In attendance
Richard Brewer (Midwest), Michael Pinn (RugbyEast), Tom Walsh (Mid-Atlantic)
Robert Laurence (RugbyEast), Vern Francis (Chairman), Alan Osur (West)
Dale Toohey (Pacific Coast and All-America Coach)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Alan Osur reported on the activities of the competition sub-committee. A bid for the Men's and Women's National Collegiate Championships was received from John Connelly representing Houston Old Boys and Rice University. It was the only bid received prior to the deadline. The bid package was well prepared and judged excellent. Connelly had hosted the event in 1993. The subcommittee (Francis and Osur) recommended the award to Houston to the National Office by letter and telephone conversation. The subcommittee presumed that as in the past that there would be no problem with further consideration of the bid and recommended that the award be made to Houston.
However, it appears that as a consequence of discussion between President Ian Nixon and Eagle and University of California Coach, Jack Clark, that the University of California at Berkeley wished to host the Men's Collegiate Championship. The USARFU Executive committee re-opened the bid process to allow California to submit a bid. The USARFU Collegiate Competitions subcommittee did not review the California bid. The Executive Committee, contrary to the Collegiate Committee's recommendation, awarded the Men's event to California.
Osur heard of the matter in a discussion with Randy Stainer and attempted to reach Ian Nixon to express the Committee's concern regarding these developments. In particular, Osur in his discussions with Stainer noted that, if California were to get the bid, it should include the women. Mr. Stainer replied "Don't worry,. The women won't be screwed." In the end, Mr. Clark did not wish to host both events as Mr. Connelly had proposed in his bid. At this juncture, there was no venue for the Women's Championships.
Osur discussed the matter with John Connelly. At this time, Connelly was still willing to host the women's championships. Several weeks passed and no action came from the Executive Committee regarding the venue for the women's championships. Osur wrote to the National Office noting that the subcommittee was recommending the award of the women's competition to Houston. The Executive Committee agreed.
At this point, Mr. Connelly had second thoughts about the event. The conditions proposed in his original bid had been changed by the Executive Committee as a consequence of the award of the men's competition to California. The time and effort required to host the event afforded a lesser economic benefit. Connelly wrote to Karen Kast requesting an opportunity for discussion. This corresponded to the time period when Ms. Kast was leaving the National Office. As a consequence, nothing was done.
The time was then December. Osur had great difficulty to get Mr. Stainer to formally reject Mr. Connolly's bid and send out new offers. President John D'Amico finally sent out the letters. The declination was sent to Mr. Connelly. Letters were sent to Pennsylvania State University and Princeton University since both Alex Curtis (Princeton) and Charley Smith (Penn State) had indicated that they wished to host the event. Both proposals have been received and Osur distributed them so that the entire Committee could evaluate them. The vote was deferred until Saturday morning.
Dale Toohey reported on the All-America program with some preliminary materials and more to be discussed on Saturday. The Collegiate Territorial Competition is to be held 10-11 June, 1994 at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis MD. The All-America squad will train at the Naval Academy or a nearby naval base prior to facing the Combined Services Juniors on June 17. The match between the Canada Under-23 XV and the All-American Collegiate XV will be held in eastern Canada on 24 June 1995.
Funding
The duration of the All-American camp (one or two weeks) depends on funding, but the venue with Canada and arrangements at the Naval Academy must be set within the next three weeks.
Action - Tom Walsh will submit a bid by 1 February 1995. The Competitions sub-committee will decide by 10 February 1995.
Laurence presented his report on eligibility appeals and request during the fall. Francis indicated that in order to conform to IRB eligibility regulations, the foreign student eligibility policy should be reconsidered. After a brief discussion, Laurence moved that "A foreign student who otherwise meets all collegiate eligibility requirements is eligible for All-American participation and competition if he/she has been resident in the USA for more than one year." The motion seconded by Toohey was voted and passes (7 for, 1 against).
There was an extensive discussion on the implementation of the change in eligibility requirement. Brewer moved seconded by Walsh
Motion - Should the regulation be approved, by 1/15/25. it should go into effect immediately. If not, then it should go into effect by the end of beginning of the next academic year.
The motion passed 7-0
Action - Laurence agreed report the change, once approved by the Board of Directors to the National Office.
Later this spring there is a National NIRSA meeting in Albuquerque NM. Bill Hafner asked whether there would be any Committee participation. There was a brief discussion and Dick Brewer agreed to represent the Collegiate Committee at the meeting.
Action - Brewer will attend. Francis will help in the preparation of a presentation.
Return to Agenda... Adjournment
The committee agreed at 10:00 p.m. to adjourn until 9:00 am Saturday.
In attendance
Richard Brewer (Midwest), Michael Pinn (Southeast),Tom Walsh (Mid-Atlantic)
Robert Laurence (Northeast and Southeast), Vern Francis (Chairman) Alan
Osur (West)
Dale Toohey (Pacific Coast and All-America Coach)
Friday evening, the USARFU Board of directors approved the application of the Northeast Rugby Union The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am
Alan Osur having presented the bids for evaluation, discussion was opened on the relative merits of each proposal. The extensive discussion which followed indicated that both proposals were excellent, the principal shortcomingof the Penn State bid was location and of the Princeton bid institutional support. Princeton was awarded the bid on a vote of 3-2. Laurence agreed to do the eligibility checks at Princeton and Francis at Berkeley. and Francis at Berkeley.
Action - Osur will call both Princeton and Penn State. Laurence will do eligibility checks at Princeton and Francis at Berkeley.
Referee Appointments
The committee discussed and will recommend to the Referee and Laws Committee that B2 referees or better will be assigned to National Collegiate Championships (men and women).
Action - Francis will write to the R&L Committee.
The Committee members will use its budget for the trophies at National Championships and certificates for All-America participants.
Action - Francis will inform the National Office.
John D'Amico, the new USARFU President, visited with the Committee to describe some of the activities at the USA level. In particular, a proposal had been written to the IRB for funding of Collegiate Development in the USA. A grant for 1995 of $80K was awarded to the USARFU. The initial proposal included an Executive Director for Colleges. An ad hoc committee (Nixon, Stainer, Lanigan, Clark, and Brewer) was established, whose charge was to recommend how the money is to be spent. The initial proposal was for $150-200/year for 3 years. The award was for one year, but with the possibility of a longer term. In response to a question by Toohey, D'Amico noted that none of this money was proposed nor can be used for select side or All-Star competition. Options include specific development programs and activities as well as development. An Executive Director for Colleges is viewed as supplying a direct contact with Colleges in the USARFU Offices.
D'Amico discussed the role of the Committee in the recommendation and asked that it provide a draft job description for the Executive Director.
Action - Francis and Brewer will provide a job description and a paper on future directions.
Rugby programs for women in Colleges are the most rapidly growing programs in rugby today. There is no All-Star nor Development program for collegiate women. A proposal regarding such activity was submitted by Alan Osur (proposal attached). Osur moved and seconded by Brewer the following motion:
Motion - The National Collegiate Committee moved that a Women's Collegiate Development subcommittee be formed. The sub-committee's initial charge is to organize a development camp, an All-American trials and selection process, and a USA-Canada match in June 1996.
The motion was passed unanimously (5-0).
Action - Osur will organize the sub-committee and submit a proposal to the Chairman of the Collegiate Committee.
Toohey reviewed the Long Beach All-America activities of June 1994, noting that the financial outlay was considerable.. Dave Sitton was able to obtain sponsorship from Lands' End for kit, etc. Ed Schram began a program with major senior clubs which also raised significant money. Toohey had a personal outlay of over $1000. The financial report due from Sitton is not yet available. The two-week preparation was important for the relative success that the All-Americans had against the Canadians. Toohey wishes to retain that feature of the program, but it is expensive.
On Friday, it had been decided that the National Collegiate All-Star Competition will to be held 10-11 June, 1994 at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis MD. The All-America squad will train at the Naval Academy or a nearby naval base prior to facing the Combined Services Juniors on June 17. The match between the Canada Under-23 XV and the All-American Collegiate XV will be held in eastern Canada on 24 June 1995. This represents a continuation of the two-week program initiated last year. However, the duration of this preparation hinges on funding. A decision regarding the program should be taken within the next few weeks.
Dave Sitton has asked for a leave of absence from the All-American Manager's position. The request arises from business commitments Sitton has for 1995. A manager is needed for this year. Toohey asked whether Mike Pinn would consider the position. Pinn agreed to do the leg-work associated with preparations prior to the camp, but he could not be available for the week ending with the Canada match, but he believed that the East manager, Mike McGuire, would share responsibilities with him.
The venue for the Canada match will be in Eastern Canada. A probable location is Toronto, Toohey will contact Canadian officials. The next Collegiate Committee meeting will be at the USA-Canada match 24 June 1995 in eastern Canada.
Action - Francis will inform the Executive Committee of Sitton's request and the possible appointment of Pinn.
Action - Pinn will investigate and report before 12 February on the feasibility of a Naval Academy location and of the expenses to be incurred with such a camp.
Action - Toohey will contact Canadian counterparts as to the venue 0f the Canada U-23 and the All-Americans as soon as possible.
Toohey attended the National Technical Committee meeting in Aspen where the possibility of appointing George Hook as National Technical Director. Dale had requested a focus on University-oriented programs which include material on the organization of College Rugby. Toohey and Laurence have both had discussions with newly appointed Technical Director Hook.
Action - Toohey will draft a position paper on a separate college development program.
O'Connor in a letter addressed to Francis (attached) questioned the priority assigned to select side competition in Territories as to the impact on the participation of military candidate in Combined Services programs or in the All-American program. The committee presumes that as All-America coach, Toohey has the responsibility to establish policy as to preference should be given to participation in the All-American program.
Action - Brewer will inform O'Connor on policy.
Given the continuing Balkanization of USA Rugby, Laurence proposed a discussion of a supra-territorial competition structure for men and women's collegiate Rugby. After a brief discussion Osur moved to table the item until June Collegiate Committee meeting. The motion passed 5-2.
The committee agree that the next meeting of the Committee would be at the site of the Canada U-23 and USA All-Americans. The date will be the weekend of 24 June 1995 at a site in Eastern Canada. It is most probable that it will be in Toronto.
Return to Agenda... The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
These minutes are respectfully submitted by the Recording Secretary, R. L. Laurence (rlaurence@ecs.umass.edu)
Minutes - USARFU Collegiate Committee
January 1995 - Las Vegas NV