RECENT TRAVEL TRYOUTS

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JUST THOUGHT I WOULD OFFER SEVERAL COMMENTS ON THE RECENTL FINISHED TRAVEL TRYOUTS. FIRST OF ALL, THE VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF WHO RAN THIS SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR AN EXCELLENT JOB - IT WAS VERY SMOOTHLY RUN. SECONDLY, MY SON WAS THRILLED TO BE PART OF THIS EXPERIENCE, IT WAS HIS FIRST. FINALLY, I AM CURIOUS HOW 5 OR 6 NEW SKATERS, ARRIVING FOR ONLY THE LAST SESSION, WERE PLACED ON DEFINITE ROSTERS WHILE PLAYERS COMPETING AT ALL SESSIONS WERE PUT ON A "WAITING LIST". ANY EXPLANATIONS?

-- Anonymous, May 14, 1998

Answers

We had a big fiasco last night at our board meeting and this subject was discussed. I worked the Squirt tryouts and we didn't have this problem. At Peewee they did, Don Helms had a goaltender show up the last night who rated well enough to be on the top team. We all know it's easier for a kid to get psyched up and play over his head for one tryout than to sustain that for 3 or 4. Don did the right thing, as I would have, and asked permission to have a supplemental tryout to look at the goalies again (they were very close), and look at this kid a second time. We also agreed that in the future, there will be a two session rule where you have to be at two to be considered. You didn't mention what level your kid is at, probably our worst handled, which was Bantam (or midget). The guys running that really blew it, the whole deal of the "waiting list" instead of a third team was a BAD idea and we agreed to that at the meeting. We're going to fix it. Our problem is that we don't have enough good folks on the board to keep things honest and organized. Tryouts were just done at each level differently, with no coordination. We need more good people to get involved. Remember, these are all volunteers who spent a TON of time on this. My apologies if you were one who was affected by the bad decisions, you should be contacted soon by someone. Many folks came to the board meeting to voice their opinion, you should feel free to do so also, the complaints get attention!

Bill Hines

-- Anonymous, May 15, 1998


Rick, This is a very good idea and we have discussed it before. I think the kids should know what they have to work on. In fact, I had a parent call me, who I think we just upset and wanted someone to vent on, but we ended up having a good conversation with her. I reviewed the evaluator's scores and notes on her kid and she ended up agreeing somewhat with the areas that they found to be weaknesses. The big problem is that we just don't have enough help, there are a VERY few people doing all of the work in our organization. We are working on rectifying that problem, as we will completely review our tryout procedure for next year after the screw-ups this year. I like the Turcotte report card too, my kid has gone there for several years. In fact, they have an Elite session scheduled for HersheyPark Arena this summer that will be cancelled soon if we don't get more kids in it, so pass the word! Bill Hines

-- Anonymous, May 25, 1998

JUST A THOUGHT FOR NEXT YEARS TRYOUTS. AS A TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL TOOL, THE "CLUB" MAY TRY PROVIDING THE PARTICIPANTS AN EVALUTION SHEET ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PERFORMANCE. THIS WOULD IDENTIFY AREAS FOR NEEDED IMPROVEMENT, AS WELL AS, MINIMIZING THE PARENTAL SQUABBLING OVER THE ROSTER ASSIGNMENT. I HAVE SEEN SOME NICE" EVAL" FORMS FROM THE TURCOTTE CAMP THAT COULD BE AMENDED FOR THIS USE. ANY OPINIONS?

-- Anonymous, May 21, 1998

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