FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paula Anderson
MSHSNSCA President

November 5, 2007

MN State HS Nordic Ski Coaches' Association 2007 Fall Meeting


Saturday October 27th, Mora Vasaloppet Ski Chalet
Minutes submitted by Anne Flueckiger
  1. Welcome, intros, approved 2007 Spring Meeting minutes.
  2. Awards (Dave Johnson, Fred Keuffer):
    • Dave asked whether we should we elect two Coaches of the Year one for boys and one for girls. Not approved.One coach of the year will be elected for both boys and girls.
    • Fred Kueffer nominated John Strand (Roseville) to the Nordic Ski Coaches Hall of Fame; approved.
    • Academic Awards: What about home-schooled athletes? Use coach's discretion.
    • All-State Awards: request to use nicer paper (these are printed up at the State Meet).Anne F. will look into improving the appearance of All-State certificates.
  3. Rankings (John Otto): Please send results to [email protected] Also, please let him know where you would like rankings sent (i.e. local media in your area). Also, remind timers to submit all race results to www.skinnyski.com.
  4. Coaches' contact info: please use the "manage your subscription" feature to indicate what information you want shared (email, phone, etc.). Paula will ask coaches to indicate if they are willing to share their contact information and will then upload this onto the website so coaches can contact each other.
  5. The State Meet banquet earned money for our association, but the venue (Giant's Ridge) was not ideal. Looking for another venue, but there aren't many options. Any ideas?
  6. Treasurer's report (Anne Flueckiger): Our account has close to $3,000, and we have not yet received coaches' association dues for this season. 44 coaches had joined prior to 10/27; the deadline is December 15th. Encourage your assistant coaches to join, too.
  7. Rules interpretation meeting (Bob O'Hara provided a handout with reminders):
    • Sources for rules: NCAA & MSHSL. It is the coaches' responsibility to inform athletes.
    • A few key issues: technique, pacing, tracking, pursuit starts, protests, relays, finishes.
  8. Rules book: Matt Laue suggests switching from NCAA to FIS rules book, b/c FIS is more comprehensive and is updated annually. Approved by coaches but will have to meet with MSHSL and get their input. No action taken on this at this time.
  9. Uniform Rule: Athletes must wear team uniform and apparel for warming up, racing, cooling down, & awards. If a team does not have warm-ups, skiers must wear "neutral" warm-ups. Hats are included (i.e. no Biathlon or USSA hats). This rule has not been enforced by all coaches- suggestion that coaches be required to sign a verification form indicating that they are aware of the rule when they submit their Section and State meet rosters. This was approved. Uniform rule will be revised to indicate that athletes not wearing team or neutral apparel will not be allowed on podium for awards ceremony (but will receive award). Coaches will sign a uniform verification form (similar to CC) before section and state meets and this form will be in their packets this year (2008).
    Question re: can athletes wear their team uniform in a citizen race? Bob O'Hara says, yes.
  10. Charlie Banks/Coaches' Association Relays: Mark from Bemidji asks for teams to please bring a properly dressed volunteer if you participate. The races were delayed last year b/c not enough parent/coach volunteers.
  11. 10. Current proposals:
    • Multi-event, presented by Matt Laue (sprint, pursuit, relay). Discussion, suggestion that sections experiment with multi-event format in 2008-9 to see how it works.
    • State meet date change to Tuesday after President's Day. Approved voting on this electronically at a later date (if passed, would go to MSHSL for approval).
    • Increase awards from 10 to 15 deep at State (awards were decreased when we switched to pure pursuit). Approved; will be sent on to MSHSL awards committee this year; if approved wouldn't take effect until 2009.
    • 48 hour rule modification to allow substitutions in case of illness (roster would list 2 alternates, like in cross-country running). Approved; will be sent on to MSHSL this year.
    Reminder that each boys' and girls' team head coach gets one vote, so if you coach both boys and girls, you get two votes.
  12. By-law amendment to allow electronic voting for Coach of the Year (since not all coaches are at State meet). Approved. This means sections must choose their coach of the year at the section meet and forward to Dave Johnson right away.
  13. We need a new president-elect. John Otto is not currently coaching. Nominations/volunteers?
  14. Supporting/mentoring coaches: Paula sent around a sign-up sheet for coaches willing to share ideas/training plans/etc. and coaches who would like such advice/support. She will send out this information via e-mail.
  15. Various
    • Giant's Ridge will be enforcing ski pass requirement on Nordic trails more strictly this year-they will escort you off the property if you are found skiing without a pass.
  16. After door prizes and lunch, Yuri Gusev and Brian Fish from CXC led a technique clinic on
    roller-skis in the glorious afternoon sunshine.