Minutes of the December, 2007 MALA Meeting (also posted online as a headline news item on www.madlax.org) The Madison Area Lacrosse Association (MALA) board met December 5 at 7PM. The following MALA representatives were present: Wollin (Webmaster/Stoughton), West (Sauk), Teschendorf (Ref, Umpire), Haney (MALA President/Janesville), Humer (Memorial), Kavanaugh (Verona Boys), Neuman (Ref Coor.), Calder (Regents Boys), Radlinger (Middleton Girls), Showers (Treasurer/Lafollette), Craig and Sally Ballweg (LaFollette Girls), Kavanaugh (Verona), Darcy (MALA Sec./Regents). The next MALA Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, 7PM. President Haney called the meeting to order at 7:07PM. 1. Bylaws Update: Bylaws update process is continuing. Bylaws topics listed on the agenda were tabled until the January meeting. 2. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Showers provided a proposed budget outline. There are several issues still up in the air regarding the budget: (a) it is unclear now how many boys teams there will be this year, (b) there is still some question as to the number of girls teams, (c) the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation (WLF) has indicated that their fees might increase and (d) there are a few other issues (trophy costs, ref and umpire kits etc) that are still unresolved. That said it is estimated that the boys budget portion would be about $4710 and the girls $950. As an estimate, it is anticipated that costs for teams will be approximately $385 for boy’s varsity squads, $235 for JV teams and about $190 for girl’s teams participating in MALA in 2008. These are subject to change based on the outstanding issues mentioned above. 3. Referee Issues: Those present at the meeting approved by voice vote (Darcy proposed, Haney seconded) an increase of $5/referee for the 2008 season. Ref fees therefore will be $65 for varsity games, $55 for JV games and $45 for youth games. Umpire fee rates will be finalized at the January MALA meeting. Following the vote, those in attendance discussed a WLF question regarding ref assignment for youth boy’s games. The MALA ref coordinator assigns refs to youth games after those games are posted on the MALA website or he is otherwise advised. Additionally, WLF asked how MALA supported youth in the area. At this stage, youth lacrosse is an informal element of MALA since most youth teams are affiliated with their sponsoring HS team. Formally, MALA provides refs to youth games. The youth program as part of the overall MALA umbrella is the subject of much of the ongoing bylaw update. 4. Boys HS Breakout Session: Contingency planning was discussed in the context of the possibility Oregon might not field a varsity team in 2008. Several options were discussed. President Haney plans to discuss moving teams from their current divisional assignment and will report to the board in January 2008. The Conference playoff plan drafted by President Haney was adopted. Divisional championship and Conference trophies will be presented to winners in 2008. Madison is currently scheduled to host the State championship series in 2008; WLF is currently reviewing if that might change. A WLF conference call is scheduled for Dec. 12. Lacrosse America will host a coaches’ clinic in Waunakee on January 13, 2008. Details are TBD. There is a Positive Coaching alliance clinic slated for February 23, 2008, details on WLF website. Also, US Lacrosse plans to host a clinic on March 1, 2008, details on WLF website.
5. Girls Breakout Session: Girls teams in Oconomowoc and University School of Milwaukee are a go for 2008. Kettle Moraine is still questionable. Girls schedule will be finalized in January 2008. Girls are working to host a US Lacrosse National Team clinic. 6. Miscellaneous: (a) Dave Wollin, MALA’s webmaster, asked that any information including pictures that teams would like to have posted should be sent to him at dave@dwdcrafts.com.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM. NEXT MALA MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 7PM, January 9, 2008, same location.