Minutes

Board Meeting - Tri-State Home School Athletic Association

Date: 8/27/2013

Location: Robinson Ave Church of Christ (Springdale)

Attendees: Mike Alexander (Chairman), Mark Smith (Board Member), John Roach (Board Member), Roy Beebe (Executive Director), Terry Sanders (Director of Basketball) and the public

Absent: Mike Roach (Secretary)

Opening Comments and Prayer – Mike Alexander (Chairman)

Introduction of Jim Files, recruiter for Athletes for College (and former NFL football player) by Roy Beebe.

Jim Files discussed his role in helping athletes prepare for and earn college scholarships, especially at the Division 2 and Division 3 levels. One of the unique aspects of this service is how Athletes for College also make the connections with potential colleges to promote their athletes. Success rates average around 95% and scholarships average approximately $15,000/year per athlete. The scholarship possibilities for girls are exceptionally high because of the lack of interest in many girls pursuing sports at the college level.

Golf

Vernon Skelton, director of golf, gave an update on the success of the golf program this past year and plans for the upcoming year. Traditional high schools compete in golf during the fall, but our golf opportunities are much longer (and occur later in the year).

Basketball

Terry Sanders, director of basketball, gave an update about the basketball program. Included in his talk was a discussion of our organization’s mission, vision and goals.

Last year proved successful the Hornet’s basketball program. The 18U girls won the Silver Ball (Small School Division – National Tournament), the 14U boys won state, region and finished 8th in the nation, and the 12U & 10U boys finished 5th in the nation. Going forward, the focus will be on establishing a “Sustainable” basketball program of excellence.

The Free Friday Basketball workouts this August have been successful in attracting former and new athletes. Last Friday we had 65 athletes show up at the AAO. Terry Sanders is optimistic about this year’s program (and in fielding all age groups and at least 1 or 2 girl’s teams). Some coaching assignments have been made (while a couple more appointments are still in process).

Basketball Games & Leagues

•Focused on mini-tournaments for 14u/16u/18u

•AAO league for 12u

•Conley Clarke & others for 8u/10u

•New Hornets fall tournament

•First game – 10/26 (12u/14u/16u/18u)

Basketball Practices

•AAO – Mondays/Fridays – 4pm – 9pm (actual schedule TBD)

•12u/14u/16u/18u will start - 9/6

•8u/10u Start- TBD

•Combine certain age groups for effectiveness

•Continued clinics?

Basketball Activity Fees – These fees are in addition to the $45 membership fee to TSHSAA

•18u/16u/14u - $300

•12u - $200

•10u/8u - $100

•Includes all playing fees, including Nationals registration

•Multiple child, Family Referral Discounts are available

•Head/Assistant Coach Discounts – 50%/25% discount for activity fees

•Scholarships available – Money should NOT be an issue for athletes playing for the Hornets. Craig Ingram will oversee our scholarship program.

•Uniforms– New & used available (More details to follow)

NEW for Basketball Program

Play “up” policy will be guided by Parental Control / Choice.

Selection of a “primary” team will give clarity to the athletes/parents/coaches, which has a number of true benefits for the individual and for scheduling purposes.

Fundraising

Fundraising and participation in fundraising participation remains very important to TSHSAA.

Currently, 4 opportunities for earning money exist with the University of Arkansas.

  1. 3 dates to clean up after volleyball--Thurs., Sept 5; Sat., Sept 21 and Wed., Oct. 2 and 1 soccer clean up on Wed., Sept. 4.
  2. These events will raise $950.
  3. Additional sports we will be involved in will be gymnastics ($400) and ladies basketball ($450).
  4. Need more families to sign-up for these events ASAP
  5. FUNDRAISING GOAL from Clean Up: $10,000

Other fundraising opportunities include a Shoot-a-thon (Goal of $5000) and the sponsoring of a Homeschool Basketball Tournament at JBU. The Basketball Tournament has tentatively been approved by JBU, who sees a mutual benefit in hosting the tournament. JBU has 5 courts. More details to come later.

Service in the Hornets Organization

We are exploring ways to encourage full / greater participation in our fundraising and service activities. As a member organization, we depend on families contributing in many different ways to meet our goals. “Sign Up” sheets may be the most effective way to fill needs, so we will be exploring this more.

Website

Kevin Kirkman gave an update on the Hornets website development. Included in his presentation was a “live” demonstration of the site. Benefits are numerous with this new website including improved and timely communication, on-line registration and fee payment, and the potential for advertising.

In terms of the website and the advertising aspect, it was agreed that “final prices” need to be established. In addition, the chairman set a goal for our leadership and/or organization to sell at least 10 ads by September 30 (which would generate at least $1000).

Treasurer

Barbara Beebe nominated Joanne Ingram for the office of Treasure of TSHSAA. Joanne will consider and pray about this possibility and will get back with the board in the near future.

Next Board Meeting:

Monday, Oct 28, 2013 at 6:30pm

AAO, Fayetteville

**Note: This meeting will tie in with basketball practices at the AAO (hopefully, garnering greater attendance)

Meeting was closed in prayer at 9:00pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Alexander

Chairman of the TSHSAA

(filling in for the Secretary, Mike Roach, who was absent)

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