Save Highschool Lacrosse

Posted by Bill on March 04th 2009 to - Family, Miscellaneous

In these troubled financial times, budget cuts are a reality. However we need to be vigilent to make sure the cuts are appropriate, and not knee-jerk reactions.

Local school districts are facing huge shortfall in their budgets. So the budget for Athletics is being cut. The “easy” answer is to cut the newer sports. Lacrosse and Roller Hockey have recently been added to CIF sports. So they are on the chopping block. But a look at expenses suggests that the District would not save as much as they think. They list fields, equipment, and coaching stipends as the big expense. Lacrosse uses the same field that is used for Football, Soccer, and several other sports, so the cost is only the incremental maintainence caused by wear and tear of Lacrosse, since most High schools in the District have artificial turf, wear and tear is minimal. The school buys Lacrosse goals, but they are used for Physical Ed classes as well. The Players supply the rest of their equipment, with the exception of the uniform jersey and kilt. So the Coach stipend is the only real savings. However, Girls Lacrosse has 1 coach, and 1 asst coach at each level (Varsity and JV). How many coaches does the Frosh/Soph Boys Football team have?

The District needs to spread the cuts evenly across the sports, or look at the cost/benefit of each sport. They should look at how much they spend per participant, and use that to determine which sports provide the best value to the schools. 

Goto Petitiononline.com to sign an online petition in support of High School Lacrosse

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Happy Birthday WordPress!

Posted by Bill on May 27th 2008 to Miscellaneous

Today is WordPress’ 5th Birthday.  This blog is proudly produced on WordPress.

I’d like to join all the bloggers that use WordPress software, or WordPress.com in celebrating the Birthday of the platform that allows us to share our thoughts with you.

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The Value of a Great Support Structure

Posted by Bill on May 10th 2008 to - Soccer

Today I took another step in my process to become an AYSO National Referee.  I had a Pre-Assessment as an AR in a Boys Under 19 match.  My Area requires a pre-assessment at the Area Level as a Center and AR before recommending candidates to Section for the 3 formal assessments.  I’m happy to announce that I passed my AR Pre-assessment today, and I passed my Center Pre-Assessment last week.   However,  I don’t deserve the credit for these accomplishments, the credit goes to my support structure. 

  • Over the years, I have attended some great courses, taught by great instructors.
  • I have worked with hundreds of referees, and tried to learn from what they did well (and what they didn’t)
  • Online resources.  I subscribe to a mailing list,  SocRef-L hosted at the University of Rhode Island.  Here, I get to read the thoughts and opinions of many referees and this gets me to think about situations before I see them in a match.
  • Family.  My Wife and Daughter are both referees, and they support my passion, and understand when I spend hours on the soccer pitch each Saturday.

If it wasn’t for my support structure,  I would not be the referee I am today.  I try to be part of a support structure for other referees by mentoring, instructing, and being regional referee administrator in my local AYSO region.

So when you see someone succeed at something that is important to you,  ask yourself,  “what is their support structure?  How can I improve mine?”

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

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