Dear USCAA Member Institutions,

The USCAA held its 2011 National Convention from June 12^th-15^th, in Norfolk, Virginia at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.  The convention brought together member institutions from around the country to discuss current issues and bring forth ideas and legislation to improve the organization’s future.  The national office is pleased to announce that this year’s convention was the highest turnout ever from our members.  Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Matt Richards, Athletic Director of Southern Maine Community College, was introduced as the organization’s new President.   Richards had previously served on the Board of Directors as Vice President of Marketing, served as Eligibility Chairman, and has been instrumental in the growth of our association, which has doubled in size since 2006.

This year’s Convention featured three town hall meetings:  Bylaws, Championships, and Ratings and Selections, in which new legislative proposals and administrative items were discussed by member Athletic Directors and coaches in an open forum.  From those meetings, sub-committees were formed to summarize the Town Hall meetings.  The Chairman of these committees presented a report in the final business meeting, summarizing suggestions for administrative changes and bringing all legislation proposals to the floor for vote.   

This Convention Summary includes the 2011-2012 legislation changes and new administrative items.  Also included in this report is the State of the Association address delivered by Executive Director Bill Casto in our opening business session. 

If you have any questions concerning this report or new legislative items, feel free to contact the national office staff at 757-706-3756 or by email at info@theuscaa.com.   

Meeting Minutes and Reports

State of the Association (From Executive Director Bill Casto): Click Here

Annual Report: Click Here

Championships Report: Click Here

Town Hall Meetings: Click Here

Business Meeting:  Click Here

Legislation Changes for 2011-2012

The addition of bylaw:

Bylaw Article XVII; Section 4H (Original)

College graduates are ineligible for athletic competition with the USCAA.  Exceptions:  Student athletes may complete their fourth year of athletic eligibility only if they are participating as a full time student at the institution for which they received their bachelor's degree. 

Revision:

Section 4H -    Students with a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for athletic competition with the   USCAA.  Exceptions:  Student athletes may complete one year of eligibility as a graduate student, only if they are participating as a full time student at the institution for which they received their bachelor's degree. 

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The addition of bylaw:

Article XVII; Section 6C (Original)

For adding players to rosters, the form needs to be resubmitted with the appropriate information.  The deadline for adding players for sports spanning two semesters is February 1.

Revision:

Section 6C -    For adding players to rosters, the USCAA Eligibility form needs to be resubmitted with the appropriate information.  The deadline for adding players is the following:

• Fall Sports – October 1
• Winter Sports – February 1
• Spring Sports – April 1

Schools may add to their form after this date with written appeal to the national office.

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Additional of bylaw:

Article XVII

Section 8B       Failure to submit Eligibility Forms - Institutions that fail to submit eligibility forms by the required dates as stated in the USCAA Bylaws will be subject to the following sanctions:

1^st offense:

1.  The athletic department will receive a warning
2. Failure to comply with the warning will result in disqualification for post season competition.

2^nd offense:

1. The athletic department will be placed on probation for the following year to include ineligibility for postseason competition and awards.
2. Failure to submit forms during probationary period may result in removal of the school from the organization.

Institutions may appeal any decision by way of written request to the national office.

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New Administrative Items for 2011-2012

Board of Directors for 2011-2012

The following persons have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for one four year terms:  Matt Richards (President), Dave Gonyea (Executive Vice President) and Andy Kirschner (VP of Championships).  The remaining board members are as follows and have two years remaining on their term: John Fritz (Secretery), Garth Pleasant (Treasurer) and Deanna Bradley (VP of Marketing).

New Membership

The national office will be implementing a $500 fee for applying institutions.  This fee will help cover all administrative costs as well as any site visits if needed. 

Women’s Basketball

The field for the 2012 Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament will be expanded to 16 teams.  The national office will form a committee to research and gauge the interest of schools looking to expand women’s basketball into two divisions.

Coaches’ Poll

The members of the coaches’ poll will continue to be anonymous however the region in which they are located will be published.  Additionally, all athletic directors will be attached to any correspondence by the national office when soliciting coaches’ poll voters.

National Championship Awards

Revision to tournament guidelines - The national office will purchase all awards for National Championships to improve both quality and standardization.  To fund this change, the Board of Directors approved a $500 decrease from each tournament stipend.

National All-Academic Award

 The national office will replace the plaque associated with the All-Academic award to a certificate.  This move is estimated to save the association approximately $6,000.00 annually and will continue to be a high quality award.

Addition of Bowling     

With the emergence of bowling as one of fastest growing collegiate sports, the national office will continue to monitor the sport as a viable option to be added as a sanctioned sport.  At the convention at least 12 schools indicated they currently offer bowling at their institution.  The national office will form a committee to compile more information.

Director’s Cup

In an effort to reward USCAA member institutions for Convention attendance, the USCAA will begin awarding 25 points to member institutions who have National Convention attendees.  Points will be distributed for the following year of competition (i.e. All member schools that are present at the 2012 National Convention will receive points towards the Director’s Cup for the 2012-13 school year.)