Wednesday, November 17, 1999

Team Communication and Clarity

 On our first day of practice, Nov. 15, 2001, I passed out a 3 page listing of various activities and such for the team's knowledge.

The HS AD and both Principals got copies of this by Nov. 16. 

Here is one such change to that handout I've made -- so as to be "PERFECTLY CLEAR." 

Reactions and feedback welcomed. 

snip #1 --- A Lesson's Time and Space

There are no optional and no mandatory practices. Those terms hold us back. "Don't let the chains hold us back." Every event is a date. Always act with personal integrity. end snip #1 --- 

Please understand this: Nothing within my program has the designation of "MANDATORY." 

I tell the swimmers and their families that I try as best as possible to look at both the big picture and the small picture. If someone has out of town guest or even travels out of town on Thanksgiving -- fine -- I understand that. That is a look at the big picture of life. Visiting grandma in New York with a family trip is more important than being at a holiday practice. That is my approach. 

Furthermore, I want to know in advance in writing that the athlete is going to be away then -- however. I treat each practice/session/lesson like a "date." I don't like to be "stood up" on a date without advance notice. I want the athlete to tell me and leave me a note -- not the parent. 

This advance notice calls for personal integrity and being curious, I feel. There are fewer rules in my program -- but there are higher expectations as I'm going to hold the kids to higher behaviors from themselves by my expectations and my interactions with them. 

I don't have built in penalties for missed practices and such. I feel that in life, very little in life is "MANDATORY" and most of things are "optional." So too is the lifestyle of being an athlete and striving for personal excellence. 

People get to make choices in the real world. I want my program to be a spring-board to life -- and we want to develop skills for the athletes that are smoothly transferable to other life challenges. On the other hand, my swim program is NOT like an academic program or the operation of the H.S.

Many things in academics are MANDATORY. Rambling off. 

snip #2.

Sun. Nov 21 Join wrestlers at HS for gym and plyometrics at 1:00-2:00. Mark will be there. end snip #2

---- Notice, this event, has been changed on the "official" schedule. It now reads: 

snip #3 --- Sun. Nov 21 Opportunity to join wrestlers at HS for open gym at 1:00-2:00. Mark will be there. end snip #3 --- 

From my perspective, an open gym opportunity for the swim team and divers (as well as other in the greater HS community) -- when we are NOT going to the pool, when we are playing with another squad, when we are there for 1-hour, when it is on a SUNDAY, and when everything in my program is optional --- is NOT a practice. 

The remark from a page in the handbook said the following: 

3. No team representing a P.I.A.A. member school may practice or participate in any interscholastic athletic contest on more than six days in any calendar week during the regular season. Furthermore, this rule is easily side-stepped on many weeks of the season at many different schools when a swim teams compete in weekend meets within their "CLUB" setting. The HS coach has practices Monday through Friday and then the team swims a CLUB meet on Saturday and Sunday. Often the same coach is with the kids on the team(s) day-in-and-day-out months on end, yet alone never for 7 consecutive days. The reasoning -- and it is legit justifications -- is the fact that the HS team is not this CLUB team. Hence, everything is okay. 

Here, at CM, the kids are at a disadvantage because there is such a floundering club that has a counter-effect with the overall program. The kids at USC, BP, Mt. Lebo all have it much better than those at CM. All of those coaches are seeing all of their kids 7-days per week for weeks on end. 

At another time and place in my career, I recall years when I had two days off. One was Christmas, the other day off was Easter. On all other days I was working with the kids in some capacity. 

I am sure that Julie Rocks, a former coach, went to 2-day meets with some of the kids after a week of practices. I think we all agree that we want to be competitive and we want to be within the framework of the rules as well. Both are going to occur without doubt. And, we also need to keep a clear perspective on how we want to build the program for the future as I feel some of the program's infrastructure is in dire need of attention for long-term considerations. 

Hence, the serious attention to the passed memo with the highlighted area that came to me from the AD. 

I hope this makes sense. Thanks for listening.

Monday, November 15, 1999

Big Mac Swimming

Coaching Staff Bios for the Big Mac Winter Sports Program Book

The 99-00 season marks the start of a new era for Canon-McMillian Swimming and Diving program. Mark Rauterkus was hired as the varsity coach, and he assembled and recruited a new staff, including a new diving coach, Danielle, and two assistants, Shannon and Katie. Warm appreciation from the present staff goes to both, former coach, Julie Rocks, as her efforts helped to re-craft the positions, and the new AD, Dan Pallante.

Head Coach: Mark Rauterkus

Mark is ending a second mini-retirement from day-to-day swim coaching to lead this year's Big Mac team. Mark said, "I'm excited to be here -- and now I'm looking for long-term opportunities in coaching."

Mark began coaching in 1976, starting a NEW summer team in east-suburban Pittsburgh. He and fell in love with the sport as an assistant at Greater Pittsburgh Swim Club. He moved to become the head coach for the Athens (Ohio) Swim Club (3-years), assist the Ohio Univ. Men's team (4-years), and get a BS in Journalism (82). Mark went to Baylor Univ. (Texas) for grad studies in HPER as a teaching assistant/coach. Mark took the Peoria, Illinois team to #2 state finishes in both Age Group, and Senior Championships getting a couple of "spirit awards." Mark coached with Bradley Univ., Bernal's Gators in Mass. (then at Harvard), Evanston (IL), New Trier (IL), and Plum High School. In both seasons at Plum (early 90s), the girls team finished #2 in WPIAL Championships, each year winning 3 events with many All-America honors. Mark's swimmers have set state records in 4 states.

When not coaching, Mark has been a stay-at-home dad (recently), sports advocate and a publisher of cutting-edge sports participation titles, working on more than 100 various titles, including 12 swimming-specific books.

Mark hopes to build a program of excellence that includes activities beyond the pool, including a sports lecture series and many high-tech enrichment experiences for our team and community.

Mark and his family reside in Pittsburgh's South Side. Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., is the Director of the Eye and Ear Institute and a teacher/researcher at Pitt. Sons are Erik, 5, and Grant, 2 in Dec. 99.

Diving Coach: Danielle Waters

Danielle grew up in the North Hills, graduated from Hampton High School (92) and was a Hampton diver for four years. Danielle received a BS degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University. While at O.U. she was a member of the Division I diving team for four years, was a Mid American Conference meet qualifier three times, a NCAA qualifier, and a team captain.

Danielle attended grad school at the University of Pittsburgh from 1996-1998. While getting her Masters degree she coached the Hampton High School Diving Team (1997-1998).

Danielle got married in August, 1999, and lives in Bridgeville. She is currently a clinical audiologist for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Assistant Coach: Shannon Pickett

Shannon, 22, is presently a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. She has a B.S. degree in Communication Disorders from Central Michigan University. She swam for fourteen years on a YMCA team where she was named MVP for four years and held many team records in various events. She also swam at the college level at Grand Valley State University for two years.

Shannon's coaching experience ranges from beginning swimmers to high school and was a private swim instructor for adults and children. She also coached for the Special Olympics and swam with the Deaf Olympic swim team. Shannon is very excited about the opportunities to work with swimmers this season.

Assistant Coach: Katie Moore

Katie, 22, is a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing a masters in Audiology. She has a B.S.ED. from the University of Georgia in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is a former high school and intramural college swimmer, having swam competitively for a total of twelve years.

Katie has experience coaching beginning and intermediate swimmers on club teams and in private lessons. Her coaching emphasis is in technique, stroke work, and conditioning. She is looking forward to an exciting and productive swimming season this year.

Tuesday, November 09, 1999

Early Season with new team, CM Swimming

Swimming and Diving Team Schedule

Updated schedule on the net at www.FreeTeam.Org/cm

Temporary Two Weeks or So:

Only the first two weeks of the swim schedule are being provided on Nov. 15. In future years after I've got a better understanding of the entire season and other operations, I'll try to have the seasonal schedule presented at the first practice. For now, because the staff is new, we are going to present the seasonal schedule around Thanksgiving / December 1.

A Lesson's Time and Space

There are no optional and no mandatory practices. Those terms hold us back. "Don't let the chains hold us back." Every event is a date. Always act with personal integrity.

Understand This!

Golden Rule: Notify Coach Mark in writing in advance of any out of the ordinary occurrence. Email: Mark@ -- Voice mail: 412-481-2497. The divers are lucky to have the coaching guidance from both Mark and Danielle -- notify them both. Danielle@SportSurf.Net.

Elsewhere Ends

The program revival and gathering of all swimmers begins Nov. 15 -- without exception. This is a change. We'll talk about change in great length. Swimmers who are members of other swim programs take note! Going to a club practice is NOT a substitute for our HS team practice at this time. Club swimmers have more to re-learn, more to re-program and more to benefit from attending all sessions. The assembly-line coaching approach requires that the new system be understood in a progressive way. Drills from one day are expanded upon and embellished in combination drills in the next day.

Furthermore, the behaviors within the optional, pre-season are suspect.

Who is who

One of the key building blocks of our program is inclusion. Another key to success is the advancement of homogeneous training groups. To better control the inclusion and diversity as well as make for suitable challenges and group striving Visitors are welcomed at certain times and places. We want to have the river of life flowing into our program, and we want to be To include those who should be included

Key:

  • Team is the entire group of Canon Mac athletes: This includes swimmers, divers, and dual athletes. This includes all ability levels.
  • Swimmers are those who do not dive.
  • Divers are those who do not swim and those who are dual athletes.
  • Dual athletes are those who are able and willing and going to be in swimming and diving events.
  • WPIAL group = swimming athletes who are destined to be in the WPIAL Championship meet. Those that expect to make this time standard are welcome at this time. Later entry into this group is subject to qualification justifications.
  • State group = swimming athletes who are destined to be in the PIAA Championship meet. Those that expect to make this time standard are welcome at this time. Later entry into this group is subject to qualification justifications. Of course, those in the state group are also part of the WPIAL group.
  • Varsity: the bulk of the team is in this group.
  • JV = swimming athletes who are part of the WPIAL and State group are NOT part of the JV group.
  • Upper-class: Juniors and Seniors
  • Underclass: Freshmen and Sophomores
  • Middle-Schoolers = MidS = those who are in grades 7 & 8 and attend either of Canon-Mac's Middle Schools and was interested in being on the school teams while in those grades and is expected to be on the HS swim team.
  • Middle-Schoolers-Plus-Club = Mid+ = those who are in grades 7 & 8 and attend either of Canon-Mac's Middle Schools and who are engaged in on-going swimming training for a club team such as GCSC, Washington Y, Tidal Wave, CV. Grade 6 participants are eligible to attend this group by tryout.
  • NCAA = NCAA athletes = Those that are training at a NCAA program.
  • Alumni = those that have graduated and are retired from Senior swimming.
  • Post Graduates = those who are beyond their HS career, and perhaps beyond their NCAA career too. Those who are still in senior swimming.
  • Masters = those who are still able and willing to compete in swim or multi-sport events.

Divers: Divers join the swim practice when schedule says laps.. was interested in being on the school teams while in those grades and is expected to be on the HS swim team.


Monday: Nov. 15
Swim Practice from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Two swimmers with advance notice okay to exit early for PP Football.
Divers from 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Tuesday: Nov 16
Swim: from 6:00 am to 6:55 am. Please be ready to be in the water at 6 with the Perfect 50. Practice conclusion time 6:55 am.

Swimmers at AM practice get a gift from Coach Mark. It is an autographed copy of the first book he ever published. It has a seasons worth of swim practices from the Univ. of Alabama. Check out the book -- and we'll have a future home work assignement about its contents and such in due time.

Swim: 3:00 to 5:00
WPIAL & State swimmers to 5:45 pm.
Dive from 6:30 to 8:00 pm


Wed. Nov 17
Swim & Dive: Team photos. at pool at 3:00 pm.
Swim: 3:30 to 6:00 pm with assistant coaches to conclude practices.
Dive: 3:30 to 4:30 laps.

Parent Booster Meeting at 7 - 8 pm at Canonsburg Middle School Library.

Thur. Nov 18
Seniors at HS for photo at 3 pm.
All team at High School for conditioning at 3 pm.
Dive from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Fri. Nov 19
Team (all swimmers and divers) at HS for conditioning at 3 pm.
JV kids with assistant coaches at pool from 4-6 pm for private lessons. Email requests to Shannon and Katie@SportSurf.Net.

Sat. Nov 20
Swimmers from 7-9 am.
Sun. Nov 21
Opportunity to join wrestlers at HS for open gym at 1:00-2:00. Mark will be there.
Mon. Nov 22
Team at HS for conditioning, 3:00 to 4:15. Includes divers!
Dive from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Tue. Nov 23
Swim 3:00-5:00
Dive from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Wed. Nov 24
Divers to HS conditioning, 3-4 pm and dive from 4:30-5:15 (requireds).
Swim 3:00-6:00 pm
Thur. Nov 25 (Thanksgiving)
Swimmers: 7:00 to 10 am.
Divers from 8:30-9:00 stretch and condition at pool.
Dive from 9:10 to 10:00

Fri. Nov 26
Swimmers: 7:00 to 10 am.
Dive from 9:00 to 10:30 am with D.W.

Sat. Nov 27
Swimmers: 7:00 to 10 am
Divers from 8:30-9:00 stretch and condition at pool.
Dive from 9:10 to 10:00
Sun. Nov 28
off

Mon. Nov 29
Swim: 3:00 - 5:00
Dive: 3:00 @ HS.
Dive from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Tue. Nov. 30
Swim: 3:00 to 6:00. Looking for draft of swim line-up please.
Dive from 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Wed. Dec. 1
Swim 3:00 - 5:00
Dive @ HS at 3:00 and Dive at 4:15-5

Thur. Dec. 2
Swim: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Team Pasta Party after practice to 8 pm. Divers eat first at 6 pm. Dive 7:15 - 8:30 pm

Fri. Dec 3.
Meet vs. McKeesport at HOME at 6:30. Divers to pool by 4:30. Swimmers in water at 5:15. No food at meet. Eat before warmup.