Where did the summer go? This year my wife
and I refereed at the Tampa Bay Qualifier, the USAV National Open Championships
in Tucson, The National JOV Championships in Dallas, TX, and the World
Master’s Games in Portland, Oregon. The last event was really special because
of the remarkably friendly athletes from 13 countries, even though we had
to work 8 matches each day. It was also special because the volleyball
venue was only 4 miles from where I went to high school. Many of my “old”
football and track teammates came by to say hello.
Now that fall is setting in, our fellowship
season is behind us and the competition begins towards the ultimate goal
of the Regional Championships in April. The champions will be eligible
to have their full entry fee reimbursed for the U.S. Nationals. Last year
in Tucson, the Chesapeake Region had the honor of having a total of 30
teams entered in the U.S. Nationals. That was tops among all of the Regions
represented in the event.
My e-mail is working overtime these days as
I receive from 12 to 45 messages per day, including Sunday. I do
my best to answer inquiries and/or complaints as quickly as possible. Most
of the time I have cleared things up the same day the message is received
by giving an answer or forwarding the message to someone who does have
the answer. Having been an Editor of the USAV Guide 18 years, Assistant
VP of the Rules of the Game Commission, USVBA Rules Interpreter, Editor
of the USVBA Rule Book for 14 years, and Author and Editor of the USVBA
Case Book of Rules Interpretations for over 20 years (the FIVB has adopted
the book), I have become known all over the United States and many foreign
countries. All of that background and exposure to the National Operations
has been very useful in the operations of Chesapeake Region. If you have
questions, e-mail to smithavo@erols.com.
While I was in the ROD meetings in Colorado
Springs, the Commissioners of the Atlantic Zone voted to have Chesapeake
Region host the Men’s and Women’s AA Zonal Championships in early May of
1999, after completion of our Regional Championships. They had all either
heard of, or participated in, the great championship events that Shang
and Wanda Hsiung
have hosted over they years.
Shang Hsiung was selected as a Coach of the
Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee, an honor bestowed only on the top coaches
in the country. Shang was also chosen as the coach of the year by the Junior
Olympic Division. Both of these honors are well deserved for the many contributions
that Shang has made both in Chesapeake Region and around the U.S. as well.
During his many years of involvement in volleyball, he has literally touched
the lives of hundreds of persons from their first exposure to the game
to many of them reaching great heights as players and coaches. We can all
be proud of his achievements.
Due to a large number of inquiries about the
1999 Adult National Volleyball Championships in San Jose, Joe Sharpless
kindly sent me a copy of the 1999 dates. Some of the meeting dates
may change before the final schedules are published.
MEETINGS:
Junior meetings begin May 21st
ROD meetings begin May 25th
Most of the other meetings are held on or after May 26th
Delegate Assembly/Awards Banquet will be on Thursday, May 27th
Board of Directors meeting will be on 28-29 May
The National Officials Clinics will be held on Friday, May 28th
COMPETITION DATES:
| May 31 thru June 3 (finals) |
|
U.S. Open Championships |
| May 29 thru June 1 (finals) |
|
U.S. Club Class AA and Class BB |
|
|
U.S. Masters: 35+ and 45+ |
|
|
U.S. Seniors: 55+ and 65+ |
| June 2nd thru June 5th (finals) |
|
U.S. Club: Class A and Class B |
|
|
U.S. Masters: 30+ and 40+ |
|
|
U.S. Seniors: 50+, 60+, and 70+ |
Mike O’Hara, Seniors Rep to the National Championships
Division Administrative Council is trying to plan a players party for seniors
(Men 50+ & Women 45+).
Among the other members of the NCD Administration
Council is Alice Gross from the Chesapeake Region representing the Club
Division players throughout the United States.
If you see me refereeing at a tournament during
the coming season, come over and say hello. If you have any good suggestions
for any of our programs, adult or junior, please send them to me or one
of the Board of Directors. We have a lot of hard working people working
for you to try and make our programs the best in the country. Our reputation
for organization and program operations are being continually emulated
by many other Regions throughout the U.S.
Debbie Reed and her work with the scorekeeping
program led to her advancement to the prestigious Assistant Vice President
for Scorekeeping. Larry Liden, Chair of Referees, and Sue Wainio-Oato,
Chair of Scorekeepers, are not only known in our Region, but at the National
levels as well by their involvement at the National Championships. Corny
Galdones has become widely known for the high quality program he has developed
for the advancement of referees towards Junior National and U.S. National
ratings and his development in the National Championships operations.
I am hoping that more of our officials and
potential officials will take advantage of the expertise that is available
in CHRVA. We are constantly looking for referees who want to work in all
levels of matches from College to Recreation. It is not only a great learning
experience while attaining high level skills, but also a great way to make
a lot of money by using their newly acquired skills. If you have any questions
about that, contact one of us and we’ll let you in on the way to get into
these great part time programs to help us and yourselves.
— Dick Smith, Commissioner
|
