BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting – June 8, 2004

Russ Spicuzza, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), called the meeting to order at 8:10pm in the Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Mark Acker, Kate Bock, Rich Chongaway, Ed Emmett, Jack Kun, Bob Monti, Stan Sbei, Tom Vater, and Mark Vescovi.

Secretary’s Report: The May minutes were posted on the website prior to the meeting and distributed at the meeting. There were no additions or corrections. They were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: The current balance is $23773.66. We are running about $5000 less than last year. Referee checks will be sent out in July after the referee schedules have been tabulated.

President’s Report: The South District’s President meeting is coming up July 14. Russ will be attending. He also discussed Challenge grants for our fields. Grants could cover soccer netting at Millennium, a pavilion at Millennium, or new U-10 nets. He is also meeting with Jim Gastgeb of the football association concerning upcoming projects.

Russ introduced Katie Bock from the South Hills Elks. She is coordinating the Elk Soccer Shoot on July 10, 2004 at Village Green. She distributed brochures and flyers concerning the soccer shoot. They need volunteers from the soccer association to serve as judges and linesman for each group. Katie then excused herself from the meeting.

Registration: Tom thanked the people who helped with registration. Twenty-seven players registered at the table. Currently, we have 47 travel players and 167 flight players. Early Bird registration ends June 11, 2004.

Equipment: Please collect jerseys!!! We need them all turned in by June 25th. There will be a $16 penalty for each jersey not turned in.

Referees: Tom and Ed will compile the statistics on how many games each referee did for the spring. They are waiting for the information from Bethany Bowman.

There was discussion about reimbursements. We will be reimbursing referees for either their initial referee course, or their re-certification course. We will continue discussion regarding referee shirts at the next meeting.

There are three major rule changes for the fall. 1) Both teams can substitute on throw-ins; 2) Teams can recruit younger players for weekly travel and consider the game a “friendly,” and 3) a player can not remove their shirt during the game.

Travel Commissioner: Tom announced that we are planning the follow teams for the fall:

Coach /Player Development: Stan stated that the summer soccer camps were coming up. The Riverhound’s were in June, the Pitt Shoot to Score in July, and MLS in August. He will try to have a coaching clinic held by MLS the Sunday before the MLS soccer camp. He was looking into facilities/bathroom.

Stan has heard nothing from the Pittsburgh Sparks, a minor league womens team. They generally put on free clinics.

PR/ Fundraising: Bob said that there were 25 kids at the Riverhound’s game over Memorial Day. It was a good time. Next year, we will try to play during half time instead of prior to the game. He stated that the idea of buying tickets went well.

September 11 is Community Day. Bob will need volunteers. Each travel team will supply several volunteer to work the booth.

Uniroyal is sponsoring a fundraiser and ball give away again this fall. More details as they come.

Fields: Fields went well. It was suggested that we have a trash pick up day. Lacrosse is getting a new president.

Website: Minutes will go out soon. Soccer Shoot and camps will be posted on front page of website. Early Bird registration reminder will go out.

Monthly Meeting: The next BSPA meeting will be August 10, 2004 at 7pm at the Municipal Building. There will be no July meeting. Everyone is welcomed.