BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting – April 12, 2005

Russ Spicuzza, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA), call the meeting to order at 8:20pm in the Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Rich Chongaway, Ed Emmett, Bill Harvey, Dave Kovalcik, Bob Monte, Jeff Moad, Dan Saffer, Tom Vater, and Mark Vescovi.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes were not yet posted on the website. Tom passed around several copies. We will approve the minutes at the next meeting.

Vice-President: Mark Vescovi turned the meeting over to Dave Kowalski, a coach from the Beadling Soccer Camps, and a resident of Bethel Park. Dave discussed his Soccer Camp, and also his willingness to work with our group to improve our program. His number is 412-854-9095. His camp will be July 18-22 for small group training, team training and coach training. We appreciate Dave coming to the meeting, and encourage coaches to take him up on his offer.

Mark also reported on the President’s meeting at California. Most changes in the bylaws will have little impact on individual clubs. However, the rules governing U-9 and U-10 eligibility for travel are changing for the fall. Players previously too young for travel teams may now be eligible for travel. He recommends that we check with PA West or the district registrar before the travel teams are formed. U-12 are still 11v11, but might change in the future. We can request Paul Helfrich (from PA West) for clinics at 412-856-8011.

PA West also recommends that we have a hearings and appeals committee. Russ currently sits on the district committee.

President: Russ Spicuzza reported that the Elk Shoot Out will take place in May. He was hoping to have them in conjunctions with the Saturday flights. He will organize with Katie Bach from the Elks for all the groups.

Russ also turned the floor over to Dan Saffer, who is coordinating our Kicks for Kids campaign for Leukemia. The program will be held at flights either the weekend of May 14^th or 21^st. He is hoping to get the high school men’s and women’s soccer teams involved. The “2000 touches” will be done with flights, and the travel can collect money. (There are eight travel teams playing at home on May 14, so he might try to organize around that date.) Dan will distribute information to travel coaches and flight coordinators about the program. He registered Bethel Park as a team. The Leukemia Society will recognize the team who raises the most money.

Registration: Registration forms for Fall 2005 already are out. The table registration will be Wednesday, May 25, 2005 from 7-8:30pm at Council Chambers. Tom needs several people to help. Early Bird registration ends June 10, 2005.

Communications: The registration form was in both the April School News and Bethel Park Chronicles. It will also be in the May School News.

PR/Fundraising: Bob talked about the Bethel Park Soccer Night at the Riverhounds on May 14^th. He passed around flyers. Tickets will be passed around April 23^rd. Any BP kid with a jersey on can help form the tunnel on the field before the game that the players will run through.

Bob showed us several different soccer picture packages. They included Redford, Photo Sports, and Photo by James. M&M was more expensive than these companies. We will discuss and vote at the next meeting on a photographer for the fall at the next meeting. We still have time to choose.

Bob attended the first meeting for community day that the Recreation Department held. He will be looking for volunteers soon. It is September 10, 2005.

Player Development: Bill Harvey is looking for families to host Simon. Anyone interested, please contact him.

Flight Coordinator: Bill talked about Flight 3 hosting an extra night. He will talk to JJ to see if coaches are willing to take turns being in charge of it each week. He though this might be a good place for Soccer Sisters with the high school. He or Russ will contact Kelly, the varsity coach.

Jeff Moad brought up the topic of Flight 5 girls, and the lack of travel players attending. He was told that the coaches were encouraging players not to come. This directly contradicts our association goals of bringing the knowledge that the U-10 travel players are getting through the MLS program back to the rest of the players. Plus, players benefit from more opportunities to touch the ball. All the travel coaches involved should support the Flight 5 girl’s program. Russ will contact the girl’s coaches about the matter.

Fields: Russ reported that he, Tom Boss, and Jack Kun attended the first meeting to assign field use. Jack attended the second meeting with Gary Lafever, too. Most of the same information was discussed at the second meeting.

Referees: Tom reported that Brian Carbonara was doing a good job covering games. Please call Tom if you have any problems will referees (either no shows are poor performance.) Referees are to arrive at the field ½ hour before game time.

Registrar/ Travel Commissioner: We will discuss Fall Travel team tryouts at the next meeting.

Community Liaison: Russ asked that contact with the Recreation Department be channeled through the association officers.

Next Meeting will be at May 10, 2005 at 8:00pm (please note the time) in the Caucus Room at the municipal building.