Weekly Update - October 26, 2009

October 26, 2009

VHSL Weekly Update, October 26, 2009

 

“In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.”

- Albert Einstein

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

  

Redistricting and Reclassification Surveys due November 1

 

The Redistricting and Reclassification (R&R) Surveys are due to your representative on the R&R Committee by November 1.  If you need a survey to complete, please email Lora Bickley (lbickley@vhsl.org).  Below are the region representatives on the R&R Committee.

 

Jeff Crook, Central Region, Patrick Henry High School

Mike Nichols, Eastern Region, Heritage High School

Tim Thomas, Northern Region, Westfield High School

Susan Ross, Northwest Region, Loudoun Valley High School

Harper Donahoe, Region I, Caroline High School

Doug Straley, Region II, Louisa County High School

Steve Leaman, Region III, Broadway High School

Steve Spangler, Region IV, Cave Spring High School

Stan Latham, Region A, Sussex Central High School

Steve Barnett, Region B, Riverheads High School

Barry Hollandsworth, Region C, Floyd County High School

Larry Compton, Region D, Haysi High School

 

Volleyball Feature Writing Contest winner announced!

 

Congratulations to Holly Hinshelwood, a member of the Eastern Montgomery High School yearbook and magazine staff, winner in this year’s VHSL Feature Writing Contest for volleyball.  Holly will have her story published in the 2009-10 VHSL State Championship Souvenir Volleyball Program.  She will also receive:  three copies of the program, a commemorative plaque of her story and four tickets to the VHSL State Volleyball Championship games at Virginia Commonwealth University on Saturday, November 21. 

 

Entries for the FOOTBALL Feature Writing Contest are due Friday, November 6 (http://www.vhsl.org/files/featurewriting-entry.pdf).  Good luck!  

 

Low registrations prompt cancellation of CJW

 

What was to be the 39^th VHSL Championship Journalism Workshop held on October 31-November 1 in Richmond on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University has been cancelled due to drastically low registration numbers.  Results of the 2008-09 Writing/Photo/Design Contest will be released electronically and honorable mention to First Place finisher certificates will be mailed this week, while results of the 2008-09 Publications Evaluations will be released electronically and returned by mail on Monday, November 2.

 

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.

 

Cheer rosters and team photos needed now

 

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 Cheer Tournament souvenir program.  It would be appreciated if rosters and team photos be sent before the deadline.

 

Christiansburg football coach Tim Cromer honored

 

Tim Cromer, head football coach at Christiansburg High School, was named the Washington Redskins High School Coach of the Week for the week of October 12, 2009.

 

The Redskins High School Coach of the Week program is designed to recognize and reward excellence in high school football coaching.

 

Coach Cromer has been coaching football for 23 years, the last eight as head coach at Christiansburg High School. During his career, he has been named the 1999 Florida District 2 4A Coach of the Year, the 2004 Roanoke Times Timesland Coach of the Year, the 2004 Associated Press Group AA Virginia Coach of the Year and the 2004 WDBJ 7 Friday Football Extra Coach of the Year. Coach Cromer encourages his student -athletes to excel on and off the field by emphasizing the importance of team work and daily improvement. His motto “Teamwork makes the Dream Work” is carried out by monitoring his athlete’s classroom work ethics and putting a strong emphasis on daily improvements on the field and academically. Off the field, Coach Cromer and the team are active in the community. His student-athletes read to local elementary school classes and Cromer and his staff run a local camp for youth football players. In addition, Cromer is the Men’s Ministry Leader for “1st and 10 Ministries” at Victory Restoration Center Church.

 

“I have had the opportunity to coach Tim in high school, have him serve as an assistant coach on my team and then watch him develop as a head coach. He has always expected a lot of himself and the teams he has coached. He does not lower his standards or expectations regardless of a situation. The rules are the same for every player. He has always represented the Christiansburg community in a positive way as a player, student and coach” said Christiansburg Athletic Director Kirk Litton.

 

December Executive Committee Items Due

 

The deadline to submit agenda items for the December 2 Executive Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 11.  Agenda and legislation items should be forwarded to Lora Bickley (lbickley@vhsl.org) no later than November 11.

 

Winter rules clinics

 

This year’s series of wrestling rules clinics is complete.  Basketball coaches and officials have 3 more opportunities to attend a clinic – Oct. 26 at Brookville, Oct. 27 at Falls Church, and Nov. 2 at Western Albemarle.  Swim & Dive clinics will begin on Oct. 27 and will continue on various dates throughout the months of October, November and December.  All rules clinic PowerPoint presentations will be available on the VHSL website on each sport’s landing page.

 

Make sure your varsity uniforms are legal

 

Legality of uniforms, especially Basketball uniforms, has been an NFHS/VHSL point of emphasis for five years.  To afford teams an opportunity to get through their uniform cycle, waivers were provided to teams in previous years allowing their varsity teams to wear uniforms that did not meet rule requirements.  All rules clinics for the last five years have emphasized the need for coaches and officials to know what is permissible, particularly on the uniform jersey.  Coaches, officials, AD’s, and uniform suppliers have had access to an NFHS PowerPoint on uniform legality the past 3 years.  At this point, unless you have not purchased new varsity uniforms in the past 5 years, there is no plausible reason why a varsity team’s uniforms would be illegal.

 

If you have purchased new varsity basketball uniforms in the past two years, and those uniforms are illegal, your coaches and officials, through the rules clinic process, have been informed that all varsity games in which your team participates in illegal uniforms will start with a technical foul, two free throws for the opponent, and a division-line throw-in for the opponent.  The only waivers granted will be for those schools whose varsity teams are wearing uniforms purchased more than 2 years ago.  The waiver letter must be requested from the VHSL office.  A Uniform Waiver Request Form will be placed on the website.

 

If you have ordered new uniforms in ANY sport for the 2009-10 season and they have not yet been delivered, please get assurance from your sales rep that the design of the uniform is legal for that sport.  If the new uniforms have already been delivered and they are illegal, you are encouraged to contact your sales representative for remediation of the problem.

 

VHSL winter teams encouraged to “Play for a Cure”

 

February 1-13 has been designated as the time period for “VHSL Play for a Cure” events.  All VHSL winter teams are encouraged to host or participate in a VHSL “Play for a Cure” event to raise awareness and educate about breast cancer.  During the designated two-week period, wrestling, swim and dive, gymnastics, track and basketball officials will enforce only those uniform requirements that are either safety based, or necessary to being able to distinguish between opponents and identify individual players.  In basketball, numbers are still required on the front and back of the jersey.  Home teams may wear a color other than white.  Headbands, wristbands, etc. may be pink and do not have to match.  There is a “Play for a Cure” Toolkit on the VHSL website under “Resources” on our Home page.  This toolkit will help you prepare for your event and provides some ideas to help advertise and make your event one that could potentially be lifesaving for someone in your community.  Please register your event with VHSL so that we can include information on our website.  Use the “VHSL Play for a Cure” Event Registration Form on our website.

 

Certificates of Insurance

 

If you are hosting a district or region event that is being held at a municipal facility, college/university, etc. and that facility requires a Certificate of Insurance, please contact Lora Bickley (lbickley@vhsl.org) several weeks prior to the event with the following information:  (1) District and activity; (2) Name of facility; (3) Address of facility; (4) Date of event; (5) Contact individual (AD, etc.).

 

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. 

 

Volleyball rosters and team photos needed

 

Volleyball teams in playoff contention need to send their team photo and rosters (http://www.vhsl.org/files/vb-entry-form.doc) to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org) as soon as possible and no later than 12 noon on Monday, November 9 to ensure that they are included in the VHSL State Volleyball Tournament souvenir program.  It would be appreciated if rosters, team photos and final regular season results be sent before the deadline.

 

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.

 

VHSL schools play for a cure -- Brookville and E.C. Glass committed to a Cure

 

The VHSL have encouraged all schools and all athletic activity teams to take part in an event to raise breast cancer awareness in their communities.  To maximize the impact of these events across the Commonwealth, the VHSL has designated a two-week season (fall, winter and spring) for these special events.

 

Brookville and E.C. Glass play volleyball and football game for “Committed to a Cure - Breast Cancer awareness.”  The volleyball game was played at E.C Glass on Thursday, October 22 and the football game will be on Friday, October 30 at Brookville.  According to Brookville athletic director Larry Kidd, the Bees and the local Sam’s Club have partnered to raise funds as part of the football game.

 

The following is a list of schools that have registered a “Play for a Cure” event with the VHSL office:

 

Abingdon vs. Patrick Henry-Glade Spring (girls volleyball)

Marion vs. Graham (girls volleyball)

Stonewall Jackson-Quicksburg vs. Buffalo Gap (girls volleyball)

Riverheads vs. Buffalo Gap (girls volleyball)

Midlothian vs. Clover Hill (girls volleyball)

Twin Springs vs. Castlewood (girls volleyball)

Monacan vs. Midlothian (girls volleyball)

Strasburg vs. George Mason (girls volleyball)

Dan River vs. Gretna (girls volleyball)

Lebanon vs. Castlewood (girls volleyball)

James Wood vs. John Handley (girls volleyball)

James Wood vs. Fauquier (girls volleyball)

Warhill vs. New Kent (girls volleyball)

Martinsville vs. Patrick County (girls volleyball)

Spotsylvania (girls volleyball)

Central-Woodstock vs. Luray (girls volleyball)

Brookville vs. E.C. Glass (girls volleyball)

Jamestown vs. Menchville (field hockey)

William Byrd (cheer invitational – 12 schools)

Cosby (cheer invitational – 8 schools)

Floyd County vs. Radford (football)

Brookville vs. E.C. Glass (football)

Lebanon vs. Lee (football)

 

University of Phoenix / VHSL Student Leaders Conference and Sportsmanship Summit

 

This educational, motivational, inspirational, and flat-out sensational event is a must for your student leaders.  The best and brightest students from member schools across the Commonwealth are brought together for two days of fellowship.  Guest speakers, workshops and idea-sharing sessions are all designed to enhance each participant's understanding of leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship.  Students and adult participants will return to their schools with the energy, enthusiasm and resources needed to become more effective leaders.  Mark your calendars for April 16-17, 2010 and plan to be at Dominion High School with a delegation from your school.  More information to come…

 

2009-10 Theatre Manual now available

 

The 2009-10 VHSL Theatre Manual is now available for viewing/printing at http://www.vhsl.org/files/the-manual-2009.pdf.  Please discontinue use of any previously-published manual.

 

2009-10 Scholastic Bowl Rules Clinic Survey now available

 

The 2009-10 Scholastic Bowl Rules Clinic Survey is now available.  This survey replaces the paper survey given each fall at rules clinics.  While voluntary, your participation will help gauge sentiment on current issues.  Coaches’ sentiment is strongly taken into consideration when rules changes are proposed; however, outstanding support does not guarantee action.  Responses are confidential, and the survey is available until 10/30/09 at 5 p.m.  Please respond prior to that date and time.  To take the survey, go to:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=K_2fKiNQHjgcV5BFY6GAiV_2fg_3d_3d.   

 

2009-10 Scholastic Bowl Manual now available

 

The 2009-10 VHSL Scholastic Bowl Manual is now available for viewing/printing at http://www.vhsl.org/files/schb-manual.pdf.  Please discontinue use of any previously-published manual.

 

2009-10 Theatre Rules Clinic Survey now available

 

The 2009-10 Theatre Rules Clinic Survey is now available.  This survey replaces the paper survey given each fall at rules clinics.  While voluntary, your participation will help gauge sentiment on current issues.  Directors’ sentiment is strongly taken into consideration when rules changes are proposed; however, outstanding support does not guarantee action.  Responses are confidential, and the survey is available until 10/29/09 at 5 p.m.  Please respond prior to that date and time.  To take the survey, go to:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=j_2b6U9Nt_2f7K8IxfwU0EmYZA_3d_3d.

 

Travel much?

 

Consider joining the NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Association and receive $1 million in excess general liability insurance coverage for just $20/year.  Membership also gives you:  access to NFHS speech and debate publications, access to The Forensic Educator online, a subscription to High School Today, access to low-cost resources, professional development opportunities and discount privileges on car rentals.  For more information, visit www.bollingernfhs.com or see attached. 

 

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. 9 through Dec. 1, 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Tilley’s Take – VHSL schools cheer for the cure

 

Thanks to Louisa County High School Principal Doug Straley and Athletic Director Lee Downey and to Grafton High School Athletic Director Laura Sutton for providing the previous two Weekly Update recognitions.  This week’s Take comes from Cosby High School Cheer Coach Catharine Walters.  Besides the many “play for a cure” events that have been listed in Weekly Updates, Cosby hosted an invitational this year as a “Cheer for the Cure” event on Saturday, October 10.  Eight schools competed, including Frank Cox, Chantilly, Herndon, James River, Powhatan, King George, Cosby and Rappahannock.  Between team performances, the emcee shared some facts to increase breast cancer awareness, and the nurse of the cancer patient the Cosby squad had chosen to help gave a moving speech to the crowd about her patient’s will to survive.  It was successful on all accounts – and fun. Having heard the sportsmanship appeals the players in the state basketball tournament made last year, Catharine Walters decided it would be a good thing for the cheerleaders’ competitions, too, so she wrote up some that four girls delivered Saturday, and the feedback on that was very positive.