Weekly Update - November 2, 2009

November 02, 2009

VHSL Weekly Update, November 2, 2009

 

“The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”

- Benjamin Mays

ATTENTION: Principals, athletic/activities directors, superintendents, guidance counselors, cheer coaches, volleyball coaches, field hockey 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.

  

 

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.

 

Publications evaluation results

 

Three newsmagazines, 11 newspapers, 15 literary magazines and 32 yearbooks have received the highest ranking of Trophy Class, the equivalent of a state championship in scholastic publications.  Six staffs achieved consistent success – five Trophy Class rankings within a seven year period – earning the Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence.  Those schools are:  Thomas Dale (yearbook advised by Scott Young), Lafayette (yearbook advised by Jan Barrett), Langley (newspaper advised by Mary Dolson), McLean (yearbook advised by Meghan Percival), Salem (literary magazine advised by Fred Campbell) and Woodbridge (literary magazine advised by Cathy Hailey).  Congratulations to the staffs and advisers of these publications.  For a full list of this year’s results, go to:   http://www.vhsl.org/files/pubseval-results-2008-09.pdf.

 

Cheer rosters and team photos needed TODAY

 

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.

 

Sports feature writing contest deadline for football November 6

 

Of the 312 schools that made up the Virginia High School League in the 2008-09 school year, 305 of them had football teams; 14 of those schools had girls on their squads! All told, nearly 26,000 students participated in football — and 24 of them were girls!.  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 souvenir program, (3) receive a VHSL plaque with mounted story and (4) receive 4 tickets to any VHSL Championship football game.  Entry form may be found at http://www.vhsl.org/files/featurewriting-entry.pdf.  

 

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.

 

Football playoffs – scores and request for information (program Information, team records, team Statistics and team photo):

 

Make sure your scores are reported to AP and VAPreps this weekend in a timely manner.  Staff will be working on Sunday morning to determine the first round teams for regions beginning their playoffs the weekend of Nov. 13-14 (expanded playoffs).

 

Requests for Program Information, Team Records, Team Statistics and Team Photo:  Please complete the Program Information Sheet (http://www.vhsl.org/files/fb-entry-form-roster.doc) and email to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org) by no later than November 5.  Also complete the won-lost record on the second page of the program information sheet, specifying the exact score of each game on your schedule.  DO NOT HOLD THIS INFORMATION SHEET UP TO SEE IF YOU ADVANCE TO THE REGIONAL SEMIFINALS - Our office will complete your remaining won-lost record.  This is important for our early printing of our State Playoff program.   Please forward to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org) a team photo for use in the program for teams advancing.

 

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.

 

Theatre Rules Clinic Survey results available

 

The 2009-10 theatre rules clinic survey was open for coach response from October 15-29.  Of the 255 coaches who attended rules clinics this fall, 132 (52%) responded.  For your information, the results to this survey are available at:  http://www.vhsl.org/files/the-survey-results-2009.pdf.  

 Championship information available for Cheer, Field Hockey and Volleyball

Information concerning the 2009 VHSL Cheer, Field Hockey and Volleyball Championships has been posted in the Event and sport sections of the VHSL website.  Hotels, schedules and other information has been provided.  This year’s VHSL Cheer Championships will be conducted on Saturday, November 14 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center (VCU).  Field Hockey championships will also be conducted the week of the 14^th, with quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 10^th, and semis and finals at the National Training Center in Virginia Beach on Nov. 13^th and 14^th, respectively.  VHSL Volleyball Championships will begin on Tuesday, November 17^th and will conclude at the Siegel Center on November 18-21.  Roger Cassem, AD at Manchester High School, Jim Long, DSA at Frank W. Cox High School, and Bob Stratton, AD at Hanover High School are directing this year’s championships, cheerleading, field hockey and volleyball, respectively.

Athletic Administrators – check out the website

Several modifications have been made to the “Athletics Administrators” area of the VHSL website in the hopes that pertinent information will be more readily available.  Several new categories of information are now directly accessible from the Athletics Administrators landing page – Financial Reporting, VHSL Handbook, VHSL Forms, Athletics Sanctioning, Student Leaders Conference, and the VHSL Directory are the major subcategories located in the shaded area to the right under the heading “In Athletics Administrators.”  By clicking on “VHSL Forms,” administrators have access to forms by category (Administrative Forms, Brackets, Ejection Forms, Entry Forms [by sport], Financial Forms [by category – Contracts, Financial Reports, Payment Forms and Other], Order Forms, and Team/Spirit Group Admittance Forms).  A few forms are still in need of revision and will be uploaded as soon as those revisions are complete.  Suggestions for improvement are welcome.  VHSL Staff Contact – Joyce Sisson

Last basketball rules clinic tonight; swim & dive clinics underway

Tonight will be the last chance for basketball coaches and officials to attend one of the mandatory rules clinics.  Western Albemarle will host the last of 13 basketball rules clinics at 7:00 p.m. this evening in the auditorium.  A minimum of one coach from each school’s boys basketball program, and one coach from each school’s girls basketball program must attend one of the required clinics.  Basketball officials who wish to be eligible for varsity contests are also required to attend one of the clinics.  Swim & Dive clinics have begun and will continue throughout the month of November.  For a complete list of Swim & Dive rules clinics, go to either Swim & Dive landing page and check under the title “Boys/Girls Swim & Dive Events” (lower left-hand side of page).

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.

 

Get to know your handbook

 

1) In Basketball if a district hosts a postseason district tournament in junior varsity and varsity can a player participate in both events?

 

2) In swim and dive how many individuals and relay teams qualify from region to state competition?

 

(Answers at bottom of weekly update)

 

Searching the VHSL website

 

1)  Refer to the article in this document titled: Athletic Administrators – check out the website.

 

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.

 

VHSL schools play for a cure

 

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)

West Springfield vs. Lake Braddock (girls volleyball)

Jamestown vs. Menchville (field hockey)

Warhill vs. Lafayette (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)

Monticello vs. Louisa County (football)

Gate City vs. Honaker (girls and boys soccer)

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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…

 

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)

 

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.

 

Get to know your handbook answers

 

1) No; 58-2-2 of the VHSL Handbook states that a player shall be limited to participating in only one of these tournaments.

 

2) Six individuals and three relay teams qualify from region to state competition.  This information is located in the Policy Manual of the VHSL Handbook.

 

Tilley’s Take – Academic activities earn recognition

 

Nearly 100 speech coaches came together in Charlottesville last month to participate in the annual Virginia Association of Speech, Debate and Drama Coaches fall conference as a way to network and sharpen their professional skills.  Besides an outstanding agenda of valuable workshops and demonstrations in debate, drama and forensics activities, the conference featured presentations of coach of the year awards to a trio of individuals for their contributions to these programs:

 

• Linda Vulcan, Woodside (debate)
• Nannette Haga, William Campbell (theatre)
• Donald Hitt, Madison County (forensics)

 

It was also gratifying to learn that the West Springfield High School debate and forensics teams were recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a rare sweep of the 2008-09 VHSL state championships.  Certificates of recognition were presented to coaches Patricia Hagy for debate and Madeleine Deliee for forensics, and all students on the two teams received individual certificates.  West Springfield Principal Paul Wardinski and Director of Student Activities Andy Muir were in attendance to support both teams.  Congratulations to these deserving individuals for their outstanding accomplishments.