Those attending: Walz, Finau, Deely, McBride, Br. Norman, Coreno, Grumbine, Harty, Lamadrid, Mans, Mertens
 
Minutes approved.
 
Lamadrid commented on how the transition to this year has been a good one thus far, with relatively few complications. 
 
The next meeting will be 4 October 2005, when the Thoburn Award and technology will be discussed. 
 
Br. Norman presented differences between NCAA and NAIA, both of which are national athletic organizations with college and university members.  The NAIA has had a long history of small colleges and universities as members, and lately, the membership has declined dramatically in the East, leaving only 5 in PA.  Saint Vincent has been concerned for the past few years with membership since the lacrosse program especially has hard times scheduling games and with rankings.  The conclusion then was to pursue membership in the NCAA.  Which conference and division to join required special attention.  The President’s Athletic Conference was the most logical, which is in Division III, and includes schools such as Westminster, and Bethany College. 
 
Making the decision to join the PAC, was also a decision to recreate a football team on campus, which will not be scholarship aided because of the division.  A challenge is presented in the transition to non-athletic scholarships.  The first year will be 06-07 and Saint Vincent will only be a provisional member.  Students receiving scholarships for athletics through 07-08 will have no problem, but in 08-09, no student athlete is permitted aid.  SVC, however, will honor aid promised to them through need based or academically, discerned on each individual case.  If the student decides not to play sports when SVC becomes full members, he will still receive the athletic aid.  Also, it is possible to look at increasing an incoming freshman’s aid in his sophomore and junior years substantially enough so that his senior year he will still be able to afford attending.  The only other challenge with switching over is the 4 first years that SVC will not be eligible for post-season play.  This can be ameliorated by looking at holiday tournaments so the teams can still play a little longer. 
 
As for football, a field team will be practicing in Fall 07.  Currently SVC is looking for a coach to identify developments and students to play.  Games will either be played on campus in a non-stadium arena or at the Latrobe HS stadium.  Members of the board thought games on campus would draw a bigger crowd for students, meanwhile maintaining the community of the college.
 
Respectfully submitted by Sheena McBride