Technique Magazine

Men's Program Committee Minutes

August 8, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 11:48 a.m. EST in the Sheraton Cleveland by Chair Yoichi Tomita.

I. Roll Call

Members Present:
Yoichi Tomita, Chair MPC & Vice-Chair for Men
George Beckstead, FIG Rep.
Steve Butcher, Secretary & Jr. Coaches Rep.
Miles Avery, Sr. Coaches Rep.
Kurt Golder, Sr. Coaches Rep.
Bill Foster, Jr. Coaches Rep
John Roethlisberger, Athlete's Rep.
Mihai Bagiu, Athlete's Rep.
Butch Zunich- NGJA Rep. (voice, no vote)
Ron Galimore, USAG Sr. Men's Program Director (voice, no vote)
Dennis McIntyre, USAG Jr. National Team Coordinator (voice, no vote)
Ron Brant, USAG Men's Sr. National Team Coordinator (voice, no vote)

II. Member at Large Position for USAG Executive Committee/Board

Motion for the MPC to endorse the nomination of Steve Butcher for the Member at Large position on the USAG Executive Committee.
    Motion: Bill Foster
    Second: Kurt Golder
    PASSED: Unanimously

The men's program will seek endorsement for Steve Butcher from the CGA, NGJA, and Elite Coaches Association.

III. 2004 Schedule Conflict

The NCAA has reportedly moved the date of their championship in April of 2004. Yoichi Tomita will confirm the exact date and report back to the MPC.

IV. 2003 Winter Cup Format

Dusty Ritter, the competition host, has requested that he be permitted to begin competition for his Blackjack Invitational on Thursday evening. This will benefit his overall schedule.

Motion to permit the host of the 2003 Winter Cup Challenge to begin the Blackjack Invitational on Thursday evening. Training for the Winter Cup Challenge participants will end no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on that day.
    Motion: John Roethlisberger
    Second: Mihai Bagiu
    PASSED: Unanimously

V. 2003 World Championships Selection Procedures

The MPC held lengthy conversation regarding petitions to the 2003 World Championships. Further discussion will be continued at our next meeting, August 9.

VI. Program Standardization Task Force

Yoichi Tomita reported on the work of the task force. The task force has been charged with reviewing the possibility of standardizing programs across the disciplines of USA Gymnastics. This will help with sponsor and public communication about our sport. This is viewed as a long term process with many changes taking effect in 2005. The task force has agreed to find a standard name for all of the Talent Identification Programs and to have a standard level system for all disciplines. There is also a lot of discussion about regional realignment. The MPC members suggested the possibility of moving to 10 regions in the future. This would allow for growth in all programs.

VII. Philosophical Approach Document

Ron Brant wants to provide even greater guidance and understanding of the Execution Document with the addition of the Philosophical Approach Document in order to help our program move up to the highest level possible. This will be discussed at our next meeting, August 9.

VIII. 3, 4, & 5 Event Qualifiers at U.S. Championships, Qualification to 2nd Day

The MPC recommends that the top 30 AA gymnasts to qualify onto the 2nd day (AA Finals) of the U.S. Championships, beginning in 2003. Additionally, 2 three-event, 2 four-event, and 2 five-event gymnasts that place within the top 10 gymnasts on their perspective number of events be permitted to qualify to the 2nd day of competition at the 2003 U.S. Championships. We will take action on this recommendation on a future call.

IX. New Business

  1. Ron Galimore reported that the gymnasts who tested positive for banned substances in January were subjected to additional testing at the request of USAG. All tested have come up negative.

  2. Yoichi Tomita suggested that all future petitions be handled more effectively. He suggested that all petitions to U.S. Championships be reviewed at the Qualifier.

    Motion that any gymnast wishing to petition to the U.S. Championships must petition to the MPC if he is unable to participate in the qualifying competition. This petition would not be reviewed until the conclusion of the U.S. Qualifier.
        Motion: Yoichi Tomita
        Second: Miles Avery
        PASSED: Unanimously

  3. Ron Brant, Sr. National Team Coordinator, made a recommendation regarding the selection of the 13th and 14th selected positions to the Sr. National Team.

    Motion to place Steve McCain and Raj Bhavsar in the number 13th and 14th selected positions for the Sr. National Team. These positions become available again at the 2003 Winter Cup Challenge.
        Motion: Bill Foster
        Second: Yoichi Tomita
        PASSED: Unanimously

  4. There was a discussion regarding the television coverage for the men's competitions. The MPC would like to see greater and more timely men's coverage.

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn.
    Motion: Steve Butcher
    Second: Yoichi Tomita
    PASSED: Unanimously

The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. EST.

Respectfully submitted by: Steve Butcher, MPC Secretary
Approved: Ron Galimore, Senior Director, Men's Program
Approved: Bob Colarossi, USAG President


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