COACH'S CORNER

Action for Excellence:
It's confirmed! Bowie Aquatic Club's coach, John Mason, has arranged to host the Pacific Institute's Action for Excellence seminar later this month. Jeff Goforth will present an exciting two-day learning experience that will capture the imagination and attention of everyone who attends. The seminar is scheduled on Friday, Sept. 28th, from 4:30-8:30pm & Saturday, Sept. 29th, 8:00am-5:00 pm. It will be held on the Bowie State College campus. The cost to attend is $65 per athlete. Informative brochures will be distributed soon to Levels 4, 5 & 6 athletes. I strongly recommend all 12 & older athletes attend. If you are interested, please contact Coach Chuck no later than September 17th.

Club By-Law Changes/Updates:
I am still waiting for several key issues to be resolved before proposing any changes or updates to the CBAC By-Laws. In the meantime, I continue to receive expert legal and financial advice, along with input from team parents. Our hope is to move forward as quickly as possible, while simultaneously covering all bases. I sense only positive change ahead. Please contact me if you have any concerns at all.

Meet Schedules:
This year we will issue three meet schedules: Mini meet schedule (usually 10 & unders), an A & under schedule, and an A & over schedule. For those of you who just joined the club, more detailed explanations will be provided at the New Parent Meeting, October 3rd, 6:15 pm @ St. Mary's College.

Spring Session - Where's the Pool?
Some parents have asked if there will be a spring session, or will we swim after January? The answer is "yes"! We'll be at St. Mary's College Pool until April, possibly May, 2002. Along with Board members, I will do everything possible to ensure pool time for CBAC swimmers.

Where in the World is Coach Chuck?
Coach Chuck plans to attend the United States Aquatic Sports Symposium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from Sept. 11 - 16th. He will represent part of the Maryland Swimming Delegation. The symposium is significant in that major decisions will be rendered regarding operations, policy & procedures of United States Swimming. Coach Chuck also plans to discuss topics related to United States Open Water Swimming, of which he is a member of both domestic and international committees.

Officials Clinic:
Posted on the team bulletin board is information about Maryland Swimming's first officials clinic. Without officials, we will not be able to keep hosting the three meets we have, not to mention the possibility of hosting more. At present, Randy Morris is our only certified referee. If you are interested in helping the club and learning more about swimming, please contact Randy Morris at (301)872-4266. If you cannot attend the first Maryland Officials Clinic, Randy may be able to arrange something on the local level. PLEASE HELP. We've always had great representation from St. Mary's County and hope to continue the tradition.

All Access Not Granted:
College officials have kindly reminded me to relay this message to you: Please remember we are GUESTS of St. Mary's College. Our access is only the pool, locker rooms, and front lobby areas. Please stay out of the weight room, training room, gymnasium, and ice room in the women's locker room. Don't forget that on Tuesdays & Thursdays, there is a water aerobics class before we start practice and you are asked to wait in the locker rooms or hallway until a coach lets you into the pool area. Thank you!

Please note: USA Swimming Insurance requirements state that only USS registered coaches and athletes are allowed on deck during swim practice. No exceptions please.

Newsflash:

COACH'S MAILBOX - Feel free to place notes, surveys, or any other correspondence for the coaches in the COACH'S MAILBOX, located next to the Swimmers' Folders on the top row of the bleachers.

SWIM TEAM SURVEY - Please take a few moments to fill out your survey if you haven't already done so and return it to Coach Chuck as soon as possible. Thanks!

COOKIE NIGHTS! Attention all swimmers! There will be a COOKIE NIGHT after practice on SEPT. 12TH for levels 3, 5 and 6 and on SEPT 13TH for levels 1, 2, and 4! See Cathy Doering or check out the Team Bulletin Board for details. Don't miss this chance to eat cookies with your friends!

Calendar:

Sept. 12th & 13th - Cookie Nights!

Sept. 22nd - Open Water Swim & Sunfest, Ocean City, MD. THERE ARE STILL A FEW ROOMS LEFT! Contact Cathy Doering (301-373-8852).

Oct. 13-14 - All Freestyle Meet, ASC, No time standards, 6&U, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and Open. SIGN-UP SHEET POSTED ON TEAM BULLETIN BOARD (Deadline = Sept. 21st).

Oct. 27-28 -"A" & Under HOME MEET, Slower than 2001 "AA" time standards, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and Open. SIGN-UP SHEET WILL BE POSTED ON TEAM BULLETIN BOARD (Deadline = Oct. 8th).

Upcoming Events::

Oct. 3rd - Parents Meeting - for new and returning parents to take place during practice at SMC. Topics will include meet schedules, time standards, swim meet procedures, MD Swimming & USA Swimming, parental involvement, and more. Handouts will include USA Swimming's Parents' Handbook and the Swim Parent Survival Guide.