Kara B's letter to her former coach

 One of the best letters I ever got from one of the best swimmers I ever coached. It meant plenty to me then -- and it still does 30+ years later.

Front page:

Back page:

Notes from 2018:

The PAWW team was my "Dream Team." I had three great years in Peoria. Departing was hard. I went from $16,000 a year to a job that paid $22,000 for only nine months. 

I was the first full-time coach at New Trier Swim Club, NTSC. I stepped into a weird situation there and had one or more people on the seven person coaching staff who was a complete snake. 

As I was departing PAWW, I went far out of my way to recruit applications for my eventual successor. I put calls to Washington and strongly encouraged Mike Smithers to interview and take the position. Some months later he took the job and arrived in Peoria and developed his style and the team in ways that were different than what I was doing.

Reunion photo

Coach D. Amerman, Mark Rauterkus, Mike Herrin, Kara B, Erik Rauterkus
on the pool deck at Central Park Pool in Peoria, Illinois.

Letters from Spain after terrible USA Swimming in Europe.

Sharing thoughts with letters, pre SwimSwam.

NTSC Calendar

Why swim coaches scream

Why The Swim Coaches Scream!

Mark shares his ideas concerning poolside communications. A swim coach has many roles to play, and the two that Mark hates the most are Zookeeper and Policeman. The swimmers have to be in order and able to follow the directions from the leaders before the coaches really coach. But there is much more to this "screaming question."

For instance, the spectator in the stands sees the coaches communicate by screaming. However, one has to understand and consider the perspective of the swimmers'. The kids are packed into the lanes and elbow to elbow with numerous others who can make a world of distractions. Then, their ears are inches away from the sounds of rushing water often covered with sound-proof rubber caps, if not already plugged with water or putty. Most of all, the complete deftness of the aquatic sound barrier is always present. Additionally, the coaches are always a large vertical and horizontal distance away from the swimmers.

Then consider that these communications from the coaches are intended to be a process to incite actions. If the messages are lifeless, they are less of a motivational tool for the swimmers to further extend themselves in their efforts. Just wait till we start screaming our spirited cheers.

If some swimmers get more screaming than others, perhaps they are the most lucky, and the most coached. A coach who does not communicate is only a lifeguard. Hopefully, we will not need a lifeguard to coach or a cop for the lockerroom.

Meet schedule for NTSC

rejection from Texas, Austin -- job didn't open at Longhorn Aquatics

New Trier got my application.

I would get offered the job at New Trier as part of the New Trier Extension, its after-school / night school program. I'd be the head club coach, mostly with the duties to coach the 200 kids who were 8th grade and younger. Plus, I'd coach the high school swimmers when they were out of their high school season. 

But, this was only a 9 month position. Summers were off. And, it was for more money than I was making, by a bunch, in the Peoria Park District job for 12 months. 

I stepped into a quagmire that was only revealed to me some months later. Tony was a true snake as he was threatened and set many traps that were unavoidable. He aspired to be the girls head high school coach. He was a teacher and knew that Bruce was thinking of retiring due to some health worries. Bruce wouldn't need to stop coaching for many years to come. 

I began working more on the Great States Swimming News magazine and took a job at the computer store in Evanston, learning more about education sales and computers, desktop publishing and got to meet Catherine! 

Reference letter from Bradley University for Mark Rauterkus

NIU rejection

Denied trip to Colorado Springs - but would go later

Resume of Mark Rauterkus - 1986, while in Peoria looking elsewhere

Employment letter from Bradley Univ to Mark Rauterkus

Evaluations from Peoria Park District about the Coaches at PAWW

April 21, 1986

Dear P.A.W.W. Swimmers and Parents:

Your help with this evaluation is most appreciated! At this time of year, we are asking everyone to review this past season in our efforts to make improvements to the program according to the wishes of the parents. It is the Peoria Park District's philosophy to rely on participants feedback. In the past, we have had a low return rate for P.A.W.W. evaluations. Considering the commitment levels of the parents and swimmers, we would like to see a much higher percent returned to us this Spring.

Please return your evaluation by May 9. We are scheduling a parent's meeting for Friday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Park Pool. At this meeting we will make a presentation concerning the returned evaluations and start to draw up changes for the future P.A.W.W. program with the parents.

Each family is asked to do one parent evaluation and each swimmer is asked to complete his/her own evaluation. Parents can certainly help with the younger swimmers. Names are not needed on the evaluation form. Extra comments from everyone are welcome. We are enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope for your convenience.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

Sincerely,

Mark Rauterkus

Peoria Park District

Spirit Champions Again!

Reference letter for Mark Rauterkus from Peoria Park District's Laura Forstall

Letter to PAWW team about the Bradley Coaching Duties

Jan 30, 1986

Dear PAWW Swimmers and Parents:

This letter is to publicly inform all the P.A.W.W. swimmers of my recent appointment to Bradley University as "Acting Head Swim Coach." I believe everyone is already well aware of this development.

Jim Spink, Bradley's coach for 26 years, is still in the hospital fighting to make a recovery. I hope he is able to return to a more comfortable life at home in a few weeks and then back to work by next season, if he should choose to do so. Let's all hope and pray for the best for Coach Spink.

For myself, there is very little that needs to be compromised with my position with P.A.W.W. I only need to miss practices on Friday, January 10 for a dual meet at U.I.C.; Friday, January 24 for a dual meet at E.I.U.; and a dual meet on February 8 at P.A.W.W. vs. Quincy. Also, I'll need to miss practice on March 6 to take the team to the Mid-West Collegiate Championships.

There are many advantages for myself and the P.A.W.W. swimmers revolving around this opportunity. My knowledge of the various Mid-West Collegiate programs is greatly enhanced. This will help my guidance to high school graduates when selecting a college. Also, the college coaches now get to hear about the Peoria Area Swimmers when at college meets, and I can tell them about you personally and as a team. Next year we would like to take our senior girls team to a college campus for a dual meet. This is now a possibility.

Another benefit will be the team's exposure to college swimming at Bradley. A clinic is to be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 13-15, with Bradley University and Kevin DeForrest of Illinois. These are only a couple of advantages. The things we gather from strokes, workouts, community relations and news releases are outstanding.

But, this all revolves around a tragedy. With everything considered, there is an emergency situation and the Bradley swimmers needed specialized help that only a professional swim coach with collegiate experience could provide. I've accepted this challenge on a temporary position and I feel I have not let down the most important responsibility to the P.A.W.W. program and its fantastic individuals and families who make our team great.

Thanks for understanding the whole situation. I appreciate your continued support for me and for each other. Wouldn't it be a shame if you were a college senior dreaming about NCAA's and your coach had a stroke in the middle of the season?

I know the Bradley swimmers were all age-group pool rats like yourself in their past. We work towards college and national swimming as the highlight of a swimming career. It is only fair that they have the opportunity for success in their season, too. Moreover, let's make the best of our season, too. Besides P.A.W.W. is reaping so much success these days and in the days to come that we can share our secrets which will make us even better.

Sincerely,

Mark Rauterkus

P.A.W.W. Swimming Coach

PEORIA PARK DISTRICT

Golden Rules of any training program:

Don't get hurt.

Don't get sick.

Don't get fat.