United States Curling Association

Executive Committee Special Meeting by Conference Call

Minutes--March 6, 2001

Present:
A.M. Anderson
Geoff Broadhurst
Phil Draper
Bob Fenson
Peggy Hatch
Warren Lowe
Jack McNelly
Andy Roza
Leland Rich
Ann Swisshelm
Jane Thompson

Absent:
D. Clark Higgins
Richard Maskel
Donna Purkey

Also present:
David Garber, Executive Director

1. Call to order
Anderson called meeting to order at 1:05pm. The meeting was recessed at 1:55pm and reconvened at 4:05pm, at which time Lowe, Roza, Draper and Fenson joined the meeting.

2. Baird Grievance
Anderson reviewed background of the grievance, based on Scott Baird request to override USCA Rules Committee Ruling that Team Baird had already used five players in the playdown process and thus a 6th player could not be added. Extensive discussion, and also extensive discussion of Baird as possible men’s world coach, and subsequent impact on Baird’s team re: National Olympic Qualifier. Several options were discussed, including WCF and USOC aspects.

Motion by Hatch, Swisshelm 2nd, to uphold the Ruling of the USCA Rules Committee and thus to deny the Baird grievance. Approved unanimously.

Motion by Fenson, McNelly 2nd, that if the Jason Larway team requests Scott Baird as their 2001 World coach, and upon Scott Baird’s acceptance to coach and be with the team for pre-event training and all competition at Worlds, the Baird 2001 USCA National Championship team of Cody Stevens, Matt Stevens, Phill Drobnick and Scott Baird may replace Scott Baird for the purpose of playing at the NQ. Approved, with Draper opposed.

3. Team USA (Larway) issues
Anderson explained a possible conflict based on Team Larway desire to compete in both the National Olympic Qualifier and the 2001 World Curling Championship, and as a result, arriving several days late for the World Championship. Extensive discussion of options to deal with the conflict. It was noted that all USCA athletes had been notified in October, 2000, of the potential schedule conflict for teams with an Olympic-ineligible player, which was prior to the beginning of the 2001 season playdown process.

Motion by Lowe, Swisshelm second, to provide an exemption berth in the Olympic Trials to the Larway 2001 USCA Nationals team, which would add the team to the field in the Olympic Trials in December, 2001, if the Larway team of Jason Larway, Joel Larway, Doug Kauffman and Travis Way, and without Olympic-ineligible player Greg Romaniuk, qualify for the National Olympic Qualifier through the Washington Regional Olympic Qualifier. Extensive discussion of pros and cons and possible options. For the motion to grant an exemption: none. Against the exemption: ten. Abstain: Ann Swisshelm

5. Meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David Garber
USCA Executive Director
Recording Secretary

Reviewed and approved,
Peggy Hatch, President-elect

 

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