Parent Team Information

Welcome to the 2015-2016 Boys Swimming and Diving Season!  This notebook contains information designed to guide you through a successful and fun season.  Additional information is frequently emailed as the season progresses.  It is very important that you check your email frequently – as well as the Swim Blog (more information below).

East Grand Rapids High School has a proud tradition of swimming and diving success.  This success is due in large part to the contributions of parents who have been willing to volunteer where needed.  Thank you in advance for your help!

Coaches
Butch Briggs              Head Swimming Coach         bbriggs@egrps.org
Anne Williamson       Head Diving Coach                annewilliamson@me.com
Brandon Converse                                                    coachconverse@gmail.com
Chris Ingram                                                             chrisingram56@gmail.com


Captains              Captain Cell        Parents                      Parent Cell
Nathan Hein        817-876-5699    Kurt & Kathy             817-876-5698
Andy MacGregor 915-9504            Matt & Kathy             581-1426

Information can also be found on our webpage/blog:  egrhsboysswim.blogspot.com.    The week’s schedule, meet results, season statistics, top ten and other updated information will be included here.  The boys also have a Facebook page that they use for communication.  Please contact a captain if your son is not yet a part of it.

Meets
Please plan to attend as many meets as possible to cheer on your son and the team to success!  By sitting together at meets, we create a block of EGR support that is second to none!!

Activity Fee
A mandatory activity fee of $50.00 per athlete is collected at the start of the season.  This money can be paid at the first parent meeting and is separate from the participation fee paid to the Athletic Department.  This fee covers the cost of many special events that our boys take part in (see list below).  
                                             SuperBowl
                                             Chicken Dinner Before CRC Meet
                                             Senior Night
                                             Conference Dinnter
                                             State Meet – Steak Fry
                                             Banquet (Boys and Coaches Fees)
                                             Paper Goods for Spreads
                                             End of Year Book
                                             Coaches Gifts
                                             State Athletes Gifts

Checks should be made out to:  EGR Boys Swim and Dive.
Our budget is set up to balance at the end of the year – any excess funds will be used to offset the cost of the Banquet for all attendees.

Apparel
The Team (boys only) is given the option of purchasing “Team Apparel”.  Feel free to speak to other swim and dive parents for their perspective, but our experience is that most athletes get a lot of wear out of this apparel.  The Team Apparel includes:  A Team Tshirt, Team Shorts, Team Cap, Team Winter Beanie, and Sweatshirt.  An order form is enclosed in your folder – orders should be turned in to Kathy (Andy) MacGregor by Friday, December 4th.   

Fan Apparel order forms will be available on the Blog as well as emailed the first week in December! 

Suits
The boys Team Suit is a mandatory purchase and will run around $30.00.  Butch will confirm this at the Parent Meeting.  Checks should be made payable to EGR Athletics.

Sign Up Genius
We will be using Sign Up Genius to facilitate the logistics of sign ups and volunteers.  The first time you receive an email from sign up genius, you will be prompted to create an account with them, if you do not already have one.  Please do this as it will make future communications easier.  Everyone will need to volunteer for 1 dinner spread, 1 holiday breakfast spread and 1 Multi-Meet Spread (Pioneer Classic, EGR Invite and Conference). In addition – we will need all parents to help out with working shifts at the Multi-Meets -!!  Mark your calendars now!  Those who do not sign up, will be assigned.  Sign up genius can be accessed through our website.

Can Drive – Saturday – December 5th!!!!
The Can Drive is the Team’s only fundraiser.  The boys have been divided into Teams and given an area to collect cans.  We will be meeting at Lakeside School at 12:00 am to begin collecting.  The Collection Drop Off will be at D & W at Breton Village (parking lot behind Hungry Howies!)  We need as many parents as possible to help make this successful.  Donations collected prior to the event can be added to your team’s tally.  Money raised from this event helps to keep our activity fee down and will be applied to expenses throughout the season.  Also feel free to keep turning in bottle return money or receipts throughout the season to any of the Captains.

The winning team will receive a Jet’s pizza luncheon in the Team Room on a designated day!!


Car Pools
Traditionally, Juniors and Seniors have offered to drive the underclassman for the two day practices, as well as during the season.  Please have your son contact the Captains if they have not been put into a car pool yet.  It’s always nice to help your driver out with gas money J

Holiday and Alumni Breakfasts
During the two week holiday break the swim boys will have two practices a day.  Breakfast is provided for the boys after their morning practice at a host home.  The boys are driven to the breakfast by the carpool driver.  A breakfast schedule will be forthcoming.  Swim Parents please keep a lookout for a sign up genius email asking you to volunteer.  If you are a helper, your host will contact you prior to the event to share the menu and coordinate your contribution.

Attendance/Tardiness
Athletes are required to be at practice and meets on time, and stay for the entire activity.  If the need to be late or miss an activity arises, please let a coach know before the appointment.  If late because of a school related necessity, come with a pass from the school staff involved.

Athletes will participate in meets based on their practice attendance.
All else being equal, the faster swimmers will receive first consideration.

Athletes are required to attend all scheduled competitions unless otherwise directed by a coach.

Normally, the school will provide transportation to the meets.  Some meets we only have drop-off service – you will be notified.

Diet
It is imperative that our team is fit both mentally and physically.  A well balanced diet free from excessive fats and low nutrient “junk” foods will help ensure a better performance.  We will have specific diet information for those with questions. Generally speaking, a balanced diet on a daily basis is the best way to go.

Rest
Please develop a regulated schedule for sleep.  Your body will not react well to long periods of minimal sleep mixed in with short binges of “power sleeping”.  First year athletes may want to consider not attending the morning weight lifting sessions to help with adjustment to the schedule.

Miscellaneous
• As on all EGR teams, a physical and $250 participation fee are required
• Team results are handled by the coaches
• Captains’ parents organize the after meet spreads and parental responsibilities
• All swimmers will need a water bottle and an extra pair of goggles at each practice.
• Picture taking cell phones or cameras are not allowed in any locker room throughout the season
• Icing, stretching, or rehab will take place before or after practice, not during.  If the
severity of an injury prohibits the athlete from practicing, he should take care of it through a doctor/trainer.
• Hazing of any type is not permitted
• No cell phones during meets
• Car pools are the responsibility of the athletes

We expect all members of our program to conduct themselves in a manner that exhibits a positive reflection on our program and EGR High School.


Spreads

1.  Spreads (meals) are provided after conference home meets for EGR Swimmers/divers and the opposing team.  Away teams in our conference provide the same hospitality.

2.  On nights when spreads are held, we will also be feeding the opposing team.  Check with Butch to find out approximately how many boys on their team for planning purposes.

3. You have been assigned to a spread – if this date does not work for you – it is your responsibility to switch with someone and alert your spread leaders.

4.  Spread leaders should make it clear how costs will be shared – with saved receipts or just be dividing up the food evenly between helpers.

5.  Spreads may take place in the pool lobby or the cafeteria – please contact the Athletic Office to reserve space.

6.  Food should be brought to the serving area at the time designated by the spread leader.  The Team Room refrigerator may be used to store cold items (you may also get access to the Concession Stand).  The cafeteria kitchen is off limits for us.

7.  Final spread setup is done approximately 30 minutes before the end of the meet (after diving is a good time to gauge).  All spread participants should meet at that time.  You are responsible for serving.

8.  Please plan to help with clean up.

9.  Our evening custodian always appreciates a plate of leftovers!

Examples of spread contributions from previous years include:

• bottled waters, chocolate milk, Gatorade
• 2-3 dozen sandwiches, pizza, tacos, meatball subs, pulled pork sandwiches, pasta, mac and cheese, lasagna,
• veggies or salad
• fruit and/or dessert – brownies, cupcakes, bars, cookies (except on taper!)
• Please be considerate of our began/vegetarian athletes in your menu choices.


Special Events

SuperBowl Party
It has been a tradition for the boys to gather at someone’s home to bond as a team, while watching the Super Bowl.  We are looking for a swim or dive family that would be willing to host this year’s party.  Each swimmer or diver will be asked to bring an item to share, pizza will be provided.  More information will be provided.

Senior Night
This vent is held at the final home meet of the season, Tuesday, February 9th, and honors our senior swimmers/divers.  This night is traditionally planned by the junior boys and their parents.  Please see additional information included under Junior Jobs.

Post Conference Dinner
This special potluck dinner celebrates the end of the conference season.  All athletes, coaches and parents are invited to attend.  We are looking for a “host home”!  The main dish is provided by the Team budget.  This year’s dinner will be held on Saturday, February 27th. 

Chicken Dinner
 In the past, EGR swam against Zeeland and the Chicken Dinner was born – a chicken dinner the night before the meet against the Zeeland “Chix”.  We no longer swim against Zeeland, but today celebrate the night before our swim against Grand Rapids Christian Eagles with a chicken dinner J

State Meet
 The State Meet is scheduled for March 11 and 12 at Eastern Michigan University.  We have a block of rooms reserved.  More information will be coming as the time approaches.

Team Banquet
The Team Banquet will be held on the Tuesday following the State Meet ( March 15th).  Location to be determined.  Be sure to dress up for the banquet!  It’s always a fun event with dinner and awards for the swimmers and divers.  More details on the time for the banquet will be shared later.

Junior Jobs

The Junior Class team members and parents have traditionally taken on additional responsibilities each season:  Captain’s Gifts and Senior Night.

Captain’s Gifts
Each year, the team gives a gift to each of the Captains in appreciation of their service throughout the season.  Juniors arrange the collection of the money ($5.00 per athlete in previous years) and purchase a special gift.  Historically the boys have received a navy blanket with a varsity E stitched on along with embroidered name.  The blankets can be purchased through the Athletic Office.  There are several embroiders in the area.  Recommended is Jacque Smith (jacque2724@yahoo.com)


Senior Night
This year’s Seniors will be honored on Tuesday, February 9th prior to the start of the last home meet.  The events of the evening are planned and implemented by the juniors and their parents.

Ideas and suggestions for Senior Night include:

Theme related decorations
Senior Brochure – interview or questionnaire and pictures
Flowers for Mothers – ordered thru Crescent Floral
Posters for pool area

The Swim Team budget includes a line for this special event.  Please contact Kurt Hein or Kathy MacGregor regarding this amount and keep receipts for reimbursement.  The spread for the evening is handled by junior parents.  This is handled as a typical spread, but can be coordinate with a theme.  There is no budget for this meal.


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