NEWMAC Meeting Minutes
Springfield College
Town House Conference Room
June 2, 2008 9:00am-5:00pm
June 3, 2008 9:00am-5:00pm
Present:
MIT-Julie Soriero, John Benedick, Jean Heiney; WPI-Dana Harmon, Cherise Galasso, Rusty Eggen; Springfield-Cathie
Schweitzer, Kelly Hart, Craig Poisson, JoAnn Woodruff; Babson-Josh MacArthur, Judy Blinstrub, Danielle Pineault;
Mount Holyoke-Laurie Priest, Lori Hendricks, Lisa Nash; Wheaton-Chad Yowell, John Sutyak, Scott Dietz, Rebecca
Begley; USCGA-Ray Cieplik, Andrea Stewart; Smith-Lynn Oberbillig; Wellesley- Bridget Belgiovine, Avery Esdaile,
Mindy Mangels; Clark-Linda Moulton; NEWMAC-Katie Hersey, Greg McKeever.
1.
Motion: Approve Agenda
Agenda approved: 10-0
2.
Motion: Approve April Minutes
Passed: 10-0
Recommendation – Future-List people attending meeting
3.
Strategic Plan – Reviewed upcoming items within Strategic Plan utilizing the filtered “by date” timeline.
Sports Sponsorship – Laurie distributed comprehensive list of institutional sports sponsorship – asked for
feedback by June 15 for integration into conference Self-Study.
4.
Treasurer Report (Linda Moulton)
a. Consideration of bringing in Janet Judge to SAAC meeting
b. Distributed and reviewed income statement from period 4/1/08-6/1/08
c. Distributed and reviewed budget from 6/1/07-5/31/08
d. Distributed and reviewed 07-08 conference grant report
e. Motion: Approve Treasurer’s report
Approved: 10-0
5.
Officer Reports
a. President (Cathie Schweitzer)
i. Congratulated spring sport champions. Also noted Coast Guard’s sixth place finish in Rowing
Nationals.
ii. Updated Executive Committee action – one meeting to discuss Joint Meeting and scheduling—
(Change requests approved for spring ’09 softball/baseball schedule)
iii. Reviewed Presidents’ Agenda for Joint Meeting
1. Membership Restructuring
2. Conference Self-Study
3. Strategic Plan-noted business plan; raised the issue of corporate sponsorship—from a
philosophical perspective; more pressure of conference dues
b. SAAC (Dana Harmon)
Page: 1
i. Distributed SAAC PowerPoints from previous meetings and remaining NEWMAC backpacks
6.
Executive Director Report (Katie Hersey)
a. Full report of Annual Highlights will be delivered during Joint Meeting
b. Updated group on recent meeting of New England Commissioners
i. Sportsmanship
1. Discussed concerns about negative chants at contests; suggestion for all conferences to
review and/or create game management principles
2. Discussed concerns about poor sportsmanship in men’s soccer; discussed conference
initiatives to emphasize to officials to control the games, one avenue-issuing more cards
ii. Legislation
1. Discussed concerns about baseball and softball seasons and weather; discussed splitting
seasons or moving baseball and softball to the fall
2. Updated group that CCC may be interested in co-sponsoring tryout exceptions with
NEWMAC
iii. Officiating
1. Commissioners discussed Nick Zibelli’s exploration into assigning for other sports
2. Discussed creating a New England Division III officiating bureau
3. Discussed continuous concerns with diversity of officials—Division III Commissioners
Diversity and Well-Being Committee to begin addressing the issue
c. Updated group about upcoming Division III Commissioners Association Meeting in San Antonio
i. Critical meeting to review upcoming legislation—will bring any NEWMAC proposals to the
Association
d. Thanked Greg for his service as NEWMAC Publicist. Reviewed highlights from his work and overall output.
7.
Spring Liaison Reports
a. Baseball motion deferred to sport proposals
8.
Committee Reports and Recommendations (Committee chairs)
a. Sportsmanship (Craig Poisson)
i. Provided report, including committee’s self-study review that was previously distributed; discussed
alternating starting lineups—now only for field hockey and men’s and women’s basketball
b. Championship (Chad Yowell)
i. Reported on the status of championship committee meetings. The championships committee has met
every other week; previously distributed all minutes and self-study report. Committee work is in
line with Strategic Planning Timeline.
c. Awards (Cherise Galasso)
i. Reviewed awards committee recommendations on sport group motions. Considered whether each
motion should be applied across all sports and expressed that consistency issues will be examined as
part of upcoming meetings of Award Committee.
Athletic Trainers Report and Recommendations (Josh MacArthur)
a. Met on 13th of May; reviewed proposed legislation
b. Discussed genesis of AED legislation-further discussion under Other Business of this Agenda
9.
Page: 2
c.
MOTION: The student-athlete’s institutional athletic training staff has the sole responsibility to clear
student-athletes for participation for pre-existing medical conditions. In the absence of this, it is the
coaches’ responsibility to communicate with his/her institutional athletics training staff.
Passed 10-0 by ATCs; Passed 10-0 by AAG
d. MOTION: For pre-determined championships site only, the host institution’s athletics trainer will be on
the pre-season conference call.
Passed 10-0 by ATCs; Passed 10-0 by AAG
10. Sports Information Directors Report and Recommendations (Josh MacArthur)
a. Reviewed proposals
i. MOTION: The conference office should develop the webpage on the NEWMAC site and each
institution could link to this page. PASSED (9-0-1) by SIDs
Passed: 7-3 by AAG
ii. MOTION: Adding links on NEWMAC site for non-NEWMAC sports in which NEWMAC teams
compete (e.g. football, men's lacrosse, etc.) Passed 10-0 by SIDs
Defeated: 4-6 by AAG; Rationale: Minimal value and concerns expressed about large number of
non-NEWMAC sports sponsored by NEWMAC institutions
iii. MOTION: Conference to hold pre-season polls in all sports where standings are kept (Men’s
Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Basketball, Women’s
Basketball, Softball, Women’s Lacrosse, Baseball, Men’s Tennis Passed (10-0) by SIDs
Defeated: 1-9; Rationale: Value; lack of support/input from coaches about proposal; increased
workload of staffed conference office; Stated that staffing concerns brings up larger issue where
we need to look at dues, implementation of full-time position, not limit to 1000 hours.
iv. MOTION: creation of ad hoc committee to evaluate current status of conference records and
develop plan for the compiling open and championship records for the NEWMAC; Passed (10-0)
by SIDs
Passed: 10-0 by AAG
MOTION: Begin charging $1.00/program at ticketed championships. Passed (10-0) by SIDs; This
will help offset costs and possibly more flexibility with outside vendor
Amended MOTION: Begin charging $2.00/program at volleyball and basketball. Passed (10-0) by
SIDs
Defeated: 3-7 by AAG; need to look at larger picture and consider item within Strategic Plan;
potential sponsorships and consider value of programs in promoting identity of NEWMAC
v. NEWMAC Track and Field and Swimming and Diving motions discussed during sport proposals
vi. The following three motions are referred to Playing and Practice Committee; Passed: 10-0
vii. MOTION: NEWMAC should officially recognize the regular season champion and tournament
champion in all sport that where standings are kept. (10-0) by SIDs
viii. MOTION: In all sports where standings are kept, if two or more teams finish in a tie for first place
(based on the respective criteria for the sports), they share the regular season championship. (10-0)
by SIDs
ix. MOTION: For historical purposes, the NEWMAC records should accurately reflect the
implementation of the above motion as far back as necessary. (9-1) by SIDs
x. The following two motions were moved together and Passed, 9-1
xi. MOTION: Use quarterfinal terminology for NEWMAC Championship language (7-2-1) by SIDs
Page: 3
xii. MOTION: Include “double-elimination” and appropriate game # when referring to Baseball and
Softball tournaments in all PR material (except the champion round) (10-0) by SIDs
xiii. MOTION: Remove limits on All-conference nominations.
Awards Committee vote: Defeated 2-4
Rationale:
Need to get feedback from each coaches group before applying this across all sports.
b.
Discussed roster layouts—conference office noted that conference office will request for rosters to be sent in a
consistent format
i. Motion: for championship programs, use graduation year office for consistency purposes. Apply
the same for consistency purposes
1. Passed: 9-1-0
11. Review of Sport Proposals (NEWMAC Liaisons)
a. See separate document for proposals and results
12. Sport Liaison Handbook Recommendations (Katie Hersey and NEWMAC Liaisons)
a. The handbook should be modified to reflect the following—Passed: 10-0
Field Hockey
1) Stick check is to be in accordance with NCAA protocol
2) Goal cage nets to be secured to frame on all sides – including the bottom
Men’s Soccer
Motion #6: The primary criteria for determining the standings in men’s soccer is the point system
(3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss).
Women’s Soccer
Motion #5: Point system (3 pts/win, 1 pt/tie, 0 pts/loss) will be the primary ranking system for regular season conference
standings.
KH Note: AAG Direction is for Katie to update soccer section in handbook to reflect the fact that points should be the
primary ranking criteria for standings.
Women’s Crew:
 Make limited numbers of printed results available for coaches on site
 Introduce all members of the all-conference team (coaches should provide phonetic spelling) at the time the
awards are presented
 Announce all members of the winning 8-person shell to come forward to accept the championship trophy
 Provide team rosters (submitted by noon on Thursday) for an insert into the printed program
 Championship photo should include all institutional team members in addition to V8
Baseball
Motion: Clarify language in the NEWMAC handbook to state: the highest remaining seed going into Day 3 of the
NEWMAC Baseball double elimination tournament will host games on Day 3 and Day 4 even if they are eliminated from
the tournament on Day 3.
Page: 4
JOINT MEETING WITH NEWMAC PRESIDENTS, FACULTY ATHLETIC REPRESENTATIVES AND AAG
13. Other Business
a. Conference Self-Study
i. Thanked committees and Katie for efforts in process. Reminded institutions to mail academic profiles
to the conference office. Requested institutions to review self-study and send feedback to Katie and
Cathie.
b. NCAA Woman of the Year Award
i. Group agreed that Doria and Shanti should be NEWMAC’s 2008 Nominees. Katie will submit
nominees to the national office, and will write a press release announcing these nominees as well as
all NEWMAC submissions.
c. NCAA Sportsmanship Award
i. No nominees
d. Olin College Students - Consideration of Eligibility (Josh MacArthur)
i. Josh opened discussion by referring to NEWMAC Mission statement and belief that participation by
Olin students is in accordance with NEWMAC mission statement—one particular area—the
NEWMAC mission’s statement support of the educational value of athletics participation
ii. Josh discussed heavy coursework and class schedule of Olin students - Question raised: is there a
policy at Olin regarding missing class; what are Olin rules; how would students follow Babson
policies – Josh to consider follow up
iii. Concern expressed-making participation opportunities available to 300 students receiving free tuition
regardless of their financial mean creates inequities in recruiting and competition
iv. Concern expressed: we have no way of competing against them through the recruiting process since
some NEWMAC institutions have only need-based financial support
v. Pro-This is at the end of the day about students and enriching the student experience
vi. Pro-One person expressed that there is no real worry about disadvantaging competitive equity
vii. Cathie stated that a vote to allow participation would need to pass 2/3 per NEWMAC bylaws
regarding membership adaptation
viii. Motion: Approve Babson and Olin consortium starting in Fall 2008 with a review after two years
1. Defeated: 4-4-2 Clark/Wheaton abstained, MIT, Springfield
2. Josh requested that institutions casting an opposed or abstaining vote to email rationale for
vote to Josh
e. NEWMAC Internship Position (Cathie Schweitzer/Katie Hersey)
i. Staffing the office is an essential component of Strategic Plan. Will consider NCAA Grants through
process. NEWMAC to advertise position and hire during the summer.
f. Consideration of Sponsoring 2009 NCAA Legislation
i. NEWMAC discussed sponsoring two legislative proposals, and agreed to move forward with process
to sponsor both proposals. Katie to bring proposals to Commissioner meeting to gather feedback and
alert national colleagues.
ii. Prohibited Recruiting Activities
1. Discussion: Distinction between an organization that comes to us asking to use our facility
and us going through and soliciting teams to host their tournament
Page: 5
2.
Other differentiating components: do you charge the entity-if they are paying fees then it’s a
fundraiser—different then when you go out and solicit in terms of tryouts; do they have to
have insurance
3. Support proposal - Passed: 9-0-1 - we can put something forward and amend it by
September if need be
iii. Head Coach AED Certification (Lynn Oberbillig)
iv. Supports student-athlete welfare, provide better quality experience for student-athletes
v. Josh to write up proposal with intent and rationale statement
vi. Head Coaches – requirement for first aid, CPR/AED certification
1. Passed: 10-0
g. 2008-09 Fan Sportsmanship Program – Seek approval
i. Motion: Perpetually endorse proposal 10-0
h. Conference Grant Program
i. Submitted 08-09 requisition form; impact form due in July
i. Shared Expenses – Continue policy: all institutions sponsoring sport pay?
i. Idea: Increase dues by x dollars based on what we are paying for shared expenses and then pay for
shared expenses through NEWMAC budget - Ask Finance Committee to review this
ii. Reminder: spring sports should get cost shares done within a week of the championship
j. Facility Conflicts
i. Due to facility conflicts at Springfield and WPI involving football and the semi-finals for soccer and
field hockey, the following would be possible:
a) Springfield could either play the field hockey semi-finals at 4:30 and 6:30pm on the regular
season field or play the semi-final games at the scheduled time on an alternate field that is near
by and the same surface as the regular season field.
b) WPI could either host 2 semi-final field hockey or soccer games at 4:30 and 6:30pm, but could not
do both and football.
It was suggested that the field hockey coaches be asked on the pre-season conference call if they prefer
playing the semi-finals on the regular season field or playing at the regularly scheduled time on an
alternate field.
Motion: Pending the field hockey coach’s vote on the pre-season conference call, if Springfield were
the top seed, they would be allowed to host the field hockey championship at the designated time on
the alternate field. Coaches would also be allowed to determine if the finals should remain on the
alternate field or be retained on the regular season field. Passed 8-1.
Town Hall Meeting:
Cathie briefly reviewed what took place at the Town Hall Meeting on May19 th and highlighted several survey results.
Overall, 82% supported maintaining the current structure and 15 % either supported or strongly supported the creation of
a new division or subdivision. In general, the feedback from those attending was positive and the discussion around the
membership restructuring was viewed as productive. There were 11 issued identified for further study by the
governance structure.
1. Philosophy and Brand
2. Division II as a Possible Membership Destination
3. Financial Aid Standards (52% agreed or strongly agreed that a consideration of leadership in athletics in financial
aid packaging should be allowed; 28% disagreed or strongly disagreed)
4. Budget Priorities and Dues Structure
Page: 6
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Resources
Sport Sponsorship Priorities
Membership Standards
Eligibility
Presidential Leadership
Preference for Current Season Standards
Championships
Everyone was reminded that the power point presentation for the meeting was online as well as an opportunity to fill-out
an evaluation survey.
Future Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 (Site TBD)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 (WPI)
January 14-17, 2009 during the NCAA Convention (Washington, DC)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 (Worcester)
Hold June 1,2,3, 2009 (Springfield College) until we know about NADIIIAA and Commissioners Meetings
Page: 7