Member Organizations Represented: Kettering Fairmont, Columbus, OH Bluejackets, Butler Co./Hamilton, Findlay, Cincinnati and Gem City Youth Hockey
President Tracy Merritt called the meeting to order.
Treasurer Murray Stall presented the Treasurer's Report. Current balance is $8,815.01. This does not include any tournament registration fees. Everything is up to date. Tournament fees were turned in and missing fees discussed. Those missing fees will be collected prior to the team's first games. Treasurer's report accepted into record.
Minutes from January meeting reviewed and accepted into record. Ken Nagel further commented about combined scheduling meeting for next season. The Indiana Hoosier League is interested and the idea will be brought up at the next GCYHL meeting in March.
Final tournament notes:
Post meeting note…all rosters were turned in and fees were paid prior to the start of the tournament.
First order of business was additional discussion of the complaint made by an Owensboro Midget parent concerning the game played in Owensboro against Hamilton on December 18, 1999. Ken Nagel presented his report at the last meeting, but some additional information came in and needed further review. Letters from Owensboro players, the Owensboro coach and 2 Owensboro parents were reviewed. Additionally, a tape of the game, sent by an Owensboro parent was reviewed. During review of the tape, we are able to hear the Indian "whooping" sounds that has been interpreted as taunting and the Hamilton organization will be asked to address this with the team. Other than that, the tape doesn't reveal anything beyond what had already been discussed. Anything that happened off-ice, with a fan, is not visible in the tape and the board considers this a civil matter and should be taken up with the police.
As far as what happened on ice, we can only act in accord with what the referee has done and what is on the scoresheet. In this case there are several two minute misconduct, but nothing beyond that. The rules concerning any type of racial slur are very clear and it is ultimately the referees responsibility to enforce the rule. And while we don't disagree that there were taunts and comments, we can't take any type of additional action if it's not recorded. We can make sure the offending team is aware of the League's position and ask them to address it at the local level. In addition, any further complaints could incur additional punishment.
There were a couple situations this season where a player received a game misconduct in a league game, however the next league game was forfeited by the opposing team. Information received from Mid-AM indicates that, if the game were on the team's original schedule, the forfeited game acts as the suspension and the player is able to participate. We agreed to accept this rule for the remainder of the season, including the Play-Offs and re-visit at the Annual Meeting, when the Rules and Regulations are updated. In all cases, the suspended player did sit-out the team's next league game.
A reminder is given that changes to the Rules & Regulations are voted on each year at the Annual Meeting. All member organizations are encouraged to submit ideas for changes. Submit any change requests to any board member.
The players that are to sit their first tournament game, because of game misconducts, were reviewed.
Motion and seconded to adjourn the meeting.
The next meeting will be a conference call, Monday March 13, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.