Present: Jeff Petersen, Mary Buckman, Scott Clement, Andy Slawek, Jim Kramer, Brenda Schmidt, Mary Mattison.

Verona Velocity - Classic to State League:
Al Schmid with the Verona Velocity U13 girls team attended the first part of the meeting to inquire about the Velocity moving up from a Classic U14 team to a State League team for the 2003-2004 season. The team is currently playing up an age group and is in first place in their U14 Classic A group. The possibilities were discussed with Al and the next steps needed to apply to State League were explained. It is possible for teams from the VASC to move to the State League if they are qualified by their record to do so, MAYSA approves, and their application is accepted by WYSA. The Club in general feels that players interested in - and capable of - playing at the highest competitive level are often best served by participation in a competitive club. However, if a team elects to move beyond Classic and wishes to stay in the club, the VASC is happy to facilitate that. Rules set by the competitive committee of MAYSA will need to be followed. This includes the requirement that the Velocity cannot "advertise" itself as a State League team prior to tryouts even if they have applied for that status and are pretty confident it will happen. They will also have to use the Classic tryout nights and any players who try out for, and receive an offer for a position on a Premier team but wishing to play for the Velocity may have to turn down a Premier offer before receiving an offer from the Velocity. There was also a discussion about the rules about "recruitment" and all parties are aware of the restrictions regarding encouraging players from other teams to move or making offers outside the mandated notification dates. It should be noted that the Velocity had contacted the 56ers and let them know what they would like to do.

Open Board Positions
There are still positions on the VASC board to be filled. They are vice-president, youth director and volunteer coordinator. The board meets once/month. Because the board has paid administrators the board positions do not require a great deal of time. Board members are busiest around the 5v5 tournament in May, during tryouts, etc.. Anyone who would like to contribute more to the VASC is welcome to be on the board. The new members begin in March.

5v5 Tournament
Andy Slawek has been working on obtaining sponsors for the 5v5 tournament. So far sponsors are: Innocorp, Park Printing, Q106, and BUZZ 105.1. Andy is waiting to hear back from others he has contacted. The brochure and registration form for the 5v5 were checked for any changes that need to be made. Final version will need to be reviewed by MAYSA's Keith McHugh before it goes to print.

Footskills
These clinics are filling quickly. There is still room during the 1st session, 1st hour, and 2nd session, both hours. One scholarship was requested and approved. Coaches are welcome to come and watch, learn, and participate. A registration form for the footskills clinics can be found here.

Newsletter
The proofs for the newsletter are ready at Econoprint. They should go out to families by the end of the week.

High School Boys Teams Status
Herb Delehanty has said that he has enough U15 and U17 boys signed up to fill these teams. Thank you Herb for taking care of this.

Fields
Andy Slawek has responses from four coaches willing to help with sanding and painting the goals on the Verona fields. He also looked into fencing the fields so balls would not be lost off the side of the hill. Cost estimates ranged from $9,500 to $11,875 and are cost prohibitive for the club to do at this time. Backstops for the four goals would cost around $5,000. The board has talked to the Fire Dept about having a controlled burn of the slopes surrounding the fields so balls would not get lost in the brush. Clean fill to even out the slope has also been looked into. However, the area surrounding the fields is a flood plain.

Spring Soccer Kickoff

Scott asked Jeff to contact Wildcat Lanes to check into the feasibility of reserving the upstairs room for a dance/fundraiser this spring.

Submitted by Mary Mattison, Secretary