Minutes of the NOA Board of Directors Meeting
(June 11, 2003)
Call to Order
Peter King, General Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at Hackney’s Restaurant in Lake Zurich. Board members present were: Bob Brown, Peter King, Tom Kinkelaar, Rocky Nelson, Don Swanson, Fred Swanson, Mark Thompson, Vince Cannon, John Widmayer, Mike Babicz, and Jim Bernardi.
Secretary’s Report - Randy Steen (Given by Peter King)
Peter King read Randy Steen’s report, and all the Board members were given copies of what Randy shared. The board approved a motion for the NOA to pay the summer IHSA conference fee for the NOA representatives. Peter King and Jim Bernardi will represent the association at the 2003 IHSA Officials Conference in Peoria on July 11th and 12th.
The official NOA roster was sent to the IHSA on April 20, 2003.
As of June 10, 2003 we have over 200 members. The NOA has approximately 88 football members, 95 basketball members and 50 baseball members.
An updated NOA roster has been compiled and will be distributed to all members at the respective sport meetings.
All nominations for the NFOA awards are due by September 15th. Nominations should be sent to Randy Steen.
Treasurer’s Report - Tom Kinkelaar
Seven members owe membership dues, and even after four notices, they still haven’t paid their dues. 5 members from football and 2 members from basketball have not paid.
Balance: $10,995.78
Tom will continue collecting the dues from new members and will work closely with Randy to insure that the roster is continually up to date.
Membership Chairman’s Report - Randy Steen
No report was given.
Football President’s Report – Mark Thompson
Mark presented his schedule for the fall, and the first football meeting for the 2003 season is set for August 13th.
All of the eight football meeting dates are comparable to last year’s successful program. As the schedule was presented, Mike Babicz shared his progress in finding a more centrally located facility for all three of the NOA sports. He located the Libertyville Sports Complex as the central site. This complex is due north of Mundelein on Route 45 and Peterson Road. In exchange for a free room for each of the sport groups’ meetings, the NOA would have to assist in officiating summer basketball games for the complex and to offer clinics to the beginning basketball and baseball officials who will work the weekly complex games.
A motion was made by Jim Bernardi and seconded by Don Swanson for all three-sport groups to have their meetings at the Libertyville. The motion passed unanimously.
Mark also encouraged members to look at the NOA website for updated meeting information.Basketball President’s Report - Rocky Nelson
Meeting turnout last season was poor compared to previous years, mainly due to the longer drive to Wauconda. Rocky hopes attendance improves with the meeting site change for next fall.
All speakers last season were internal members, but next year there will be a few out-of-group speakers invited to address the group. Having coaches return as speakers is an aspect Rocky is also considering for his schedule. His schedule of meetings is still being developed will be quite similar to last year.
Tom Brophy is the new Basketball representative for the group for the upcoming season.
Special mention was given to John Widmayer for working his second State Final in the girl’s tournament.Baseball President’s Report – Vince Cannon
The baseball group was pleased to see Anthony Holman from the IHSA attend the spring banquet.
Vince indicated there were some problems assigning games this past spring due to weather problems and the number of lower level games.
The Oakton College IHSA super sectional was covered by the NOA, which was the farthest that any NOA member ever reached in the IHSA State Tourney.
The baseball clinic was successful and many members attended and learned some good strategic skills for the season.
Three NOA members are also working professional baseball in the minor leagues.Assignment Chairmen’s Report - Bob Brown, Mike Babicz, and John Sahlberg
Bob is getting ready for football. He hopes some new officials will come from the summer officiating classes. He indicated that there still is a lack of officials for the various levels of football. Prairie Ridge has installed lights, so the number of games on Saturday continues to decline each year.
The assignment chairman’s meeting for Football changed last winter and was much more successful than previous years.
Mike said he has been in contact and made arrangements with a number of assignment chairman for the upcoming season of basketball games.
Vince, in speaking for John Sahlberg, indicated that the baseball season was long and several games were lost due to weather.
He shared the improved baseball-paying schedule and also the proposal the Central Suburban League requested of the NOA to cover their games this past year. Due to the timing, this was not done.
I.A.C.A.O. Report - Jim Bernardi
Jim shared the names of the new officers of the IACAO Board who are seated for the next two years.
The IACAO Board recommends that all officiating groups “incorporate” to help alleviate the liability for the various board members.
The IACAO has a balance of about $11,000 in their bank account and hopes the three clinics its sponsors each year to boost their program
Banquet Committee’s Report - Randy Steen
The 2003 spring banquet was held on April 26th at Parkside by the Lake in Ingleside.
A total of 87 members from all three-sport divisions were in attendance.
Jerry Ming did an excellent job again this year hosting the banquet.
The 2004 spring banquet has been tentatively set for Saturday, April 25th at the same location.
Norm Geske / Bob Brown Funds - Peter King
The first Friday in October will be the Norm Geske Night while the firs