Latest 2007 NAGM News
Jump to:
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
We're here in New Orleans!
Throughout the weekend, Goal Line will update you on the important news and events of the 2007 National Annual General Meeting.
We're underway at the NAGM in New Orleans!
This year's meeting is at the beautiful Hilton New Orleans Riverside. So far, we've already had a mix of weather. Normal for New Orleans, one moment it’s sunny and the next, there’s a heavy downpour lasting minutes or hours. Something for everyone! Although it has rained, the weather has been our friend and not ruined any of our outdoor events.
News So Far
A series of meetings kicked off the NAGM on Friday, with the National Board of Directors gathering for the last time before Sunday's election. When the NBOD meets again on Monday, at least one new member will take a seat on the board.
Attendees also had an opportunity today to ask questions and make comments about the proposed 07-08 budget. National Executive Director Rick Davis and the NBOD also took the time to field questions about the operation of AYSO on a national level.
AYSO Soccer Camps Come to New Orleans
On Thursday, 30 boys and girls from Benjamin Banneker Elementary in New Orleans, took part in a two hour AYSO Soccer Camps clinic at Annunciation Square. AYSO Soccer Camps coaches Bill Finkle, John Ouellette and Gary Gamble taught the basics to kids, most of whom have never played soccer before. AYSO sponsors, Fold-A-Goal donated two goals and Molten donated balls to the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD), with the hopes of developing local soccer programs.
The kids who attended said they had a lot of fun learning about soccer and would like it if they could play soccer on a team everyday.
Local media outlets The Times-Picayune, Fox 8 news and New Orleans City Business also caught wind of the event and featured the AYSO Soccer Camps clinic.
NAGM Firehouse Project News
Today 100+ AYSO volunteers, NSTC staff, National Board of Directors, National Executive Director and President were bused at the earlier hours of the morning to three New Orleans Fire Department firehouses that were damaged by hurricane Katrina. At Engine 13 the volunteers painted the apparatus floor, at Engine 36 they painted and trimmed inside walls and installed ceiling tiles and at Engine 38 they weeded and painted the fence surrounding the firehouse and painted the lockers for the firefighters bunker gear.
It was a hot and tiring day but everyone would agree that it was well worth the effort. Thank you to everyone to came out to help, the crew leaders and all of the wonderful organizations that made this all possible. Stay tuned for pictures on soccer.org in the upcoming weeks.
NAGM Awards Dinner
The highlight of the first day was the NAGM Awards Dinner on Friday night. Volunteers were given a special NOFD pin at the door to commemorate our visit to the city. After some introductory remarks, the theme of the dinner was apparent as Leary Firefighters Foundation and members of the NOFD were recognized and the tables were decorated with fire trucks. Then we got down to business when the recipients of the Region, Area and Section of the Year were announced.
They were:
Region of the Year: First tie ever for this award
Region 10-V-71, RC Reza Shahmirzadi
Region 2-B-249, RC Robert Luttrell
Area of the Year: Area 4-U, AD, Bob Winters
Section of the Year: Section 6, SD, Jeff Stern
Next, we honored the 2007 Spirit Award winners:
Spirit Award for Officiating
Roy Levin started AYSO like many of our volunteers, when his daughter signed up to play. Since then he trained to become a coach, eventually becoming a National 1 Referee in 1997. Since then, he has been a Regional Referee Administrator for Region 26 in Palo Alto, CA, a Section 2 Director of Instruction, and is presently a National Referee Instructor, National Assessor, and serves on the National Referee Council as Director of Referee Information Technology.
Spirit Award for Coaching
Alan Heu began his volunteering career in 1981 in Hawaii and since then, has built up an impressive volunteer resume. He is an AYSO National Coach, AYSO "B" Coach, certified referee. He has also been an Age Group Coordinator, Regional Coach Administrator, Assistant Regional Commissioner and Regional Commissioner, all in Kailua Region 100. He was also an Area Director for 7O. Alan is very committed to the AYSO National Coaching Program and has been Director of Soccer Operations for the last three National Coaching Courses and was appointed to the AYSO National Coaching Council in 2005. Alan is also the 2008 AYSO National Games co-venue Chair.
The new inductees into the AYSO Hall of Fame were announced. They will be officially inducted into the Hall this summer in New York:
Jack F. Sullivan: Often referred to as "Mr. Soccer", Jack, a soccer pioneer in the State of Hawaii, has been promoting the sport since 1974. His involvement is not limited to AYSO, but includes every level of Hawaiian soccer. He has volunteered his time over the years as a coach for youth and adults and as an administrator, a publicist and radio announcer.
Peter and Jackie Chaffey began organizing soccer through AYSO and Jack contacted them to arrange fields for practices and games. Through their combined efforts, AYSO in Hawaii was born. The first year of AYSO fielded about 225 boys and over the years has grown to nearly 20,000 boys and girls.
He was inducted into Hawaii's Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the United States Adult Soccer Association Region 4 Hall of Fame in 2006.
Brian Hall: Brian played his first soccer games as a goalkeeper in AYSO and at 14, became a member of the first AYSO PRO program (Player Referee Organization). At age 24 he was the youngest to officiate an NCAA Division 1 men's final and also officiated the longest NCAA men's final ever, which went eight overtime periods. He has been an MLS referee since the league's inception in 1996 and was honored as MLS Referee of the Year three times.
Brian reached the height of the officiating world in 1992 when he became a FIFA referee and subsequently officiated in 27 different countries (as of 2002). He has the distinction of being the first United States-born official appointed by FIFA to referee in a World Cup.
Brian retired from FIFA's International Panel of Referees in 2007, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 45. In 2004 He was inducted into the NISOA branch of the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Tomorrow, following a series of section, area and regional meetings, the Opening Business Session will kick off the official business of the NAGM. Attendees will hear from the candidates for the NBOD and for president of the board, and will have a chance to chat with them one-on-one during a Candidates Reception. Voting will take place on Sunday for these offices, as well as for a variety of proposed Bylaws and Rules and Regulations changes.
We will bring you all of the news throughout the NAGM weekend, so you won't miss a thing.
Back to Top
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Day Two in the Big Easy!
This morning began with a series of section, area and regional caucuses to discuss a wide variety of topics ranging from field development to Section Conferences to marketing AYSO.
Today’s lunch also included a special induction and new award presentation. Bill Mason was presented with the Aston Mason Lifetime Achievement Award by Joe Eldridge and Tony Veronico. From this point forward, this award will be presented annually. Both Ken Aston and Bill Mason are responsible for the AYSO National Referee Program’s recognition as the “Best amateur referee training program in the world,” and this award recognizes prolonged, exemplary, volunteer service of AYSO Referees.
Bill Mason was presented the award in recognition and appreciation for over 38 years of service to AYSO and the National Referee Program. His impact on countless referees, coaches, players and the game of soccer across the world, including the introduction of Ken Aston to AYSO, is immeasurable.
Delegates at the 2007 NAGM in New Orleans began the decision-making process that makes this gathering the most important business meeting of the year for AYSO. The Opening Business Session kicked off with a special appearance by the color guard JROTC from North Shore High School and our National Anthem. Host Section Director Tom Kohntopp gave an inspirational introduction and videos were shown dedicated to the men and women who serve our country overseas. NBOD President Pete MacPhail also offered a review of the AYSO successes of the past year.
The voting for the National Board of Directors and National President will be held on Sunday. Today, all of the NBOD candidates had the opportunity to address the delegates in New Orleans and state their case for election. They also fielded questions for more than an hour on topics ranging from finance to player and field development to communication.
The candidates for the NBOD are: Adrienne M. Coffin, Dan Klein, Shawn McCormick, Randy McNutt, Jim Schauer, Jeff Stern and Frances Stronks.
The candidates for National President are: Mark Stewart and Michael “Mike” Wade.
Tonight we expect another eventful and successful T-Shirt Lottery and to prep for voting that takes place tomorrow on not only the NBOD and presidential election but also a variety of proposed Bylaws and Rules and Regulations changes.
By Sunday evening, we should know who has been elected to help lead AYSO in the coming year. Tomorrow, we will also be drawing for the 2008 National Games Tournament and holding our General Business Session and closing dinner.
Back to Top
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Day Three at the NAGM!
Last nights T-Shirt Lottery was shear pandemonium as approximately 600 shirts brought by regions all over the nation were mounded on tables and then distributed in the fastest, most frantic and fun T-Shirt Lottery to date.
General Business Session News
Today was a day for business and voting on the important issues and decisions that will affect AYSO in the coming year. At this mornings General Business Session the voting delegates of AYSO chose their four newly appointed members to the National Board of Directors. They were:
Daniel Klein
Randy McNutt
Jim Schauer
Jeff Stern
With new NBOD members coming in, we said goodbye to some hard-working NBOD members we have had the pleasure of working with for the past three years. The retiring Board members were:
Sean McCormick
Frances Stronks
Steve Lacher
Fred Gregory
The delegates passed the proposed budget fiscal year 2007 and also voted on the proposed Bylaws and Rules and Regulations changes. The results are as follows:
Proposed Bylaw Change #1 – Withdrawn
Change the title of the Standard Regional Guidelines to Standard Regional Policies, Procedures or Policies & Procedures.
Proposed Bylaw Change #2 – Failed
Strike “balanced teams” from our stated philosophies if we continue with special programs such as Matrix & AYSO Plus.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #1 – Passed with friendly amendment
Update the Rules & Regulations by providing consistency, accuracy in terminology, reducing redundancy, providing clarification and improve readability.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #2 – Failed
Change the Rules & Regulations to require players with prescription eyewear to have impact resistant lenses or frames.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #3 – Withdrawn
Remove wording that prohibits regions from forming teams on a major and minor basis.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #4 – Withdrawn prior to NAGM
Remove wording of “small” games to change to “short-sided games for U-6 through U-12 divisions.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #5 – Passed
Add wording to clarify that regions may choose to allow keepers in the U-8 division.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #6 – Withdrawn
Add wording to clarify that regions may NOT choose to allow keepers in the U-8 division.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #7 – Passed
Add wording to clarify that coaches, beginning at the U-10 division are allowed to teach players how to properly “head” the ball.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #8 – Withdrawn
Add wording to clarify that in the U-10 division, players are not allowed to “head” the ball.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #9 – Withdrawn
Revisions to Rules & Regulations sections specifically dealing with the AYSO Service mark (Logo) use on uniforms.
Proposed Rules & Regulation Change #10 – Passed
Change wording to allow children who have reached the age of 4 as of the date of the first practice or game to be registered and participate.
After more voting and ballot counting, AYSO chose a new President. Congratulations to Mike Wade who will preside as the President over the NBOD beginning with tomorrow’s Board meeting.
The General Business Session ended with commission and caucus reports to wrap up what was discussed at the variety of caucuses that were held yesterday.
Other News
This morning the 2008 National Games draw also took place. Regions who requested a slot at the 2008 National Games (from all divisions) were drawn to establish an order in which they would be evaluated. Based on this order, we can now determine which 24 regions in each division will get a slot at the 2008 National Games to be held in Hawaii. The regions will be revealed on June 15th.
At lunch we found out who the winner of the Travel Box was. All who purchased a key to the box came up to see if their key was the one that could unlock the prize inside. Congratulations to Dan Sauer of Section 6 for purchasing the winning key. He won a trip for two anywhere in the continental United States and a $100 Marriott Rewards Card.
The Silent Auction closed today with nearly $10,000 going to the AYSO Endowment Fund from all the beautiful items that volunteers were able to bid on. Thank you to everyone who donated items and who participated in the auction. This is a Silent Auction record!
Closing Dinner
The Closing Dinner was a Mardi Gras themed event accompanied by some real New Orleans jazz music performed by the Mark Chatters Group. The packed evening started with a welcome message from National Executive Director Rick Davis and then included the unveiling of the location of the 2008 NAGM in San Francisco. Host Section Director Jann Rudkin stood to invite everyone to the 2008 NAGM.
Tom Kohntopp and Section 11 presented Roburta Malcolm and her husband with a special token of their appreciation of the couple’s dedication as long-time volunteers to the organization.
Past President Pete MacPhail presented Fred Gregory the Presidential Award for his dedication to AYSO. Pete also recognized the sections that have had the most player growth over the past year by presenting them with the Green Thumb Award. Section One Director Jeff Hull was awarded for leading his section in reaching the 100,000 player mark. Section 11 Director Randy McNutt grew his region by eight percent and Section 14 Director Wendy Smith was also recognized for helping her section grow.
We also introduced our new AYSO President, Mike Wade, who said a few words about his role at AYSO in the coming year and thanked a few people who helped and supported him along the way. Mike Wade gave special thanks to Tom Kohntopp, Mark Stewart, Pete MacPhail, Fred Gregory, all of the AYSO Section Directors, Rick Davis and his wife.
Mike Wade then asked Fred Gregory to take the stage and he presented past AYSO President Pete MacPhail with a plaque to recognize him for his years of service and leadership (2004-2007) in AYSO.
Lastly, the night ended with the unveiling of the 2008 Section Conference theme, “Pass It On”.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, we will wrap up the 2007 NAGM with a breakfast buffet, closing slideshow of pictures from throughout the weekend and a NBOD meeting.
Pictures will be posted to soccer.org in the coming weeks for all to view. If you would like to share any special snap shots of the NAGM weekend, please email them to Crystal Lafata at crystallafata@ayso.org
Back to Top
Monday, May 28, 2007
Goodbye New Orleans!
Today, is our last day in New Orleans as we wrap up the 2007 NAGM. Our new AYSO President Mike Wade presided over his first NBOD meeting.
At the Board meeting, our new President made the the following new appointments:
Board appointments:
Vice Presidents: Mark Stewart & Paula Berriz
Secretary: Jim Schauer
Treasurer: Jeff Stern
Chairman of the Board: Burt Haimes
Board Liaisons to the Commissions:
Coaching Commission: Pete MacPhail
Referee Commission: Randy McNutt
Tournament Commission: Paula Berriz
Management Commission: Mark Stewart
Board Liaisons to the Sections:
Section 1: Pete MacPhail
Section 2: Dan Klein
Section 3: Jeff Stern
Section 4: Pete MacPhail
Section 5: Randy McNutt
Section 6: Mark Stewart
Section 7: Paula Berriz
Section 8: Jim Schauer
Section 9: Bill Hummell
Section 10: Jim Gregory
Section 11: Burt Haimes
Section 12: Randy McNutt
Section 13: Dan Klein
Section 14: Paula Berriz
Thanks to everyone who came to the NAGM and special thanks to volunteers who helped the NSTC Events Staff make this meeting all that it was.
Pictures will be posted to soccer.org in the coming weeks for all to view. If you would like to share any special snap shots or firehouse stories from the NAGM weekend, please email them to Crystal Lafata at crystallafata@ayso.org
Back to Top