November 9, 2004

The meeting began at 7:00pm. The awards night for the fall sports in tomorrow night. Make sure coaches evaluation forms are passed out to your parents. Our coaches deserve constructive criticism from us (the good and the bad). Someone asked if there is a response to the forms. Reggie Glon informed us that all evaluations are summarized for the coach(es). The major pluses and minuses are listed. When Reggie, the coach and Mr. Carl Loesch, our principal sit down to the evaluation of the coach, this summary is used. The survey does not carry as much “weight” as Mr. Loesch and Reggie’s input, but they are very useful and very important. Reggie guaranteed that all surveys are read, evaluated and summarized. He encourages parents to send them in and suggested we do the same.

A parent asked if there was a dress code for awards night, because there seemed to be some questionable outfits in the recent past. Someone suggested the dress code for dress down days may be appropriate. At this time, there is no dress code for this event.

Steve Henry (President) acknowledged and thanked those in attendance. There were eighteen parents, the girls’ teams coaches’ rep and Reggie. Eleven sports were represented. A short summary of the last meeting’s minutes were read.

The Media Guide is the one single huge fund raiser of the Marian Athletic Committee. Parents and team parents participate to get the athletic information for the program and to sell ads. There are forms in the Athletic Office to sell ads. Patron ads (bright green sheets) for the winter sports are due in the athletic office by Friday, November 20th. None of the tuition fee goes to athletics. A $150,000.00 budget for this year must be covered by athletic fees, gate fees and the Media Guide, so.....that’s why the MAC pushes the Media Guide.

If someone wants to help with the Media Guide, contact Kathy Bussmann in the athletic office. No one came to the October 25th training session. A couple of hours of volunteer time is great! It doesn’t need to be all day. It was asked if students can help. Possibly, but is not encouraged. It would be Kathy Bussmann’s decision as to the feasibility of it.

The Athletic wear purchased to sell at the home football games this fall did not sell very well. About $600.00 was sold. These items (long sleeved t-shirt, sweatshirt and stadium blanket) will be sold at the home basketball games. If everything sells, a profit of $2,000.00 will be made.

Every sport is required to work concessions at one football or basketball game. If a team chooses to man the concession stand a second time, $200.00 from that night will go into that sport’s fund. The money made at the concession stand goes toward the budget.

The Capital Campaign drive (for the new athletic facility across the street) will start in January/February 2005. At this time, we can accept donations. We can not ask for them. We are looking for: a) 3-5 year pledges

b) 3-5 million dollars

c) 60% - for facility and 40% for academic development.

We are also addressing this issue with our feeder schools (since they will play football and soccer at this facility.

On October 24th, anyone who wanted to come to Marian, could take a bus trip out to the new Marian athletic fields. Five soccer/rugby fields are leveled. Two are hydro seeded for the fall. Two are not. One is stadium field should be sodded before Christmas. The under drainage/irrigation systems have been installed. There are plans in the works for a driving range. Tennis courts should be ready in the fall of 2005. By April/May, there should be about 100 parking spaces. We are still waiting for an access point from Logan to pave road to the parking lot.

It was pointed out that for those who are not interested in athletics at Marian, not to worry because there is an academic side to this campaign to replace and maintain the existing facility.

There was a huge discussion on the travel policy (past, present and future) of our athletic teams. The Marian High School School Board is currently evaluating our current travel policy. They have finished some of the areas in question, however many items including overnight stays are still being evaluated. Input is needed and has been asked for from parents by Kathy Brickley, a school board member. Reggie commented that if there is no input, he believed that the school board will error on the side of caution. The Mishawaka School Corporation is the only one in our area with a written policy. There were several questions that Reggie was given to pose to the MAC. They are as follows with comments from those in attendance of this meeting.

1) How much should we as a school govern? & What part should we govern?

There are different answers for a day trip and for an overnight trip.

Can we control all situations?

Some schools do not allow their teams to have team home parties (like pasta parties).

Contact with anyone other than a coach is prohibited at a state sponsored event.

Marian’s current policy allows only same gender adult to chaperon the team with a 10:1 ratio.

Board should use reasonable and prudent wording.

Chaperons should monitor contact between athletes and others.

Define chaperon.

Chaperons and coaches should be given a list of responsibilities prior to leaving so any discrepancies/disagreements can be handled.

2) Expenses.

The money we are reimbursed from the state, does not cover the cost.

Define expense.

A lot of parents don’t think it’s fair. A lot want the exposure.

A school bus and driver is supplied. Some choose to charter.

An overnight stay is financed by the state, if it is a two day event (like volleyball).

Do parents have a concern over the expense of a tournament, etc.?

Some JV and/or Freshmen parents are concerned about fund raising dollars when they are used for a tournament where only the varsity team participates.

3) What should the dress of the team be when not on the court? When is it appropriate to wear whatever you want?

Travel on bus - should that dress code be the same as when the athlete is at the hotel hanging out in the rooms (if an overnight trip).

Are girl’s swimsuits at the pool (around male coaches) appropriate when they are not swimming?

4) Why is trip beneficial?

Competition. The beginning of the season is very important.

Bonding.

We were extremely encouraged to E-mail the athletic office (kbussmann@marianhs.org or rglon@marianhs.org) with any information, opinions, concerns, answers, etc. you may have in regard to this travel policy issue.

There was a complaint of the restrooms in the football stadium, next to the big concessions stand. Embarrassing looking and not enough toilet paper, dirty, etc. Reggie said that the school can not staff enough maintenance on the balanced budget. Ideally, one or two outside maintenance workers are needed.

The meeting ended at 8:15pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 11th at 7:00pm in the classroom across from the athletic office.

Thank you for all you do. You are great and very appreciated!!!

Sue Mason
Team Parent Coordinator