Dear Coach

I know this is a very busy time of the year for you, but we must recognize, honor, reward, and select the proper people who have had a positive impact on Vermont High School Basketball. To make sure we get the right people, you must do the following:

A. You must vote. Ballot Form Fill out now or mark your calendar so you have it in before the February 21 deadline. If you don’t vote, you not only hurt your people but you deprive your opponents a chance for the honors they deserve.

B. You must encourage your opponents to vote. Check “the don’t belong list” of schools who are not members. If some of your opponents are on the list, it really hurts your team’s chances for more honors. Call them.

C. Carefully fill out all of the various categories on this ballot. Let’s reward and honor all the deserving people out there.

The Senior All Star Game is March 24 at Windsor. This is our celebration of all that is good about Vermont High School Basketball. This is where we honor the categories listed below and also induct the 6th class of coaches to our VBCA Hall of Fame. Do a thorough and careful job and let’s make this a great day for Vermont basketball.

1. Milestone Wins—A plaque to varsity coaches reaching 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 wins. Let us know if you reach a milestone.

2. Thousand Point Scorers—Fill in the blank enclosed with confirmed or maybe 1000 point scorers. At the end of the season, call, fax, or e-mail me with the exact total to be put on a framed certificate and included on our web site. Some years we miss a thousand point scorer and it is embarrassing to tell parents their coach never told me about the 1000 pt. milestone award.

2a. Forty points scorers. This goes on our website. List points scored, player’s name, school, date, vs. what school.

3. Media Award—You nominate and write your thoughts why this media person “Made Basketball Better.” The Executive Board will sort through the nominations and select the winner.

4. The Dream Dozen Award—There is a change this year. We will honor the 12 best underclass boys and girls players in Division 1 and 2 and 12 more in Division 3 and 4. They receive a framed certificate at the March 24 game. You list the top eight players you have seen—only two of your if you feel they qualify.

5. VBCA Scholarships—A financial award given to senior players nominated by their coach. The coach must write a letter nominating the player for consideration by the VBCA scholarship committee. The comprehensive letter should include the following: Name, school, class rank, grade point average, academic honors received, college planning to attend, profile from guidance, hardships (any extenuating financial circumstances.) You should include how that player “Makes Basketball Better.” This award is mailed to the coach to present at the school’s end of the year awards program. We have awarded twelve to fifteen $500 awards in the past. This money is raised by our members selling Final Four t-shirts at UVM and Barre.

5a. The Tristan Southworth Scholarship – Awarded March 24th to a student/athlete who best mirrors the depth of character, commitment, loyalty and service to team, school, community and country. This unique individual should give us the opportunity to honor his life by making the criteria for this award only for the rare student/athelete who stands above the other exceptionally gifted players. Please consider the extraordinary nature of Tristan Southworth’s contribution to Hazen Union, Vermont, and our country. We look forward to honoring Tristan with a person who best models his quality of life at the highest level possible. Tristan was deployed to Afghanistan in early 2010 where he was killed in the line of duty. Please write a page explaining why your nomine deserves this award.

6. The Tommy Finnell Outstanding Service Award—Nominate and write a one page write up of how your nominee (sub varsity coach, long time helper, manager, etc.) helps “Make Basketball Better.” A plaque will be presented March 24.

7. VBCA Coach of the Year Award—A plaque presented at the March 24 game to the 4 boys and 4 girls coaches who get the most of your votes. Please vote this award. This year at least 1/3 of the division must vote or no coach will be named. Please do not vote for yourself, vote for someone in your division.

8. Senior All Star Game Players—You vote the top 15 players who you feel should play in our All Star Game. If you vote for a player from your team, remember to include their phone number for notification purposes. Your votes are how the team is picked. You must vote for at least 10 players for your ballot to be counted. Please vote for at least 10 from your group--someone you would want on your team. No more than four of your players.

9. Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year—Coaches vote for the player (regardless of grade or class) who they feel is the best in the state.

10. The Darrell Sawyer Top Basketball Official—Vote for the top two you have seen

****DEADLINE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE IS FEBRUARY 21.*****

Ballot Form

Sincerely,

Dave Fredrickson

P.S. To make this day and games a special event for all those playing and being honored costs money. Last year’s game cost $4995. I solicit people to sponsor the game and offset the cost. If you have anyone in your community that would be willing to help, please approach them. I will follow up with more details. Thank you.