CYO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
June 23, 2104 – Larkin Center 7 PM
Monthly Meeting – Minutes
Meeting called by: John Bruder
Meeting Facilitated by: John Bruder
Attendees: J. Agnew, T. Bernick, B. Bono, J. Bruder, A. Diesel, C. Fisher, F. Greek, D. Harty, A. Herm, E. Hourigan,
C. Hughes, B. Kilcoyne, T. McGlynn. B. Morello, K. O’Brien, M. Smith, S. Vigliotta, S. Welsh, P. Zarkoski
Agenda
– Please note not all topics were addressed at the June meeting.
Opening Prayer – led by Fr. Saban.
I. Welcome –
A.
Organization and Philosophy -J. Bruder welcomed all new and returning members and asked everyone to
introduce themselves (name and role assignments). J. Bruder reviewed the CYO philosophy (sports,
service, cultural, and spiritual). Main role: Athletics, while teaching sportsmanship and Christian beliefs.
B.
Organizational Chart - J. Bruder asked all members to review the organizational chart that was provided.
Members were reminded that we are advisors to Fr. Saban. We provide ideas for the CYO program and Fr.
Saban gives final approval.
C.
Calendar - J. Bruder pointed out the tentative CYO calendar dates for 2014-2015. Dates are almost final.
Any additions to this calendar need to be submitted ASAP.
D.
Contacts - J. Bruder reminded all members that he is always available for questions at anytime, by phone or
email.
II. Overview
A.
Home and School – Visitation CYO will continue a collaborative effort with Home and School to run
joint functions. Options discussed: Altering junior high events by decreasing amount of dances and
adding other types of junior high events (Possibilities: Trivia Night, inflatables, roller skating). Possibly
looking to start a sister school permission program. May increase guest passes. The board is still
looking for someone to take on the coordination of the dances, previously done by L. Doyle. Need
someone ASAP. Spirit wear will continue to run collaboratively with Home and School.
B.
Player Eligibility - J. Bruder re-stated the player eligibility requirements. Players need to be a member
of Visitation BVM parish or be approved by a commissioner from another organization. Players must be
a part of our parish or their parish. If the player does not attend a Catholic institution, he/she must
attend PREP. They must go through a full year of PREP (prior year and current year). Academic
requirements will not be monitored this coming school year. Sister Diane will speak about this with
parents at Back to School Night in September 2014.
C.
Coaches – Those interested in coaching must apply and interview with the CYO personnel committee
(includes parent reps, coordinators and athletic director). Those coaches interested in returning from a
previous season must apply and interview with each new season. Parent surveys from the previous
season are reviewed. All coaches must have the required clearances prior to the interview. Visitation
BVM parish pays for all clearance requirements. Nora Dilemmo is assuming the role of monitoring all
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volunteer clearances. She will provide a list of all eligible volunteers. All people on the field/court,
including assistant coaches, must be approved and have the required clearances.
D.
Events – Discussion will occur in the future to distribute more responsibilities for Homecoming. Other
CYO events include: Turkey Tournament, Trivia Night, Retreat, May Procession, and the Sports
Banquet. Much positive feedback was given regarding this past year’s Varsity Sports Banquet.
Recommendations were provided to try to decrease the duration of the banquet and to consider
switching the order of food serving. The students should be served first and then the adults. That will
allow for the video to begin, capturing the students attention, while the adults finish dessert. A
recommendation was made to consider allowing parents to request certain seating arrangements prior
to the banquet (perhaps when registering for the event on Sports Signup). Also an issue about the
basket raffle winners was addressed. Due to negative feedback about the baskets at the banquet, they
will not be raffled off at the banquet next year. Consideration is being given to raffle them at a golf
outing.
Uniforms – Decisions are needed for several issues. #1) all teams need new, updated uniforms with
the exception of JV football, which were purchased last year. #2) two teams have their names printed
on their uniforms (Varsity football and cheerleading). Concern has been raised about the fairness to the
other teams. Other schools have more updated, nicer uniforms with their names on the warm-ups. It
was discussed that the parents of the 8th grade football players and cheerleaders pay extra money for
their children’s names to be on their uniforms. Regarding the football program, other parishes that join
the team will be contributing to the football budget. The following options were considered:
III.

Families will pay the additional costs for the warm-ups with names printed on the back. The negative
aspect of this option is the extra cost to families and the timing (time between basketball try outs in early
November and Turkey Tournament at the end of November). Also, if some families cannot afford the
extra cost, teams would need to figure out how to raise the money so that all players are included.

To address the time issue, it was recommended that a warm up shirt size be included on Sports Sign up
when parents fill out the intent to play forms. Then, when the team rosters are completed, the warm up
shirt orders could be submitted quicker.

Another idea raised was to give the 7th graders at the Sports Banquet a generic warm up that could be
used for all sports during their 8th grade year. This warm up would have the players name on it with a
preferred number.

Another similar idea was to offer everyone the option of purchasing a generic, no sport specific
Visitation warm-up at the beginning of the Fall season for the school year. This would include the
player’s last name on the back. If this warm-up could remain standard, families could buy it in 5th grade
with the hope of carrying through multiple years.

It was suggested to put the responsibility on each team and its players to raise the money needed each
season to purchase the monogrammed warm ups.

Father Saban suggested to keep it as simple as possible.

After discussing the pros and cons of each suggestion, it was decided to keep the uniform status as is.
The Varsity football jerseys will continue to have the player’s names on them with the families paying for
the extra cost. Further discussion will occur about an option for Varsity teams to purchase a standard
warm-up at the parent’s expense. New uniforms will be purchased for all other teams on an as needed
basis.
IV. Other Topics
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A.
Registrar – C. Fisher stated that she will be putting a CYO update in the bulletin and other outlets about the
need for coaches for fall sports, intent to play dates, registration, and clearances. She opened the intents on
Sports Sign up for the Fall sports. Registration will open on 7/1/14 for football and cheerleading. C. Fisher
will discuss proposed fees with S. Welsh.
B. Pee Wee – The board is looking to fill the Pee Wee Soccer Coordinator position as soon as possible.
V. Events
Board Meeting – Next CYO Board meeting will be on Monday, July 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm at Larkin Center
JV/Varsity Parent meeting for 2014-15 will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 7:00 in the school gym
Pee Wee Parent meeting will be on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 7:00 in the school gym
VI. Closing Prayer – Father Saban closed our meeting with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Vigliotta, Recording Secretary
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