Higlights from the NYSSRA Fall Meeting

Ski season is almost here!

NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.’s executive board and competition committees met at SUNY IT in Utica, NY for the annual Fall Meeting.  At this meeting, the race calendar was set, competition committees reviewed their policies and programs and the board of delegates voted on items to help direct NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.

Some Meeting Highlights:

The Empire State Games are back (I guess they never were really gone).  However, competitors will now have to pay entry fees to ESG.  Scholastic and open competitors will pay $10, masters will pay $40  per sport.  Skiers will still have to qualify through NYSSRA Nordic, but they will have to register through ESG.  More details to come as we get closer to the Empire State Games.

NYSSRA Nordic will now have to push race organizers to be a little more organized.  Our insurance provider needs a little more info from race organizers, and race organizers need to be a little more timely with sanctioning fees and paperwork.  Larry Wilkinson has set a December 1 deadline for race organizers to get their forms in.  Sanctioning forms and information are available at www.nyssranordic.com.  Likewise, member clubs will need to fill out an additional form for sanctioning.  Contact Larry for more information.

NYSSRA VP, Dave Kvam and Biathlon Mucky Muck, Tom Moffett get in a good rollerski workout

Members of the Executive Board took part in the traditional “lunch rollerski” around the SUNY IT Campus.  The rain held off while members got in a good workout.

Memberships are now being handled 100% online.  NYSSRA is using Skireg.com to handle all memberships and database management.  There will be a “reminder to renew your membership” card sent to you in the mail soon, but feel free to join now!

Eric Hamilton accepts the NYSSRA Presidential Citation Award from Jim Kobak

The Shenendehowa Nordic Ski Club was awarded the NYSSRA Presidential Citation.  Accepting the award was Eric Hamilton.  Congratulations Shen!

The board of delegates approved a measure to change the NYSSRA by-laws, first proposed at the Fall 2008 meeting.  Now, the board of delegates will be made of representatives from our member clubs.  Thus, it is imperative that club leaders get their sanctioning forms and fees in order so that they can take advantage of this new benefit.  Each member club will have a vote on the board of delegates at NYSSRA meetings.  Clubs will have a say over the direction of NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.  Now is the time to join a local ski club, or even start one up in your hometown.

The new ski season is upon us.  It’s time to get out there and get ready to ski!

Jim Kobak

President

NYSSRA Needs Race Officials… Volunteer Today!

Russ Myer is putting together a group of members to serve as race officials for the upcoming season.   He has forwarded the following for me to post on this blog:

The recent NYSSRA nordic spring meeting featured a discussion on the merits of forming a group of able-bodied technical delegates (race officials) that could be present at NYSSRA sanctioned ski events.  
The purpose of this delegate would be to ensure the safety of the course, proper organization has been 
in place by the race director, and results and timing are accurate and efficient.  NYSSRA would like to 
know if there are people who might be willing to participate in nordic events in this way.  All the 
training and guidance would be provided at a workshop in the fall and canidates would be fully 
reinburced for the training as well as travel.  Compensation would also be provided for race day travel 
and TD services.  If you are interested in learning how to be a nordic technical delegate please send 
your name and contact information to Russ Myer at Rmyer@nycap.rr.com or call at (518) 729-3780.

Highlights from the NYSSRA Spring Meeting

 

delegates hard at work... NYSSRA Spring meeting 09

The annual NYSSRA Spring meeting was held on Sunday, May 3 in Utica.  At this meeting, committees met in the morning to work on schedules and other issues.  A “power lunch” rollerski session took place.  Then, the board of delegates heard committee reports and worked on business items in the afternoon.

Dave Kvam and Tim Huneck enjoy a power lunch workout

 Highlights from the meeting include:

The ESGs will return for 2010.  The Empire State Games are being restructured, but they reported to NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. that they plan to go on as usuall in 2010.  The ESGs will take place on the weekend of 2/27-28

Old Forge will be hosting the 2010 NYSSRA Championships.  This will take place on either the first or second weekend in March, and will not conflict with the Mid-A Bill Koch Festival (site TBA).

NYSSRA Membership will only be available online for the 09-10 season.  More details will be released soon, but fees will not change.  This will greatly increase our efficiency and make our membership database more accurate and reliable.

NYSSRA Nordic will begin a Race Officials training program.  This has been spearheaded by Russ Myer.  The hope is that a pool of trained NYSSRA Race Officials will be available for race organizers to use as Technical Delegates at their events.  If you are interested in becoming a NYSSRA Race Official, or are interested inhelping Russ on this committee, contact rmyer@nycap.rr.com 

The Website will continue to be “tweaked.”  The board of delegates worked together to smooth the design of our website.  Webmaster, David Kvam will continue to make changes to the website.  He is open to suggestions.  Contact dakvam@orion.naz.edu if you have suggestions for the NYSSRA website.

The 2009-10 preliminary race schedule is now online… check it out 

 

Tim Huneck accepts the A.W.A.R.D from Eric Hamilton

 Several awards were given out at the meeting.  Including the Secretary’s Cup, The A.W.A.R.D. and the NYSSRA Club Championship Banner.  Eric Hamilton, Tim and Austin Huneck won the A.W.A.R.D for accumulated race distance.  Justyna Wilkinson won the Secretary’s Cup for the Bill Koch Festival.  And NYSEF NORDIC won the Club Champions Banner for their success during the 2008-09 ski season.

 

Coach Margaret Maher accepts the Championship banner from Jim Kobak

NYSSRA Nordic thanks all of the delegates and Committee members who spent a full day working in Utica for our organization.  Your efforts and hard work are duly noted and appreciated.  The annual Fall meeting will take place on Sunday 9/27, but the site is still TBA.  Stay tuned to the NYSSRA blogroll for more information and updates as we progress towards the 2009-10 season.

 

 

My thoughts RE: Bill Koch Issue

I have recently been brought into a discussion about Bill Koch League skiing and its place under the NYSSRA umbrella.  To be honest, I have never participated in a Bill Koch event, I do not have any children who have participated and I have never been involved in organizing Bill Koch events.  NYSSRA has always had a Bill Koch League committee that has done a fine job of organizing member clubs and events.  And, as president, I am not going to micromanage this or any other of our committees.

 Unfortunately, it has come to my attention that there is some dissention amongst the Bill Koch ranks, specifically between the Genesee Valley Bill Koch Club and the leadership of NYSSRA Nordic, Inc..  Recently, there have been some comments posted on the NYSSRA XC site, and a few personal emails sent my way about this issue.  Based on what I have read, and quite frankly, to appease the dissenting group, I have decided to address the four main issues as I understand them and convey my feelings as president in this post.

 

Issue #1: 

Organizers of the Genesee Valley Bill Koch club are upset that some NYSSRA members chose to go to the NE Bill Koch Festival.  They are also upset that some of these skiers were recognized by NYSSRA for their accomplishments.

 

President’s reply:

This seems like a misunderstanding.  NYSSRA did not sponsor an organized trip to the NE Bill Koch Festival.  Certainly, members of NYSSRA Nordic, who received complimentary NENSA memberships this season, took full advantage of the opportunity to attend this year’s NE Bill Koch Fest.  Because they are indeed NENSA members, they were recognized as being part of NENSA’s “New York” membership district.  It is unfortunate that the GVBKL organizers have read more into this.  And, I am insulted that they think the Bill Koch leaders who went to the NE Festival and NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. insidiously tried to leave them, or anyone else out.

            Being unfamiliar with the program, I am confused as to the actual purpose of Bill Koch league racing.  On one hand, the Bill Koch “pledge” is to compete with oneself only, and to ski for the joy of skiing.  Yet on the other hand, Bill Koch races always seem to celebrate competition between skiers with results and awards.  I agree with the point that competition in Bill Koch skiing can be somewhat contradictory.  I trust the Bill Koch committee will visit this issue and maybe redefine the purpose of Bill Koch Ski League races.

 

 

Issue #2:

Organizers of the GVBKYSL club are upset that the 2009 Bill Koch festival, run by NYSEF and sanctioned by NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. will be held so late in the year.

 

President’s reply

            My ability to reply to this is hampered by the fact that I was not at the Spring meeting 2008 where the discussions about this schedule originally took place.  However, I do agree that it is NYSSRA’s role to facilitate scheduling of events by organizers and to provide a centralized schedule and relay information about events to our members.  It is also NYSSRA’s role to look at the schedule and try to minimize, where possible, potential conflicts, while at the same time giving race promoters a chance to host events.  What NYSSRA will not do is mandate when or where an event must take place.  Pragmatically, I realize we are all limited in our sport by availability of ski weather and quality ski venues.  I recognize that not all members of NYSSRA have equal access to snow.  Often, a race organizer only has one date available to host a race.  Sometimes this date conflicts with other events.  In this case, the fact of the matter is that the March date is not an unreasonable one, it is still winter, it is still wintry and it is still ski season in most of New York’s ski centers.

 

Issue #3:

Organizers of the GVBKYSL are worried that NYSSRA is planning to dissolve, only to become a member district of NENSA.

 

President’s Reply:

In the fall I held discussions with NENSA’s president, Pat Cote, about sharing memberships.  The NENSA and NYSSRA presidents, noting that we do have some geographic overlap, as well as some differences in philosophy and programs agreed that a membership partnership would benefit both organizations, without harming the autonomy of either one.  NYSSRA members were graciously offered complimentary NENSA memberships for the 08-09 season.  NENSA was interested in bulking up their membership numbers to satisfy sponsors, but had absolutely no interest in “taking over” NYSSRA Nordic.  NENSA offered to grant all of our members free full NENSA memberships.  That means an individual’s $25 NYSSRA fee gave them full membership in both organizations.  In return, NENSA members were not to be recognized as full NYSSRA members, but were to be exempt from paying single-day membership fees if they choose to compete in NYSSRA events.  I believe this partnership has been good for NYSSRA.  A few of our members were more easily able to compete in Eastern Cup and SuperTour events because of their complimentary NENSA memberships.  Likewise, some NYSSRA events saw increased participation and an increased level of competitiveness thanks to some New England skiers taking advantage of our agreement. 

 

 

Issue #4:

Organizers of the GVBKSYL believe that youth development should be the primary focus of NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.  And, they do not believe that the current leadership shares the same vision.

 

President’s Reply:

            NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. is the governing body of ski racing in New York State.  This includes the disciplines of Cross Country, Biathlon and Ski-O.  Each of these disciplines has a committee that plans and addresses issues for each ski season.  Each of these disciplines has junior, senior and masters-level participants.  For juniors, there is also a Bill Koch committee and a Mid-A USSA committee that oversees junior development in Cross Country.  I agree with the assessment that youth development is not the primary focus of NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.  But I don’t agree that youth development should be our primary focus.  NYSSRA Nordic serves its member disciplines and member clubs, recognizing that people enjoy ski racing for many different reasons and at many different ages.  NYSSRA Nordic Inc, while supporting junior development through Bill Koch League, Mid-A and local club programs will absolutely not become a junior-only organization.  Ski racing is a lifetime sport, and NYSSRA will have something for you regardless of age.

 

            One of my initiatives when I took over as president in the Fall was to change the leadership structure of our board of directors.  There will be a vote at the spring meeting to restructure the voting board to include representatives from our member clubs.  I think the future of ski racing lies with our member clubs who recruit skiers young and old, schedule races and promote the sport in their communities.  And I think that NYSSRA would be best directed by the folks working in those ski communities.  As this discussion shows, different skiers and different clubs have different needs and priorities when it comes to the role of NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.  I hope that NYSSRA can work to serve everyone in an appropriate way.  In closing, I would like to thank all of our club leaders who did a fantastic job in recruiting and promoting Nordic ski racing this season.  Without your hard work, there would be no ski racing at all.

 

And, of course, a hearty thanks to all of our juniors, seniors and masters who skied in NYSSRA events this season.  It has been, and continues to be, a great season.

 

Jim Kobak

President

NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.

President’s Comments on Empire State Games Changes

All,

By now, most of you have heard through the media that because of the NY State budget crisis the ESG winter and summer games will soon be drastically different.  Be aware that any changes will not take place until next season.  This season’s Empire State Winter Games are still on, and qualifying rules are still in effect.  We are looking forward to a great event.  And, if you have not done the ESGs before, this is the year to do them… for many of you, it could be your last chance.

Like most of you, I have gotten any and all of my information from the news media and the following ESG press release http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/news/press/view.asp?pressID=719  The Empire State Games did not contact nor consult NYSSRA Nordic about any of the proposed changes.  Realize that the Empire State Games and NYSSRA Nordic are two separate organizations.  ESG is a year-round organization that organizes and runs amateur sporting competitions in summer and winter.   NYSSRA Nordic designs qualifying rules and runs qualifing events for Nordic skiing (cross country, biathlon and ski o) athletes to qualify and compete in the winter games.  ESG gives NYSSRA Nordic specific guidelines to follow in designing these qualifying rules.  We have a liason who meets with the ESG and communicates changes to the NYSSRA commitees at our annual Spring and Fall meetings.  This liason was not consulted, nor contacted by ESGs about the proposed changes.

Descisions made concerning the ESGs were made by the Empire State Games organization.  The ESGs have traditionally been a free event for our qualifying members.  This will no longer be the case, as entry fees will be collected in future ESGs.  However, NYSSRA is most disappointed with the proposed changes which would eliminate the open and masters’ classes and make it a scholastic-only event.  As disappointing as this may be, it also may open up our calendar.  To get ESG qualifiers in, organizers were basically limited to hosting races in January.  This had led to some conflicts as organizers only have limited days on which to host races.  The changes could in effect stretch our season out, and allow some of our organizers to use some of those previously “off limits” February dates.

The descisions made by the ESGs actually enhances NYSSRA Nordic’s Champions Cup weekend of racing.  This event has consistently grown in stature and has truly become the official New York State Nordic Skiing Championship.  This season, the Saratoga Biathlon Club is hosting the Champions Cup weekend.  (Check out the details at http://champs.saratogabiathlon.com/ )  With the proposed changes to ESGs next season, the NYSSRA Champions Cup stands alone as the premier event on our race calendar for open/masters skiers.  I hope that all skiers, scholastic and open/masters, will now focus their season on our early March New York State championships.

NYSSRA Nordic is extremely disappointed with the ESGs descision to change the Empire State Winter games.  This descision has been a definite blow to our organization.   It is my hope that we will turn this step backwards into an exciting opportunity that allows our organization to leap forward.

Jim Kobak

President, NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.

NYSSRA Featured at the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Winter Expo

I had the opportunity to represent NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. at the ADK Sports and Fitness Winter Expo in Saratoga Springs.  This event featured many different vendors and organizations affiliated with winter sports in and near NY State. 

NYSSRA’s information booth distributed brochures, copies of the 08-09 race schedule, membership applications and copies of Blue Extra: The NYSSRA News Magazine.  There was lots of interest in our organization, and many NYSSRA members stopped by to say hello. 

 I was able to present a seminar on “everything you wanted to know about Nordic ski racing.” I explained the difference between classic and freestyle technique, uncovered the mysteries of biathlon and ski-O, and emphasized the benefits of the lifelong fitness that Nordic skiing and racing has to offer. 

Eric Hamilton’s grandson, Travis, gave a great Bill Koch demo, demonstrating good kick and glide technique on the expo floor.  

I would like to thank all of the NYSSRA volunteers who spent time manning the booth and helping to spread the word about NYSSRA, including Eric Hamilton and Travis, Anne Christoffel, Doug Diehl, Sean Halligan, Bob Maswick and David Kvam.

Jim Kobak, President.

Your NYSSRA membership gets you full NENSA membership status

Renewed members of NYSSRA will nodoubtedly recieve a mailing from our partner organization, NENSA, about their new membership.  As a benefit for joining NYSSRA,  our members are given full NENSA membership status at no extra cost.  NYSSRA members will recieve a NENSA membership number, and are eligible to participate in NENSA events and races as a full-fledged member.  NENSA is a terrific partner, and NYSSRA encourages our members to take advantage of some of the programs offered by NENSA.

Clubs… Clubs… Clubs…

As of this post, three member clubs have officially signed up for the 2008-09 season.  NYSSRA wants to help clubs foster the growth of ski racing in New York.  What we need clubs to do is to let us know ways NYSSRA can help.  For example, NYSSRA has helped to fund NYSEF’s December 13th coaches’ clinic.  In return, NYSEF is letting all NYSSRA members attend for free.  We want to encourage as many club leaders and members to attend and take advantage of your membership fees at work. 

In addition, we would like to offer our NYSSRA webpage as a central location for your club to post news.  If you currently have a blog for your club, we will link it to our site.  If you do not, we will set you up on our NYSSRA clubs blog page.  Check out the link and contact me (kobak1791w@yahoo.com) for more info.

We still currently have money in the Bill Thayer fund.  This fund provides money for clubs who are looking to host their first NYSSRA sanctioned race.  Money can be used to purchase bibs and course marking supplies.  The grant is up to $500, again, contact me for more info on this great opportunity.

We are always looking for ways to help our member clubs.  Please comment or contact me with ideas on how you would like NYSSRA to help your club develop ski racing and recruit ski racers.

Jim Kobak, President

NYSSRA Meeting Highlights…

Utica.

The NYSSRA Fall meeting is always fun.  Members are enthusiastic and everyone is ready to get on with the new season. 

First of all, the ESG age groups have changed.  The ESGs will now have a scholastic category only open to ages 12-17.  There will be no separation of this age category so 12 year olds will race head to head with 17 year olds.  I am not really in favor of this, but

September… Ski Time!

September is officially the unofficial start of Nordic Ski Season.  And NYSSRA Nordic springs to life each September.  For me, this September is when I move into the role of NYSSRA president, and I look forward to serving New York’s ski community.

On September 21, the annual NYSSRA Fall meeting will be held at SUNYIT in Utica.  All members are welcome to attend and help shape the future of NYSSRA.  I hope that our member clubs will all send their leaders to this meeting, so they can help me and the executive committee map out the upcoming ski season. 

Our organization has been quite progressive under the leadership of President Chris Rose.  The points series was revamped and expanded.  A commitment to be more “green” by eliminating the paper newsletter was established.  The NYSSRA Championships have risen to become the premier event on the Nordic calendar. And NYSSRA member clubs recieved elevated status and importance.  President Rose leaves behind a legacy of commitment to Nordic Skiing in New York.  I hope to continue in the progressive manner of President Rose to make NYSSRA Nordic the best organization it can be.  I have already continued conversation with NENSA, the New England Nordic Skiing Association, about reciprocating memberships and combining our efforts in some programs.  NYSSRA and NENSA have similar goals, but are also very different organizations with differences in clientele.  I will continue to work to partner with NENSA, but promise to keep autonomy for NYSSRA Nordic, inc.

As I prepare for the September meeting, I have drafted a breif outline of personal goals and strategies to direct the organization.  The following is a breif description of my vision for NYSSRA Nordic over the next two years. 

1. Continue the Development of a strong Club System.  I believe that member clubs provide the greatest growth potential for NYSSRA Nordic.  I also see member clubs as being the key to my subsequent goals and strategies.   I would like to encourage members to join or start their own Nordic ski clubs.  I would like to see NY colleges and university club programs join NYSSRA.  I would like to somehow bring High School ski racing under the auspices of NYSSRA Nordic.  I would like to see other athletic clubs develop Nordic programs.  Ultimately, NYSSRA will become a “league of ski clubs” unified to foster ski racing and the development of ski racers in New York State.

2.  Unify the Nordic disciplines.  Face it, XC, Biathlon and Ski-O draw members from a limited area and are often competing for the same skiers.  When you get right down to it, Biathletes and Ski-Oers are, first and foremost, XC skiers.  I would like to unify the three disciplines, that is, bring biathlon and ski-o into the NYSSRA points series.  I would like clubs in all disciplines compete against each other for club points and club championship.  I want to streamline the event scheduling process to become regionalized instead of disciplinized.   I want biathletes to do XC ski races, and I want XC skiers to try biathlon and ski-o races, at least for their clubs.  This season, the Saratoga Biathlon Club was awarded the right to host the NYSSRA XC Championships specifically because they were planning to combine it with the Biathlon Championships.  In the future, ski-o will be added to our “signature weekend” of championship skiing.

3. Recruit NY fitness skiers who are not currently members. This is where having strong clubs in each region of the state will help our membership grow.  There are skiers who love Nordic Skiing, and will even race on occasion, but for whatever reason, do not join NYSSRA Nordic.  I hope to come up with a plan that will entice fitness skiers to be members and to do more ski racing.  This is where creative club-based programs will help, and NYSSRA needs to support and encourage these programs.

4. Recruit endurance athletes and turn them into ski racers. This is my loftiest goal.  I would like every citizen athlete to embrace Nordic Skiing and join NYSSRA.  There are runners, cyclists, kayakers and triathletes who would benefit in their chosen sport by Nordic Ski racing.  There are thousands of New Yorkers who are willing to buy equipment, travel great distances and to train many hours to participate in various sports.  These people already have the qualities that Nordic Ski racers have, and many of them live in New York Snow country.  We need to convince as many as possible to take up Nordic Ski racing, and to join NYSSRA.  I will be looking for initiatives to bring cycling, running and triathlon clubs into the NYSSRA fold. 

These are my goals and ideas for NYSSRA Nordic.  I will need forward-thinking members of the organization to help me reach these goals. 

Jim Kobak …President, NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.