The Athletic Council meeting was called to order at 8:40 at Solano Office of Education.

Armijo – Jay Dahl. Davis – David Blackwell. Napa -- Scott Kostecka. Vacaville –Fred Jones and Gail McNally. Vintage—Maryanne Christofferson. Wood—Bill Ewing.

I. Fall Sports

A. Football
1. Fred reviewed what would happen if there was a 3-way tie for first place. According to League by-laws, Napa would be the team eliminated based on their place in the League last year.
2. All League meeting will be Tuesday November 18th at 7:00 pm. Place TBA.

B. Volleyball
1. Wood and Vintage are co-champions
2. All League meeting 11/5 at 6 pm in room A4 at Wood.

C. Soccer
1. The coaches are requesting that MEL explore the possibility of the section using a “power rating” system for play-offs.
2. Scott Kostecka motioned that soccer field size of 80 yds x 120 yds be used for all League contests if the facility can accommodate that field size. Second Maryanne Christoffersen. Vote unanimous. This will be an agenda item for January Board of Managers.
3. Coaches are concerned that the current officials association is very inconsistent and continues to assign officials to sites have requested these officials not be assigned. Last years association was more receptive to coaches concerns and over-all better officials.

D. Tennis
1. Friday, November 7th all coaches and singles participants are to report to Vintage High School rain or shine. At 8:00 am, there will be a coaches meeting and if it is determined that play cannot be held on Friday then singles will play Saturday with Doubles moving to Monday.
2. The top 4 teams in League are to bring 3 singles and 3 doubles teams on their respective tournament days.
3. Only the number 1 players will be seeded.
4. Section girls individual tennis starts Wednesday Nov 13 and 1`4 at 9:00 am at Vintage High.

E. Water Polo
1. Evidently some varsity team(s) had forfeited a League match because of a lack of players. At this same meet, the J.V. squad competed. League By-laws 0.11 addresses what needs to occur in order to forfeit. In addition, if a school has a J.V. squad, they must be moved up to make enough players for the varsity. If a school has a problem with the players not being able to attend a meet because of school activities, that school should attempt to move the meet date.
2. A list of League results and All League recipients was handed out.

F. Golf

1. The golf coaches feel that 6 patches is not enough to recognize All League performers. All other sports have additional patches over the number of required competition competitors. Jay will bring a recommendation to the Athletic Council in December.
2. Golf uses a point system to determine All League based on place in each match. There needs to be a By-Law that addresses what happens if a team forfeits or is a no-show to a match.
3. Jay commended Don Trolinger for doing a great job in conducting League golf.
4. 2004-05: The MEL will host subsection golf.
G. Cross Country
1. The League meet which was scheduled to take place at Davis High home course was moved to Woodland by the coaches. The League cross country AD, commissioner and some of the other site ADs were not aware of the venue change. The change resulted in additional cost for restroom facilities and transportation.
2. Cross country coaches are interested in possibly moving to more center meets and fewer dual meets for next season.
II. Winter Sports

A. Basketball
1. Pre-season meeting took place and at this point everything seems fine.
B. Wrestling
1. Wrestling coaches have suggested a number of By-Law changes. This will be an agenda item for January Board of Managers.
2. Novice tournament will be at Benicia High in conjunction with SCAC.
3. Seeding meeting for the League tournament will be Thursday, 2/12/04 at 7:00 pm at Napa High.
4. Thor Jensen (Wood) will be the MEL representative to the Section.

III. Spring Sports
A. A track schedule will be brought to the December Athletic Council meeting.
B. Maryanne Christoffersen will review the By-Laws, etc. with baseball coaches at their upcoming pre-season meeting. Any concerns will be brought to the December meeting.

IV. Web Update
A. Joan explained that the web site now has winter sports as the opening screen.
B. Updating of League results and School of the Year points are being done as all results are received.
C. There is an All League page which will list student recipients by sport with Fall, Winter or Spring categories.

V. Other
A. Scott has asked that a discussion/recommendation for standardizing numbers of All League patches take place in December. Athletic Directors need to consider rationale and alternatives to address this on-going problem.
B. The Section has decided that the movement of start dates for each of the seasons of sport will not take place until after the 2004 – 2005 school year.
C. There is a motion at the Section level to move the swimming start date to March 1st for the 2004 – 2005 school years. ADs are encouraged to talk with their swim coaches and be prepared to discuss this issue at the Board of Managers meeting in January.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joan Mumaugh