Lake Braddock Outdoor Track & Field 2012

Dear Athletes and Parents:

Welcome to Lake Braddock Track and Field. The most successful athletic program in the school’s history! As a coaching staff, we hope to make this a memorable and exciting season.

For the veteran track athletes and parents, welcome back! We are excited you have stayed with us, and hope you can help the new athletes and parents understand what a great program this is. Please take a minute to review our team policies, as there have been changes to them. To you new athletes and parents, we know you are looking forward to experiencing high school track and field at the highest level. There is no program in Virginia that boasts more State titles in Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track. 92 District / 54 Regional / 23 State Championships in those 3 sports is unmatched.

Our coaching staff has undergone some changes from last year. Returning are Coach Mangan (Head Girl’s Coach), Coach Custer (Head Boy’s Coach), Coach Hoogland (Distance and Pole Vault). We are happy to add two new coaches, Pete Dittmar and Megan Liss, to our “family”.

The most important thing we ask of all of our athletes and parents is good communication. It is imperative we know where our athletes are if they must miss practice. We expect parents to phone our office (426-1067) before practice the same day that an athlete will be missing practice. Please do not schedule appointments that conflict with our practice/meet schedule. Don’t wait to communicate with us, it may jeopardize your son’s/daughter’s chance to compete. Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Michael Mangan Director, Men’s and Women’s Track Teams Lake Braddock Outdoor Track Team Policies

Practice:  Monday – Friday 2:45-5:15pm. Practices are mandatory! Attendance will be taken.  Practice is over when you are dismissed. No one leaves early without permission!  If you are unable to attend practice, it is your parent’s responsibility to inform Coach Mangan before practice begins that day. If you go home sick, stop by and see Coach Mangan before you leave. If you don’t practice, you don’t compete.  Tardy by 15 min is unacceptable; you will be removed from the next meet.  Technique (jumps, hurdles, vault, etc) practice schedules are different. You will be given a schedule as soon as we identify you as a technique event athlete.  Office phone: 426-1067 or email [email protected]  Varsity and Junior Varsity athletes will practice at the same time.  You will be dressed in appropriate attire daily. Long sleeves/sweats, and long pants are required until Spring Break. You will be dismissed from practice without appropriate clothing. Proper training shoes as well.

Meets:  Are mandatory, no one may drive without prior approval. You will stay until the meet is over. You may leave w/your parent when the coaching staff dismisses you. No one else may go home w/your parent without written notice from their parent.  Everyone competes: There is no bench in track. We hope everyone will compete in at least 2 events per meet. Please remember to turn in your times.  Invitationals are for the top Varsity athletes.  You will be dressed in your uniform from beginning to end. No one will be allowed on the bus unless they are in their “Bruin Gear”.  Act like a Bruin. If coaches/captains see you misbehaving at meets, you will be asked to leave. We are a team. Cheer for each other.

Conflicts:  Next to academics, nothing within the walls of Lake Braddock is more important than THIS team / teammates. Schedule nothing that conflicts between practice hours. No jobs/ doctor/dentist/music lessons/etc. should conflict. If you are with a teacher, a note from them may excuse your tardiness. Make sure you see them 2:25 – 2:45  If you are planning on a trip for any break, let Coach know now. There are practices/meets over the holidays and big invitationals when we return. If you are not here with us, we can’t train you to compete in the big meets.

Participation Pledge:  Will be followed. Cannot compete until it is signed and turned in.

Uniforms:  If you lose ‘em, you buy ‘em, again. Keep an eye on them always. Injuries:  Can and do happen in this sport. If you follow proper warm-up / cool down procedures, you reduce your risk. If you think you are injured, see a coach. Only a coach can send you to the trainer.  See a doctor after seeking the advice of the trainer or coach. A doctor must give you written documentation of your inactivity time (days you will miss) and then another written note releasing you to full participation. This may require 2 trips to the doctor.  Please tell the coach if you are hurt. Don’t try to tough it out, you will only make it worse.  Aches and pains after practice is usually soreness. Ice when you get home. NEVER PUT HEAT ON AN INJURY UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO!!!!!!!!

Varsity vs. Junior Varsity team.  There will be varsity standards for each event.  There will be testing done early in the season to identify possible technique athletes.  Junior Varsity athletes may move up to Varsity at anytime during the season.

Lettering  Compete in a majority of varsity meets throughout the season.  Any athlete who has been in program 3 seasons showing steady improvement.  Qualify for the District meet.  All athletes must follow team rules and be in good standing at the conclusion of the season in order to letter.

------Detach and return before Thanksgiving------ I have read and understand the Lake Braddock Outdoor Track team policies.  I realize I can be removed/suspended from the team for not following team policies. Must be returned before athlete will be allowed to compete.

Name______

Athlete signature______

Parent Signature______

Parent email:______Coaching Staff

Michael Mangan: (12th year @ LBSS, 26th year overall) George Mason University Director Boys and Girls Programs Pole Vault and Throws Coach Mangan heads our XC program in the fall and was named Virginia AAA Coach of the Year for Girls XC 2010. Technical coaching of the pole vault and throws has led to several individual state championships. Coach Mangan has 14 years experience as track/xc coach at Woodson, Langley and St.Stephens/St.Agnes prior to LBSS.

Jeff Custer: (4th year @LBSS, 25rd overall) Radford University Boy’s Team Head Coach Hurdles, Jumps, Sprints Coach Custer has coached multiple state championship teams in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track. During his time at Gar-Field HS, Coach Custer coached future Olympic Medalist Sheena (Johnson) Tosta to multiple state championships and state records. Coach Custer was also an all-state athlete at Christiansburg High School before competing at Radford University. He has coached at Christiansburg HS, Woodbridge Secondary and Gar-Field HS before moving to LBSS.

Steve Hoogland: (4th year at LBSS) College of William & Mary Distance and Pole Vault A Lake Braddock graduate who won both an individual state championship and a team title during his career. Coach Hoogland was the school record holder at 3200 meters for Indoor and is the record holder for Outdoor Track. After high school, Coach Hoogland competed for the College of William & Mary. He has continued his career running (and winning) local road races. He has mentored many all state athletes in his short career.