Sport Report

Name of Sport M/W Basketball

Name of Liaison Amy Reed

Date April 16, 2014

I. Meeting/Call Information: include date, list participants

Participants:In-person meeting held Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 12 p.m. at Turning Stone.

Bard: Adam Turner (M), Sarah Lombard (W) Clarkson: Mark Gilbride (M) Hobart & William Smith: Mike Neer (M), Lindsay Sharman (W) Rensselaer: John Greene (W), Mike Griffin (M) RIT: Amy Reed (W) Skidmore: Darren Bennett (W), Joe Burke (M) St. Lawrence: Dan Roiger (W) Union: Chris Murphy (M) Vassar: B.J. Dunne (M) II.Liberty Championship League: Tracy Results King, fromAnjuwon current Spence year

WOMEN:

Tournament seeds: Semifinals: Championship: 1. St. Lawrence; 2. Vassar; 3 William Smith; 4. RIT NCAA: #1 St. Lawrence 65, #4 RIT 52; #2 Vassar 81, #3 William Smith 70 Vassar defeated St. Lawrence 64-60 to win the league title and NCAA bid. MEN: Vassar advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament after defeating Williams.

Tournament seeds: Semifinals: Championship: 1. Hobart; 2. Vassar; 3. Skidmore; 4. Clarkson NCAA: #1 Hobart 78, #4 Clarkson 67 (OT); #2 Vassar 66, #3 Skidmore 62 Hobart defeated Vassar 75-74 in double-overtime to win the league title and NCAA bid. III. Discussion Hobart advance Items d to the second round of the NCAA tournament after defeating Scranton.

A. Officiating:

Officiating assigning services were discussed. The league currently utilizes the ECAC for officiating assignments for both men's and women's basketball. Continuity has been an issue as the ECAC has had a different individual serve as women's basketball assignor for the Liberty League each of the past four years. This has contributed to a lack of growth and development of the women's basketball officials. The utilized Michael Schmidt, former ECAC assignor for the Liberty League, as an independent assignor for women's basketball in 2013-14. The SUNYAC and NEAC will both be utilizing Schmidt beginning in 2014-15. While the women's coaches indicated that Kathy Lynch did an adequate job as ECAC assignor, there was concern that the better officials would work for the assignor that could provide more officiating assignments. If the Liberty League remained with the ECAC, there was concern with the size and quality of the pool of officials. The women's coaches also believed that Schmidt would do a better job of training and developing officials. On the men's side, the coaches agreed that Tom Reinisch, who assigned for the ECAC for the schools east of Syracuse, was proactive and responsive to concerns. MOTIONThe men's (Roiger, coaches Sharmanpreferred): toto remain utilize with Michael the ECAC Schmidt for officiating for officia assignments.ting assigning services for women's basketball. PASSED, 5-0-1.

B. Liberty League Tournament:

The size and format of the Liberty League basketball tournament was discussed. It was noted that in a number of Liberty League sports, a greater percentage of student-athletes have the opportunity to participate in postseason championship competition. In sports such as , and men's , student-athletes on 4 of the 7 sponsoring teams (58 percent) participate in Liberty League tournaments. In sports such as basketball and soccer, a smaller percentage of student- athletes (44 percent) have the opportunity to participate in the league tournament. Consistent with access to NCAA Division III championships, it was suggested that access to the Liberty League tournament could be based upon a percentage of sponsoring teams in each sport, which would be equitable for student-athletes across all team sports. Prior to recent league expansion, the access ratio was 50 percent in most sports (4 of 8). In sports where there is an odd number of teams, such as nine in basketball, 50 percent would equate to 4.5 teams. To make for a balanced bracket, it was suggested that the tournament consist of 50 percent of the competing teams, rounded up to an even number. This format would reward the top two seeds with first-round byes. Teams in the lower half of the standings could continue to challenge for a tournament spot later in the season, MOTIONcontributing (Gilbride to a better, Lombard student):-athleteIn Liberty experience. League team sports, to establish a tournament access ratio of 50 percent of the sponsoring institutions in each sport, rounded up to an even number. PASSED, 13-0-0.

C. Film Exchange Policy / Services:

Current film exchange guidelines were discussed. Tracy King noted on a number of occasions that videos had been uploaded after the designated time established in the guidelines. Coaches need to follow the guidelines agreed upon by the group. Technical issues should be communicated with the other coaches.

The current film exchange service with ezXchanges was discussed. The ezXchanges service currently provides for the exchange of videos only. Darren Bennett noted that other less expensive services provide online editing tools and the ability to share clips with players for teaching and coaching. It was suggested that the Liberty League explore other services to see if a better option exists. Factors to consider include ease of use/sharing, customer service, archiving capability, cost, compatibility and other features (e.g., editing, video sharing). King will solicit information from other conferences. Coaches could also speak with colleagues in other conferences and research alternatives at coaches conventions and trade shows. Possible vendors may be invited to give presentations at the next league basketball meeting. D. Game Management - Table Personnel:

Concerns with game management and table personnel were raised. In some instances, it appeared that inexperienced students were assigned to operate the shot clock, which resulted in officials stopping the game to address improper resets. It was suggested that the league could require an adult to oversee the table operations. The concern with mandating that an individual, such as a game administrator or another sport coach, is assigned to the table is that the individual may not be familiar with basketball rules and clock operations. Such a mandate will place additional responsibilities on the host institution, but may not address the issue. Mike Neer suggested that the league could administer a survey to the coaches throughout the season to evaluate various aspects of game management, including table personnel, locker rooms, filming, etc. The results of the survey could be compiled and shared with schools after the season. Sarah NationalLombard offeredAnthem: to work with Tracy King to compile a list of survey items.

Joe Burke raised the question during the season of the league policy regarding the National Anthem. Some league schools play the anthem only before the women's game (first game) while others play it before both games. Burke believed the proper protocol was to play the anthem once per event, as is the case with multiple games at NCAA tournament sites. According to Liberty League lineup protocol, starters are introduced after the anthem, suggesting it is played before each game. In order to be consistent from school to school, the coaches agreed that the anthem shall be played before E. Schedulingeach game. - Friday/Saturday Opponent Rotation:

Dan Roiger indicated that league schedules had previously been structured so that the order of opponents on a given weekend would be switched the second time the teams played. For example, if St. Lawrence plays Bard on Friday and Vassar on Saturday the first meeting, then St. Lawrence should play Vassar on Friday and Bard on Saturday the second time the teams meet. In future schedules, Roiger indicated that this is not always the case. Tracy King indicated that this Fridamay bey/Saturday an error with Start the Times: schedules. King will review and revise where necessary.

Darren Bennett suggested pushing the start times for Saturday league games to provide teams with more rest following Friday games. Concern with pushing Saturday start times back was the late return back to campus for traveling teams. Starting the Friday games an hour earlier was also considered. Men's teams playing the 8 p.m. game typically don't eat and arrive at their hotel prior to 10 p.m. Concerns with starting earlier on Friday were the earlier departure from campus as well as the impact on MOTIONspectators ( Burke,(fans and Bennett parents)): to toadjust arrive forthe the start start times of the for game. Friday league games to 5:00 p.m. for women's games and 7:00 p.m. for men's games FAILED 3-6-4.

F. League Statistics Leaders:

Dan Roiger raised the issue of Liberty League statistics and the minimums required to qualify for various statistical categories. With the current minimums, which are set at the threshold for NCAA statistical leaders, the shooting percentages for league leaders are relatively low because of the minimum number of field goals or free throws needed in order to be ranked. In field goal percentage, for example, Roiger pointed out that the 10th-best shooter shoots just better than 35 percent, which does not reflect positively on the league. Roiger suggested adjusting the minimums to allow for more players to be ranked with better shooting percentages. The coaches were in support of the idea. Roiger agreed to research possible minimums that might work for the league and would supply the information to Tracy King. G. Future Meeting Dates:

Rather than wait until the season ends to confirm a date for an in- person meeting, Tracy King suggested establishing an annual meeting date. The coaches agreed that the first week in May would avoid many conflicts that typically occur in March and April. It was agreed that Tuesday, May 5, 2015, would be the date for the next in- H. Sportsmanshipperson meeting. Award:

Mike Neer congratulated B.J. Dunne on Vassar's selection as the recipient of the Sam Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award for the 2013-14 season. The award is selected by the Officials Association (CBOA).

Meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m. IV. Action Items: to be voted upon by the Athletic Administrators

MOTION: to utilize Michael Schmidt for officiating assigning services for women's basketball.

PASSED, 5-0-1 2014-15 Season A. Include the vote count for each item: Provides consistent oversight of women's basketball B. Includeofficials the across effective the dateregion for as each Schmidt proposal currently: serves as assignor for the Empire 8, C. IncludeSUNYAC the and rationale NEAC. forThe any Libertychanges League: would be the only conference in the region assigned by the ECAC, meaning the number of available quality officials might be reduced. Schmidt has agreed to honor the current officiating and assigning fees currently set for the Liberty League for 2014-15, so there would be no D. Includebudget anyincrease budget. implications: None. None. E. Include any scheduling ramifications: None. F. Include any impact on missed class time: G. Include any N/Apotential impact on other programs: H. Include official language to be inserted into sport guidelines/bylaws: To be added to basketball guidelines: MOTION (Gilbride, Lombard): In Liberty League team sports, to establish a tournament access ratio of 50 percent of the sponsoring institutions in each sport, rounded up to an even number.

PASSED, 13-0-0. 2014-15 Season A. Include the vote count for each item: This proposal would provide equitable access to B. IncludeLiberty the League effective championships date for each inproposal all team: sports. Currently, four teams qualify for the C. Includeleague thetournament rationale forin allany sports changes while: the number of sponsoring teams differs from sport to sport. In some sports, a greater percentage of student-athletes have the opportunity to participate in conference championships. Would add two additional games in basketball with expenses for both the traveling teams and host institutions. D. Include any budget implications: Regular-season scheduling would not be impacted, although teams are willing to reduce the number of contests by one in order to add an E. Include any scheduling ramifications: additional league tournament game. The current format of the league tournament (Wed.-Sat.) would have to be adjusted to accommodate an additional conference tournament date. Tuesday-Friday-Saturday is a potential format. There are currently two Wednesday semifinal games. With this proposal, there would still be two midweek games, so there would be F. Includeno additional any impact impact on missed on missed class class time: time. If this ratio was applied to other sports, there could be an increase in the tournament field in other sports with nine or more G. Includecompeting any potentialteams, including impact on m/w other soccer programs (9), :women's lacrosse (10) and (9).

H. Include official language to be inserted into sport guidelines/bylaws: To be added to basketball guidelines:

"TheIn Section number XI., D., of ofcompeting the Liberty teams League in PoliciesLiberty andLeague Procedures postseason under championship Postseason Championships: competition shall be equal to 50 percent of the sponsoring teams, rounded up to an even number. For example, in a sport with 7 sponsoring teams, the number of teams in the Liberty League championship shall be 4 (7 x .50 = 3.5, rounded to an even number = 4).

V. Timeline: all reports should be sent to the commissioner by May 15.

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Liaison report back to Sport Group: include voting results and rationale for decisions