Marmion XC Contract 2016

Marmion XC Contract 2016

Team Mission

Glorify God by doing the best we can every day in an effort to become the best version of ourselves

Team Philosophy

The Marmion Cross Country staff believes that there is a place for all athletes in our program. No runner will be cut from the team as long as they are willing to work hard towards their personal and team goals. Running faster and getting in shape are two important pieces but they are far from the most important goals of our team. We hope to assist each runner as they pursue the best version of themselves.

Our staff aims to accomplish our team mission and become better men by focusing on a team identity centered on seven values. While we want all students that wish to run to be a part of the team, adherence to team rules and “buy in” to the team values are required.

Team Values

• Be true to God-and yourself
• Respond > React
• Process > Outcome
• Reflective
• Selflessness/Gratitude/Humility
• Dedication
• Edge/Confidence

Team Rules

• Attend practice everyday
• Arrive to practice on time
• Attend every meet and stay until the conclusion of the meet
• Show respect to every person

Communication

I will not be using the website currently linked to Marmion Academy; instead, we will be using the same website as last year ( Meet itineraries will be posted by the Thursday evening of a Saturday race. I will also post the pasta diner sign-up sheet, practice schedules, waivers, and other important documents on the site. Be aware that practice will take place earlier on Tuesdays because of faculty meetings. Please talk to your son. I will also be using Remind.com to communicate updates and changes to the schedule as well.

Practice Time

All athletes must check in with me before the start of practice, which begins at 3:35 P.M. Practice typically lasts from one and half to two hours; however, it will not go later than 5:40 P.M. This requires efficiency from both the coaches and athletes. Non-school day practices will take place at 8:00 A.M. on the following dates: 8/13, 8/20, 9/5, 9/17, 10/10.

Attendance Policies: Practices and Meets (Effective 8/22)

• All team member are required to work out with the team through the entire state series (11/3)
• Three Tardies-out one meet (Warning after tardies one and two)
• Four tardies-Removed from team
• Two Unexcused-out one meet
• Three Unexcused-Removed from team

Absence Distinctions

Excused absence

• Illness
• Family emergency
• Meeting with teacher (athlete must immediately report to practice WITH a signed pass)

Provisional Absence

• ACT prep course
• Driver’s education
• Band or orchestra concert
• Weddings
• Orthodontist/dental/doctor appointments (please try to schedule around practice)
• College visits (See above)
• Homework

Potential Unexcused Absences Include but are not Limited To:

• Oversleeping
• Haircut appointment
• Birthday party
• Concerts or professional/college sporting events
• Vacation
• Job or volunteering
• Practice for any other sport
• Club/activity meeting
• Missing practice for reasons in provisional absence without prior notification

Missing the Bus

• Athletes who miss the bus will not be allowed to compete in the meet. The athlete cannot then drive to the meet and participate. If an unforeseen incident occurs, or you are running late, please call Coach Klatt, and if possible, the bus will wait. Communication is key.

School Attendance

• All athletes must be in school all day to compete in competitions that take place that day. Also, athletes must attend all classes on the Friday before a Saturday competition to be eligible to race.
• Exceptions will be made by the Principal or Athletic Director if the student has a doctor’s note or legitimate note from a parent.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

• Per school policy, if caught by school or law enforcement, athletes miss two meets and are subject to school discipline, which supersedes this contract.
• Second offense-Removal from team

Hazing

• Our staff has zero tolerance for hazing. Every team member will be treated with respect. We are a team that values inclusion and believes in creating a culture where athletes feel confident that they will be respected. Any hazing or disrespect should be immediately reported to the coaching staff. Consequences for hazing will be dealt with according to school policy.

Behavioral Issues

• Any behavioral issues will be dealt with immediately, and if necessary, reported to the athletic director. Any issues will also be reported to the parent the same day. Communication is extremely important-both with the athlete and the parents.

Running Safety Rules

• All athletes must follow the route decided by the coaches prior to the run
• Follow crosswalks when possible.
• No athlete should ever run alone.
• All athletes should run against traffic, so you can see oncoming cars.
• No headphones on runs.
• Never run more than two runners across and run single file when you see a car coming in front of you.

Meet Day Expectations

• All athletes must stay for the entirety of the meet; this includes the awards ceremony. We will have a team meeting before departing from each meet and athletes will physically check out with me before they leave. Leaving a meet without permission counts as an unexcused absence.
• Exception: Weekday Meets
• In rare cases, I will allow athletes to leave with his parent or legal guardian early, but the athlete must be given permission prior to the day of the competition.

Traveling to and From Meets

• Athletes are not able to travel directly to meets. They must report to the bus on the day of the race and drive with the team to the meet.
• Athletes may leave directly from a meet with his parent or legal guardian after the conclusion of the meet. However, the athlete must sign out with me, while their parent/guardian is present.

No Extra Races

• No athletes will be allowed to compete in unscheduled races or charity runs during the competitive season (August 10th-November 5th)

Uniforms and Lockers

All athletes will be given a uniform with a number on the inside. Each athlete is responsible for the safe return of all issued uniform pieces. Athletes also must return the numbered uniform that was issued to him. Families will be charged for lost or stolen uniforms. Each athlete will also be given a locker and lock. Athletes must change in the locker room. If an athlete is caught changing in the parking lot, the athlete will receive a one-meet suspension.

With regard to practice uniforms, all athletes will supply their own practice gear.

Varsity Letter

• Athletes will earn a varsity letter by competing in a varsity meet or running one of the top 18 times. Times will be averaged per mile.

Captain Protocol

• In order to be a leader, you have to earn the respect of your teammates-there will be no official captain titles given during the year. Roles of influence will be earned.

Typical Practice

• Mile Warm up
• Drills & Injury Prevention
• Thought for the Day
• Warm up for workout
• Workout
• Cooldown
• Core

Head Coach Assistant Coaches

Dan Klatt Andrew Bobbitt

Christian Surtz

630-390-9947 Father Paul Weberg OSB

As a parent, what can you do to support your son and the program?

Support Their Commitment

Cross-country is not always a convenient sport. We have several practices and competitions almost every Saturday. We have team rules and will demand that your son adhere to them. Your support of their commitment is essential to the positive experience we want for them on this team.

Prioritize Their Sleep

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, teenagers should be sleeping eight to ten hours per night.

Sleep is incredibly important for both academics and athletics. For runners, sleep is especially critical for performance, as deprivation can impair post-exercise recovery. During a workout, your muscles break down on a cellular level. Sleep allows the body to repair those cells, enabling you to bounce back stronger and faster. Insufficient sleep also impacts our immune function and increases the risk of infection. Training without adequate sleep takes your already damaged cells and destroys them further until illness or injury finally force you to rest.

Also, by staying up too late and not sleeping properly, a runner makes it impossible for the body to adequately repair itself. Additionally, despite what some may believe, there is no muscle growth during training workouts. In fact, after a hard speed session or long run, the muscles are actually broken down and contain small micro tears. The body has the ability to repair the muscle and make it stronger, however this rebuilding occurs primarily during sleep.

One last interesting note:

After two weeks of sleeping six hours or less a night, students feel as bad and perform as poorly as someone who has gone without sleep for 48 hours. New research also highlights the importance of sleep in learning and memory. Students getting adequate amounts of sleep performed better on memory and motor tasks than did students deprived of sleep.

Get Iron Checked

Maintaining a proper iron level is incredibly important and suboptimal levels result in reduced performance. Serum ferritin levels below 40 have been proven to negatively impact distance runners.

Help With A Balanced Diet

As you know, eating a balanced diet is extremely important. Foods that are especially beneficial for runners include: seafood, meat, eggs, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Also, it is important to refuel your body with proteins and carbohydrates within 45 minutes of intense running.

New Shoes

Running shoes are good for one season or about 500 miles, and each season should start with a new or nearly new pair of running shoes. A good pair of running shoes is extremely important and can help prevent injuries. If you are unsure of what type of shoe to wear, ask the coaches or head to your local running shoe store (Dick Pond, Runner’s Soul, etc…). Added cushion, added stability, and the highest price are not always the right answer. If you purchase shoes or gear from Dick Pond, mention Marmion Academy and we will receive “Team Bucks”, which can be reinvested back into the program.

Buying a Wristwatch

Having a wristwatch is important for keeping track of the distance of a run and the pace of a workout. Almost every week we will run a workout near goal pace. Athletes will be aware of that pace and having a watch can help ensure he is hitting his time. This is critical for gaining confidence.

Ask Questions

The entire staff is here to support the runners and parents. We want your son to have a positive experience and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Get Athletes Back to Designated Area After Their Race

Immediately following races, runners are exhausted and looking for water and anything to lean up against. I understand congratulations is in order after such an arduous task, but we ask that you please allow them to return to the finish line so we can provide immediate feedback and help the kids to process the race. This meeting with the athletes is essential team-building time.

Pasta dinners

Pasta dinners are a critical component of team bonding and we have been very fortunate for all of the parental support in the past. Every Thursday starting August 25th we plan to host a pasta dinner for all of the boys in the Lux Dining Hall. A team parent has generated a google document that lists items that can be brought. You can access the document on 8to18. We are also in need of volunteers to cook and if anyone is a certified food handler please let us know as Kane County requires an individual with that certification to be on hand when the food is being prepared. Thank you in advance for your help!

Help at meets & football game

Lastly, we will be hosting one meet at Marmion (9/10) and are always in need of helpers. Possible job opportunities include working the finish line, marshaling the course, helping with parking, assisting with concessions, and more. No experience is required and all help is greatly appreciated. Also, we will be working concessions for the football game on October 7th. We will need parent volunteers for that evening; thank you in advance!

2016 Cross Country Schedule

Marmion XC Contract 2016

“Each of us must make the effort to contribute to the best of our ability according to our individual talents. And then we put all the individual talents together for the highest good of the group. … Understanding that the good of the group comes first is fundamental to being a highly productive member of a team.”

-John Wooden

“Don’t permit fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all.”

-John Wooden

The below signatures represents your agreement to the 2016 Marmion cross country contract.

Parent Signature ______Date ______

Athlete Signature______Date ______