Spiker from Canada

Forming, WPIAL Swimming & Diving Alumni Group -- accepting founding members

Obama Golfing Team with Coach Mark

The solution chatter

Sadly, PPS, by and large, fails to understand some of the basics of life.

What does PPS want? It says "safety" is the top priority. 

For many, to amp up the safety factors makes life feel more oppressed. Confinement, surveillance, oppression, ridged authority, supervision with gatekeepers and control is their rulebook guide.

“In order to get people to do what you want them to do, you have to understand what motivates them."

PPS doesn't always have a good grip on what motivates the youngsters.

You also have to know how to present yourself and your product to get their interest, their trust, and

ultimately their willingness to call you, visit you, or send you their talents, energy and enthusiasm. 

There are transactions to be made here. Money is a part of it with the citizens paying the taxes, of course. Others can choose to vote with their feet and depart the city. 

Human psychology has not changed in ten centuries.

As a coach, I don't wish for safety as a top goal. It seems to me that safety is an artifact of responsibility, learning, betterment, engagement, devotion and improving results. 

When we win, we are safe. When we win, we show up. PPS is losing the safety battle and losing in achievements in education and sports.

Fwd: Global Athlete launches full Website as Mobilization Strategy gets underway

---- Forwarded message ---------

From: Global Athlete <media@globalathlete.org>

The new international athlete-led movement for change in sport, Global Athlete, has today launched its full website as part of its drive to engage...

MEDIA RELEASE Global Athlete launches full Website as Mobilization Strategy gets underway  New Athlete-led Movement for positive change, Global Athlete, today unveils full website following its February 2019 launch Website launch coincides with the Movement's Athlete Mobilization Strategy getting underway worldwide   27 May 2019: The new international athlete-led movement for change in sport, Global Athlete, has today launched its full website as part of its drive to engage and empower the world's athletes to rally behind transforming the way sport is run. The site, which launches after three months in the making, highlights the Movement's goal to promote athlete-led change to growing issues in world sport ranging from athlete welfare, unlocking athletes' marketing potential, ensuring athletes receive Olympic revenues and better representation at the decision-making table. With the Movement's long term objectives set to be defined following the results of the ongoing listening exercise that Global Athlete has begun with the world's athlete community, the site offers sportsmen and women the opportunity to get up-to-speed on the pressing issues in sports governance, express their views through polls or to learn the latest developments from Global Athlete as it develops. "With the athlete call for greater representation and meaningful engagement alongside administrators growing fast, our website is a place where we listen to, engage and empower athletes. The site provides athletes the opportunity to gain information on the governance of sport, express their voice and provide meaningful input on issues, and to sign-up as a Supporter of positive change in sport," said Global Athlete Director General, Rob Koehler. "Athletes have begun a journey to balance the scales and put their voice at the heart of decisions that will determine the future of their sports. We hope our website offers the platform they need to express themselves freely, and without judgment, as they continue that journey to change the culture of decision-making in sport," added Koehler. The launch of the website coincides with the official commencement of Global Athlete's mobilization strategy - the 'listening exercise' - which is a central part of the Movement's efforts to hear athletes' points of view from all countries and all sports, no matter whether they are appointed or elected athletes, part of Commissions or simply individual voices. All athletes' views will be considered in order to determine the future of Global Athlete as it works to modernize international sport, and bring sports governance into the twenty-first century. ENDS   About Global Athlete Global Athlete is a new international athlete-led movement aiming to inspire and drive change across the world of sport. As a movement run by athletes, for athletes, Global Athlete's goal is to balance the power between athletes and sporting leaders, and to enable athletes to have their say about the way in which sport is run. Global Athlete aims to change sport for the better and bring it into the twenty-first century by mobilizing athletes, following the recent unprecedented uprising in which athletes have called for enhanced rights and changes to the way sport is governed. Global Athlete is being funded initially by FairSport along with other individual donors whose desire is to drive change for a better athlete environment. Global Athlete is entirely independent from government, sport and National Anti-Doping Organizations. As such, the funders will have no part in the decision making or operations of the Movement; they have contributed because of their passion for sport and a desire to see improvements to athlete rights across the world of Olympic and non-Olympic Sport.  This will be a movement led by athletes. Athletes who are passionate about seeing change, and want to start a conversation on how they see the future of sport, are encouraged to sign-up at the Global Athlete website: http://globalathlete.org/   Media Information For more information on Global Athlete, or for any interview requests, please contact Global Athlete Director of Communications, Ben Nichols: E: media@globalathlete.org M: +44 (0) 7555 538475 Copyright © 2019 GLOBALATHLETE, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Global Athlete PO Box 748 Forked River, NJ 08731 As a committed supporter of the athlete voice in sport, Global Athlete has determined that you are someone with an interest in receiving our latest news and other information. If you would prefer not to receive any further communications from Global Athlete, you can easily unsubscribe from this list. You can also update your preferences here.

Global Athlete · PO Box 748 · Forked River, New Jersey NJ 08731 · USA

Wayne's World: Q&A with WG - could be the best interview ever

Wayne's World: Q&A with WG: Renowned coaching professional Wayne Goldsmith joins Jason Pine on Radio Sport Mornings each Wednesday after 10am. This week, Wayne takes calls and texts

Great times at Highland Park Pool for water polo games with NCAA teams and Renegades

Wow. Great day. Thanks Citiparks.

Trib coverage of water polo at Highland Park Pool on Saturday

https://TinyURL.com/water-polo-trib

Pass the word. Bring a lawn chair, snacks and some cold drinks in a cooler. Plus, your swim suit, of course. Pool opens in the shallow end at 1 pm. Just pay the day rate if you don't have a pool tag. 

Dancing in the park

Catherine loves to dance in the park, and especially loves this group leader.

Fwd: Book Musial Moments for your summer program

------ Forwarded message ----------

From: St. Louis Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Foundation

Book Musial Moments for your summer program The St. Louis Sports Commission has created an innovative program fostering civility, respect and selflessness among young people in the St. Louis region. Inspired by the great Stan Musial, the organization is visiting schools and summer programs in the metro area to introduce the concept of "Musial Moments" and to instill the qualities of sportsmanship on and off the field. Presentations are led by Solomon Alexander (a.k.a. The Sportsmanship Guy), the director of the Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Foundation. Through a fun and interactive 45-minute session, students are motivated to care about sportsmanship and to be good to those around them - just as Stan the Man did during his illustrious career and life. Funding from Sports Commission supporters enables this program to be offered at no cost to participating groups. To bring Musial Moments to your school or youth organization, call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org. The following schools and youth organizations have hosted Musial Moments assemblies since the program's inception in 2015: Bob McCormack's Youth Basketball Camp Bayless High School (2) Fort Zumwalt High School (2) McKinley High School  Duchesne High School Great Circle St. Rose of Lima (DeSoto, Mo.) Bristol Elementary Woerner Elementary (2) Forsyth Elementary Central Elementary (Roxana, Ill.) Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club (2) Halls Ferry Elementary (2) McCluer High School Ritenour Middle Holman Elementary Robinson Elementary LeMasters Elementary Danforth Elementary Johnson-Wabash Elementary (2) Robinwood Elementary Commons Lane Elementary Sherwood Elementary Carondelet Leadership Academy Henderson Elementary Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, Mo.) Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center The J in Creve Coeur St. Alban Roe School Hazelwood Northwest Middle Academy of the Sacred Heart (St. Charles, Mo.) St. Charles Borromeo School Shenandoah Valley Elementary Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis - Adams Park Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis Parkway South Middle St. Ferdinand School Fort Zumwalt North Middle Wohlwend Elementary Mary Queen of Peace School

St. Louis Sports Foundation, 308 N. 21st Street, Suite 500, St. Louis, MO 63103

Act 47 recommends -- Throwback to June 30, 2004 and the Trib

Pittsburgh has a new acting director of Citiparks in early 2018, and I'm excited to meet with him about some fun summer plans.

This is a snip from the Tribune, June 30, 2004 when a divided council passes the Act 47 plan. The headline in this part read: Key recommendations of the Act 47 recovery plan:

Playing well with others, in the city, took a beating in those times and never fully recovered.

Penn Hills Baseball - Team photos

Click image for larger view. 

Robins

First year of organized baseball. One game I made all three outs in the same inning. Our team was up at bat. I played second base and was jazzed that we were winning by so much. Then we took the field and my team mate, Kevin, (middle of the photo) revealed that obscure stat to me on my at-bat performance that past inning.

Orange team. 

I think we went with colors as the team name. I stayed, by choice, in farm league. Our teams always had a lot of double plays.

Back row: Timmey, Frankie, McBunney, Mr. Will.
Middle row: Maxwell, Me (Mark Rauterkus), Danny Anderson, Janokaweki, Higgins.
Front row: Dave Cioca, Duffu, Garry, P. Beraradino, M. Beraraino (brothers I guess). Spelling unsure. Source is scribble on back of photo.

Mavericks. 

Back row: Mr. Finn on back left, then me, Mark Rauterkus, ? George Boyle, Dan Anderson, Terry Flaherty.
Middle row:
Front row:

Angles:

Back row: Coach ?, me, Mark Rauterkus, ?, Timmy Meyers, Coach, Coach.
Middle row: Tommy, Jan B, Randy R, Binywild, Sammy.
Front row: Straw, Kevin, Joey, Mark Kucher, ?, ?

My Quora Answer to a sports question:

How do you explain why people like sports to someone who doesn't like sports?

by Mark Rauterkus, Swim & Water Polo Coach

Sports are games. The games have rules. The realm of these rules and game play makes an alternative reality. This is pretend importance and escape from life. This is high drama of meaningless outcome. Entering the bubble of sports is fun.

Sport is unscripted too. Outcomes are uncertain. Think mystery. Who wins and who is the goat is for all to see. Sport often delivers new terms and jargon. The language gets twisted in sports with new meanings and pretend signals with superstition and superstar play. GOAT, for instance, means GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

Sports put humans at their very best in my opinion. We go higher, faster, longer in quests for greatness. Be the strongest and be a better self every week, every day, hour and minute growing a passion of excellence.

There are some take-home messages from sport for life. The lessons of sport can transcend into life. Sports should help, illustrate and encourage society and individuals to be better. Through sport and because of sport, rise up and be a better citizen, student, parent, professional.

If one does not like sports, well, fine. Different strokes for different folks. Try golf instead. Golf gets a pass into the world of sports because the thought of bashing small balls with such great force and accuracy is to scary to imagine out of the context of sports.

Two Facebook Flashbacks

In 2010, from my Blackberry phone I posted. Maryland Terps Hoops graduate 8 percent. Duke more than 90. Money after graduation and debt after degree unknown.

Four years ago I was posting for a few weeks from a hospital in Dallas, while enduring two surgeries -- ruptured appendix. One of my tips then was, "Don't eat rotisserie chicken the meal before flying south."

From the Pittsburgh Airport to Oakland, keep an eye out for this guy's visit. Hear he might be in town to interview and negotiate for a new job.

Let me know if anyone, perhaps an Uber driver, sees this guy around town. Pitt is on the prowl for a men's basketball coach.

Fwd: USNA Summer Seminar and Summer STEM - Now is the Time!

Something to consider for summer for middle and high school students:

These programs at NAVY may interest some, especially if STEM-focused.  

1.  For an out-of-the-ordinary STEM summer session at the U.S. Naval Academy (5 days, students residing in the dormitory, Bancroft Hall), and it's for 8th-10th Graders (for the Fall).  The Academy Admissions Office drafted the email notice itself, and passed it out to USNA Blue & Gold Officers around the country.  "Blue & Gold Officers" (like Coach Ed) work with the Admissions Office to help spread the word about not-your-normal but hopefully stimulating programs that younger students may find challenging, particularly if they love STEM or science fields.  

2.  For a Summer Seminar about a college - a week like no other.  This is for rising Seniors who may be considering a career in the Navy or Marine Corps, and wish to see a bit of what it may be like (or more!)  Through the lens of one of the pathways to becoming an officer, at the U.S. Naval Academy.  Like the STEM Summer Session for younger students, this one is also residential, so parents drop 'em off and pick 'em up later!  

Below is the approved USNA-style email advisory:

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Good afternoon!

The applications for the United States Naval Academy's Summer Seminar and Summer STEM are OPEN!

Summer STEM is geared toward students currently in 8th, 9th and 10th grade, the Summer STEM residential program will give attendees an opportunity to engage in hands-on math and science activities with our faculty and midshipmen. 

 

2018 Sessions:

June 4-9 for current 8th graders (rising 9th graders)

June 11-16 for current 9th graders (rising 10th graders)

June 18-22 for current 10th graders (rising 11th graders)

 

Attached is a digital brochure and the website is:

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM.php#fndtn-panel1-Attending

Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) offers an opportunity for rising high school seniors to experience the academy for one week. Participants learn about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's future leaders at this four-year college.

2018 Sessions:

June 2-7

June 9-14

June 16-21

 

Attached is a digital brochure and the website is:

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel1-Steps-For 

This past summer,

​

USNA

 hosted students from all 50 states, US territories, as well as students living abroad. Both attendees and parents raved about the experience, and we are counting on you to help spread the word about these fantastic opportunities. 

You can check out more on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/NavalAcademyAdmissions/

 

Please watch and

​

feel free to

​

share our videos:

STEMandNASS

Summer Seminar

 

draft of a new slide deck on issues with PPS

Issues from Coach Mark Rauterkus concerning Pittsburgh Public Schools from Mark Rauterkus

Slide show updated

Aquatics and Pittsburgh Public Schools

PPS Community Schools v2.0 from Mark Rauterkus

Tip: You might want to view this on the SlideShare site so it can easily go to full screen.

Ask for the PDF or Keynote if you want parts or all of it.

Conservative foil: Sue Kerr of Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Conservative foil:Sue Kerr of Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Let's ponder the definition. “Conservative” is holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion.

Sue Kerr, a blogger, (I am a blogger too) is playing the role of a conservative and asking people to vote “NO” to the City of Pittsburgh ballot measure that I have championed because:

- She has not found anyone with actual facts, however, she refused to answer my friend request on Facebook and refused to discuss this with me despite my repeated approaches to her. So, her seeking is more like planned avoidance. Come on Sue. Why can't we be friends? One of my central themes as a coach and advocate for better government is “playing well with others.”

- Then she writes, “the narrow exclusion would only benefit a few people.” Really? You really want to put hardships on super-minorities? You think that because only a fraction of the population is (insert letter of your choice) that they don't deserve the rights of others? What about protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity? Hey, that is a “narrow” and those protections only benefit a few people. So, let's let things as they are. So conservative of you.

Pittsburgh passed a law with sexual orientation protection and that benefits few – and I'm proud to have that as part of the fabric of our city's legacy. Helping a few people helps us all be better, be stronger, be more whole. At its roots, the ballot question is about non-discrimination. I don't like discrimination, even for a few, and I'm puzzled why you favor it.

- Vote no, posts Sue, “because some are already coaching and teaching in public universities as adjunct faculty (just Google a few names.)” What? Who? Name names! I know of none. Should we google the entire city payroll? And, what might that uncover? I don't have the names of all the city workers. Sue, why don't you send this posting to Michael Lamb, city controller. Does your partner work for CCAC? I don't know what to think. I lost my decoder ring anyway. And, let's say it is true in that perhaps there are a few workers in the city who are already working another part-time job, against the norm and city charter's stipulations, for CCAC and /or Pittsburgh Public Schools – then what? Do you want to whistleblow? Or, would you just forgive them and not allow others the same opportunities? Then vote YES with me. Or, are you just without any logic and wishing to spread fog and doubt?

- Since, as Sue posted, “enforcement of this ban has certainly not been consistent” then it makes sense to vote YES and be done with this opportunity for meaningless rule-breaking. All should know that I championed this ballot question because last year a newly-hired coach was forced off of the PPS job because of his city employment with the department of public works. Real work actions, to my knowledge, have been fully consistent and ethical. He should not have worked last year – and he didn't. But, he should be able to work as a coach next week if we change the charter. And, I hope he applies, gets hired and takes another coaching job as soon as possible.

- Sue thinks a no vote is wise because of a lack of an informed perspective. Wrong. The matter before the voters in the election is for part-time employment. Part-time employment for public-school coaching and adjunct teaching at CCAC is different. The charter's authors didn't visualize every possible situation under the sun for the future of our city. This is an enhancement. Be progressive.

The quote from Mr. O'Connor of city council speaks against a broader exemption as being problematic, but this ballot question is specific and NOT A PROBLEM.

Ms. Rudiak of city council defends the ballot question too. The change is what it is. It is not an exemptions for all types of government side work. It is a question with focus. Perhaps Sue likes uncertainty and sinister plots within her ballot questions. I don't.

- Sue goes on to slam Natalia Rudiak for leaving office at the end of her term. She didn't seek re-election because she is moving on to other chapters in her life. “Who would champion such a thing?” is a direct question from Sue. Answer: A reasonable person who listens to citizens' concerns and does her job while she is hired to do her job. I'm happy that Natalia has not been a lame duck for an entire year.

Sue attempts to throw stones now at the messenger and not the message, a childish ploy.

Sue then plays the not forthcoming victim yet won't converse with me. Joke is on Sue.

Sue gets it wrong again when she posts that the goal is to create more employment and side income opportunities for City employees. Wrong! That is not the goal. Sue knows what the goal is, as the first line of her blog post reads, “… I think students in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) deserve good coaches.” That's the goal. We had a good coach knocked off of a part-time coaching job opportunity because of a city-charter provision that worked AGAINST good coaching. Here is the formula from 2016-17 season on the PPS pool deck: 2 coaches, minus one, equals less coaching. That's bad. Help fix it.

- Sue asks a question for another day and another referendum, “Why not allow employees to do holiday temp work with the postal service?” That's not the issue. Your thinking that voters should pick “NO” because this ballot question is not going to help the postal service is crazy talk. I'm happy Sue thinks coaching is important. No amount of her lengthy googling should get in the way of a YES vote on this simple measure.

- Sue asks: Is it reasonable to amend our City constitution to address select employment vacancies in PPS? Isn’t that the responsibility of PPS? NO! The sticking point is the city, not PPS. The problem is with the city's charter, not PPS. When fixing a problem, go to the source of the problem. Victims are not to blame.

We’re talking 3,100 people who would be ineligible out of the whole population of the City. Is that a reason to change the constitution? YES. Vote yes. Problem fixed. Changes made. No blood required. This is not a drastic measure. I hate to write such a drastic blog post too.

The 3,100 people who work for the city account for the second largest block of employed people in the city. If five great coaches come from the ranks of the city's work force, they could impact hundreds of kids a year. Whole schools and neighborhoods could change. Teen violence might reversed itself. I know that I help to teach about 200 kids how to swim and swim better every year. In the course of my career, more than 10,000 kids have called me “coach.” The impact of a few coaches can be tremendous. I think that some of the folks who work in the city should have the same opportunities to contribute to the community in meaningful ways as I have had the good fortune to do as well.

I've been known to recruit coaching help for employment needs anywhere and everywhere. Even at UPMC and at AGH. Last year, an kid of an AGH employee was employed with our Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo Camp. Furthermore, it is HARD to find qualified candidates to coach in part-time positions. There is a world-wide shortage of lifeguards. Coaching shortages are, well, just google it yourself, Sue.

Sue says that this proposed change will disproportionately benefit men. Sue, ever hear of Title IX? There are not fewer opportunities for women coaches. And, women and men make the same money in coaching with PPS as it is a union-negotiated amount. Double-wrong.

OMG Sue, here is my answer for your absurd question that follows. Yes. Anyone can sue anyone at any time. Sue's Q: “Does this set up the possibility for excluded employees to sue the City because they are not able to pursue a sorting gig with the USPS over the holidays?” No one answered that question – except me.

Only a conservative crank would use the lack of a robust research process on the charter provision’s history – paralysis by analysis – as an excuse for a no vote.

Coaching is a privilege. I am privileged. I coach boys and girls. Title IX insures that the boys and girls get equal treatment.

I do not want to see our police union in Harrisburg at the PA Supreme Court in litigation seeking rights to move their homes and their kids into school districts that are out of the city. Rather, I'd be more willing to permit employees of the city, such as those on the police force, to be permitted to coach their sons and daughters and their classmates in the city's schools programs of sports, music, chess, drama, debate – with part-time jobs. For some, being engaged in the lives of their children is important. And, it is important enough that if my city prohibited that from happening, moving out of the city makes great sense. Let's keep those people here.

And you'd rather have a volunteer coach from the ranks of city employees – for further hardships on families. A volunteer coach isn't accountable. A volunteer coach has no standing with the district and can be flicked aside by the PFT in a heart-beat. Clueless odds are high. I do not want evenly applied coaching employment. I want talented, inspiring coaches. You seem to want to keep employees of the city within financial distress.

Your commending of the city employees who put forth this suggestion is misplaced too. A city resident and a PPS coach, acting on my own, seeing the reality of situations, put forth the ballot measure. The city and the district have been reserved. Let's all applaud people who act with integrity and let's all fix flaws, together. Both big and small flaws count. Don't get in the way of progress because it has always been done in another flawed way. This is fair. This is complete for what it is. If you want utopia, put it on the ballot yourself.

A good reason for you to block this YES vote is because a women helped get it in front of the voters and she is quitting. We are losing women in elected roles so we should not pass measures that they help to advance. Come on.

You, Sue, can write the post-office ballot measure for 2018. Go for it.

By the way, off of society's needs can't be put into one YES or NO ballot measure. By voting YES, the citizens of Pittsburgh get to side-step and fix a WORST-PRACTICE clause in the city's charter. It isn't about “best-practices” – but rather about making improvements.