-A registration gift of a business card holder/calculator was provided to members at check-in.

8:35am -- meeting called to order by AWHCA President, Jackie Barto (Ohio State)

-Passed around directory for updating, reviewed budget.

* Jackie Barto proposed the AWHCA cover room costs for 5 nights at the annual convention for the President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. This is in an effort to give a perk to people who get involved. The vote was unanimous to accept.

* Katey Stone (Harvard) proposed the AWHCA donate $500.00 to a cancer fund for Christie Serino. Unanimous to do so. Katey will get the information to Jill (secretary/Treasurer) to mail the check.

* Katey Stone brought up discussion that the AWHCA look to having a first and second vice president. There doesn't seem to be a current need as the vice president doesn't have many responsibilities. Also discussion about varying the term lengths, perhaps to coincide with the AHCA's 3 year term (AWHCA president sits on the AHCA board). Changing our term length would make the VP to President transition a six year commitment, and members felt that may discourage people from volunteering to serve in positions with the AHCA.

* Nominations presented for the open VP position. (Current VP, Jeff Kampersal, Princeton, is slidng into the President's position as the current president, Jackie Barto, is through with her term.)

Nominations are: Dennis Miller, Vermont; Carol Mullins, Cornell; Mike Sisti, Mercyhurst; Jeff Vizenor, Mankato; Tom Peart, St. Ben's.

* Jeff Vizenor was selected as new VP.

* Jill Pohtilla (Augsburg) will remain in the secretary/treasurer's role. Per AWHCA By-Law 6.3.a. the secretary/treasurer may extend the term without a vote.

* Volunteers were sought for a position with the AHCA Awards committee. Katey Stone will be the DI representative and Kristen Steele (Connecticut College) will be the DIII representative.

* The following will sit on the AWHCA Association Committee for two years: Shannon Bryant (Hamilton) -- DIII NESCAC; Shannon Miller (UMD) -- DI WCHA; Fred Quistgard (Union) -- DIII ECAC East; Ryan Stone (Brown) -- DI ECAC North; Shantel Gammie (North Dakota) -- DI Independent; Brian Idalski (Steven's Point) -- DIII NCHA.

The following are currently serving on the AWHCA Association Committee and have one year remaining on their term: Tom Peart (St. Ben's) -- DIII MIAC; Dave Clausen (Utica) -- DIII ECAC West; Heather Linstad (Uconn) -- DI ECAC South.

* Proposal to have AWHCA Academic All American Awards. Criteria was discussed. The main concern was being able to track percentage of playing time. Some schools don't have the capability to log minutes played. It was unanimous to have an AWHCA sponsored Academic All American Award.

Criteria: Student-athlete must have

1. Been in attendance at present institution for one year.
2. Have a 3.5 or better GPA over two semesters or three quarters.
3. Dressed for 75% of games.
4. For goalies, dressed 40% of games.
5. Be a member in good standing with their team and school.

The Association Committee is charged with gathering the information and granting awards.

The Secretary will produce and distribute the certificates.

* Discussion regarding a different site location for the AWHCA national meetings. At a different site we may be able to do our own presentations and banquet. Doing our own things would most likely be cost prohibitive. It would also be cost prohibitive for schools to attend both an AWHCA annual meeting and the AHCA Convention if they were at separate sites. Currently, as AHCA members, we have access to all convention presentations, the exhibits, cocktail parties, etc… The AHCA sponsors our Coach of the Year award, our All American Award and the Joe Burke Award. As recently as 5 or 6 years ago, we were first able to apply for membership to the AHCA. We worked hard with the AHCA to be included in the membership and their board was instrumental in our acceptance, as a whole, at the convention. If we broke away, we would look hypocritical, so we need to be careful. The President and Vice President will explore having more women's coaches involved in presenting X's and O's, and perhaps do some of our own during our annual meeting time.

* Joe Burke Award Nomination and Process. More nominations are needed. Membership agreed that if a nominee was not selected, they can remain on the nomination list for the following year. The criteria for the Joe Burke Award is:

The recipient is selected by the AHCA Awards committee, based on a recommendation from the AWHCA Board (President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Association Committee Members.)

* We are encouraged to nominate people for other AHCA awards.

* NCAA Championships Attendance and reception. Coaches are encouraged to support their respective championship with their attendance. It is understood that some may not be able to attend due to other work duties (coach another sport) or travel distance. There was a motion, unanimously accepted, to have the Association Committee explore the feasibility of having an AWHCA sponsored hospitality room for AWHCA member coaches -- COACHES ONLY, no players, parents, etc... Important to have AWHCA identity at the site.

* By Law Changes unanimously approved:

*CURRENTLY STATES:

1. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
2. Privileges:

SUBSCRIPTION - To the AHCA hockey newsletter,

Stops and Starts, to be sent to the coach of the team.

PROPOSED CHANGE: Remove as the Stops and Starts are received with AHCA membership.

*CURRENTLY STATES:

Also, the member institution shall be provided with a copy of a Membership Directory once updated. Target mailing date for directory is January of year of membership.

PROPOSED CHANGE: Two weeks after membership payment is due.

*CURRENTLY STATES:

2. ALLIED MEMBERSHIP
2. Privileges:

Also, the member institution shall be provided with a copy of a Membership Directory once updated. Target mailing date for directory is January of year of membership.

PROPOSED CHANGE: Two weeks after membership payment is due.

*CURRENTLY STATES:

3. APPLICATION OF MEMBERSHIP

PROPOSED CHANGE: January 15

* Coaches were asked to read up on the proposed rule changes prior to the large group discussion at the AHCA meeting. The proposed rule changes were discussed as a body and the conferences that were able to discuss them on their own had a representative share their respective conference's general feelings.

* Body Contact was discussed. The following are opinions that were expressed: Consistency in officiating is important as is having a strong pool of officials. The current definition of body contact in the rule book is fine if it is called as it is written. Leagues should work with officials on a clear definition of body contact vs body checking. As a coaching body, we need to be on the same page with each other before we can expect the officials to be consistent. Some coaches appear to teach a physical style, bordering on checking. Coaches need to be consistent. Some coaches felt the women's game is, "going in the wrong direction" with the physical style of play. Others felt that things are fine as is. Coaches are encouraged to send video clips to Ty Halpin at the NCAA for use in making the rules video.

Ty Halpin

PO Box 6222

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222

* Ethics/NCAA Rules exercise. Laura Halldorson (U of Minnesota), put together a hypothetical recruiting situation. Here are the answers to the legality questions: It is illegal in DI (13.1.3.5.2) and legal in DIII (13.1.3) for an enrolled student-athlete to telephone a prospect. It is illegal in DI (13.4.2.1) to show video clips that are NOT clips of actual athletics contests and activities directly related to the contest. There is no mention or definition of highlight video restrictions for DIII (pg 74). It is illegal in DI (13.13.1.5.1) and illegal in DIII (13.13.1.4) to employ a prospect at a camp even if it is the summer prior to attending the institution. It is illegal in DI (17.2.1(a), and 17.1.1.1) and illegal in DIII (17.2.1.1(a)) to conduct an athletically related activity, meeting, practice or instructional session prior to the start of the playing and practice season. It is legal in DI (13.2.4.4 and 13.8.2.5) to be off campus during a dead period as long as there is no recruiting. There is no dead period in DIII.

* Reminder to fill out the AHCA convention survey.

Meeting adjourned at 11:04am

4:03 -- meeting called to order.

* Joe Bertagna checked in with our group for some general AHCA housekeeping items.

* NCAA Rules and Regulations. Rules Committee members present: Ty Halpin (NCAA), Frank Cole (NCAA), Paul Duffey (Genesao) and Katey Stone (Harvard).

* From Ty Halpin -- Rules committee wants to clean-up the definition of body contact; supervisor of officials has been approved for 2003-2004, working on getting money for 2002-2003 season.

* Body Checking - Straw poll taken: three voted to cleanup language on body checking; majority felt book was OK. Coaches pointed out that: There is ambiguity the way the rule is written; define established position; rule has gray areas; maybe add points of emphasis.

* The NCAA rules reps do communicate with the supervisor of officials for each league.

* Putting together a video is the best way to demonstrate to officials how to call body checking. The NCAA can produce one, but coaches need to send clips. Send them to Ty Halpin at the NCAA:

Ty Halpin

PO Box 6222

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222

* Officials. It is important we support officials and work to develop officials. Coaches need to quit abusive behavior towards officials.

* Injury Survey. Tom Babson (Boston College) took the initiative to put together a survey and evaluate the data. Some coaches dismissed the survey as they felt it was not possible to draw any conclusions due to the lack of response from the coaches and the type of information collected. Ryan Stone (Brown) volunteered to put together a study for next year. Most coaches felt a valid study of this kind would be helpful.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30.

-Discussion of a uniform start date. This may occur.

AHCA Awards -- Kristen Steele (Conn. College) agreed to be the DIII rep on the committee. It is important for coaches to pay attention to the information they receive in the mail (U.S. and electronic) about awards and nominations. Coaches were asked to share that with their respective conferences at meetings.

-Coaches felt having three officials would be best, if they can afford to do so.

-Handout from Kerri Fagen (in absentia) of the NCAA. Kerri is the DIII women's ice hockey championships liaison from the NCAA. Handout is the NCAA DIII Women's Ice Hockey Annual Report.

Frank O'Brien represented DIII Women's Ice Hockey Committee

Committee members: Frank O'Brien, Chair (AD-UW,Steven's Point); Al Bean (AD-U of Southern Maine); Sean Frasier (AD-Manhattanville); Donna Wright (Coach-Wesleyan); Jamie Wood (Coach-Elmira); Jill Pohtilla (Coach-Augsburg).

* Frank reviewed and clarified the following points: Elmira did a fantastic job hosting the tournament. It is difficult to host with only three days notice; Any representative on the committee whose school was under consideration for the national tournament was not involved in selection or seeding of teams; The criteria for team selection is set by the NCAA, not the committee; Selection of officials is not done by the committee chair (that is a typo in the championships handbook).

* This year's (2002) third place game was a tie. In the interest of keeping on schedule, the game was not played out until a winner emerged. Coaches would like the committee to consider letting the game play out until a winner is determined.

* One coach encouraged all to support the championship by attending, if at all possible.

* Officiating systems and selection were discussed with Frank Cole and Ty Halpin. They are responsible for selecting officials. They will produce a video specific for women's game. Rules committee will meet with championship committee this summer and will come up with points of emphasis specific for the women's game.

Carolyn Campbell-McGovern welcomed all

* Championship at UNH-- Digit Murphy felt it was an outstanding experience. Laura felt it was a good experience for the student-athletes.

* Carolyn discussed selection criteria. Bob Deraney asked about players available criteria and conflicts with world championship. Carolyn stated this is a selection criteria for all NCAA tournaments. Troy stated this is looked at in case there is an issue. Bob asked how this will effect players who might leave for worlds. Troy stated if team meets criteria, players leaving will be left to committee decision and should not effect selection.

* Laura asked about top seeds being from the east and west. Laura would like to see a seeding of 1-4 not based on east or west as top seed. Carolyn said it would be discussed at annual meetings.

02-03 host Minnesota-Duluth

03-04 host New haven-Yale

Early fall bids will go out for 04-05 and 05-06

* Frank Cole - Officials update

They will produce a video specific for women's game, good input from the east and west.

* Ty Halpin- - Rules committee update

They will come up with points of emphasis for men's and women's specific of our game. Rules committee will meet with championship committee this summer.

* Carolyn discussed third place game. Carolyn stated it is a valuable experience, teams who lose on Friday have to

leave area within 24 hours. Laura would like to see away w/third place game. Mark Hudak feels coaches need to work with the athletes' approach to third place game. Shannon need to support third place game, need to end with a winner. Digit supports third place game.

* Questions about Shoot-out- currently can only be used in regular season tournaments. Would need to bring that before rules committee. Ty stated only option now are 20 min overtime until winner or 5 minutes/shootout.

* Championship dates for 2004

Reviewed NCAA ice hockey start date legislation. Discuss April date - - set in stone for 2004 in New Haven.

Carolyn is hoping to work with World Championships. Committee took a long term view and did what is the best for college women's hockey. Troy is speaking with future hosts looking @ options of two dates for 2005&

2006.

* Expansion of tournament- - will discuss @ meeting in June, earliest is 2003-2004. Most important thing is committee wants to see teams adding hockey. Teams went from 60 combined to 29 in division 1, 1 in division 2. (There are 39 in division 3).

Minutes respectfully submitted

by Jill Pohtilla (Augsburg College)

AWHCA Secretary/Tresurer