2011 Annual Meeting/Conference Call Minutes

Division I/II Women's Varsity Meeting (Monday, June 20, 2011 @ Villanova University)
 Division I/II Women's Varsity Conference Call (Thursday, June 23, 2011)
Division III Women's Varsity Conference Call (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)
Men's Varsity Conference Call (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)

2011 Collegiate Water Polo Association Division I/II Women’s Varsity Meeting
Monday, June 20, 2011
Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. -- Connelly Center, Devon Room
10:30 a.m. – 1:53 p.m.

CWPA Staff Attendance: Commissioner Dan Sharadin, Director of Communications Ed Haas

CWPA Board of Director Members Attendance: John Benedick(Associate AD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner); Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University);  Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan)

Coaches Attendance: Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University); Luis Nicolao (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Princeton University); Derek Ellingson (Assistant Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Princeton University); Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan); Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University); Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College); Don Sherman (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Gannon University); Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland); Rob Bullion (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Salem International University); Jessi Wood (Assistant Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Harvard University);

Institution Administrators Attendance: Joan Taylor (Senior Associate Athletic Director, Brown University – via conference call); Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University – via conference call); Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University – via conference call);  Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University); Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University); Ryan Bowles (Assistant Athletic Director, University of Maryland); Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University); Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director, Gannon University);  Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College); Sara Headley (Assistant Director of Athletics, Mercyhurst College)

Meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by CWPA Commissioner Dan Sharadin.

Sharadin welcomed the administrators and coaches present in person and via conference call to the meeting.  He stated that the agenda for the meeting would follow three areas, preferably in order of designation:

A)     Competitive Conditions

B)      Regular Season Schedule

C)     Post Season Schedule

At 10:36 a.m. Sharadin began by addressing Topic A – Competitive Conditions

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) began the conversation by noting that the Ivy League institutions in the league (Princeton, Brown, Harvard) have a later start date by Ivy League regulations and feel they are at a competitive disadvantage due to this restriction.  Currently, the Ivy League institutions have a February 1 competitive start date and January 15 start date for practice.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) stated that Indiana University is “against any restriction on practice dates.”

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) noted that Michigan will lose one of their two home tournament dates if a league-wide February 1 start date is implemented.  Michigan normally hosts a tournament on the third weekend of January.  Due to facility conflicts with swimming, the number of home dates available for water polo is limited at Michigan and will probably not adjust facility usage based exclusively on a later start date in the league.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) added that Michigan assists 3-4 West Coast teams in coming to its January tournament as the West Coast teams will not travel East in late February –April due to league games beginning in the Western conferences (MPSF, WWPA, Big West, SCIAC).

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) “echoes the statement of Michigan” and feels a later start date is a detriment.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) states Hartwick College is opposed to a later start date.

Luis Nicolao (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Princeton University) believes there is a competitive disadvantage to the Ivy League institution’s later start when compared to the other programs of Michigan, Indiana, Maryland, Hartwick, etc.

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) notes that Bucknell does not currently have restrictions on practice and competitive start dates, but is aligned philosophically with Princeton, Brown and Harvard on this issue.  Bucknell, Brown, Princeton and Harvard will not compromise on later start dates.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states this appears to be an issue that neither side will compromise on. 

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) states this is an issue that the four schools (Bucknell, Brown, Princeton and Harvard) will not compromise on.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) asks if there is a compromise by aligning the teams based on philosophy into three divisions:

  • East (Brown, Princeton, Harvard, George Washington, Bucknell)
  • Division II (Mercyhurst, Gannon, Salem International, Notre Dame College)
  • West (Hartwick, Michigan, Indiana, Maryland, possibly Colorado State University {if they elect to join})

Ryan Bowles (Assistant Athletic Director, University of Maryland) states the decision of Bucknell and George Washington to align with the “Ivies” is a philosophical decision by their administration.  However, to address this issue a decision on seeding and how the Women’s Division I/II Eastern Championship will work must be first discussed.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) agrees with Bowles stating, “We must work backwards from Easterns to find the answer).

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) concurs with Anderson’s statement.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) notes an issue is that some schools do not feel they can compete and win the Eastern Championship, while others feel they can compete and win the championship on a regular basis.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) states that Indiana feels this issue is driven by financial aid (athletic scholarships), and is opposed to a split in the conference/divisions based on financial aid or resources.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) feels his proposal and the debate are based on resources available to coaches (travel, budget, etc.) and not financial aid.  The institutional goal for the four (i.e. Michigan, Indiana, Maryland, Hartwick) is based on a desire to win the Eastern Championship.

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) notes no one has brought up financial aid in the discussion, so this is a moot point in the conversation.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) states institutional support can change.  He could have a new athletic director that will tier sports at Maryland and make water polo a third tier sport with reduced financial and facility resources.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) adds Michigan is constantly looking to pare down athletic budgets, so the financial resources available to his program can change drastically during, before or after a season of play.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) states the teams in the league will need to figure out where to meet-up to minimize financial impact of realigning the divisions (i.e., Michigan and Hartwick may need to play in California during a tournament).

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) raises the question of a split in the divisions based on philosophy to the administrators joining the meeting via conference call.

Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University) states it is Harvard’s desire for 2-3 divisions with a break based on philosophy.

Joan Taylor (Senior Associate Athletic Director, Brown University) concurs with Harvard.

Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University) concurs with Harvard and Brown.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks for a raise of hands as to which programs want restrictions on practice and competitive start dates.  Princeton (Erin McDermott, Luis Nicolao), Brown (via vocal affirmation by Joan Taylor), Bucknell (Maisha Palmer) and Harvard (Jessi Wood) affirm this desire.  George Washington does not raise a hand nor is there a vocal affirmation of this intent.

Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director/Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Gannon University) and Curtis Robinettte (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College) note their schedules already fall into the restrictions proposed due to a portion of their team competing in either swimming or other activities.  However, the potential for travel to Boston or Princeton is a concern for them in terms of budget impact.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) states it is Salem International’s intent to have Mercyhurst, Gannon and Salem International in the same division.  Salem will have athletic aid (3.5-5 scholarships), including one international scholarship that does not count in NCAA numbers.

Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College) notes that Mercyhurst does not need Salem in their division if it helps the league.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) states that the league cannot separate into three divisions until Salem International shows it is a viable program in the wake of missing this season. 

There is not a vocal affirmation or otherwise to agree to a two division format, although conversation changes to a two-division format.

Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director/Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Gannon University) says Gannon wants home games and does not want to travel all the time to other institutions.  Teams in their division will need to agree to travel to Erie to make this work.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks for a recess from 11:20-11:30 a.m. to allow the teams to discuss the issue privately in smaller groups.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) reconvenes the meeting at 11:41 a.m. and recaps the discussion to outline the conversation regarding divisional format.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) states Salem International is comfortable in either division in order to balance out the teams.

Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College) states Mercyhurst is open to either division, but would lean towards East (Princeton, Brown, Bucknell, George Washington, Harvard, et al).

Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director/Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Gannon University) states Gannon is open to either division, but will make a decision based on the easiest path to the Division I/II Women’s Varsity Eastern Championship.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) notes that the conversation appears dependent upon the outcome of how the Eastern Championship is designed and seeded.  Teams agree to discuss Eastern Championship format and seeding prior to regular season schedule format.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) asks if the teams have agreed to their division composition.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states that no team will “lock in” until the resolution of the Eastern Championship format and seeding.  There is vocal and physical affirmation to this point by the coaches and administrators in attendance.

Following a five minute break, Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) begins the conversation about Topic C – Postseason (Eastern Championship)

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks the forum how many teams they want at the Eastern Championship.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) states all the teams

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) states all the teams.

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) states all the teams.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) asks if Notre Dame College (Ohio) is a definite addition to the league next year.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states that Notre Dame is definite for next year.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) states the No. 12 and 13 teams should play into the Eastern Championship field on one of their campuses with the loser moving into a consolation bracket.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) states this works best if everyone can come to the championship site.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks if it is the intent of the membership to bring everyone to the Eastern Championship.

Membership votes unanimously by hand-raise vote to bring all 13 teams to the Eastern Championship. Vote is amended to 14 teams by Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) if Colorado State University agrees to join CWPA in the future.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks what the intent of the league membership is regarding the championship seeding.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) wants to continue the seeding by committee.

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) states Bucknell is OK with a cross-pollination committee to seed the championship from the two divisions. However, Bucknell does not want the champion of one division to be seeded outside the top few places in the bracket.  Bucknell favors Option A from the formats forwarded by the league commissioner:

  • Option A – Separate Division Seedings (Each division plays their regular season to qualify four teams to the Eastern Championship.  Teams are seeded 1-4 on their won/loss records going into the tournament.  Each four-team group plays within themselves on Friday and Saturday to determine a champion for their division – as well as the remaining places.  The division champions from the two divisions meet on Sunday along with their corresponding lower seeds (i.e., 2nd place finisher in Division A vs. 2nd place finisher in Division B, etc.) to determine the school that qualifies for the NCAA Championship, as well as the final order of standings.
  • Option B- Committee Seeding (Each division plays their regular season to determine a champion that is crowned at their respective division championship.  The top four teams from each division championship qualify for the Eastern Championship and are seeded by committee according to NCAA criteria)
  • Option C –Alternating Seeding (Each division plays their regular season to determine a champion that is crowned at their respective division championship.  The top four teams from each division championship qualify for the Eastern Championship and are seeded in alternating fashion between divisions according to their division finish.)

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) states Michigan is opposed to Option A.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) and Ryan Bowles (Assistant Athletic Director, University of Maryland) state that Salem International and Maryland are also opposed to Option A.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) states that the member institutions are still one conference and all want to send the best representative to the NCAA Championship.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) notes the intent of the Eastern Championship is to determine the best team in the league.

Carl Salyer (Head Coach Women’s Water Polo, University of Maryland) does not think it is fair to give equal access to the Eastern Championship game to either division based on simply winning your division as outlined in Option A.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) states that in 9-10 years of competition, the Eastern Championship has never been seeded incorrectly.  The two best teams in the league have always shown they deserve to be in the Eastern title game.  He remarks that under Option A, Harvard never would have experienced the opportunity to almost upset Indiana in the tournament quarterfinals at this year’s championship.  The potential for a team to upset another team has a bearing on the outcome of this decision regarding seeding.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) does not feel it is fair to give both division champions an automatic berth in the Eastern title game as outlined in Option A.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states the membership needs to make “hard decisions” regarding the continuation of the league.  “Will all the league members stay together and will everyone go along with the majority opinion?”

Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College) asks why the membership is not examining Option C?

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks how many institutions want to seed by committee.  Teams vote by hand raise format with Indiana, Salem International, Gannon, Michigan, Maryland and Hartwick agreeing to seed by committee (6 votes), with Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Bucknell and George Washington (5 votes) dissenting.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states the areas of consensus among the teams:

  • All teams attend the Eastern Championship
  • There was a 6-5 vote in favor of seeding by committee
  • The teams are interested in dividing into division based on philosophical differences regarding “restricted” and “unrestricted” competitive formats.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) recesses the meeting at 12:30 p.m. for lunch break by mutual consent of attending parties.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) reconvenes the meeting at 12:45 p.m. following lunch break.

Sara Headley (Assistant Director of Athletics, Mercyhurst College) states it is Mercyhurst’s request to use Option C.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) states that breaking up the conference weakens the sport and the conference and the member institutions standing.

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) notes that Princeton is open to Option C, as long as the two division champions are seeded No. 1 and 2 in the Eastern Championship bracket.

Ryan Bowles (Assistant Athletic Director, University of Maryland) notes that a team can manipulate the system if Maryland (for example) goes with the Princeton et al. and has an easier path to the No. 1 or 2 seed in the Eastern Championship field.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) states Michigan is open to giving the “restricted division” champion (i.e., Princeton, Harvard, Brown, Bucknell, George Washington, etc.) a guaranteed Top Four seed at the Eastern Championship.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states that the “crux of the issue is if the teams that want restrictions can get the right conditions in order to get the best experience for their student-athletes?”

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) states the important issue is that the “restricted division” champion must get a high seed at the Eastern Championship.

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) states Princeton is not prepared to make a decision regarding a division.

Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University – via conference call) states George Wahsington is not prepared to make a decision regarding a division.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) states Hartwick is open to a conversation regarding the Eastern Championship seeding, with the two division champions earning No. 1 and 2 seeds, for the good of the conference.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) proposes that the two division champions (restricted, unrestricted) receive the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the Eastern tournament, with the remaining teams seeded by committee.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) states this is an unacceptable compromise.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) remarks the “Five” (Princeton, Brown, Bucknell, Harvard, George Washington) should have discussed this idea prior to arriving at the meeting, but this proposal is not a deal-breaker from Michigan’s perspective.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) abstains from voicing an opinion.

Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College) abstains from voicing an opinion.

Don Sherman (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Gannon University) abstains from voicing an opinion.

Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) prefers seeding the championship from No. 1-13 based on regular season performance, but has no issues with honoring the division champions with No. 1 or 2 seeds.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) concurs to favoring a 1-13 seeding format.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) agrees with Michigan that a 1-13 format would be the best alternative for the championship seeding.

Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College) states Mercyhurst is interested in a compromise that will benefit the league.

Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College), Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University) and Don Sherman (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Gannon University) ask to have until Wednesday via a conference call to make their decision as to which division they would like to join.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) states it is Michigan’s intent to have a decision on this issue today.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) wants the divisions worked out so that a league schedule can be produced in the next week.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) notes the league by-laws allow Salem International to vote as a dues-paying member on all decisions.  He continues that a motion is needed to outline how the divisions are formatted, the seeding principles for the Eastern Championship and the conditions by which the divisions will operate during the regular season.

To allow Salem International, Gannon and Mercyhurst time to discuss their division alignment, Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) recesses the meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) reconvenes the meeting at 1:22 p.m.

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) makes the following motion at 1:24 p.m.

“The creation of a two division format with one division meeting only the restrictions set forth under NCAA rules (herein noted as “unrestricted”), with the other division (herein noted as “restricted”) abiding based on restrictions more limiting than the requirements set forth by the NCAA rules including:

  • A regular season competitive start date of February 1
  • An initial practice start date of January 15
  • An overall contest limit of 20 dates (including the non-traditional season)
  • During the non-traditional season, teams are banned from any overnight travel
  • During the non-traditional season, teams are limited to a maximum of 15 practices during which any and/or all coaches are present on the pool deck.  (Clarification of his restriction includes all conditioning practices (i.e., swim sessions) or practices that feature water polo fundamentals during which a coach is present). Strength training and conditioning sessions are not counted in the 15 but they are countable hours in the 20-hour rule during that segment and in the 8-hour rule when out of season completely, as normal.

It is the understanding that the division champions from both the “restricted” and “unrestricted” divisions will be seeded as either No. 1 or No. 2 for the Eastern Championship and have first round byes in the championship bracket.  The determination of the No. 1 seed between the two division champions will be done by a seeding committee.  The seeding committee will seed the remaining teams at No. 3-13 (or 3-through the maximum number of Division I/II programs in the league) in a head-to-head comparison of the remaining teams.”

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) seconds the motion (Motion 1-2011).

Voting results:
Hartwick, Brown, Harvard, Bucknell, George Washington, Michigan, Mercyhurst, Princeton, Salem International and Gannon vote in favor of the motion (11 votes); Indiana and Maryland dissent (2 votes).

Motion 1-2011 passes 11-2.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) asks for the teams to elect into which division they wish to join for the 2012 season:

Brown, Bucknell, Harvard, Princeton and George Washington select the restricted division.

Michigan, Maryland and Hartwick select the unrestricted division.

Gannon, Indiana, Salem International and Mercyhurst abstain from a decision at this time.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) recesses the meeting at 1:46 p.m. for Gannon, Indiana, Salem International and Mercyhurst to discuss among themselves and with their administrators which division they wish to join.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) reconvenes the meeting at 1:50 p.m. with Mercyhurst selecting the restricted division, while Indiana, Gannon, Salem International selected the unrestricted division to balance the divisions with six teams in each.

As Notre Dame College is not present at the meeting, Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) will discuss the issue with the institution to determine their division selection.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) asks if the teams’ decision regarding division alignment is binding. Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states the decision is binding and the league will do a two-year schedule model in the coming weeks. 

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) proposes that each team will play each other one time in division league play during the season.  However, a division game does not need to be contested on a campus site and can be played at a neutral site (i.e. another league member) or during the course of a tournament.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) makes a Motion I1-2011 that both division structures are the same.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) seconds the amended Motion 1I-2011.

Motion 1I-2011 passes unanimously.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, Collegiate Water Polo Association) states that he will send out regular season schedule models for a two-year cycle.  A conference call will be held on Thursday, June 23 at Noon (per the request of Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) to determine a schedule model.

2011 Collegiate Water Polo Association Division I/II Women’s Varsity Conference Call
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Noon – 1:08 p.m.

CWPA Staff Attendance: Commissioner Dan Sharadin, Director of Communications Ed Haas

CWPA Board of Director Members Attendance: Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner); Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University); Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan)

Coaches Attendance: Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University); Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan); Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University); Curtis Robinette (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Mercyhurst College); Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland); John McBride (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Bucknell University); Alan Huckins (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Hartwick College); Matt Kittle (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Notre Dame College)

Institution Administrators Attendance: Joan Taylor (Senior Associate Athletic Director, Brown University); Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University); Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University);  Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University); Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University); Ryan Bowles (Assistant Athletic Director, University of Maryland); Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University); Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College); Lauren Packer-Webster (Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Compliance, Mercyhurst College)

Meeting was called to order at noon by CWPA Commissioner Dan Sharadin.

Topic 1: Regular Season Format

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) states Hartwick wants a single round-robin format with no division championship.

Following discussion, representatives from the University of Maryland, Bucknell University, Brown University, Mercyhurst College and University concur on a single-round robin format with a division championship.

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) notes Notre Dame College has elected to go into the unrestricted division, thus putting seven teams in the unrestricted and six in the restricted.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) makes a motion (Motion 1II-2011) that the division structures be “A single round-robin tournament with a division championship.  Games during the regular season can be competed at a neutral site by mutual consent of both institutions.”

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) seconds the Motion (Motion III-2011).

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) makes a motion (Motion 1V-2011) that the Unrestricted teams (Michigan, Indiana, Notre Dame, Maryland, Salem International, Hartwick, and Gannon) use Option 1 for a seven-team format.

Six-Team Championship Options 





Six-Team Option 1


Teams play three to four games with crossover Sunday





Seeds based on won/loss records during the season

Bracket A     Bracket B

1st Seed
2nd Seed

4th Seed
3rd Seed

5th Seed
6th Seed





Saturday, 


Game No.
10:00 1st Seed vs. 5th Seed 1
11:30 2nd Seed vs. 6th Seed 2
3:00 4th Seed vs. 5th Seed 3
4:30 3rd Seed vs. 6th Seed 4
7:00 1st Seed vs. 4th Seed 5
8:30 2nd Seed vs. 3rd Seed 6





Sunday, 


Game No.
9:00 1st in Bracket A vs. 2nd in Bracket B 7
10:30 1st in Bracket B  vs. 2nd in Bracket A 8
Noon 3rd in Bracket A vs. 3rd in Bracket B Fifth Place
1:30 Loser of Game 7 vs. Loser of Game 8 Third Place
3:00 Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 First Place

Six-Team Option 2


Teams play three games and no crossover Sunday





Seeds based on won/loss records during the season

Bracket A    Bracket B

1st Seed
2nd Seed

4th Seed
3rd Seed

5th Seed
6th Seed





Saturday, 


Game No.
10:00 1st Seed vs. 5th Seed 1
11:30 2nd Seed vs. 6th Seed 2
3:00 4th Seed vs. 5th Seed 3
4:30 3rd Seed vs. 6th Seed 4
7:00 1st Seed vs. 4th Seed 5
8:30 2nd Seed vs. 3rd Seed 6





Sunday, 


Game No.
9:00 3rd in Bracket A vs. 3rd in Bracket B Fifth Place
10:30 2nd in Bracket B vs. 2nd in Bracket A Third Place
Noon 1st in Bracket A vs. 1st in Bracket B  First Place

 

Seven-Team Championship Options











Seven-Team Option 1













1st Seed receives a bye













Saturday, 


Game No.


9:30 4th Seed
 vs. 5th Seed 1


11:00 2nd Seed
 vs. 7th Seed 2


12:30 3rd Seed
 vs. 6th Seed 3


3:00 Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 4 5th 7th
4:30 1st Seed
 vs. Winner Game 1 5 1st 4th
6:00 Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3 6 2nd 3rd
7:30 Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 3 7 7th 6th










  




Sunday, 
 
Game No.


9:00 Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3 8 5th 6th
10:30 Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 5 Third Place 3rd 4th
Noon Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 First Place 1st 2nd




 


The won/loss records from games 4, 7, and 8 determine places fifth through seventh. 




 


Seven-Team Option 2














Bracket A
Bracket B




1st Seed
2nd Seed




4th Seed
3rd Seed




5th Seed
6th Seed






7th Seed











Saturday, 


Game No.


10:00 1st Seed
 vs. 5th Seed
 1


11:30 2nd Seed
 vs. 7th Seed
 2


1:00 3rd Seed
 vs. 6th Seed
 3


2:30 4th Seed
 vs. 5th Seed
 4


5:00 Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 2 5 6th 7th
6:30 1st Seed
 vs. 4th Seed
 6 1st 4th
8:00 Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3 7 2nd 3rd










  




Sunday, 
 
Game No.


9:00 3rd in Bracket A vs. Loser Game 2 8 5th 7th
10:30 Loser Game 7 vs. 2nd in Bracket A Third Place 3rd 4th
12:00 1st in A vs. Winner Game 7 First Place 1st 2nd
1:30 3rd in A vs. Loser Game 3 11 5th 6th








The won/loss records from games 5, 8, and 11 determine places fifth through seventh. 


Matt Kittle (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Notre Dame College) seconds the motion.

Unrestricted teams (Michigan, Indiana, Notre Dame, Maryland, Salem International, Hartwick, - Gannon was not on the call) voted unanimously for Motion IV-2011 (Option 1 in a seven team format).

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) asks how the Unrestricted teams vote on a six –team format.

Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University) notes that since the league membership passed Motion 1I-2011 on Monday that mandates both divisions follow the same format (whether it be six or seven teams), the Unrestricted and Restricted (Princeton, Harvard, Brown, Mercyhurst, Bucknell, George Washington), must vote as well on the seven team format.

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) and the league institutions present concur, although votes on Motion IV-2011 remain valid until otherwise noted.

Entirety of league membership present vote on Option 2 for six-team format (no Motion present) with unanimous passage.

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) asks Restricted teams to vote on Motion IV-2011 (Option 1 for seven team format).  Restricted teams pass Motion IV-2011 unanimously.

Topic I1: Division Names

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) asks about names for the two divisions (noted as Restricted & Unrestricted).  Membership by voice consent allows league office to rename divisions.  Unrestricted teams request “Western Division”, while Restricted teams do not voice a preference (accept "Southern Division" moniker).

Topic 1II: 13-Team Eastern Championship Format

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) asks the league membership for guidance on the 13-team Eastern Championship format,

Discussion leads to a consensus that the No. 13 team play the No. 12 team leading to a 12-team format.  However, the format should be set-out that the No. 13 team can play through the format leading to results for all places.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) proposes Motion V-2011 which would set the date of the division championships two weeks prior to the Eastern Championship to minimize consecutive missed class time.  This would put the division championships on the weekend of April 13-15 in 2012.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) seconds Motion V-2011.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) states Indiana is opposed to this because it compromises the institutions ability to put together a schedule.  According to King, this motion will force the teams to complete their regular season schedules prior to the end of March, and would cause teams difficulty in finding games during the two-week span between the division championship and Easterns.

John McBride (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Bucknell University) states that the site for the Eastern Championship may affect the date selected for the division championship and should be voted upon first.

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) withdraws her motion with assent by Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland).

John McBride (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Bucknell University) proposes Motion VI-2011 that the Eastern Championship site rotate by division year-by-year.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) seconds Motion VI-2011.

Discussion occurs on the ability of teams that do not have viable on-campus pools to host the Eastern Championship to have an opportunity to find adequate off campus facilities.

Matt Kittle (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Notre Dame College) concurs to the point regarding non-viable hosts having a chance to find adequate off campus facilities to host the Eastern Championship.

Following discussion of potential host sites, John McBride (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, Bucknell University) amends his motion to rotate the host site for the Eastern Championship during a two-year basis (2012, 2013) with the Restricted Division hosting in 2012 and the Unrestricted Division hosting in 2013.  McBride further amends Motion VI-2011 that the University of Michigan serve as the Eastern Championship host site in 2013 and Brown University the host site in 2012 (as previously released to the membership). 

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) reiterates his second of Motion VI-2011.

Motion VI-2011 passes 10-1 (Brown, Harvard, Hartwick, Bucknell, George Washington, Maryland, Princeton, Mercyhurst, Michigan and Notre Dame vote Yes; Indiana votes No; Salem does not vote).

Topic 1V: Regular Season Schedule

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) asks the league membership’s preference in regards to how the regular season schedule is compiled.  The teams can either schedule the contests themselves, which caused issues during the 2011 season, or allow the league commissioner to compile the schedule. He requests that if teams create their own schedule a definitive date must be established for completion. In addition, institutions should recognize that the schedule they create on their own may be more costly than the one created by the league office.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) states it is the desire of Maryland that the league compile the schedule for the Unrestricted Division teams.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) and Alan Huckins (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Hartwick College) state it is in the desire of Michigan and Hartwick that the Unrestricted Division teams be allowed to compile their own league schedules.

Joan Taylor (Senior Associate Athletic Director, Brown University) and Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University) state it is the desire of Brown and Harvard that the league compile the schedule for the Restricted Division teams.

Matt Anderson (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Michigan) makes a Motion (Motion VII-2011) to allow the Unrestricted Teams to make their own league schedule which must be submitted by August 1st.

Barry King (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, Indiana University) seconds Motion VII-2011.

Motion VII-2011 passes 6-1 (Hartwick, Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Salem International vote Yes; Maryland votes No).

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) asks what will happen if the institutions do not comply with the deadline. Teams unanimously agree to allow the conference office to complete the schedule for any institutions failing to meet the deadline and the schools must live with the outcome.

Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University) proposes that the Restricted Division league schedule be compiled by the CWPA league office (Motion VIII-2011).

Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University) seconds Motion VIII-2011.

Motion VIII-2011 passes unanimously (Brown, Harvard, George Washington, Princeton, Mercyhurst, Bucknell vote Yes).

Topic 1V: Division Championship-Eastern Championship

Dr. Kim Fierke (Athletic Director, Hartwick College) reintroduces the formally withdrawn Motion V-2011 which would set the date of the division championships two weeks prior to the Eastern Championship to minimize consecutive missed class time.  This would put the division championships on the weekend of April 13-15 in 2012.

Carl Salyer (Head Women’s Water Polo Coach, University of Maryland) seconds Motion V-2011.

Discussion occurs to outline where the division championships would be held.  Due to Brown and Michigan hosting the Eastern Championship in 2012 and 2013, the following sites are enacted:

  • Unrestricted Division Championship Sites (2012 – Indiana; 2013 – Maryland)
  • Restricted Division Championship Sites (2012 – Bucknell; 2013 - Harvard)

Motion V-2011 passes 9-3 (Brown, Harvard, Hartwick, Bucknell, George Washington, Maryland, Princeton, Salem vote Yes; Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame vote No).

Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner) thanks the administrators and coaches for their time and efforts.

Meeting adjoined at 1:08 p.m.

2011 Collegiate Water Polo Association Division III Women’s Varsity Conference Call
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

CWPA Staff Attendance: Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner), Ed Haas (CWPA Director of Communications)

Coaches/Athletic Directors Attendance: Brian Streeter (NCAA Rules Editor, Athletic Director, Penn State-Behrend), Joe Tristan (Coach, Penn State-Behrend), Vanessa Seljeskog (Associate AD, Macalester College), Jennie Charlesworth (Coach, Macalester College), Andy Bax (Incoming coach, Carthage College), Sarah Zink (Outgoing coach, Carthage College), Robert Bonn (Athletic Director, Carthage College), Jon Lederhouse (Coach, Grove City College), Fran Shields (Athletic Director, Connecticut College), Greg Jones (Coach, Washington & Jefferson Collge)

Dan Sharadin welcomed the teams and began conversation regarding two points:

1)      Referee Education

2)      League website – the site has experienced an increase in hits compared to 2010

Topic I: Division III National Championship

Dan Sharadin remarks the teams must decide if they want the CWPA league administration to be involved in the championship.

Joe Tristan (Coach, PSU-Behrend) noted that this year’s failure to have a championship was not a “blip”.  Only five teams elected to participate when the championship was last held in 2010.

Tristan asked how do the East teams convince the West teams to leave California and come East for the championship.  Tristan noted that the East Coast teams (CWPA Division III) will travel West although there is a significant financial cost, but the West Coast teams will not reciprocate.

Jon Lederhouse (Coach, Grove City) noted that the West Coast teams are not interested in coming East and most are not interested in the championship at all.  Only Larry Zubrin at Occidental and perhaps one or two other coaches are interested in holding the championship.  Larry Zubrin has been active in attempting to come up with a solution to hold the championship, but nothing has come of it as of today.

Tristan noted that per his conversations with West Coast coaches, the West Coast team athletes are only interested in making NCAAs. Per Tristan, “Half the time more than half the team does not want to go to a Division III championship.”

Sarah Zink (Outgoing coach, Carthage College) noted that the CWPA administration should be involved because they have more weight than the individual coaches or the coaches as a group.

Lederhouse noted that there should be involvement from both the SCIAC and the CWPA  athletic directors as well since they have final say over the financial impact of a Division III Championship.

Dan Sharadin would like to set up a conference call with the West Coast schools (maybe 5-6 D3 athletic directors) in the fall to get more information on a championship and gauge their interest.

Tristan states that we must be sure to involve the SCIAC office in this conversation as well.

Brian Streeter (NCAA Rules Editor, Athletic Director, PSU-Behrend) states the membership should put in a bid to create a new independent conference from the current CWPA structure and ask for an automatic bid when the NCAA Championship potentially expands to 12-teams in another couple of years.  The Management Committee may reject the proposal for a bid now, but in a few years the plan in that the championship could expand.

Topic II: Division III Conference Structure

Dan Sharadin addressed the current structure of the CWPA Division III teams

Tristan asked how the new structure, and a potential automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, will work.

Sharadin stated that the current costs will stay the same with the exception of $500 fee from the NCAA for membership having to be split up among the teams.

Benefits include the Division III teams being autonomous to make decisions for themselves (separate from the rest of the CWPA institutions)

The administrative scale of the conference (club, Division I/II varsity, Division III) would keep costs down.

Tristan states it is a good idea to separate and form a new Division III conference, although it may take 2 years to get an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

Streeter notes that the NCAA Committee figures to expand the field for the NCAA Championship from 8-12 based on some conferences moving around and the potential of the Ivy League institutions making their own conference.

Greg Jones (Coach, Washington & Jefferson College) asks what the additional cost will be to create a new conference?

Sharadin states it is only the additional $500 split 9 ways among the active Division III teams.

Sharadin notes the costs could increase depending on what the teams want to do.  If they want to create a new website, it would cost between $5000-$8000 (most league members have PrestoSports or ICS sites and currently pay this expense for their own sites).

Sharadin adds that the CWPA could split its current site to a splash page with Division I/II, Division III and Collegiate Club much like the current format with Varsity and Club at no/potentially minimal cost to the membership.

Tristan makes a motion to create a new Division III identity and conference among the active teams in the CWPA Division III group.

  • Lederhouse states that maybe the membership should wait until they find out a definitive answer from the NCAA if the NCAA Championship will expand to 12 teams.
  • Lederhouse seconds the motion.
  • Streeter notes that a unique Division III championship has come up at NCAA meetings.   They would come up with the money for it by the teams that lose in the Division I bracket leaving after they lose one game (elimination) rather than playing out to 3, 5, and 7th places.  Idea was floated to invite some D2 and D3 teams and let them play on Friday for a separate championship.
  • Sharadin asks for a vote on the proposal, but the teams ask for more time to discuss on their respective campuses.
  • Tristan withdraws his motion for a vote and requests that the vote by done via a mail/email ballot.
  • Teams unanimously agree to email/mail ballot option and agree to discuss with their respective athletic directors/administrators in the next several days.

Topic III: Division III Conference Schedule (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)

Sharadin asks the membership to clarify their intentions for the 2012-15 schedules.

Connecticut College can not compete before 2nd Saturday in March by school policy.

All the teams agree to wait until this weekend before the first date of league competition.

All the teams agree to go Saturday-Sunday on the first weekend, with teams that can not play on Sunday going Friday-Saturday.  The host school for this weekend must have its pool available the entire weekend.

The league office must know the teams intentions for the 2013-15 schedules due to Easter

2013 – Easter is 4th weekend in March, so teams have an option to play 2 weekends in March and 2 in April, or  1 in March and 3 in April. Teams agree to play 2 in March and April with 3/16, 3/23 and 4/6 regular season dates, and championship on 4/20 weekend.

2014 – Easter is April 20, so teams agree to play on 3/15, 3/29 and 4/12 weekends for regular season with championship on 4/26 weekend.

2015 – Easter is 1st weekend of April, so teams agree to play on 3/14, 3/28 and 4/11 weekends for regular season with championship on 4/18 weekend.

  • Tristan makes a motion that the 2013-15 schedules are established based upon the dates agreed upon by the teams during the conference call.
  • Fran Shields (Athletic Director, Connecticut) seconds the motion
  • Motion passes unanimously

Meeting adjourns at 2:00 p.m.

2011 Collegiate Water Polo Association Annual Meeting Conference Call
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Noon – 3:30 p.m.

Men’s Meeting (Varsity)

CWPA Staff Attendance: Commissioner Dan Sharadin, Director of Communications Ed Haas

CWPA Board of Director Members Attendance: John Benedick (Associate AD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner); Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University); 

Coaches Attendance: Scott Reed (George Washington University); Luis Nicolao (Princeton University); Curtis Robinette (Mercyhurst College); Don Sherman (Gannon University); Rob Bullion (Salem International University); Greg Jones (Washington & Jefferson College); Joe Tristan (Penn State Behrend College); Matt Kittle (Notre Dame College); Felix Mercado (Brown University); John McBride (Bucknell University); Mike Schofield (U.S. Naval Academy); Ted Bresnahan (Johns Hopkins University); Brian Kelly (Iona College)

Institution Administrators Attendance: Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University – via conference call); Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University – via conference call);  Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University); Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University); Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University); Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director, Gannon University); 

Meeting was called to order at Noon by CWPA Commissioner Dan Sharadin.

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA)  welcomed the administrators and coaches present via conference call to the meeting. 

Topics followed a predetermined order:

  • Increased CWPA Eastern Championship Field Size - There was no interest from the coaches and administrators to increase the field size of the CWPA Eastern Championship or to include all teams as is currently done at the Women’s CWPA Eastern Championship.
  • Ivy League Championship Date
    • Felix Mercado (Head Coach, Brown University) stated the current weekend date works best for the varsity teams.
    • There was no dissent from the other Ivy institutions (Harvard, Princeton)
  • Division II/Division III Championships
    • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) asked if the teams wished to combine the events into one championship for 2011.
      • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) offers PSU-Behrend to host if a combined championship is desired by the membership.
    • Sharadin notes that by hosting at one site, it will give each team an extra game.
    • Keith Bullion (AD, Salem International University) proposes Salem host the Division II Eastern Championship and PSU-Behrend host the Division III Eastern Championship with the DII and III teams going to a common site on Sunday.
      • Matt Kitttle (Head Coach, Notre Dame College) states Notre Dame is OK with this for the 2011 championship, but in the future the Division II/III Championships should be at a common site.
    • Ted Bresnahan (Head Coach, Johns Hopkins University) makes a motion that the Division II and Division III Eastern Championships be set-up, with Sunday serving for a cross-over games between the divisions.
  • Division II/III National Championships
    • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) states that any Division II or III National Championships will have to be self-funded.
    • John Benedick (President, CWPA/Associate AD, MIT) notes it is worth the effort to float a balloon for a possible DII or DIII National Championship.
    • Mike Mattia (Associate AD, Johns Hopkins University) agrees it is worth the effort.
    • Greg Jones (Head Coach, Washington & Jefferson College) notes that if the West Coast teams do not participate, it is not worth putting a championship together.
    • Connecticut College, Salem International, Gannon University, Penn State Behrend, Johns Hopkins University and MIT express their interest in doing it.
    • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) adds that the West Coast teams have to be involved in the championship too, or it is not with contesting the championship.
  • Division III Eastern Championship
    • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) makes a motion that if a team does not attend the Division III Eastern Championship, they cannot host if they are next in the rotation to host.
      • Ted Bresnahan (Head Coach, Johns Hopkins University) seconds the motion
    • John Benedick (President, CWPA/Associate AD, MIT) notes the teams must be cautious in sanctioning teams that do not attend for academic or cost reasons.
    • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) states that if a team cannot attend for academic reasons, then the league and the teams need to rethink when/if we have the championship. 
    • Motion passes 4-1 (Yes - Johns Hopkins, Connecticut College, W&J, PSU-Behrend; No – MIT)
  • Scott Reed (Head Coach, George Washington University) and Marv Christopher (AD, California Maritime Academy) are re-elected to the CWPA Board of Directors.

General Meeting (Varsity)

CWPA Staff Attendance: Commissioner Dan Sharadin, Director of Communications Ed Haas

CWPA Board of Director Members Attendance: John Benedick (Associate AD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner); Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University); 

Coaches Attendance: Scott Reed (George Washington University); Luis Nicolao (Princeton University); Curtis Robinette (Mercyhurst College); Don Sherman (Gannon University); Rob Bullion (Salem International University); Greg Jones (Washington & Jefferson College); Joe Tristan (Penn State Behrend College); Matt Kittle (Notre Dame College); Felix Mercado (Brown University); John McBride (Bucknell University); Mike Schofield (U.S. Naval Academy); Ted Bresnahan (Johns Hopkins University); Brian Kelly (Iona College); Barry King (Indiana University); Matt Anderson (University of Michigan); Jennie Charlesworth (Macalester College)

Institution Administrators Attendance: Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University – via conference call); Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University – via conference call);  Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University); Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University); Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University); Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director, Gannon University); 

Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) welcomed the administrators and coaches present via conference call to the meeting. 

Topics include:

  • Hall of Fame Selection
    • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) asks the membership to allow the league to move Hall of Fame selections to put them in line with the venue hosting the championship (aka – if an Indiana player is in the rotation for induction, and Indiana is hosting, put the Indiana player in while Indiana is hosting).
    • Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) proposes putting in a maximum of a veteran and a player that is currently on the HOF ballot (allowing for up to 2 people to be inducted per season in the Fall and Spring).
      • Anderson amends his motion that the committee will select the 2 inductees
    • Alan Huckins (Head Coach, Hartwick College) asks if it is possible that a local individual (someone who lives in the area) could be inducted during this period to cut down on travel costs.
      • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) states it was not his intention to change the HOF selections to accommodate the locale of the inductees.
    • Motion to increase the HOF inductees to a maximum of 2 per season passes unanimously.
    • Barry King (Head Coach, Indiana University) makes a motion that the HOF committee advances 4 people and the commissioner has the power to advance those individuals for induction based on the location of the championship.
      • Bill Harris (Head Coach, Fordham University) asks the membership to be aware that some of the potential inductees are older and could pass before induction. 
      • Motion passes unanimously
  • Administrators Involvement in Policy Decisions
    • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) makes a motion that an administrator be responsible for voting from each institution.
      • Kim (AD, Hartwick College) asks that an administrator be able to designate their power to a head coach to vote if the administrator is unable to attend the vote.  However, the administrator has to submit in writing (electronic or via letter) his/her intent to give over voting rights to their head coach prior to a league meeting.
      • Bucknell University and Princeton University athletic directors and coaches agree to this caveat.
      • Barry King (Head Coach, Indiana University) opposes the motion
      • Felix Mercado (Head Coach, Brown University) seconds the motion
      • Motion and Hartwick amendment pass 18-1
    • Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) states the policy will not change anything, except an AD now has to submit their intent to designate power to a coach.
    • Keith Bullion (AD, Salem International University) asks that a member institution does not have to “actively compete in the season prior to the vote” to be eligible to vote on league policy.
      • Motion passes unanimously
  • Proposal II – Card Double-Jeopardy
    • Teams are asked about the league policy that a player/coach receiving a red card during league competition serve it during a league game and a non-conference game.  If a league game is the next contest, then a player need only sit out one game.  However, if the next game is non-conference, the player has to serve the card twice.
    • Maisha Palmer (Associate AD, Bucknell University) makes a motion to remove the league mandated service time and make it that only the next game (either conference or non-conference) needs to be served.
    • Motion seconded by Princeton University
    • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) reminds the membership that the rule was put in for a reason to punish bad behavior in league competition.
    • Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) asks how many coaches have had to serve a card twice?
      • Barry King (Head Coach, Indiana University) states not many, but that may be because coaches are afraid to have to serve a card twice due to the current policy.
      • Don Sherman (Associate AD/Head Coach, Gannon University) says changing the policy is not a final determination.  If the rule does not work, the membership can vote back in the past policy.
      • John McBride (Head Coach, Bucknell University) says the red card reduction among coaches is not due to the policy, but rather because the coaches are being more civil.
    • Motion passes 16-3 (Yes – Hartwick College, Gannon University, Washington & Jefferson College, MIT, Mercyhurst College, Salem International University, George Washington University, Harvard Universitty, Connecticut College, Bucknell University, University of Maryland, Brown University, Fordham University, Iona College, Princeton University, Navy; No – University of Michigan, Indiana University, PSU-Behrend)
  • Proposal III - Eliminate Ban on Easter/Holiday Play Dates
    • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) makes a motion that teams submit a list of dates that they cannot play one year in advance from the upcoming championship season.  This will allow teams that cannot play on Easter weekend or other holidays the opportunity to avoid league competition on those weekends.
      • Currently, there is no league play on major Christian and/or Jewish holiday weekends.
    • Motion passes unanimously
  • Proposal IV - Financial Responsibilities of Host Institution at Eastern Championship
    • Greg Paczkowski (Princeton University) notes that there is an added host to hosting the Eastern Championship.
      • Princeton University had to purchase additional $1,000 insurance policy for clinic and All-Star Game.
      • It costs more for Princeton to host than travel to another site.
    • Alan Huckins (Head Coach, Hartwick College) asks how much is costs to host the championship?
    • Maisha Palmer (Associate AD, Bucknell University) states that the 2010 Men’s Eastern Championship was one of the more expensive ventures Bucknell has hosted on campus, as the school incurred several thousand dollars in expenses.
    • Alan Huckins (Head Coach, Hartwick College) notes it coast $15,000 for Hartwick to travel to Indiana last year for 2011 Women’s Eastern Championship.
    • Luis Nicolao (Head Coach, Princeton University) inquires where the revenue from the clinic goes?
      • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) states it goes back to the league to defray costs. 
      • Sharadin notes that if the revenue from the gate, clinic, etc. is split between the league and the host school, all of the member institutions will pay for the championship, including those that are not in attendance/did not qualify.
    • Luis Nicolao (Head Coach, Princeton University) notes that it cost $10,000 to host Easterns the last time Princeton was in the rotation, plus the school incurred another $5,000 loss because it could not rent the facility because of the championship.
      • Princeton notes their costs included: Maintenance/janitor overtime, lifeguards, security personnel, an athletic trainer, hospitality, and insurance for the clinic & All-Star Game.
    • Alan Huckins (Head Coach, Hartwick College) asks why there is an expense for an athletic trainer who needs to be there anyway?
    • Maisha Palmer (Associate AD, Bucknell University) notes that when Indiana or Michigan host there may not be a share with the host institution (due to the cost of traveling the league staff to the event), but when Harvard, Brown or Princeton host they should receive a share of all profits.
    • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) wants guidelines as to how much to approve for a site to host.
      • Greg Paczkowski (Princeton University) wants the league membership to OK any and all expenses for the championship.
      • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) replies that the league membership has made it clear they do not want to micromanage the championship.
      • Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) states that each host should submit their budget 2 years in advance for the championship.  He notes that when UCLA hosted the MPSF Championship, each school received a bill for $5,000 after the event, something the CWPA Championship has not done to its membership.
        • Anderson notes that anytime Michigan, Indiana, Notre Dame, Gannon, Mercyhurst or PSU-Behrend need to travel it will cost them more than the other schools due to location, distance and the need to fly.
        • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) notes that gates for the championships vary wildly depending on site.
          • Joe Tristan (Head Coach, PSU-Behrend) asks that if a cost-sharing plan is put in place, will the league membership dues/costs go up?  Sharadin replies yes, the dues and costs will escalate.
        • Princeton clarifies that their reported Eastern Championship expenses do not include sports information, etc. which is handled by the CWPA office.
        • Ryan Bowles (Assistant AD, University of Maryland) states that Maryland would rather take the costs of hosting every 4/8 years then incur an added cost at the end of the year which the school can not budget for with any degree of certainty.
        • Lauren Packer-Webster (Assistant AD, Mercyhurst College) asks what motivation a host school has to keep costs down if the bill is split among the entire membership?
        • Mike Schofield (Head Coach, Navy) makes a suggestion to let the host school keep the gate, but the host is then responsible for selling the tickets and all costs involved in such an enterprise.
        • Kim (AD, Hartwick College) proposes putting together a committee to study the best way to finance the Eastern Championship.
        • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) notes that nothing decided during the call impacts the sites or costs for the 2011-12 Men’s and Women’s Eastern Championship sites.
        • Bill Harris (Head Coach, Fordham University) reminds the membership that we need to examine the current economic conditions before we radically chance league policy.
        • Greg Paczkowski (Princeton University) asks for an amendment to the original proposal that anything outside the mandatory event costs (aka, hospitality, lifeguards, etc.) – or anything outside the direct varsity competition – the host school is reimbursed.
          • Felix Mercado (Head Coach, Brown University) asks about the costs of host students to attend the championship.
          • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) explains that some schools have their students pay themselves, while others run a list and then pay the league after the fact.
          • Felix Mercado (Head Coach, Brown University) thanks the league for the explanation and seconds the motion.
        • Dan Sharadin (Commissioner, CWPA) and Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) both ask what occurs if there is a deficit between the money brought in and the host expenses?
          • Greg Paczkowski (Princeton University) states that if there are not enough registrations for the clinic to make a profit, cancel the clinic.
          • Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) asks how the league and the host are supposed to derive what the cost-breaking point is for the clinic when they will not know the final expenses until the event is over?
          • Maisha Palmer (Associate AD, Bucknell University) states that the entire league membership should be billed for any deficit that occurs at a championship.
          • Ryan Bowles (Assistant AD, University of Maryland) notes that no matter what occurs, eventually the league membership will have to write a big check to cover the host school’s expenses.
          • Barry King (Head Coach, Indiana University) asks if the costs of hosting will impact who gets to host.  If Princeton is too expensive, can they be removed from the championship hosting rotation?
          • Greg Paczkowski (Princeton University) clarifies that any costs for the extracurricular activities (clinic, All-Star game, hospitality, etc.) that does not impact the games themselves not covered by the clinic will be billed to the teams.
          • Motion passes 10-8 (Yes – Washington & Jefferson, Salem International, Chatham University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Notre Dame College, Brown University, Fordham University, Iona College, Bucknell University; No – Gannon University, University of Michigan, Mercyhurst College, Indiana University, University of Maryland, Hartwick College, US Naval Academy, Penn State-Behrend).  (Johns Hopkins University, Grove City College, George Washington University, St. Francis College, Wheaton College, Macalester College, Utica College, Carthage College are either not on the call or elect not to vote).
          • Barry King (Head Coach, Indiana University) asks for a mail ballot on this issue to allow all the teams not present to vote.  Also, it will the teams time to review the financial impact of this policy.
            • Coaches and Athletic Directors unanimously agree to a mail ballot
            • Ryan Bowles (Assistant AD, University of Maryland) asks for another conference call to discuss the potential financial impact of this policy.  Teams all agree to another conference call to discuss this issue in more detail.

Women’s Meeting (Varsity)

CWPA Staff Attendance: Commissioner Dan Sharadin, Director of Communications Ed Haas

CWPA Board of Director Members Attendance: John Benedick (Associate AD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); Dan Sharadin (CWPA Commissioner); Scott Reed (Head Men’s & Women’s Water Polo Coach, George Washington University); 

Coaches Attendance: Scott Reed (George Washington University); Luis Nicolao (Princeton University); Curtis Robinette (Mercyhurst College); Don Sherman (Gannon University); Rob Bullion (Salem International University); Greg Jones (Washington & Jefferson College); Joe Tristan (Penn State Behrend College); Matt Kittle (Notre Dame College); Felix Mercado (Brown University); John McBride (Bucknell University); Barry King (Indiana University); Matt Anderson (University of Michigan); Jennie Charlesworth (Macalester College)

Institution Administrators Attendance: Chris Hennelly (Assistant Athletic Director, George Washington University – via conference call); Gary Brown (Assistant Athletic Director, Harvard University – via conference call);  Erin McDermott, (Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Princeton University); Keith Bullion (Athletic Director, Salem International University); Maisha Palmer (Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Bucknell University); Don Sherman (Associate Athletic Director, Gannon University); 

  • Proposal I – Eastern Championship Seeding Committee
    • Alan Huckins (Head Coach, Hartwick College) proposes the following breakdown of coaches (2 from restricted schools, 2 from unrestricted schools, 1 neutral coach from a D3 program or a men’s coach).
      • John McBride (Head Coach, Bucknell University) seconds the motion and it passes unanimously.
    • Scott Reed (Head Coach, George Washington University) removes his name from consideration for the committee.
      • Matt Anderson (Head Coach, University of Michigan) and Alan Huckins (Head Coach, Hartwick College) are asked to remain from among the unrestricted programs.
      • Felix Mercado (Head Coach, Brown University) and Luis Nicolao (Head Coach, Princeton University) are selected from the restricted programs.
      • JJ Addison (Head Coach, Connecticut College) is selected as the neutral member of the committee.
    • To clarify which games will count for seeding, all games (divisional, conference, non-conference) will count in consideration.
      • RPI index scores have not been considered in the past, but there could be conversation regarding the use of the scores in the future if the membership deems it appropriate.
    • By acclimation of the league membership, it is agreed to remove the restriction of 18 players on the bench for women’s Eastern Championship competition (like the men) and allow an unlimited bench.
  • Proposal II – Division III
    • The Collegiate Water Polo Association is soliciting input from the Division III membership in regards to creating their own league under the CWPA umbrella.
    • The Restricted programs may wish to do the same in the future, thus putting 3 leagues under the CWPA umbrella with a common commissioner (this type of set-up has been approved by the NCAA) with each league having its own governance rules.




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