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HYCAT Handbook: Welcome
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE ANNOUNCEMENTS LISTED BELOW REGARDING THE "REGISTRATION"
PROCEDURES FOR THE 2000-2001 UC AQUATIC TEAM {HYCAT} SWIMMING PROGRAM.
We would like to outline some of the policies, rules, regulations and guidelines
pertaining to the UC Aquatic Team Swimming Program for the 2000-2001 Swimming Season:
[ 1] PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE BLUE COLORED REGISTRATION FORM TO THE HYCAT
SWIMMING OFFICE. IF THE SWIMMER HAS NOT RETURNED THE REGISTRATION FORM BY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH {COMPETITIVE TEAM PROGRAMS} OR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER
25TH {DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM PROGRAMS}, THE SWIMMER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO
PARTICIPATE WITH THEIR SWIM TEAM/PROGRAM UNTIL THE FORM HAS BEEN RETURNED
TO THE HYCAT SWIMMING OFFICE = THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!!!
[ 2] The HYCAT Swimming Program DOES NOT BELIEVE in a "try-out" system for
selection of the team members because the HYCAT Coaching Staff feels that a
"try-out" system denotes a "non-positive image" for many people. If you
"try-out" for a program, people naturally "think" that some people will be
selected for the program and some people will not be selected for the program
The HYCAT Coaching Staff feels that the HYCAT Swimming Program offers
a wide enough variety of swimming programs that we will be able to place a
child in a program that is appropriate for the child's age group; swimming
ability; previous swim team experience and previous HYCAT {or other similar}
membership.
We also realize a disadvantage of a NO "try-out" system/policy is a fact
that we will not know how many swimmers will join the HYCAT Swimming Program
until after the first week {to 10 days} of each "new" swimming season.
Therefore, we will continue to "evaluate" the swimmers, especially those on
the Bronze and Silver Teams, during the next 2 to 3 weeks. If the HYCAT
Coaching Staff feels that a swimmer's team/program should be "changed," a
member of the HYCAT Coaching Staff will notify the swimmer's parents.
[ 3] As mentioned above, we will be "evaluating" the swimmers during the next 2
to 3 weeks, and we may "promote" several of the swimmers to the next level
{Bronze to Silver OR Silver to Gold} which would be better suited to the
swimmer's needs and abilities. The swimmers {and their parents} will be
notified by both a telephone call and a notice, distributed at swim prac-
tice, at the end of this 2 to 3 week period so they will have the month
of October to decide if they wish to move to the next level. These
"changes" are necessary to make the HYCAT Swimming Programs more manageable
AND similar in swimming abilities!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION; PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING
DURING THIS "EVALUATION" PERIOD AND THE FIRST 2-3 WEEKS OF THE NEW SEASON!
This process has worked successfully for the past 26 years! AGAIN, PLEASE
BE PATIENT!!! EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT!
[ 4] Regarding participation in swim meets, the swimmers on the Bronze, Silver;
Gold; High School & Summer League Teams have the "option" {choice} to
participate if they wish to enter a swim meet. A handout lists the various
swim meets that will be conducted for the 2000-2001 Fall/Winter Swimming
Season {additional meets will be added as the season progresses}. PLEASE
REFER TO THIS HANDOUT FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. THE MONTHLY NEWS-
LETTER ENTITLED "SPLASH" WILL UP-DATE THE SWIM MEET LIST! An additional
handout will be available in mid-April listing the meets for the 2001
Summer Swimming Season.
Members of the Comp 1; 2 & 3 Teams have a "minimum" swim meet participa-
tion policy for each team = please refer to your team/program handout for
further details/information.
[ 5] Parents are requested {required} to remain outside the swimming pool area,
including the spectator area; pool deck area and the HYCAT computer area,
{unless picking up their car-pool/child) Mondays thru Fridays. Parents may
sit in the spectator area during the Saturday morning practices for the
Competitive Programs OR the "STROKE CAMP/CLINIC" practices for the Develop-
mental/Instructional Programs. Parents, guests and non-participating
brothers/sisters are asked to stay in the hallway closest to the HYCAT Swim-
ming Office! An adult {19 or older} MUST be present AND responsible for
non-HYCAT participants in the hallway! PLEASE keep access to the HYCAT Swim-
ming Office; UC Coach office {room PE-107}; UC/HYCAT Coach's Locker rooms;
and the swimming pool CLEAR at all times!!! A limited number of chairs are
available for your use during swim practices and they are set-up against
the wall near the HYCAT Swimming Office.
[ 6] Parents/swimmers, PLEASE "check/see" that you have obtained all of the
necessary handouts for the 2000-2001 HYCAT Fall/Winter Swimming Season:
[A] the handouts listed below are for ALL parents/swimmers:
** handout entitled: "WELCOME"
** handout entitled: "2000-2001 SWIMMING SEASON"
** handout entitled: "HYCAT SWIMMING PROGRAMS / 2000-2001 FALL/
WINTER SWIM SEASON"
** handout entitled: "2000-2001 SWIMMING FEES"
** handout entitled: "COMMUNICATIONS"
** handout entitled: "GOALS & OBJECTIVES"
** handout entitled: "2000-2001 UC AQUATIC TEAM SWIMMING PROGRAM /
ADVANCEMENT CRITERIA"
** handout entitled: "RECOGNITION PROGRAMS"
** handout entitled: "2000-2001 SWIM MEET LIST"
** handout entitled: "HYCAT TEAM SUITS AND OTHER HYCAT SWIMWEAR
ACCESSORIES"
[B] the handouts listed for each individual swim team/program
** handout entitled: [1] DEVELOPMENTAL/INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS:
Bronze Team; OR Silver Team; OR Gold Team;
OR Masters Team; OR High School Team;
[2] SEASONAL PROGRAMS: High School Team OR Summer League Team
[3] COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS: Comp 1
Team; OR Comp 2 Team; OR Comp 3 Team
[C] the handout(s) for HYCAT "Competitive Team Members"
** handout entitled: "UC AQUATIC TEAM'S 'ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT'"
[D] the handouts listed regarding the HYCAT "Travel Assistance Program"
** handout entitled: "UC AQUATIC TEAM TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2000-
2001 PROGRAM / REQUIREMENTS & CRITERIA"
** handout entitled: "HYCAT TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FUND 'WORK PROGRAM'
{FALL/WINTER SEASONS}"
"HYCAT TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FUND 'WORK PROGRAM" {SUMMER SEASONS}"
will be available April 2001 {if handout necessary}
[ 7] Regarding ordering/purchasing HYCAT "team bathing suits" = please follow the
schedule/information as outlined in the handout {yellow paper}. If there
is a problem with this schedule, please contact the HYCAT Swimming Office
{357-4825} to make other arrangements.
[ 8] HYCAT "rents" these facilities from The University of Charleston, and we ask
that the parents assist the HYCAT Coaching Staff by "monitoring" the follow-
ing areas: the hallway nearest the HYCAT Swimming Office; the hallway
between the swimming pool and the gym {swimmers AND parents ARE NOT permit-
ted in this area}; the area immediately outside the Gorman PE Building
{including the benches & tables AND the flower beds}; and the locker rooms
if possible {when available/necessary}. If you "witness" any abuse and/or
destruction of property OR children misbehaving, please bring this type of
behavior/action to the attention of the HYCAT Coaching Staff IMMEDIATELY!!!
Also, after 4:00PM during weekdays AND all day during weekends, access to
the locker rooms will be from the pool side ONLY!!!
The swimmers MUST enter the pool from the door closest to the HYCAT Swim-
ming Office! THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION WITH THESE MATTERS!!!
[ 9] For your use, there is a telephone in the pool area located near the weight
equipment BUT please keep your phone calls very, very short! If you need
to contact and/or talk to a member of the HYCAT Coaching Staff, OR you need
to contact your child, the phone number is 357-4822. Please let the phone
"ring" many times since the Coaching Staff may be at the other end of the
pool OR upstairs conducting a weight program = THANK YOU!
[10] The HYCAT Swimming Program DOES NOT "cancel" swim practices if there is NO
school and/or Kanawha County Schools have an early dismissal due to
inclement weather conditions. IF you are uncertain about the swim practice
schedule for the day, call the HYCAT "message service" at 357-4825 after
3:30PM weekdays or anytime on weekends. If you feel "unsafe" about the
weather conditions, DO NOT come to practice that day!
If the Kanawha County public school system is "CANCELLED" for the entire
day, HYCAT will follow Code "A" as outlined below:
** Bronze 1/2 Teams 5:10PM- 5:40PM
** Silver 1/2 Teams 4:20PM- 5:05PM
** Gold Team 5:45PM- 6:45PM
** High School Team 5:45PM- 6:45PM
** Masters Team 5:45PM- 6:45PM
** Comp 1/2/3 Teams REGULAR SCHEDULE
If the Kanawha County public school system has an "EARLY DISMISSAL," HYCAT
will follow Code "B" (which is our regular/normal practice schedule) as
outlined below:
** Bronze 1/2 Teams REGULAR SCHEDULE
** Silver 1/2 Teams REGULAR SCHEDULE
** Gold Team REGULAR SCHEDULE
** High School Team REGULAR SCHEDULE
** Masters Team REGULAR SCHEDULE
** Comp 1/2/3 Teams REGULAR SCHEDULE
[11] HYCAT Coaching Staff would appreciate knowing if your child is sick or going
to miss several days of practice. Please call the HYCAT Swimming Office at
357-4825 {OR the Swimming Pool at 357-4822 after 4:15PM} or send a note
with your child if the child will be missing practice for several days =
THANK YOU!!!
[12] A "HYCAT TEAM ROSTER" will be distributed according to the following
schedule AND will be placed on the table located outside
the HYCAT Swimming Office:
** 2000 Fall Season mid-late October
** 2001 Winter Season end January
** 2001 Summer Season late May/early June
[13] Cindy Hemsworth; Greg Lake & Greg Olson are full-time employees of The
University of Charleston/HYCAT Swimming Programs. If you wish to discuss the
HYCAT Swimming Program and your child's involvement, please call the HYCAT
Swimming Office {357-4825} between 9:00AM-11:30AM and 1:30PM-3:00PM:
** Greg Olson, Director/Head Coach @ 357-4825; e-mail: golson@uchaswv.edu
** Greg Lake, Assistant Director/Head Age Group Coach @ 357-4936; e-mail:
gtlake70@hotmail.com
** Cindy Hemsworth, Head Developmental Age Group Coach @ 357-4825; e-mail:
cah32676@hotmail.com
[14] The HYCAT Swimming Program is governed by the HYCAT Parent Board {12 elected
members; 1 appointed "at-large" member; and 2 appointed non-HYCAT/Charleston
"community" members}. The elected members serve a 3 year term of office
on on a rotated basis {4 members elected each year}; the "at-large" member
is appointed for a 4 month term and the "community members" are appointed
for a 1 year term of office. The elections are conducted in the Spring of
each year around the end of April/early May.
[15] The HYCAT Swimming Program holds two (2) Parents Meetings during the year as
follows: during the club's Annual Holiday Party during Kanawha County's
Christmas vacation {mid-December} and late April/early May. Time and place
to be announced in the monthly newsletter entitled "SPLASH." ALL meetings
will be held on the UC campus.
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http://members.citynet.net/HYCAT -- Revised: 31 December 2002
golson@uchaswv.edu
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