Friday, 17 June 1994 - Golden Sails Hotel, Long Beach CA
In attendance
Richard Brewer (Midwest), David Sitton (Pacific Coast), Robert Laurence (RugbyEast) Dale Toohey (Pacific Coast and All-America Coach), Vern Francis (Chairman)Paula Opal (NIRSA), Alan Osur (West)
The meeting was called to order at 7::24 PM.
Item 1 All-American & Coaching Development
For the convenience of the All-American Program, Coach Dr. Dale Toohey and Manager David Sitton presented their reports first. Sitton presented his written report on the All-America Camp and the preparations. He noted that the program required $14,000 and that $11, 000 was in hand. He asked that the Collegiate Committee help in retiring the debt remaining by asking senior clubs in the LAUs and Territories to give $150 in support of the All-American program. The rationale, as he explained it, was that these are the clubs that will benefit from the development of these players in the program. There is additional sponsorship, now from Canterbury, possibly from Adidas, and maybe Timex. The participants in the program paid $150 each towards expenses, in addition to their travel to and for the All-Star competition.
Action - All Committee members will contact the senior clubs in their respective territories asking for $150 sponsorship for the All-American program(9/94)
Dr. Toohey reported that the 2-week camp was important in player development. It was clear from the All-Star Competition that the overall level of quality was not as good as recent past years, but the camp helped the players make substantial progress. The result against Combined Services was one-sided and puts in question the merit of playing an unprepared side. The first Canada match (Canada U-23 - 61 - USA Collegians B - 9) was an indication of the lack of depth in the All-American squad. Toohey promised a much better result in the full test. Toohey remarked that he was pleased with the marked improvement over the two week camp. Sitton reported on the sudden departures of two Rugby-East players after they had checked into camp and asked Dr. Laurence to report the incident to Rugby-East for possible disciplinary action.
Action - R. Laurence will report Lugano-Keffer incident to RugbyEast for. disciplinary action (7/94)
Item 2 Site Selection for All Conference Competition
The Collegiate Territorial Competition was held 3-5 June, 1994 in Long Beach CA. The All-America squad faced Combined Services the week prior to Canada (11 June). Canada sent an Under-23 side to play on 19 June. The Long Beach site had been very active for the preceding several weeks with the Internationals, InterTerritorials, and the All-American Program. The Committee, on a suggestion by Sitton, reviewed the site selection criteria for the ACC, the All-American Camp, and the Canada-USA match. Chairman Francis asked for specific selection criteria and sub-committee chairman Osur responded by noting that an ad hoc criterion was the rotation of the sites across the USARFU territories. On this basis, the events would be in the East in 1995. However, the committee's consensus was that the ACC/All-American camp siting be linked to the site of the USA-Canada match, a Canadian responsibility in 1995. Sitton also requested that a provision be added to the bid request, the inclusion of a public address system.
Action - Sitton will detail the addendum to the bid request by mid-July
Sitton will discuss the siting of the Canada event and report on the Canadian preferences and choice as soon as possible.
There was a brief discussion of the inclusion of a collegiate development side in the Al-American program. Such a program already exists in the East and it will be considered.
Action - Sitton will evaluate and estimate the cost and feasibility of the program and report at the next meeting.
Item 3 Collegiate Sevens
A very brief discussion on the feasibility and appropriateness of a formal collegiate sevens competition. Given the agenda of this committee and the nature of the sevens game as essentially a summer program, it was agreed that Sevens rugby should not be an integral part of a collegiate program at this time. It had been argued that Sevens could be integrated into collegiate intramural programs, but Paula Opal, the NIRSA representative to the committee, expressed the concern that, given the growing concern over collision sports in intramurals, it would not find sufficiently broad support for inclusion in an intramural program. No action was recommended or taken.
Item 4 National Championship Structure and Re-organization
Brewer reported on discussion at the USARFU Board of Directors. The Board was considering restructuring the national championship competitions, given the recent entry of Southern California Rugby Football Union as a Territory. The proposal was to have the fourth seeded team in the competition play SCRFU in southern California for the right to play in the Finals. The discussion that followed led to general agreement that the proposal as presented was not feasible for colleges and universities. In view of the continuing balkanisation of the current territories, Toohey moved that "The current playoff structure for the Territorial and All-Conference Championship will remain the same for the 1994-95 competitive year." Laurence seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Sitton noted that in the previous USARFU structure and now with the balkanisation the Collegiate programs have not been at all influential and are becoming less so, i.e., the SCRFU competition inclusion proposal. He then proposed discussion of the creation of a separate national collegiate structure within the USARFU, but outside the aegis of the LAUs and Territories. Paula Opal and Toohey supported the proposal in principle. Rather than have the Committee struggle in concert to construct a proposal for the USA University RFU, Sitton agreed to prepare such a proposal for further discussion by Saturday morning.
Item 5 Eligibility
Chairman Francis noted that there are two outstanding eligibility issues:
1. the five-year rule
2. orphan players
Dr. Toohey began the discussion of the 5-year rule noting that in California it is generally accepted that most students enter the State University system from Junior or Community Colleges. He then moved that "The five-year restriction for eligibility be extended to six years." Sitton seconded the motion. Following a lengthy, unfruitful discussion, Brewer moved to table the motion and Laurence seconded. The motion to table was passed unanimously. Further discussion of eligibility was postponed until Saturday.
Item 6 Adjournment
The committee at 11:00 PM agreed to adjourn until 7:00 am Saturday.
on Saturday, 18 June 1994 - Golden Sails Hotel, Long Beach CA
In attendance
Richard Brewer (Midwest), David Sitton (Pacific Coast), Robert Laurence (RugbyEast) Dale Toohey (Pacific Coast and All-America Coach), Vern Francis (Chairman) Paula Opal (NIRSA), Alan Osur (West)
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 am
Item 1. Eligibility
Laurence reported on the activities of the Eligibility subcommittee, reviewed the Appeal procedure outlined at the New Orleans meeting and submitted for publication to the USARFU offices in Colorado Spring He also presented a log of the appeals received in 1993-94.
A request from Tom Walsh (Potomac)was received for a second time. Forrest Monroe had been a high school rugby player in Colorado and is now a student at Howard University. He is seeking permission to participate in intercollegiate rugby towards a national championship at Catholic University or for participation in the All-American program. Laurence noted that all attempts to develop a program at Howard have failed because the university, being a traditionally all black urban school, does not have sufficient facilities for rugby football. It was discussed and restated by Francis and the rest of the committee present that the "Orphan" player issue is not an issue. If a participant is not a student at the college or university, he or she may not play for the university in competition leading to a national championship. Dick Brewer noted that he had been lobbied by Mr. Walsh and had suggested to him that an appeal might be made to the USARFU Board with letters from Howard University and Catholic University. Chairman Francis inferred that this would be futile in view of the stance taken by the Collegiate Committee.
The motion by Toohey tabled on Saturday was revisited. Paula Opal presented the Committee with several documents describing recent enrollment statistics that suggested that six years was becoming the norm. Opal's argument is based on a curriculum comprising 136 hours at Texas A&M and 12 credit hours per semester as a full time load. With those conditions, it would take a student more than 11 semesters to complete a bachelor's program. Laurence sought to refute the argument by citing that at most universities the minimum number of credit hours required for a bachelor's degree is 120 hours and that the number of credit hours used in evaluating the number of "full-time equivalent students" is 15. On this basis, it should take 8 semesters or 4 years to completion. Laurence promised more statistics and Brewer moved the question. The vote was 1 in favor and 5 against. There was a brief discussion of the heterogeneity of decisions made in the Territories and Brewer moved that "All appeals on collegiate eligibility must be made to the Collegiate Eligibility subcommittee." The motion was seconded by Osur and passed unanimously.
Action - Laurence will modify the Appeals procedure to reflect the changes made at this meeting ( 7/94).
Sitton recommended a policy statement for the committee in evaluating appeals. These were as follows:
Other cases, such as catastrophic family problems or normal military service, will be treated as individual cases.
Action - Laurence will prepare a position paper to be sent to the Committee before and to be considered at the next meeting. (1/95)
Item 2. Restructuring
The USARFU Executive Board were discussing possible changes in national competition, given the changes in territorial membership. During the Friday evening meeting, Sitton had proposed that changes in structure and governance of USARFU Collegiate Rugby be made and that he would come to today's meeting with an outline of a structure to be fleshed out over the summer. The principal features of Sitton's proposal were as follows:
A University and College Rugby Football Union within the USARFU containing four (4) Collegiate Conferences. These conferences would remain essentially the structure that currently exists. However, there could be some geographical realignment like natural or current university competitions in other sports. These conferences would have local administration.
Administrative Responsibilities
These conferences would :
Reasons for the Restructuring
The several reasons for restructuring collegiate rugby in the USA involve the following:
Methods for restructuring
Several questions were posed during discussion of this proposal. Paula Osur asked about coaching criteria. "Should there be a minimal age for a coach?" She noted that there is always need in collegiate programs for someone who is "responsible". She also expressed concern that women's programs be included in a Budget to be developed. Alan Osur recommended that we soft-pedal some of these ideas related to referees, given the autonomy of referees in the USA. Osur suggested that this would create a two-tier system of college programs. Laurence added that a several-tiered system already exists. The creation of an autonomous College or University program within USARFU would result in College clubs being members of this USARFU Colleges program or they would exist as clubs marginally associated with colleges as members of the LAUs. Osur asked for a program of action.
Action - Sitton will send a draft proposal to the Committee for editing and action by 15 July. The Committee will return comments and revisions to Francis and Sitton by August 15. The revision will be prepared for final committee review by 1 September and then will be submitted to the USARFU Directors for consideration at the November meeting.
There may be some interaction with Club and Union Administrators at the August meeting.
Item 3. CIPP Form for Colleges
Opal noted that the CIPP procedure is not geared to Colleges and University programs. The procedure is out of sequence since it is a calendar year registration and that in implementation has not worked effectively. Eligibility questions are not addressed. Medical insurance information is not requested on the form. Another concern in dealing with universities is an accounting of how moneys are spent, a link with the proposed restructuring. Laurence expressed a sense that the concerns are largely procedural. Opal concretized her proposal by requesting changes to academic year registration, that CIPP registration be linked to eligibility evaluations, and that there be some verification procedures. This last requirement resulted from Ms. Opal noting that there may have been students CIPP registered as Texas A&M club members, but who do not appear to have been Texas A&M students. Brewer moved that the Committee endorse Opal's proposal and send it to the USARFU National Office for discussion.
Action - Opal will detail the proposal and send it to the Committee and to Jill Zemo.
Item 4. National Collegiate Championship Reports
Osur reported on the National Collegiate Championships at Catholic University and Oregon State University. The men's event in Washington had a number of problems regarding the fields and the banquet. The event was held in late afternoon on Saturday and, as a consequence, the second semi-final match ended in twilight. The banquet was scheduled for 7:30 PM and it offered very little time for the participants to change at the hotel and return to Catholic University for the banquet. Service for the banquet, however, was very late and clubs left immediately after having been served. The banquet could well have not happened for the participation of the players. In contrast, the event at Corvallis was particularly well run, although there is concern over the fact that the hotel sought to make money by opening a cash bar to which it had not been agreed. Osur reported that the Navy coach, Mike Flanagan, saw little need for the tradition since feeding participants was no longer an essential part of competition at least at the Naval Academy. The committee did not agree. The criteria for site selection were discussed and it was noted that prior success running an event is important as well as site rotation. Francis noted that given the lateness of the start of events in Washington that the matches for men and women could have happened on the same site. Laurence noted that Catholic University limited the number of matches to be played. It was agreed that both competitions should be bid as one package in the future.
Action - Francis will inform Karen Kast of the very strong opinion of the Committee that the National Championships be held at one site for men and women. (6/30)
Item 5. Collegiate Committee Meetings - 1994-95
The next meeting will be held during the USARFU /LAU Administrators' meeting in Las Vegas January 13/14, 1995. Other venues were discussed, e.g., the Battle of New Orleans.
Item 6. Adjournment.
The Saturday meeting was adjourned at 12:15 PM The meeting is to be reconvened at 9:00 am Sunday.
on Sunday, 19 June 1994 - Golden Sails Hotel, Long Beach CA
In attendance
Richard Brewer (Midwest), Robert Laurence (RugbyEast), Vern Francis (Chairman) Paula Opal (NIRSA), Alan Osur (West), Dale Toohey (Pacific Coast and All-America Coach)
The meeting was called to order at 9:10 am
Item 1. Chairman 1994-95 and Committee Membership
The meeting was opened with a brief discussion regarding the Committee Chair for 1994/95. Brewer moved the nomination of Vern Francis. The motion was seconded unanimously and Francis was installed by acclamation. Although Laurence had resigned as RugbyEast Collegiate Chair, after discussion with President Cross, he was asked to withdraw his resignation and continue to serve as long as RugbyEast exists or he is replaced by its president. He will continue. Chairman Francis noted the lack of participation by the second Western RFU representative. He asked Ms. Opal whether she would be willing to serve also as a West representative. He will pursue the question with WRFU directors. Brewer will report soon on his activity to recruit a second Midwest representative.
Action - Francis will contact WRFU regarding Opal appointment (9/1); Brewer will contact Midwest RFU regarding second appointment (9/1)
Item 2. Women's All-American Side
At the last meeting, Rebecca Davis(RugbyEast) proposed the development of a Women's All-American Team, following the same lines as the current (Men's) All American Team. The proposal was discussed and several scenarios for development were presented. One by Osur suggested an East-West match in Denver. After discussion with the Women's National Selectors, Ms. Davis will submit a proposal regarding selections and program. A suggestion, considered feasible, is a program at the Battle of New Orleans, which would include 2 East sides and one each from the West and Midwest. This program and other possible developments would be publicized through In Support Magazine and Rugby Magazine and on the (Internet) WWW Rugby Bulletin Board.
Action - Davis will contact the Women's Committee and other women's representatives regarding the program, selection procedure, and possible venues. (9/30)
Francis will write to Hagerty Rugby Magazine to inform him of the possible developments. (9/1) and forward any materials evolving from Davis' report. (10/1)
Item 3. All-America Program 1994-95
Toohey reported that Canada has agreed to make a site recommendation soon. The bid evaluation process for the All-Conference Championship and All-America Camp can proceed on a timely basis, once Canada has specified its site. Canada had requested a two-fixture agreement in earlier discussions with Toohey and Sitton and this had been confirmed at the Saturday Evening banquet. Toohey would re-examine with Combined Services management on the feasibility and desirability for continuation of a match with Combined Services U-23.
Action - Toohey will confirm Canadian and Combined Services developments. (9/30)
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 am
These minutes are respectfully submitted by the Recording Secretary, R. L. Laurence
rlaurence@ecs.umass.edu