforms in the fall. James Mearer, our MLS representative, brought samples of team jerseys to the meeting for review. One shirt was reversible which would be a benefit when playing in-house teams. Eric will bring samples of other possible team uniforms to the next meeting.

Flights: Bill Harvey is planning to have a meeting with all Flight Commissioners to discuss the steps between registration and the organization/notification of teams. These steps need to be streamlined to avoid issues from the last season. Bill also advised that many coaches responded to his coaching survey. Many coaches found the MLS representative to be very beneficial during flights. They also liked the MLS training manuals and listed it as “excellent” reference material. Many coaches said they would like to participate in a coaches training session of appx. 3 hours. Coaches also commented that the organization and notification of teams could have been better and they wanted more information on the rules of the game.

The Board as a whole was very glad to receive these surveys to get a better feel for what is needed in our program. Mark Vescovi added that he could place a similar survey on the website for coaches to give feedback to the Board on their ideas/suggestions.

The following are the listed times for Flights for spring 2003 (all are on Saturdays):

Elections: The following members were elected to the 2003 Bethel Park Soccer Association Board: Tom Boss, Terry Bove, Mark Bowman, Bill Harvey, Jack Kun, Jeff Moad, Stan Sbei, Russ Spicuzza, Tom Vater, Mark Vescovi, Theresa Vescovi, Brian Wassel, Eric Young, Thank you to everyone who voted! Special thanks go out to our new Board members and all our members that volunteer their time and efforts to make Bethel Park Soccer one of the area’s best!

Monthly Meeting: The next meeting will be at 7:00pm on January 14, 2003, at the Municipal Building. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS.