Weekly Update - October 12, 2009

October 12, 2009

VHSL Weekly Update, October 12, 2009

 

“The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.”

- John Foster Dulles

ATTENTION: Principals, athletic/activities directors, superintendents, guidance counselors, newspapers, magazine and yearbook advisors, forensics coaches, debate coaches, theatre coaches, scholastic bowl coaches, wrestling coaches; winter season coaches

Weekly Update, distributed at the beginning of each week, contains current League news and information on website updates (www.vhsl.org), with links that will provide you with immediate access.  Please forward this message to each of the coaches or activity advisers to whom this information pertains.

  

Tilley’s Take

 

Great things are happening at VHSL member schools on a regular basis and VHSL Executive Director Ken Tilley will be spotlighting examples in Weekly Update that he has personally observed or that are brought to his attention.  Please read this week’s spotlight featured at the end of Weekly Update, and please submit your own tradition or program to Ken (ktilley@vhsl.org) to be highlighted in Weekly Update.

 

Sports feature writing contest deadline for volleyball October 16

 

At 297, the number of VHSL schools with girls volleyball programs is more than quadruple the number of schools with boys volleyball programs (69).  All told, over 8,500 high school students across the state participated in the sport during the 2008-09 school year.  Based on number of participants in Virginia, the sport ranks higher on the popularity scale than cheer, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, swim/dive, tennis and wrestling.  With this degree of popularity, there are hundreds of players, teams, coaches and schools that have human interest stories worthy of being shared.  Or perhaps it’s the water boy, the team mascot or the fans that are more compelling at your school? Either way, we want to hear funny stories, sad stories… poignant stories of triumph and tribulation.  The writer submitting the winning story will: (1) have his/her story published in the 2009-10 VHSL State Championship Souvenir Program, (2) receive 3 copies of the 2009-10 VHSL State Championship Souvenir Program, (3) receive VHSL plaque with story mounted and (4) receive 4 tickets to the VHSL State Championship games for which the story was written.  Entry form may be found at http://www.vhsl.org/files/featurewriting-entry.pdf.  

 

District/Region tournament brackets and game results needed

 

League staff receives numerous phone calls and emails each day from media, parents, players, coaches and other interested individuals requesting information on district and region tournaments.  District and region tournament directors are asked to please send tournament brackets to the VHSL office as soon as possible.  Please use the bracket templates provided on the VHSL website and update the bracket as teams qualify and games/matches have been completed.  We need daily results in order to keep information on our website current.  Please send updated brackets and results to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org) and Joyce Sisson (jsisson@vhsl.org). Please help us keep everyone informed as teams advance through the playoff process. 

 

CNN’S Bonney Kapp to keynote Championship Journalism Workshop

 

Prior to joining CNN, Bonney Kapp covered the Obama campaign and transition for Fox News, where she was the sole representative on the trail for the network.  During that year and a half on the road, she produced segments, provided editorial and political analysis to the network, wrote and shot video for the website, and, yes, occasionally appeared on air.  Bonney is currently CNN Washington Bureau producer.

 

Register today for the CJW!  Attention advisers and students!  It’s Halloween weekend, and Mountain View High School is making sure that you don’t miss out on the frightful activities while attending the CJW!  They’re throwing you a party – a retro film fest and trivia night complete with drinks and snacks at our host hotel.  Come dressed for the party – and by that we mean in costume!

 

The Championship Journalism Workshop, a (one or) two-day event, will be held in Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University on October 31 and November 1.  Sessions are brought to you by professional media, college level instructors and member school advisers across the state who have achieved consistent success with their publications and who are eager to share new ideas!  Sessions like Getting Your Publication Online, Webshells 2.0 Multimedia Presentations, advertising, hands-on inDesign, hands-on Photoshop and more!

 

There is no limit to the size of the delegation attending this workshop, so join us in our 39^th year of scholastic journalism training – the state’s largest program for high school students and advisers!  The Holiday Inn Express (201 East Cary Street) is the official host hotel for this event and a limited number of rooms have been reserved at $84 + tax per single, double, triple or quad.  To receive this rate, call 804-788-1600 and mention that you are with the Virginia High School League Championship Journalism Workshop room block.  Workshop registration materials may be found online at http://www.vhsl.org/files/journ-workshop-registraton-draft-2009.pdf along with a sneak peek schedule of sessions at http://www.vhsl.org/files/pubseval-workshop-descriptions-2009.pdf.  

 

See you at the CJW!

 

Coaches recognition nominations due Oct. 15

 

The VHSL has joined with our National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to recognize model coaches in all of the sports in which we sponsor a state championship.  As the superintendent, principal, or athletic director of your school district, we invite you to nominate coaches from your school district who exemplify the positive qualities that help young people become better citizens through sports participation.

 

The NFHS has developed an online nomination process that allows you to identify those coaches who deserve state, sectional and national recognition.  Go to:

http://www.nfhs.org/CoachSubmissionForm/CoachOfTheYearSubmission.aspx

to complete the required nomination form, or you may ask the nominated coach to fill out and submit the form by giving him/her this URL address.  The coach will need to use your name and title in the space where it asks for “Nominator Information.”

 

State Coaches of the Year in each sport will be selected by the state association staff.  Deadline for online submissions for your coaches is October 15.  Remember only superintendents, principals, or athletic directors may nominate coaches.

 

Cheer rosters and team photos needed

 

Cheer teams qualifying for Regional competition need to send their team photo and rosters to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org) and as soon as possible and no later than 12 noon on Monday, November 2 to ensure that they are included in the VHSL State Volleyball Tournament souvenir program.  It would be appreciated if rosters and team photos be sent before the deadline.

 

Get to know your handbook

 

1) Where are some reference points regarding competition with non member schools in the handbook?

 

2) I keep hearing about the Appendices of the VHSL Handbook.  Where are they and what do they contain?

 

(Answers at bottom of weekly update)

 

Searching the VHSL website

 

1)  Is there a general page for VHSL State Championships on the website?

 

The format of the new website is a sport related website.  While the calendar will give some overall season and date information individual sport/activity sections will offer the most complete information about championships. 

 

2)  What would be included on the sport/activity specific site?

 

The specific sites would include (once the information is available):

All appropriate forms for that sport .

Championship dates and times.

Event match-ups.

State information sheets with State Director contact information.

Other appropriate information for that particular sport/activity.

 

Attention:  principals, athletic directors, wrestling coaches

 

Wrestling practice will begin on November 16.  VHSL’s weight control program mandates that all wrestlers have their body fat measurements done from Nov. 3 through Nov. 22, 2009.   As a reminder, ONLY a VHSL certified measurer may perform the official testing of wrestlers.  He/she must be a degreed medical professional (MD, DO, ATC, RN, NP, PA, etc.) who has completed the appropriate VHSL training workshop(s), completed the documentation of experience and credentials forms, and passed an examination.  For new certified measurer’s, there will be NATA BOC CEU’s offered to attend the workshop.

 

We are offering training sessions for new certified measurers in various geographic locations over the next few weeks.  Any medical professionals interested in attending a VHSL Certified Measurer for 2009-10 should check the website for workshop dates and locations:  http://www.fcps.edu/supt/activities/atp/WCP/wcpscheduleworkshop.htm.  Each school should confirm that the VHSL WCP Certified Measurer they plan to use is eligible to perform the measurements for your team at this time.

 

Guidelines for winter sports preseason activities

 

As the winter season approaches, please keep in mind the following guidelines for preseason activities (scrimmages, jamborees and benefit games):

 

Scrimmages:

 

·         Scrimmages are practices between two or three teams.

·         No advertising of the event is permitted.

·         Admissions may not be charged.

·         Schools are limited to the equivalent of 1 ½ times the normal length of a contest.

·         Must not be played under game conditions.

·         All League Rules apply.

 

Jamborees:

 

·         Must be sanctioned by the VHSL and sponsored by a member school.

·         Played under game conditions.

·         Jamborees occur between more than three and as many as eight teams.

·         Teams are limited to the equivalent of 1 ½ times the normal length of a contest.

·         Expenses and Proceeds are computed/dispersed as per the Jamboree Sanction Form and Handbook Section 54-6-4-1-e.

 

Benefit Games

 

·         Only one Benefit Game is permitted per revenue sport.

·         They do not count against the sport season limits.

·         Must be revenue producing.

·         May be played anytime prior to the end of the regular season.

·         Must be approved in advance on the specific VHSL form.

 

All information regarding these pre-season activities may be reviewed in Handbook Sections 54-6-3, 54-6-4 and 54-8-3.

 

Plan ahead to avoid SAT conflicts

 

Help SAT-taking juniors and seniors plan now to avoid SAT conflicts.  This year’s SAT dates are:  October 10, November 7, December 5, January 23, March 13, May 1 and June 5.  If you are directing/hosting a district/regional tournament, remember that those tournaments may be scheduled prior to, but not after established deadline.

 

Pursuing Victory with Honor – Play Fair

 

(The VHSL Executive Committee formally endorsed the Pursuing Victory with Honor and Character Counts program.  It gives good suggestions that supplement our VHSL guidelines and expectations.) 

 

Good coaching is more than having a winning season. The biggest legacy a coach can leave is the life lessons he or she imparts. Pursuing Victory with Honor and CHARACTER COUNTS! can give you proven, sustainable strategies that will change the way you think about sports and sportsmanship. And The Pursuing Victory with Honor program one-day, in-service workshop can come right to your school.

You’ll learn how to build staff buy-in, combat hazing and bullying, and encourage healthy decision-making. The change begins with you. Learn more here or call the Josephson Institute for details.

 

Does your Volleyball team have a positive message that it would like to share at the VHSL Volleyball Championships?

 

The VHSL is looking for sportsmanship messages from every volleyball team in the state.

 

As part of a new initiative to promote good sportsmanship, the VHSL will run positive sportsmanship videos during the VHSL Volleyball Championships, November 19-21.  The videos, produced by individual schools, will run on the matrix board in the Siegel Center during the tournament.  Teams do not need to be part of tournament play to submit a video.  All teams are encouraged to participate.

 

Your team may create their own message and submit it for approval or you may use a message scripted by the newly formed VHSL Student Advisory Team (SAT).   If your team would like to write its own message, please submit the language to Mike McCall mmccall@vhsl.org for approval prior to filming.  The videos may be up to 15 seconds in length.

 

Videos should be submitted in DVD format to Mike McCall at the VHSL office.  Deadline for submission of videos is November 11.

 

Horatio Alger Association offering $20,000 college scholarship

 

The $20,000 Horatio Alger Association scholarship is an outstanding opportunity for high school seniors who have overcome adversity, who have demonstrated financial need, who have integrity, and who have made a commitment to making a contribution to society by continuing their education.

 

The on-line application for seniors is available through October 30, 2009.  Visit the website at www.horatioalger.org for all the essential details. 

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

The VHSL is now using Twitter, a free micro-blogging service, to communicate timely, short messages to its constituents.  Follow us at: 

 

General:  www.twitter.com/vhsl

Athletics:  www.twitter.com/vhsl_athletics

Activities:  www.twitter.com/vhsl_activities

 

VHSL activities now have Facebook Groups

 

In an effort to network and build community among the VHSL activities populations the VHSL has created Facebook groups.  These groups are open to coaches, students, judges and others who are linked to the activities community and are intended to be a constructive, supportive environment where coaches/students may ask questions, share coaching tips and resources, solicit VHSL tournament officials/staff, etc. within the VHSL community.  Official groups are: 

 

• VHSL Forensics
• VHSL Theatre
• VHSL Debate
• VHSL Scholastic Bowl
• VHSL Publications
• VHSL Creative Writing

 

The VHSL reserves the right to remove any post or user from any group.  The following are guidelines for group use:

 

• Obscene, abusive, insulting, hateful, racist or sexually explicit language is prohibited as are defamatory comments or personal attacks.  Posts that may be construed as threatening may be deleted and made available to the proper law enforcement officials.
• Commercial solicitations and/or advertisements are prohibited. 
• All posts must be in English.

 

Allstate for Cash for Quotes: Opportunity for VHSL schools to earn up to $10,000

 

Through December 1, 2009, or until funds are exhausted, VHSL corporate partner Allstate will donate $5 per auto quote back to your school (up to $10,000 total for VHSL Schools). The donation is made on a first-submit, first-donate basis.   Pass this link along to your parents, faculty and fans and they can easily submit their information on-line.  Click here to earn cash for your school.  (Or paste http://magnumwerks.com/virginia to your web browser)

 

Nominations for Hall of Fame

 

There are many outstanding individuals who have been inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.  There are also many outstanding individuals who have NOT been inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Why?  Because deserving candidates haven’t been nominated.  If you know of someone who would make a good candidate for the Hall of Fame, please take a few moments to submit their nomination packet.  The nomination packet is posted on the VHSL website under Forms on the home page (http://www.vhsl.org/files/awd-hof-application.pdf).   Nominations are due by Oct. 31 for consideration for the next year’s class.  If you have any questions, please contact Mike McCall, mmccall@vhsl.org or Sharon Condoulis, scondoulis@vhsl.org, 434-977-8475.

 

Record Book updates needed

 

The VHSL Book of Records, 14th Edition has been updated to include 2008-09 champions and independent submissions.  To access the record book, go to http://www.vhsl.org/files/pub-vhsl-recordbook-jan08.pdf .  The record book is updated twice a year, at the conclusion of the fall season in December and at the conclusion of the spring season in June.  Schools may submit applications for recognition with corresponding documentation at any time.  This application may be found on the last two pages of the record book.  Any questions may be directed to Mike McCall at 434-977-8475.

 

VHSL program inserts sent to schools

 

In an effort to build greater awareness of the Virginia High School League and VHSL programs, we e-mailed each school inserts to use in your game programs and other school publications. 

 

To fulfill this awareness initiative as part of our overall strategic plan, we’re asking for your cooperation.  Attached are two camera ready inserts:

 

• VHSL insert.
• VHSL Foundation insert.

 

In addition, you may use your own photo.  If you choose to use your own photo, please e-mail a vertical jpg to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org).  Your photo will be inserted and a PDF will be sent back to you for use in your game program and/or other school publications.

 

If you do use the insert(s), please send a copy of the program and/or publication to the VHSL office.

 

Get to know your handbook answers

 

1) The following areas of the handbook deal with non member school competition:

27-3-1 State Competition Rule;

27-5-1 Interstate and International Competition Rule;

Appendix 4 (Policy Manual) Club-Community Team vs. VHSL School Team.

 

2) There are 17 appendices in the back of the VHSL Handbook.  They cover:

The VHSL State Event award and medal summary;

The VHSL Infectious Disease Policy/Guidelines for Lightning situations/Order of Authority;

Fall Practice Guidelines;

Club/Community Team vs. VHSL School Team;

Eighth Grade Insurance/Eligibility Interpretations;

Out of Season Practice Interpretations;

Scholarship Rules Interpretations;

Publications Order Form;

Reimbursement procedures for state baseball, basketball, cheer, field hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.

 

Tilley’s Take

 

One of the most amazing spectacles taking place on a fall Friday evening is a home football game at Louisa County High School.  This past weekend the Lions hosted rival Orange High School before a packed stadium of more than 3,000 spectators.  The game itself was a hard-fought thriller, decided in overtime.

 

Apart from the contest itself, however, was a festive and electrifying atmosphere that is second to none at any level – high school, college or professional.

 

I began the evening by joining a complimentary school-wide tailgating spread sponsored by local businesses.  Louisa features not one but two lion mascots – an enthusiastic student in traditional lion costume who dances and leads cheers; plus Bubba, a live caged lion who naturally draws a crowd and causes a few anxious moments when he growls or rears on his hind legs.  The PA announcer works the crowd to a frenzy as the home team comes onto the field through a giant inflatable tunnel while a cannon booms and fireworks explode overhead.  A sculptured lion breathed flames as a former player raised the “12^th man” flag in the end zone.  During the few lulls in action, the crowd is entertained by 10- and 12-foot stilt walkers and a student juggling fire balls.  Home team scores are always accompanied by fireworks, the cannon burst and that fire-breathing end zone lion. A local Girl Scout troop brought a huge American flag onto the field while the high school band was supplemented by middle school students and a chorus of more than 100 youth from throughout the county in playing and singing the National Anthem.

 

In addition to the crowded stands, there are two “best seats in the house” -- a flatbed trailer positioned behind each end zone with couches and cushioned chairs, available by raffle for students and auctioned for the public with free pizza and drinks for the winners.

 

Scenes such as this, although perhaps not quite as elaborate or extensive in scale, are typical at schools across Virginia.  They unify a community and build spirited support for our schools.  They are truly what the VHSL is all about.  ---- Ken Tilley