Mark Rauterkus
New Position:
Head Swim Coach at Plum High School
November 18, 1991
Athletic Director
Memo regarding Meet Schedule for Swim Team
Dear Bob Terlinski,
Looking over the schedule for the swimming and diving team this year, I must say that we are far too busy. The maximum number of competitions for the team is 20, as stated by WPIAL and/or PIAA rules. Plum is going to swim in 21 meets is you count WPIALs and States as two different events. This exceeds the number of allowed meets.
First, I want to confirm with you that we are not in a rule violation with this number of meets. If we are, I want to get one or some of the exhibition meets cancelled. A copy of our schedule is attached.
Secondly, next season I am not in favor of scheduling any exhibition meets. How do these meets get put on the schedule?
Third, in place of the exhibition meets and dual meets, I think Plum should host a couple of larger, championship meets that are more similar to the types of meets that the swimmers will face at the end of the season.
• We should host an early season or Christmas season relay meet with 12 teams.
• We should host a Freshman/Sophomore championship within our Section.
• We should host a Varsity sectional meet within our section.
Not only would these larger meet experiences be more valuable than the dual meets, but I could host these in a manner that could increase our revenue for the program.
I would like to make improvements to the Plum Swimming program, and hosting better, larger and more competitive meets is the first step that should be taken. These meets will be a source for additional income for the program as well.
We have a good facility, capable community assistance, a motivated team, new leadership, and an area in the WPIAL that is ripe for fresh ideas. If I can get a good start on next year’s schedule in the month of December, then we can guarantee its success. As you know, major changes to the competition schedule takes time to sell the ideas to others as well as organize internally.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks.
Sincerely Yours,
Mark Rauterkus
Other letter
November 18, 1991
Athletic Director
Memo regarding Diving
Dear Bob Terlinski,
We are still without a diving coach. What is being done?
May I suggest that we announce the opening in the Sunday Sports section of the Pittsburgh Press.
Can we do anything to get the staff in the building considering the opening as a one-year assignment? I could ease some of their fears and help them. If any interested teacher wanted to meet with me, I could show them what type of assistance I could use.
If a diving coach is not found in the next week or so, I’d like to ask to be placed as Head Swim and Diving Coach as I am doing both jobs now. The diving is an extra set of responsibilities and will take me many extra hours each week.
Finally, if possible, we might want to talk about getting some of the money for the diving coach, if one is not found, to be redirected to expert diving instruction for the students on a clinic basis at special times throughout the season. For example, our divers could travel to Pitt on their own and take some clinics. But, there will be fees involved. perhaps we could split the fees with the athletes 50/50.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely Yours,
Mark Rauterkus
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