JANUARY NEWSLETTER Hello to all from the Wisconsin Sports Services! Instead of writing e-mails that approach the length of a novel, we’ve decided to collect and publish all the developments of the WSS in a periodic Newsletter. The main objective of this newsletter is to keep all the Area Directors in the loop as far as what’s happening in all the Hub Cities and in the front office. Because this is the first of many, it will be the longest but we expect to release a monthly newsletter to ensure everybody has the most up-to-date information.
WSS UPDATE WSS Hires Full-Time Marketing Director We are pleased to introduce our new WSS Marketing Director, Brian Meeter. We met Brian at our initial meeting with the La Crosse group in October. We were impressed at how wellattended that first meeting was and it was all thanks to Brian and his hard work to ensure that the relevant associations were represented. Brian was also instrumental in placing the first official WSS event, the Badgerland Wrestling Nationals, at UW-La Crosse in March 2013.
Brian Meeter
Originally from Iowa, Meeter received his BA in Sports Management from Loras College in Dubuque, IA. Two years later he earned his Master’s from the University of South Dakota and is currently working on his doctorate in Sports Management from North Central University in Prescott, AZ. Prior to being hired as the WSS Marketing Director, Brian held the position of Executive Director of the La Crosse Sports Commission where he was responsible for attracting events to the La Crosse area.
Through his work for the La Crosse Sports Commission, Brian is a great resource for all sports in the Hub Cities. However, his specialization lies within the sport of volleyball and his experience is extensive. Brian has coached sports at almost every level, from middle school to NCAA Division II. Brian was awarded Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2000 for his work as Head Volleyball Coach at Iowa Wesleyan College. Brian coach collegiate and club volleyball 9+ years. Meeter has been an educator at four different universities in Iowa and Wisconsin since 1999. His most recent teaching experience was as an Adjunct Professor at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he taught several courses in Sports Management. In addition to being charged with the duties that are required of a Marketing Director, Brian will also serve as La Crosse Area Director for the time being. With his knowledge of the environment of youth sports in the area, we feel he will be a good fit. As Marketing Director, Meeter will be traveling the state and meeting with potential sponsors and other interested parties. He will be working closely with current MYAS Marketing Director, Dan Craighead, to ensure consistency within the marketing initiatives of both organizations. We ask all Area Directors for their utmost cooperation with Brian as he will likely be visiting your Hub City in the near future. Brian and his wife Leanne reside in Holmen, WI, and spend their time shuttling their children, Maddie (7) and Joe (5) to various sports and recreational activities across the Coulee Region.
WSS UPDATE Website Update We are working very closely with TST Media to finalize the website design. Adam and Lance Klinkhammer have been working extensively on creating and uploading content to the website for all sports. The wrestling web page is live right now and we’ve already received registrations for the Badgerland Nationals wrestling event scheduled for March 2-3 at UW-La Crosse. After we have received the dates from all Area Directors for the Spring Basketball tournaments, we will be going live with the basketball web page and opening the registration page. We plan on having the bulk of the site go live by January 31. The site will be a work in progress and we encourage all the Area Directors to peruse the site and provide feedback on functionality and any additions that can be made to continue to development of the WSS website.
Screenshot of the WSS Design Mockup
WSS Apparel Recently, we submitted a sizeable order to our official apparel supplier, Signature Concepts, to be able to outfit all the Area Directors. The WSS requires that all Area Directors wear official WSS apparel at all meetings and events. The MYAS has been working with Signature Concepts since 2000. The apparel company has many large clients such as Holiday Station Stores, Dairy Queen and Hendrick Motorsports among others. They are also the official apparel supplier of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Wild and the minor league St. Paul Saints. We work with Signature Concepts on all MYAS program apparel and intend to work with them for WSS program merchandise. We plan to order merchandise for the WSS Spring Championships in June, which is the culmination of the Spring Basketball program. This is another component you can highlight when meeting with prospective host groups as the Host receives 15% of all apparel sales. You should be receiving your WSS apparel within the next month, and it should be worn when performing the duties of an Area Director. No corduroy here! We’ve ordered some slick threads, people. We want our ADs looking good!
WSS UPDATE On the Road in God’s Country Since October 2011, the WSS crew has been back and forth across the state of Wisconsin more than a dozen times. We’ve met with individuals in all of our Hub Cities and then some. The feedback we’ve received regarding our plans in Wisconsin has been overwhelmingly positive and led to the formal creation of the WSS. Our most recent adventure brought us first to the Chula Vista Resort in the Dells for the Wisconsin Park and Rec Expo, where the WSS may have had the most frequented booth out of all. The WSS is currently a second-year member of the Wisconsin Park and Rec Association. We were the Name Badge Sponsor at this event which meant that everybody in attendance had the WSS logo and web address highlighted on their red name badges. We even won an award! (See picture at right.)
The WSS accepting a Special Recognition Award from the WRPA at the WRPA Expo at Chula Vista
From Chula Vista, we then drove to Sheboygan for the Wisconsin CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) State Convention. WSS Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer was invited by Wisconsin CVB State President Julia Hertel to be a Special Guest Speaker to introduce the WSS and its initiatives. The state was well-represented in the room and there was a very encouraging Q&A session after the formal introduction speeches.
Going Forward Originally, the plan was to have a WSS office in Wisconsin by January 2014 but things have changed a bit. We are now planning on securing an office in Wisconsin by April 1, 2013. The location has not been determined yet as we are still weighing the options and considering a couple different communities. Madison is the current front-runner as we feel that having an office centrally located would allow us to service the entire state and have reasonable access to all the Hub Cities. We will be making a trip or two to Madison in the next few weeks to scout office location possibilities and living accommodations.
Bios and Photos for Website Please send a bio and updated photo to adam@wisportservices.org. We would like to publish the staff information on the website.
WSS UPDATE Area Director Packets We have been organizing a collection of documents and materials that we believe will allow all Area Directors (ADs) to perform their duties. These materials include but are not limited to:
Business Cards - We are currently printing temporary business cards for all ADs. Official business cards will be printing and distributed once an office location has been selected.
WSS Brochures - Some of you may have seen the bi-fold color brochure that we’ve been handing out to anybody and everybody but even if you have not, we will be supplying you with 100 of these brochures. The brochure is also available in digital form as a PDF file on the Home Page of the WSS website.
Spring Basketball Handbooks and Host Contracts - The Spring Basketball Handbooks will spell out all the competition details and should be distributed to all area basketball associations/teams/coaches. The Host Contracts are necessary when negotiating with a potential host group for the Spring Invites. All of the details such as what is expected of host groups and how the money split between the Host and WSS will be included in the Host Contract. Both these documents will be available on the website as well.
List of Frequently Asked Questions - This is a good resource for those who are interested in learning how the WSS works. Available online.
National Background Check Application - Because we practice what we preach , we are requiring all Area Directors to complete the Background Check form and return to the WSS office. Background checks are good for five years and the WSS will be absorbing all expenses. Please complete the form and return as soon as possible.
Mileage Log - Through the creation of a statewide network of WSS Hub Cities, our intention was to limit the amount of travel for ADs but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any travel. Fear not, we will be reimbursing you for any mileage you’ve accumulated as long as you properly keep track of mileage spent on WSS initiatives. The mileage rate is $0.50/mile and will be paid on a monthly basis provided you submit your reimbursement form.
Event Work Form - This form is designated to compensate ADs for their event work as a Tournament Director. Event work checks will be processed after we receive the Event Work form.
Tournament Director Manual - This manual has been created to assist ADs working in the capacity of a Tournament Director.
Reimbursement Forms - The WSS does not expect ADs to pay out of pocket for anything related to WSS activities. Please keep track of any personal expenses you’ve incurred.
Progress Reports - Please submit Progress Reports and all other monthly forms (expenses, mileage logs) to the WSS office by the 10th of each month. Checks will be cut within 48 hours of receipt.
WRESTLING UPDATE 2013 Badgerland Nationals We are less than two months away from the first official WSS event in La Crosse! The Badgerland Nationals is an extension of the Gopher State Nationals held annually in Monticello, MN in early February. The Gopher State Nationals averages about 1,200 wrestlers each year and has earned the reputation of being one of the most competitive and well-organized wrestling events in the region. The WSS will be utilizing the bracketing software used at the Minnesota tournament in an effort to duplicate the level of organization and professionalism that has come to be expected from this event.
PROGRAM NOTES & INFO
Badgerland Nationals will be held at Mitchell Hall on the UW-La Crosse Campus
Grade based event held March 2-3, 2013 (Weigh-Ins start at 7am - Wrestling begins at 9am both days) March 2 - Grades 3 & 4, 5 & 6 March 3 - Grades Pre-K & K, 1 & 2, 7 & 8
Entry Fee is $30 per wrestler—Entry Deadline is February 20
Wrestlers from all states are eligible - we are advertising this event on every wrestling website from here to Colorado.
Dick’s Sporting Goods has been secured as the Title Sponsor
UW-La Crosse Wrestling and the Holmen Viking Wrestling Club are the Host Groups
Registration is currently OPEN. Wrestlers can register online or through the mail. Entry Packets are available on the website.
Officials will be High School Certified
1st-6th place will be awarded custom medals
A full concession stand will be available
Medical Trainer will be on-site for the duration of the event
Area Director Responsibility We ask for assistance in spreading the word in your area about this event. We are expecting 400-500 wrestlers this first year and we need your help getting to that number. We’ve created a list of youth wrestling tournaments in your area and we ask that you distribute our flyers at these events along with any other communication you can utilize (e-mail blasts, meetings, sending links to the website).
BASKETBALL UPDATE 2013 Badgerland Spring Championship Series We now have dates (listed below) for all five weekends in the Eau Claire, Wausau, & Green Bay Hubs. La Crosse shouldn’t be too far behind as Brian has been speaking with potential host groups in his area and we’re encouraged by the progress that we have made up to this point. We are still trying to identify Area Directors in Madison and Milwaukee. However, Lance and Adam may be handling the responsibilities of those two Hubs for 2013. If you know someone with interest in being an AD in these areas pass them along to us or the Wisconsin Park and Rec website, wpraweb.org, as we have the job posted for the Area Director. We are currently building up the Basketball portion of the WSS website; our ADs will be the first to know when we go live but our internal deadline is January 31.
PROGRAM NOTES & INFO PROGRAM NOTES & INFO
Spring Invitationals (April-May)
Eau Claire
Wausau
Green Bay
April 20-21
Boys
Girls
Boys
4-Game Guarantee; Open Registration
April 27-28
Girls
Boys
Girls
May 4-5
Boys
Girls
Boys
3rd-12th Grade; Combined divisions if numbers are too low at respective grade level
Divisions I, II & III - Not based on WIAA definition
3rd-4th Grade $260 Entry Fee
5th-12th Grade $275 Entry Fee
May 11-12
Girls
May 18-19
Girls
Boys
June 8-9
TBD
TBD
TBD
Spring Championships (June)
4-Game Guarantee
3rd-12th Grade; Divs. I, II, III
Open Registration
3rd-4th Grade $310 Entry Fee
Seeded by Coaches
5th-12th Grade $325 Entry Fee
Area Director Responsibility Spread the word about the Badgerland Spring Basketball Program throughout Wisconsin at local Area Director Responsibility tournaments/leagues in your area. Educate local youth basketball administrators about the WSS and disperse WSS materials as they are provided to you by the state office. Educate local population about the WSS website and opportunities to post tryout information and independent tournament listings on our website.
USSSA SOFTBALL UPDATE First, a little history… USSSA was big in Wisconsin adult slow pitch about 10 years ago. The National Tournament was actually held in Milwaukee for years until the people at the top began fighting over the direction of the program. There were pockets of USSSA stuff going on for a while but as of today it’s completely non-existent. It appears that people in Wisconsin are still playing softball and there seems to be a healthy Carnival cash tournament circuit but not a lot of teams are playing sanctioned ball. The main reason for that is because the only association present in WI is the ASA. Without going into too much detail, a lot of people are upset with the way ASA is being run. The discontent is prevalent on every softball forum we’ve researched and one of the reasons is that the State Director is literally running this program out of his basement. He has a full-time job and it sounds like he took the State Director position because no one else wanted it. There was actually a post by this individual in the forums stating if everybody hates the way he’s doing things, they are welcome to take over. This is good news for us. The ASA website is also a shell of what our site will be and it’s just plain cheaper to play USSSA on all accounts.
USSSA vs. ASA - By the Numbers SANCTION FEES USSSA - $25/team ASA - $55/team REGISTRATIONS 2012 USSSA Class D (MN) - Almost 2,100 teams 26 teams participated in D State 2012 ASA (WI) Class D - Unknown 13 teams participated in D State 2012 USSSA Class E (MN) - 990 teams 32 teams participated in E State 2012 ASA (WI) Class E—Unknown 10 teams participated in E State (8 were from Sheboygan)
INSURANCE USSSA - $197 team/year (liability only) $336 team/year (liability & $250 deduct) ASA - $247 team/year (liability only) $478 team/year (liability & $500 deduct) POSTSEASON COMPETITION ASA Nationals - Class D 4 teams from 4 states USSSA - Class D Worlds (True National) 172 teams from 38 state associations
USSSA National Tournament - Nationals are Regional events. There were 15 different National tournaments in 2012 in Class D alone. Teams must qualify for this event.
USSSA World Tournament - Worlds is a National event. Teams from across the Nation to compete for a true “National” Championship. Teams must also qualify for this event but do not have to participate in a National Tournament to compete in the World Tournament.
USSSA SOFTBALL UPDATE Plan for 2013 REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS We will be offering four regional tournaments in 2013, one in each region per the map on the right. ———> The regions are consistent with the regions as they are defined by the Wisconsin Park and Rec Association. We will be marketing the event to the Park and Rec directors that run softball leagues in their communities as they should have knowledge of these boundaries already. Teams must compete in a regional tournament to be able to participate in the State Tournament. We have yet to determine what classes/divisions we will be offering but it will be something like this in each region: Men’s - Open, C, D, E Women’s - Upper, Lower Mixed - Open, D, E The plan is to have the Regionals hold National Qualifier status for teams that have any interest in playing in the postseason. The USSSA Great Lakes Nationals are being held in Sterling Heights, MI so the travel is reasonable for WI teams.
USSSA STATE TOURNAMENT Once the Regionals have been run, we’ll get a better idea on which classes/division we will offer in the State Tournament. Because of lack of facilities in any one area, we’ll probably have to split up some of the classes/ divisions between some of the Hub Cities. The plan is to have the State Tournament hold World Qualifier status for those interested teams. The USSSA World Tournament is held every year at the Disney complex in Florida.
AREA DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITY We’ll need our ADs to spread the word regarding the Slow Pitch program. We have created a list of the Park and Rec contacts in your area and because they do the majority of the adult programming, we feel like they should be made aware of this new program first. We also would like to know about any of the tournaments currently being held in the area to attempt to schedule around them.
We also need to know about the softball facilities in your area including: - Complex name, contact, email, # of fields - Fence distances (300 feet is ideal) - Lighted or not - Proximity to other available fields
BASEBALL UPDATE Dave Wabick, the USSSA State Director for Illinois who has been dabbling in Wisconsin for the last couple years, has teamed up with the Chula Vista in the Dells in their agenda to build the Woodside Baseball Complex that was originally slated for Mauston, WI. To keep it short, the Mauston project fell through with Juneau County and it was dead until Mike Kaminski and Wabick got involved, and now they have tournaments scheduled at the Woodside Complex that has yet to be built or even break ground. After speaking with Dave and his group it sounds as if they want to retain the State Directorship for USSSA and run their tournaments under that banner. It doesn’t really affect us as we run our big tournament, the Gopher State Tournament of Champions, unaffiliated. The first youth baseball program we plan on offering is the 2013 Badgerland Tournament of Champions (BLTC) in Wisconsin. We’ve already begun to create a list of existing baseball tournaments that we will reach out to and become BLTC Qualifiers. Below is an explanation of how this program works:
We offer this program to traveling baseball teams from ages 9-15 in three different divisions (AAA, AA, A).
We will be allowing organizations to advertise their invitational tournaments on our website. In Minnesota, we charge a posting fee of $25 but have yet to determine whether to charge a posting fee in WI the first year of the program.
Existing invitational tournaments run by those community organizations are identified as BLTC qualifiers In Minnesota, we charge $40 to become a GSTC qualifier but will not be charging this fee in Wisconsin in 2013.
At the completion of those tournaments, the tournament director reports their results to us and we compile a list of teams that have qualified for the BLTC and publish this on our website.
In Minnesota, we had over 450 teams participate in the GSTC and it has earned the reputation as the true State Tournament for youth baseball teams.
The tournament is usually held on three weekends in July after the 4th.
In Minnesota, we award the Champions of this tournament customized Josten’s rings at about $75/ player. This isn’t a problem in Wisconsin at the younger age groups but because of WIAA rules as they are currently written, we don’t know if we can offer the rings to the 14 and 15 year olds. We are currently working through this issue.
I advise you to check out the official GSTC Hub at http://myasbaseball.sportngin.com. Click on GSTC.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES UPDATE This area is still a work in progress. However, eventually we plan on offering all of these programs.
WSS Contact Numbers and E-Mails Dan Klinkhammer WSS Executive Director E-Mail dan@wisportsservices.org Work Phone 763-746-1714 Cell Phone 763-719-6762
Lance Klinkhammer WSS Program Director USSSA Basketball State Director E-Mail lance@wisportsservices.org Work Phone 763-746-1731 Cell Phone 763-232-0671
Jeremy Innes WSS Program Director Wrestling Director E-Mail jeremy@wisportsservices.org Work Phone 763-746-1731 Cell Phone 763-232-0671
Lindsey Lewitzke MYAS Program Director Wausau Area Director
E-Mail brian@wisportsservices.org Cell Phone 608-780-2054
E-Mail lindsey@myas.org Work Phone 763-746-1733 Cell Phone 715-581-5871
E-Mail tony@myas.org Work Phone 763-746-1728 Cell Phone 651-983-6803
NEED PHOTO!
E-Mail adam@wisportsservices.org Work Phone 763-746-1735 Cell Phone 763-639-7861
Brian Meeter WSS Marketing Director La Crosse Area Director
Tony Groff MYAS/WSS Program Director - Baseball
NEED PHOTO!
Adam Klinkhammer WSS Program Director USSSA Slow Pitch State Director
Jen Johnson WSS Green Bay Area Director E-Mail jen@wisportsservices.org Cell Phone 920-309-0387
Dave Hazuga WSS Eau Claire Area Director E-Mail dave@wisportsservices.org Cell Phone 952-239-1911