PNCLL Fall Meeting

[Dan Wishengrad]

UW will definitely be making the trip to Boise in '08, as it worked out that we got to host the Broncos the previous two years. We'll make the trip even if it's for just that one game, but I'm hoping we can turn this into a weekend double-header with either another A team and/or an OOC opponent.

Shawn, what do you think the chances of doing this? I realize until the League Scheduler gives us a date for our game it will be tough to try to set it up, but if you know of an OOC team coming to Boise already, maybe the Huskies could "piggy back" on that weekend?

[Dan Wishengrad]

I thought yesterday's meeting was one of the better ones I have been to, and I have been to every single one since 1998. For the most part there was intelligent discussion and thoughtful debate. We are so much better as an organization than just a few years back, and I think we should have a great season coming up with solid competition in both divisions. There are alot of people who are passionate about PNCLL lacrosse (as well as their own teams), when only a few years ago there seemed to be a lot of disinterest and apathy about important decisions we needed to make.

I almost wish we had expanded the Executive Board again, as all the folks nominated for the open positions were worthy candidates and would be positive assets for the PNCLL. I hope those few people who were NOT elected will be nominated again next year -- our choices were between good nominees, and not the "lesser of two (or more) evils, as is often the case.

Personally, I'm thrilled to have the Cougs back in the fold, and wish Wazzou all the best in re-building their program. We are definitely better off with them in the league than outside looking in! Don't get discouraged if Division I wins prove tough to come by this season, guys, your competition will be tough but you folks can definitely get into the mix within a few seasons. My strong suggestion is to schedule as many Division II games as you can afford to play after Jason and Kyle finish drafting the conference schedule and you see what open dates you have remaining.

Oregon and Montana really stepped up and put us "on the map" in 2007. We sure aren't the weakest MCLA conference like we were just a few years ago! Best of luck to everyone in 2008, let's shoot for national championships in both divisions this time around!!

[Steno]

Do we know when the meeting notes will be published so we can all take a gander at the issues and teams voted on, etc.

Also, what is the timeline for schedule availability?

[Marilyn Hoskins]

Minutes from the AGM will be distributed later this week
Marilyn Hoskins
League Secretary - PNCLL

[Dan Wishengrad]

Also, what is the timeline for schedule availability?

Jason and Kyle are working on it already, and it is possible we could see a draft schedule within a week or two. It is a very difficult job, and they will do their best to come up with a workable schedule for both divisions that is fair to all involved, given the limitations of blackout dates and team availabilities to play on specific dates. When they finish a draft, it has to go to Keith next for him to review and analyze regarding officials' assignments. This may necessitate minor tweakings or complete re-working, depending on what the League Schedulers come up with.

We all want (and need!) to see our schedules just ASAP, and Jason and Kyle understand this.

[Steno]

Oh I understand it is quite a process, but I was just curious. Thanks Dan!

[nlyon02]

Thanks again to everyone who voted us in. I can not wait to play in the season and show how far we really have come.

[Kyle Berggren]

Also, what is the timeline for schedule availability?

Jason and Kyle are working on it already, and it is possible we could see a draft schedule within a week or two.

An added piece of information, if teams continue to send in schedule change requests, it will continue to push the time line back. After a full day of schedule work with Jason, we'll have to start fresh due to all the changes we're having emailed in from member teams. Please stop. Don't schedule more games now, you should have done that weeks ago.

We are trying very hard to be compassionate & make sure each road trip teams take get 2 games while minimizing officials trips. When a team sends in a change, & scraps the last 5+ hours of work we did, I get much less compassionate.

Sadly, travel partners don't exactly work out for more than 1/2 the season due to the number of teams & trying to keep everyone at 4 home & 4 away in Division 1. We have to mix it up & find dates that work for multiple teams during the second half of the season. It's not making the schedule that hurts, it's finding dates for each team to get their 8 games in, without taking single game road trips.

There's your schedule update, a week or 2 is on the short side. It would have been done today without all the changes we've had emailed in. We would have only had to deal with Keith's conflicts at that point. Be patient, if we don't get more emails, it's very likely to be finalized by the end of October.

[Kyle Berggren]

Update:

The schedule continually has to be redone because teams are emailing in corrections & requests. From this point on, we're not even going to consider your requests. We have combined for nearly 30 hours into the schedule & to no avail. We do not have a finished product due to dozens of changes & requests.

Jason will be leaving for vacation next week & I will continue to work on it. When he gets back the following week we'll finish it up & try to get with Keith to make sure we're going to have officials to cover the games. Then you'll get your schedules. I hope this clears up some confusion. We are still working on it, but we've been trying to accommodate all.

[Hi-Line Lax]

I just want to say thanks to all the teams that couldn't follow the simple directions laid out for scheduling and have it done by the meeting... it's not like you couldn't work on adding in those extra OOC's once you already have your conference schedule.

I feel bad for Jason and Kyle. Can we start talking now about which weekends we will be blocking out for next season? I'm already pretty sure we're not going to be able to get anything together with substance this late in the game (as far as my team's schedule) so I want to start working on next year.

[Kyle Berggren]

Jason & I will try to figure that out shortly (as in by the time the schedule is finished). It will likely not be March as per most Spring Breaks. We'll also attempt to avoid 3 day weekends & other Holidays (Easter for example). If you're scheduling for Spring Break, you'll be fine Kevin.

[woulax23]

i hate to be a nag kyle, but i was just hoping for an update on the scheduling process..... any possibility of a time line for when it will be done?

[Kyle Berggren]

Schedule is essentially done, we need to correct a few things with our league assignor, & then re-type it all out for the pncll site... then we can get flamed...

I'd expect it by the end of the week, we all want it done, & I don't want to look at it again. Don't worry about it, you're not pushing at all. Everyone should be getting pretty anxious... I need it done as well so I can reserve fields & transportation too!

[Ryan Hanavan]

Thanks Kyle and Jason, we appreciate all the work you are doing and understand how hard it can be with everyone wanting things exactly the way they want them for their club. I'm 100% guilty of that but I think that is the coaching gene expressing itself a bit more these days.

Thanks for the hard work guys!

[Kyle Berggren]

No worries Ryan, this was also our first time doing it.... Next year should be much easier... Plus, we'll block off dates for league only games anyway...