How the MCLA and its Conferences are run

[SDSULAX]

When the bylaws are finished and ratified they will be posted. I don't think it would be wise to publish financial reports on the internet, but that is information that is available to member teams via their conference. The subject of independents has come up, the answer is we are not allowing them, they must belong to a MCLA conference, the main reason has been stated, we just don't have the time and resources to help them along at the MCLA level and it is not our mission to grow the MCLA. Why pay conference fees when an independent team doesn't have to and still gets to participate? Think of this, the MCLA was born because we were frustrated by not having an clear, concise and accurate accounting of where our dues were going, don't you think that we now have a reasonable accounting of where the money goes, please go back and read my first post in this thread, it pretty much goes for the National Championship week. Here is a thought, there is nothing keeping member teams that may not be participating directly in the National tournament from attending and enjoying the show.

[DRich17]

Here's another issue I have with certain set up (and no I will NOT mention any teams)...

So the EB is made up from elected, volunteering members of the conference, as in coaches. Now what happens when the coach of one team, who let's say holds one of these offices, or even the top office, which in our care is Comissioner, does something that goes against conference rules?

Example (hypothetical): Team A is scheduled to play Team B. Game is to be held at Team A's place. Team A can't get a field, so they call Team B and re-schedule. Now Team B is headed up to play Team A and Team A calls Team B and says, sorry we still don't have a field, tell your guys to turn around and go home, we can't play. Let's say Team B has made every effort to play Team A, but Team A essentially forfeits.

So tell me what happens when Team A's coach is the comissioner of the conference. Would someone like to tell me that he doesn't hold at least the slightest amount of weight in maybe getting the EB not to record a forfeit...

This is an extreme and almost absurd examlpe I understand, but someone else has to see how having the head coach of one team also be the conferences comissioner, gives that team more power. probably a very noticeable amount of power.

Gentlemen please, I don't know that in this entire thread I have come out and said, "The MCLA sucks and its BODs are stupid." or "The GRLC sucks and so does my team... wahn". Now I'm sure that someone will quote me and tell me if that is not the case. Thank you in advance. This entire topic was to adress the fact: WHAT IF it were set up in a way that would allow this type of thing to happen. WHAT IF our money isn't being spent right. WHAT IF the BOD are 5 best friends that only want to look out for their teams? Please someone quote me of when I called out a specific organization and said something about them. Have I questioned how the MCLA does things? Have I questioned how the GRLC does things? Have I questioned.... a lot? ABSOLUTELY.

I digress. Back to the above example. There has to be someone out there who can see how being the comissioner of the conference and the head coach of a team sets itself up for failure.

So I close with a simple question.

What powers do the Board of Directors Hold? What powers do the Comissioners of each conference hold? What are some job duties of each of these?

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

What powers do the Comissioners of each conference hold? What are some job duties of each of these?

What powers do I have within the PNCLL? Well, actually, I have a lot of influence, but not a lot of power. The power is with the 19 teams in my conference. I don't coach a team in the conference (any more), I am basically working for the 19 member teams and always act in the best interest of the league (in my opinion of course).

Very rarely does a decision get made of any significance anywhere but our annual league meeting. I run the meeting, I help direct the discussion. . .but the 19 members of the league vote. I HAVE NO VOTE. I probably spend 10-20 hours every week on league-related stuff during the season (3-5 hours in the offseason). . .but when it comes to the big decisions in my league, the 19 team representatives make those decisions.

With the small stuff, our executive board (made up of 7 voted-in members) will make decisions based upon a majority vote. . .but when it is a big decsion, the teams decide.

EXAMPLE: Last season, well after our league meeting we were made aware of the new travel reimbursement program for our officials. Our league is spread across 4 states and two countries, so travel can be long distances (400+ miles) on a regular basis. We had to get every team in the league, via email proxy, to vote on what they felt was the best way to raise our game fees to cover this. It had a HUGE financial impact on our game fees (which went up from $35K in 2006 to $75K in 2007 as a result). I, or the executive board, would never make a giant decision like this without the input of our conference members.

If you want a list of my duties and responsibilities, send me an email and I'll send you the laundry list. I am not our conference director, that is Bubba Gutherless (league VP). . .so he travels to our national meetings and our league pays for it.

I hope this helps you understand a little better how things work for us here in the Pacific Northwest. My guess is that most of our conferences work pretty similarly.

It's not a perfect system, but I think it's pretty damn solid and I am very proud of our conference and the MCLA.

[A.J. Stevens]

Here's another issue I have with certain set up (and no I will NOT mention any teams)...

So the EB is made up from elected, volunteering members of the conference, as in coaches. Now what happens when the coach of one team, who let's say holds one of these offices, or even the top office, which in our care is Comissioner, does something that goes against conference rules?

Example (hypothetical): Team A is scheduled to play Team B. Game is to be held at Team A's place. Team A can't get a field, so they call Team B and re-schedule. Now Team B is headed up to play Team A and Team A calls Team B and says, sorry we still don't have a field, tell your guys to turn around and go home, we can't play. Let's say Team B has made every effort to play Team A, but Team A essentially forfeits.

So tell me what happens when Team A's coach is the comissioner of the conference. Would someone like to tell me that he doesn't hold at least the slightest amount of weight in maybe getting the EB not to record a forfeit...

This is an extreme and almost absurd examlpe I understand, but someone else has to see how having the head coach of one team also be the conferences comissioner, gives that team more power. probably a very noticeable amount of power.

Gentlemen please, I don't know that in this entire thread I have come out and said, "The MCLA sucks and its BODs are stupid." or "The GRLC sucks and so does my team... wahn". Now I'm sure that someone will quote me and tell me if that is not the case. Thank you in advance. This entire topic was to adress the fact: WHAT IF it were set up in a way that would allow this type of thing to happen. WHAT IF our money isn't being spent right. WHAT IF the BOD are 5 best friends that only want to look out for their teams? Please someone quote me of when I called out a specific organization and said something about them. Have I questioned how the MCLA does things? Have I questioned how the GRLC does things? Have I questioned.... a lot? ABSOLUTELY.

I digress. Back to the above example. There has to be someone out there who can see how being the comissioner of the conference and the head coach of a team sets itself up for failure.

So I close with a simple question.

What powers do the Board of Directors Hold? What powers do the Comissioners of each conference hold? What are some job duties of each of these?

We are lucky that in the GRLC our commisioner is not affiliated with any team and has not been in three years.

[DRich17]

Well part of that is my own mis-information. Apparently our conference's web site has not been updated (in that regard) in three years. So there's atleast 2 conferences with non team affiliated comissioners. Cool

So how does the league BOD work? I guess all that info is on MCLA.us? And about the conf. EB's, there has to be some power there, that's cool that the comissioner doesn't really vote, or is more of a moderator, but what does the EB do exaclty? I mean they're there for a reason. What's a good example of what these boards (MCLA or conf) do?

[bste_lax]

Well part of that is my own mis-information. Apparently our conference's web site has not been updated (in that regard) in three years. So there's atleast 2 conferences with non team affiliated comissioners. Cool

http://www.grlc.org/contacts.cfm

I see Mosher listed.

[CharlotteLAX16]

The subject of independents has come up, the answer is we are not allowing them, they must belong to a MCLA conference, the main reason has been stated, we just don't have the time and resources to help them along at the MCLA level and it is not our mission to grow the MCLA. Why pay conference fees when an independent team doesn't have to and still gets to participate?

If money was the issue with independents, a viable option would be having them pay MCLA dues, plus a predetermined amount to keep their status in the MCLA as an independent. The way I see it in my head is the "independent fee" would be a number somewhere around the average of conference dues. I would see this amount being higher than that, just because of the added burden on resources/time.

Ive got a whole idea in my head that could somehow work, but if the higher-ups dont want independents, then so be it.

[DRich17]

well it still has hood listed as the treasurer, which he's not. you can understand my distrust of the info i hope

[NELAX21]

When the bylaws are finished and ratified they will be posted. I don't think it would be wise to publish financial reports on the internet,

I think most people here have been for "transparency", each team has a login to the MCLA.us website as an admin, why not have those documents posted on there. It would not be public information but then all of the "Clients" or the teams, would have access to it if they wanted that information. This seems to me that it would be an easy solution to a lot of the questions that have been asked in this discussion.

As a team that is trying to build its self in the league i think that we have been treated very fairly and love playing in this conference and league. I do think that Dustin has brought up some good conversation about this topic, we all do pay a lot of money and it would be nice to have easy access to where it all goes with out having to contact a couple different people to try to find out what is going on.

[DRich17]

If Missouri State is so unhappy in D1, they can always move to D2 by our rules. If they are unhappy in the GRLC or the MCLA, they can always drop out. Missouri State CHOSE to be a part of the MCLA and the GRLC and they CHOSE to be a part of the organization and all of its rules. If you do not want to be in the MCLA, then don't. The money paid to the GRLC and MCLA to run tournament, run the administration of the league, insure the entire operation, and provide a legitimate, even playing field for all teams to compete is cheap for what you are getting.

Well said Matt. Very well said.

"If you don't like it get out".... hmm

As a member of a team I am a bit thrown by this statement.

Now let's all consider this. Our league motto here is not, "Lets all discuss and take a vote." Our league motto is "if you don't like it get out." Well that's easy for me to see a problem with since i dont like it.

I would ask every team to consider this. There is no way the league and its decisions are always going to go your way. what happens if it doesnt? get out right? At some point, inevitably, there will be something happen that will piss you off, but if you dont like it get out.

There are a lot more people who have read this thread than have posted on it. Those are the ones im talking to. Is this really what you want YOUR elected officials to be telling you. "If you disagree, hit the road" Im pretty sure, Sony, that there are a vast majority of people, both coaches and players, who disagree with having their decision makers tell them this.

I hope this has shed some light on my apparent paranoia...

[DRich17]

...second, Division II is not intended to be a developmental division, it is for smaller schools, while you might think the dividing line between Division I and Division II is arbitrary, it seems to fit the majority of the teams well. The MCLA does not exist to "grow the sport"

quote from mcla.us, in the 'about us' section

"The purpose of the MCLA is to grow the men's college game, and with an increase from 70 teams to nearly 200 in just nine years it is apparent that the mission is being accomplished."


am I starting to make any sense to anyone.... no wait im paranoid, forgot

oh yea, and check the credentials of SDSULAX

[Sonny]

Dustin,

I suggest you take slightly different take. Insulting folks who have been around the MCLA for many, many years isn't going to get you anywhere and only makes you seem petty.

[Kevin OBrien]

almost as much so as calling people fools, saying they hold wild conspiricy theories, or saying if they (the majority) doesn't like it, they (the majority) should leave. All this was brought about with a few honest questions and people wishing for a little more transparency. Seems to me, if there was more transparency that would do away with the questions.

[Kyle Berggren]

Bottom Line on transparency:

Well, we already heard from Larson (MCLA EB) about the bylaws being held up but they are planned on being put up online. DONE.

Every conference director got a copy of it... In at least 3 conferences it's been mentioned that teams were given copies (CCLA, RMLC, PNCLL), I'm sure every conference covers it. We spent 30-45 minutes going over it & answering questions. Yes they are working toward getting this online as well. The explosion of the MCLA, full-time jobs, family & friends has meant a lot of change recently. From growing the tournament to splitting the divisions, there is only so much time to get this done. Expect a transition to complete transparency online over the next few years.

You want more say in the decisions? You've been discussing it, the MCLA is run like a not for profit company. This is the way it's done. Elected officials run it, but that's it for now.

This thread really started out looking like a bunch of people that hadn't bothered to look for answers complaining. In a lot of ways it still is, but I do see your point. As of now, players don't have instant access to information. Actually, your teams don't have instant access to information. It sounds like most of your teams don't have a meeting to start the season where they can ask questions, we do. We talk about the issues that effect the team.

Not that this is the military, but ask your captains/player reps, then coach, & move up from there. This thread essentially started off saying, "What's going on? I don't know how we're run at all." I'm glad we have players that are interested, they may be good fits to step into EB Board at large positions, but if you really cared, you'd try to find the answers through people that might have the solutions.

[Ken Lovic]

wow.. take a small road trip and this whole thread has grown a life

Some people have passions, some like to churn the water, some like to sit back and let others do the work for them.... everyone has a state of mind that is each their own. I don't mind the ?'s from any member of this league.

From my end- Finances- I submitted the financial report to the MCLA BOD at the winter meetings for close of business for our first year of operation. We had a good year and met our goals of operating right on target. Not bad for our first year. I made suggestions on where to cut money and increase in others. The conference directors all received a copy of the budget at this meeting. I also submitted a up to date budget in the summer meeting for CD to pass out at their fall meetings. It was detailed in every area as where the money was being spent. It went toward start up costs, website date, travel, conference calls, filing fees, attorney fees and tournament expenses (our largest).
While yes, the majority of our money is spent on the tournament that is for good reason. That is the biggest event/item we, the MCLA, oversee. We have been upfront from the beginning to all CD that is our marquee event. Does this serve our entire membership. No. only a selection of our teams get to enjoy this honor. We are not pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. You need to win your conference (which EVERY team has the ability to do) or gain an at large bid. But to repeat, EVERY TEAM IN THE MCLA HAS THE ABILITY TO GET TO NATIONALS.
But yes, teams are not all equal on the organizational and competitive level. This is a YOU problem. Not an MCLA problem. You need to change the culture of your program- coaching, recruiting, school support etc... We all have challenges. All of us!! It takes time and lots of effort, even after your playing days.

Also- when the MCLA was established we set up our organization like many national organizations are set up. To be run by a EC that will look out for the purpose of its members and make the decisions to effectively lead the MCLA in the right direction. That direction might be your frustration. Since the league is run by volunteers we (most all of whom coach in the MCLA) we have no paid full timers to held troubled areas. We are just trying to provide a great opportunity for college student athletes to play the sport of the lacrosse and present them with a first class national tournament. This is something much easier undertaken than other smaller items which we all deal with. I would hope our league would grow in that direction but we will need some great support league wide to make that happen.

When you apply to be a member of the MCLA you might want to research these things upfront. When people say "get out" I don't sense anger, rather, do your homework up front. It is a big commitment to pay the $1000 to be a member but why would not ask those questions up front. Your CD is the key to this. If they are plugged in they will know the answers. That is their role- to represent and educate their conferences on the business of the MCLA. One reason you don't see things sent to all members is there is no way for us to get that info and know how accurate it is etc. That is why we use the CD you then use the team contacts who then relate to their team. This is how information is passed along. The summer meeting is our biggest and most influential meeting. When the minutes are ready conferences have not met yet and so contact info is non existent for the most part.
You are always welcome to attend the meetings and speak with your CD then about decisions that will affect the MCLA, conferences and teams. You are not stake holders, but members so I agree that not each team member should get a vote. Each conference (of which you are a member and vote to have your conference represented through a CD) get a voice that way.

I am all over the map here... but I hope I shed some light. We are not hiding anything. There is nothing to hide. We have monthly conference calls with the BOD to discuss where we stand and what issues are arising. If you want something submitted for this contact your CD.

By-laws- I am on this as well. We will be much closer starting next week. The original ones we were discussed by the BOD and many changes were made. A new version has been submitted and some more changes made. I wish it were quicker but this is where we stand. We will have something very shortly. Our attorney's have been very patient and helpful. We are the right track and appreciate everyone's patience. I never thought something so simple could take so long. But with day jobs, coaching, people on different coasts etc... It just drags sometimes.

Thanks...
As a VP of the MCLA, feel to contact me anytime. I will do my best to answer your questions.