Members Present: Phil Zalinger, Jeff Moreno, Bob Hingston, Bernie Cieplicki, Ian

VPA FOOTBALL COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

VPA Office

Members Present: Phil Zalinger, Jeff Moreno, Bob Hingston, Bernie Cieplicki, Ian

Fraunfelder, Mike Jabour, Mike Norman, Sean Farrell, Bob

Johnson, Gary Hoadley

Also Present: John Tester, Tim McDowell, Glenn Cunningham

Minutes:

Middle School Football

-discussion on status of middle school football. According to Glenn, the North is

not on board despite lobbying efforts. Committee still recommends going forward with “flag” football.

-discussion on the potential rules for middle school football. Middlebury

Union Middle School (MUMS) were presented to the committee by Sean. MUMS is considered to be the “model” flag football program in the state. Also noted that the Southwestern part of VT (Rutland, Mill River, Fair Haven, etc.) is still interested as a league to go to flag. Some interest in Southeastern Vermont (Springfield, Woodstock) also.

-consensus that high school coaches need to “get on board” and be involved

with the youth programs. This varies significantly around the state.

Bob H. will work on getting some draft rules out to the football community. Meeting in mid-May to finalize this. Notes grades 5/6 go to flag in Fall 2017 and Grades 7/8 go to Flag in Fall 2018.

VPA Football Committee

-motion by Bernie. Second by Bob H., to have Sean F. serve as committee Chair.

Vote – approved unanimously.

-motion by Bob H., second by Mike N., to approve minutes of 4/25/16. Vote –

approved unanimously.

-USA Heads Up update – Rutland will host a training on May 13th and 20th.

Colchester will host a training on June 24th.

Also noted that Aaron Hill – USA Football – will be visiting on April 20th.

-review of 2017/17. Noted that the championships at Rutland HS went

smoothly again.

Officials felt things went well. Some concern that more and more coaches are getting out of control. Committee agrees that officials have the tools to deal with unruly coaches and need to do so.

Some concerns with “mercy rule”. It was implemented on a number of occasions last year. No action taken.

-brief discussion on alignments for 2016-17. Recommended by VIFL..

Consensus that alignments are to be passed on to ASC for final approval.

-brief discussion on game protest and how they are to be handled. Coaches are

not sure as to what they are suppose to do. Protest need to go to the VIFL and not the VPA for consideration.

-NFHS Rule changes – noted that the blind side rule was becoming a major

issue and will be dealt with shortly.

-discussion on weather delay document submitted by David McGinn at

St. Johnsbury Academy.

-Bob J. will update Football Guide and forward it to Sean for final approval.

- adjourned.