PAA Minutes January 2, 2007


In attendance: Mike McCarron, Laura McCarron, Don DiFelice, Elaine Poretta, Debbie Webster, Kevin Sullivan, Linda Bolla, Cathy O’Dea, Carol Jakobsons, Robyn Holt, Deb Stephenson, Jill Daamen


1. Athletic Director’s Report




Boys Tennis (union)


JV Boys Lacrosse


Freshman Softball


Asst. Track






2. Winter Program Books

Winter program books are available for distribution. Please contact Laura McCarron if you would like to help with this.


3. Basketball Concession

Covered for most games.


4. Treasurer’s report.

Current balance is $11,640

Still to be paid: scholarships, spring books, plaques for winter and spring and varsity jackets.


5. Gym lighting

New bulbs were put in but the gym is still very dark. Larry Fisher is looking into replacing the bulbs. The cost will most likely be about $5,000. The school is looking into getting the funding from the current budget as emergency expenditure.


6. Gym Padding

Because of the overlay system the wall padding in gym will remain the same even though the colors do not match.


7. New PAA president and Program Book Director

Current positions are held by Mike and Laura McCarron who will not be available next year. Mike suggested we look for someone to fill these positions before the end of this school year (by spring) to make the transition easier. Laura and Mike would still be available to answer questions and assist with the transition. Anyone interested in holding either of these positions should contact Mike McCarron at michael.p.mccarron@verizon.net


8. Scholarship Application

PAA offers four $500 scholarships (2 boys and 2 girls). Packets will be available soon and students are encouraged to apply. The deadline is April 27. More information can be obtained at the guidance office. PAA needs to form a scholarship committee and they need to have the recipient’s names by the second week in May.


9. Varsity Jackets

Laura McCarron discussed the issue of the varsity jackets that are handed out to student athletes when they receive their first Varsity letter. Many of the recipients do not wear the jackets because the style is outdated and they tend to be of a seasonal nature. She asked whether the PAA would be better served spending the money on something else that would benefit the program rather than apparel. After some discussion the members present decided they would still like to recognize the varsity athletes in some way and that if might be better to update the style of the jacket or go with something like a gym bag instead. Laura is going to try and conduct a survey with students to see what they would prefer.


10. Open Comment

Elaine Poretta has looked into the prices of canopies to be used by the sports teams in inclement weather. Prices range from $108 to $834. Committee is still in favor of purchasing something like this to be used by the various outdoor teams in inclement weather. It was noted that the outdoor track team has a canopy that they use. Mr. DiFelice is going to ask Steve Perro(coach) if the PAA can borrow it for other sports teams. We will continue this discussion at the next meeting.


Debbie Webster asked if the side baskets in the gym could be cranked up before games as they block visibility for spectators. The AD said that it is difficult for the custodians to hand crank them and suggested that spectators move down to other seats so that their view is not obstructed.


Debbie Webster also commented on the Pentucket student’s rude and obnoxious behavior towards the Georgetown cheerleaders at the Pentucket- Georgetown basketball game. The AD said that he would be placing crowd monitors amongst the spectators to try and limit such behavior at up coming games.


Robyn Holt, whose son plays ice hockey, felt that comments made at the December meeting about the practice times by a hockey parent were not entirely accurate and were not the views held by all hockey parents. She said that practice times for the varsity have always been on the later side due to the lack of ice rinks in the area. As with most student athletes she feels that time management is important when it comes to completing homework and fitting in practice time. She asked whether Pentucket has looked into asking Whittier students to become involved in our hockey program to increase the numbers, but the AD said that Whittier and Amesbury were most likely joining forces. The AD said he would look into other rinks and their prices and practice times.



Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm