USA GYMNASTICS REGION 5
2006 FALL MEETING MINUTES

The fall meeting of the state chairmen was held in conjunction with the State and Regional Chairmen’s Symposium at he O’Hare Hilton, Chicago, Illinois, September 9, 2006.

In attendance were:
Bob Witmer, region 5 director,
Doug Burton, Kentucky state chairman,
Jeff Greene, Indiana state chairman,
Shawn Clement, Michigan state chairman,
Ron Ferris, Illinois state chairman,
Mike Califf, Illinois state chairman, and
Kelly Crumley, Region 5 coaching staff (voice, no vote).

A review of the upcoming Future Stars evaluation and funding was presented. It was requested that Bob prepare a formal proposal for host-region sharing of funds and expenses for the event for the spring meeting.

A donation to the College Sports Council of $500 was approved to help lobby for changes in Title 9 enforcement.

Ron announced their would be elite athlete prize money offered at this season’s Blaine Wilson Meet to further attract top athletes and teams to the event.

The Region 5 camp was very well run and attended, but suggestions were made that the athletes need more down time than was available this year.  Next summer’s camp is expected to be also attended by athletes from Region 7.

Bob reported that at the JOPC meeting the previous evening the board voted to raise the maximum entry fee allowed at state and regional meets to $75 and $100 respectively. The state chairs voted to make the entry fee to the 2007 Regional Championships to $85, a modest $10 increase.

Also at the JOPC meeting, Bo Morris, former JO Program Manager at USA Gymnastics and present coach in Indiana won the Comiskey Award (he had been nominated by region 5).

We will visit the possibility of adding an elite division to this season’s meet to allow an additional qualifying opportunity to the USA Championships qualifier.

The chairmen had several questions about the USAG scholarship fund.

The number of awards and places for both individuals and teams needs to be clarified, and Bob was asked to present this to the Chairs.

Respectfully submitted,
Bob Witmer