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Hartley Miller's Slap Shots, July 29th Edition

By Hartley Miller

The Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association (PGSLA) makes the most out of a four-team league, especially with two headstrong individuals at the helm. With the league just ending its 15th season, it's time for a fair evaluation of the PG version of Canada's national sport.
 
First the positives: 

• Stable Leadership-The league is lead by two well known characters. Glen “Moose” Scott is indeed the association's “heavyweight”. Along with his sidekick, and counselor wannabe, Ron “Money Bags” Edgar, these two volunteers have been running the show for 15 years. It's with their passion and leadership, along with a strong executive that the league has prospered. 

• Excellent Business Plan-Thanks to Edgar’s frugality, the league has been in the black for each of the past 10 years. Each team pays a $5,000 annual entry fee and participates in fund raising activities like the College Heights Pub Dinner and Auction night. These activities and league advertising revenues help keep the association financially stable.
 
• Paid Employees-The scorekeepers, time keepers, concession workers, gate keepers, announcer/music man and referees are all paid. They certainly don’t get rich on their wages, but this concept does add professionalism.
 
• Draft System-Second year midget players are drafted into the league with the bottom team having the first pick. 

• Working Relationships-The PGSLA works well with both Minor Lacrosse and the Masters Association. They have joint meetings and implement common rules. 

• Trades Allowed-All players and teams involved in a trade must agree before a deal is allowed. 

• Publicity-Sponsors get a good “bang for their buck” because of the strong emphasis on public relations.
Now the “flip side of the coin”.

 Here are a few areas requiring improvement: 

• Lack of Competition-Steamers Pub has lost one game in each of the last two seasons. In this year's playoff final they outscored Panago 83-28 in a 4-game massacre. Last year's final was even worse since the last game ended in a forfeit.
 
• Suspect Scheduling- Ending the playoffs in mid July hasn't worked. Why not end the playoffs in late June or take a break in July to allow for holidays and resume play in August? Other leagues (i.e. soccer) have tried this idea.
 
• No Website-Let’s get with the times. Many organizations have been surfing the “Web” for years. Although league officials are willing to pay a fee, no one has stepped forward to develop a website. 

• Free Agents-Under the current system, lacrosse star Gary Gait could move to town and play for his team of choice. The league needs to revisit this policy and conduct an entry draft.
 
There you have it, an outsider's point of view. Attendance hasn’t increased the last few years, so perhaps taking an honest look at a few “key” areas can help the association get to the next level. Moose and his sidekick are now into their 50’s, and will be moving on in the near future. Although there are areas requiring some work, they will leave the league in “good shape” and that's a term the two of them haven't heard often.

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* It was nice to see the PG Senior Lacrosse Association recognize its Coach of the Year Award in honor of the late Les Bartley. The league should have sent out a separate news release on this matter, rather than having it get lost in the shuffle with all the other awards.

* One of Bartley's final trips was to Prince George last year for the Toronto Rock exhibition game against the Vancouver Ravens (remember them?) . The lacrosse legend coached the Rock to four N-L-L titles. He lost his battle with colon cancer at the age of 51. Bartley was one of the few Easterners that garnered lots of respect in this neck of the woods.


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* Here are three guys and one gal you won't be seeing in one-column headlines anytime soon: Orlando Magic draft pick Martynas Andriuskevicius, Maui High School pitcher Kalaika Kahoohalahala, Olympic skier Kwame Nkrumaj-Acheampong of Ghana and pro golfer Virada Nirapathpongporn.


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* From "The Flip Side" column in the Baltimore Sun, after the Baltimore Orioles staged a "Lipstick Night" promotion this season.
"And you thought you knew what a makeup game was."

And, how is your week?

--Hartley Miller is the Sports Director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97FM. He
also writes for the PG Free Press
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