From: Jerry Galvin
Date: January 1, 2011 7:24:27 PM EST
To: The-Cincinnati-Pick-Up-Sports-League-list@meetup.com
Subject: Skill Levels For Monday Night Volleyball
I'd like to share some thoughts with all of you on how we can GUARANTEE that the level of play on Monday nights in Madisonville is appropriately competitive. I am willing to round up a panel of volleyball experts to evaluate the players. I'm just spitballing here, but I'd try to get the coaches from Ursuline Academy, UC, Xavier and NKU to evaluate and assign skill levels to each applicant player. I'd have Ursuline's Jeni Case lead the panel, since she's far and away the best volleyball coach in the proposed group. The coaches would rank players on essential skills - passing, setting and hitting, but would adjust for position players who may lack one specific skill but excel in another. Foot speed and reaction times would also be tested and incorporated into each player's evaluation.
As we all know, attitude is crucial in volleyball, and a truly competitive attitude can lift a player to levels of success that exceed the player's apparent skills. Accordingly, there should also be a panel of psychologists and psychiatrists to evaluate applicants' attitude, competitive spirit and overall mental health. If a player - no matter how skilled - has Asperger's Syndrome and posses no noticeable social skills, does that player belong in a Meet-Up league? Of course not! Still brainstorming, I envision the attitude panel meeting candidates only after their basic skills are examined and approved. Since I enjoy good mental health, I have no contacts among shrinks. So suggestions are welcome.
Players approved first by the skills panel and then the mental health panel, would meet one last minor challenge before being unconditionally approved for playing Monday night volleyball in Madisonville .... a Serenity Counselor. I've seen some contentious exchanges on Monday nights, and a higher level of serenity is now needed if the Monday program is to survive. I imagine counselors who would meet players in group settings for free-wheeling discussions restricted to the topics of religion, politics and social justice. Opinions on those topics quickly turn ugly when discussed with no controls. That toxic topic brew will surely cause uncontrolled emotions to surface in group. The counselors would initiate the discussions and then sit back and observe. The counselors' only duty is to eavaluate the serenity of the players and report any unsuitable applicants to Steve M for rejection.
I'm not trying to be controlling; just running these ideas up a flagpole to see if anyone salutes. Your thoughts?
THE EMAIL THAT SPARKED JERRY'S PROPOSAL:
On Jan 1, 2011, at 1:13 PM, Steve M wrote:
This message is for all competitive volleyball players. There has been a lot of contention and disagreement with Monday volleyball lately and I am stepping in to make an executive decision on the matter. Starting Jan 10th Alex will be the new host for this event in my absense. I want to thank Paul for his service as host over the past couple months. Things will not change drastically: 2 games on 2 courts, winner vs loser, first set of teams will be create your own, subsequent will be either by counting off or picking, if not enough players for 2 courts a determination will be made on whether to have refs, subs, or a smaller side game. The host volunteers to play on the small court in these cases and will ask for others. If no volunteers it will go by rsvp order or sign-in. A minimum standard will still be enforced and technically will still be competitive and by the rules. I understand some people may not like these changes, and others will be relieved. Keep in mind this group is one of the few of its kind in Cincinnati and many of you have take advantage of it to stay fit, make new friends, and overrall continue to play volleyball competitively. Please refrain from any negative comments or remarks. Have a happy new year! Regards, Your Organizer Steve M.
