Weekly Update - November 16, 2009

November 16, 2009

VHSL Weekly Update, November 16, 2009

 

“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is – try to please everybody.”

 

- Herbert Bayard Swope

 

ATTENTION: Principals, athletic/activities directors, superintendents, guidance counselors, football coaches, volleyball coaches, wrestling coaches, theatre 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.

  

Meet Olympic volleyball player Stacy Sykora at VHSL Volleyball Championships

 

Three-time Olympian Stacy Sykora will share her Beijing Olympic experience and present on the topic of sportsmanship in competition at the VHSL Volleyball Championships this Saturday, November 21.  Spread the word to volleyball coaches and student-athletes that they may attend the exhibition and have picture and autograph opportunities with Sykora.  For more information regarding VHSL Volleyball at VCU’s Siegel Center click http://www.vhsl.org/athletics/volleyball_girls/volleyball_girls_vhsl_championships

 

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.

 

Cross Country champions crowned

 

On Saturday at Great Meadows in Warrenton, the 2009 VHSL cross champions were crowned as the girls and boys Group A winners were the only teams to repeat their title efforts from 2008.  George Mason’s girls won its second straight Group A title, while Hidden Valley and Lake Braddock claimed titles in Group AA and AAA respectively.   Clarke County claimed its second straight and fifth title in six years in Group A, while Blacksburg claimed the top spot at the VHSL Group AA boys championship and Mountain View captured the VHSL Group AAA crown.  Individual boys champions for the day were:  Ted Richardson of James River-Midlothian (AAA), Kyle King of Grafton (AA) and Adam Owens of Clarke County (A). Individual girls’ titles went to Kaitlyn Davis  of Mountain View (AAA), Kathleen Stevens of Blacksburg (AA) and Katlyn Ayers of Strasburg (A). Congratulations! 

 

Cheer champions crowned

 

On Saturday at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Stuart C. Siegel Center, Fairfax captured the VHSL Group AAA championship, while Briar Woods claimed the VHSL Group AA crown and King William won the VHSL Group A championship. Congratulations! 

Things are happening at VHSL member schools on a regular basis and VHSL Executive Director

 

Hayfield Secondary writer wins VHSL Football Feature Writing Contest

 

Congratulations to Alexa Lucas of Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria; she is the winner of the 2009-10 VHSL Football Feature Writing Contest.  Alexa is a staff member of The Harvester yearbook, advised by Teresa Poquis.

 

For her winning story, Alexa will:  (1) have her story published in the 2009-10 VHSL Football Championship Souvenir Program, (2) receive 3 copies of that program, (3) receive her winning story on a commemorative plaque and (4) receive 4 tickets to the VHSL Football Championship games of her choice.

 

Congratulations!

 

Next contest is basketball, entry deadline date February 5, 2010 (http://www.vhsl.org/files/featurewriting-entry.pdf).  Good luck!

 

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.

 

VHSL state semi-final and championship football team/administration/cheer entrance policy

 

Each school will be allotted 20 sideline passes which must include all team personnel including coaches, managers, team doctors, statisticians, and athletic trainers.  An additional five (5) All Access passes will be made available for school administration.  Any additional sideline or access passes MUST be approved by the League office.  All team personnel, including administration, who are not directly involved in oversight of the game facility must adhere to Rule 1, Section 2, Article 3g of the NFHS Football Rules which states anyone affiliated with the team must remain in the team box.

ALL PASSES MUST BE CLEARLY VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES.

 

Cheerleaders and Mascots in uniform and a maximum of two cheer coaches will be admitted through the appropriate pass gate.  These individuals will ONLY be admitted as a group.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Tom Dolan or Mike McCall at the VHSL office.

 

Information on seating for state football semifinals

 

School administrators are reminded of the following seating minimums* for state semi-final football:

AAA – Division 6           4500

AAA – Division 5           4000

AA – Division 4             3500

AA – Division 3             3000

A – Division 2               2500

A – Division 1               2000

* Seating numbers are based on an 18 inch minimum seating area per person

Supplemental to these minimums the following should be noted:

Adequate seating specifically identified for visiting spectators must be guaranteed and the location of such seating should include a buffer from home team spectators.

Temporary seating brought onto the site for a specific game is considered new seating and must meet all existing requirements for safety and ADA compliance. 

Guardrails should be present on the backs and portions of the ends of bleachers where the footboard, seatboard or aisle is 30 inches or more above the ground below (information from the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pub/330.pdf). 

All bleachers regardless of size must be secured to avoid potential issues or instability.

Prior to considering use of temporary bleachers member schools must contact the VHSL office for approval of bleacher type and associated costs.

-    Additional seating may also, by code, dictate the need for additional restrooms and stadium ingress and egress.

Schools may request a waiver of requirements from the VHSL office.  Requests for waivers must be submitted annually.

 

Championship host sites needed

 

The VHSL is requesting proposals to host tournaments for the five school years from the fall of 2010 through the spring of 2013.  Please go to Resources on the Athletic Administrators page on the VHSL web site for more information, or click on Request to Host VHSL Championships (RFP) http://www.vhsl.org/files/vhsl-rfp-revised-20091014.pdf.

 

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 Volleyball

Information concerning the 2009 VHSL Volleyball Championships has been posted in the Event and sport sections of the VHSL website.  Hotels, schedules and other information has been provided.  The VHSL Volleyball Championships will begin on Tuesday, November 17^th and will conclude at the Siegel Center on November 18-21.  Bob Stratton, AD at Hanover High School is directing this year’s championships, volleyball championships.

 

District and region reports needed

 

All districts and regions please report their competition results to the VHSL at the conclusion of your events.   Please forward results to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org).

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

 

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.

 

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.).

 

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.

 

Saluting VHSL alumni

 

       Among the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis, which was successfully launched today on a vital 11-day delivery run to the International Space Station, was Leland Melvin, a 1982 Heritage (Lynchburg) High School graduate. An outstanding student-athlete for the Pioneers in football and tennis, Melvin enjoyed a stellar career at the University of Richmond, where he majored in chemistry, and later played for the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys.

       He joined the astronaut corps in 1998 and is now the manager of NASA’s Educator Astronaut Program, which has him traveling all over the country to talk to students about space exploration. "Our children are the next generation of leaders and explorers," Melvin said. "I want to share the value of a well-rounded education with students all over the country and help them make a connection to higher education."

       Melvin completed his first space flight in 2008 and has logged over 306 hours in space.  On his current space flight, Melvin will once again operate the robotic arm, which will assist the astronauts as they transfer the spare parts from the shuttle to the station and install two platforms to hold them.

       We invite readers and member schools to notify Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org) at the League office of other VHSL alumni who are enjoying successful careers as adults.

 

Tilley’s Take – Broadway High School football team pays tribute to troops

 

     So soon after Veteran’s Day, we are especially pleased to share with readers this example of how Broadway High School’s football team paid tribute to our nation’s troops during this past season.

     Each week the team selected a fallen soldier to honor on Friday night and dedicated that game to the soldier and his/her family.  On each player’s locker was posted a sign that included motivational quotes, a picture of the soldier and a brief biography of him/her.

     Broadway Head Football Coach Brad Lutz said he began the tribute “because I value the military’s commitment to loyalty, sacrifice, respect, honor and leadership.  I want those qualities to be a reflection of our program as well.”

     In addition to the signs, the team’s pregame meals included a guest speaker, one of whom served three tours in Iraq.  Coaches wore metal bracelets with the names of fallen soldiers on them, and the player-selected linebacker of the week wore a metal bracelet as reward.  Laminated emails from the families of fallen soldiers were also shared with the team and displayed.        

     ESPN featured the team on November 11, and we encourage you to view this outstanding and moving account by Mike Loveday of ESPNRISE.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4637245.

     Richard von Zerneck, father of the first serviceman honored by Broadway, sent the following to Coach Lutz: “For a first-year coach, you have quickly proven that sports can and should be more than just competition….If not immediately, in a short time your players will come to understand the real value of all that you taught them and the value and worth of sacrifice for the common good will be paramount.”