Frequently Asked Questions about Pacesetters Track Club
EXPERIENCE PTC Q. What makes Pacesetters Track Club different from other clubs?
A. Our club was founded on fundamental values of integrity, excellence and commitment. PTC promotes a family oriented and welcoming environment. We do not promote the recruitment of athletes and rather participants find our mission complimentary to their core values and objectives.
Our program is not marketed as an elite track and field club which only seeks to recruit top ranked athletes or supplementary training for other sports. We accept all interested candidates regardless of their skill level. Many of Columbus' top track and field stars began their careers as “Pacesetters” and upon entry into high school have had very successful high school careers. We are excited that our foundation has created such promising athletes. Our program also offers training in all track and field events (except pole vault). We are not a specialty club, thus youth are provided complete bio-mechanic training and complete track and field fundamentals. We do pride ourselves on assisting athletes with the college recruiting process, which includes letters of recommendation, servings as liaisons for college coaches and athletes and completing collegiate program assessments.
Q. What is the Mission of "Pacesetters Track and Field Club?
A. The PTC mission is to introduce youth of all ages, socio-economic backgrounds and diverse skills levels to the sport of track and field. We dedicate our time to mentoring youth through athletics, while striving to improve their overall health, character and discipline as they grow into adolescents and adults.
Q. What is USATF/AAU?
A. USATF (United States Association of Track & Field) is the governing body for track and field in the US. We are a member organization and as such all registered athletes obtain USATF membership in conjunction with their PTC membership. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. We will run in AAU meets as well, in this case the club picks up the membership fees.
Q. When does the season begin?
The official season is from April-July. Elementary age athletes,12 and under, begins in April and Middle/High Developmental training begins in June.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Q. What are the age requirements for participation?
A. To become an athlete member you must be between the ages of six (turning seven by December 31st) and eighteen (not turning 19 prior to August 1st). Youth under the age of 8 must receive approval to participate and/or train. Please refer to the age division page for a divisional breakdown and events list.
Q. Will my child(ren) compete against other children their age?
A. As in most competitive sports there are age divisions for competition. There are six distinct age divisions in USATF (6-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18).
Q. How are age divisions determined for competition?
The age divisions are determined by USATF. The age of your child on the last day of the calendar year determines their age division classification. Please refer to the Age Division page.
COACHES
Q. Who coaches with PTC? A. The coaching staff, although volunteers, represent an expansive background in track & field. Over 90% of the coaching staff, were prep, collegiate and/or pro track and field athletes. We provide supplementary training and development which fosters increased skill level development for our participating athletes. Our coaches undergo extensive background checks, are committed to the overall mission of the organization, and are registered with USATF.
Q. May I volunteer to coach as a parent?
A. This is at the discretion of Coach Chris Simon. One possible stipulation when volunteering as a parent is your willingness to coach an age division other than that which you have a participating child. While support is encouraged from parents, we want all athletes to receive training without bias.
PRACTICE AND TRACK MEETS
Q. Where do you offer practice locations?
A. Practice sessions will be held at Pickerington North High School, 7800 Refugee Rd.
Q. How often does the club practice?
A. The club practices on Mondays and Wednesdays during April and May. Beginning in June, practice is Monday -Thursday. Athletes under the age of 11 must have a parent present.
Q. What time is practice?
A. Practice is held from 6:00 – 7:30 during April/May and 6:00-8:00 pm during June/July on the above designated days.
Q. Is practice ever canceled due to inclement weather?
A. We're required to cancel practice when lightening occurs. Notifications through email and text messaging will be sent prior to any cancellations. We will practice in the rain.
Q. What is my child required to wear to practice?
A. All members are required to report to practice wearing athletic gear (no jeans or skirts) and running shoes (not basketball shoes). Members should also bring sweats for cooler days.
Q. How often are the competitive meets?
A. The number of developmental meets vary annually and participation may be determined by the parent(s) /guardian(s) during this pre-Junior Olympic competition period. Beginning in June, competitive meets are mandatory and will alternate weekends depending upon a pre-approved schedule. Should an athlete miss a qualifying meet during the Junior Olympic competition he/she may forfeit the remainder of their competitive season.
Q. For “out of state” track meets, how far does the club travel?
A. All track and field meets during the pre-Junior Olympic competitive period are local and with-in the state. Regional meets rotate out of state and the USATF Junior Olympics is always out of state.
PARENTS
Q. Are parents allowed to watch practices?
A. Parents are allowed and encouraged to watch practice sessions. Parents are prohibited from interfering with practice and communicating with athletes or coaches during practice unless in the case of an emergency. Only athletes and coaches are permitted in training areas.
Q. Will we have any input in what events our child competes in?
A. Your input is welcome, but the coaching staff is 100% responsible for determining which competitive events your child will participate in during the Junior Olympic competition. Coaches have the autonomy to change competitive events that are in the best interest of the athlete and the club. The goal of the coaching staff is to identify the event which best matches the skill and performance level of athletes based on current and previous performances. Q. What are my volunteer obligations?
A. Please refer to the volunteer page for specific committee opportunities. We ask that each family make a commitment to participate in at least one committee.
Q. Are there additional expenses required by the athlete?
A. The athletes/parents are responsible for transportation, meals and lodging to all meets. Purchasing a good pair of running shoes and spikes is also needed.
Q. How does the club communicate information?
A. Through the website, email and text messages. We also have at least 3 parent meetings scheduled throughout the season.
Q. What does my athlete need to wear and eat during a meet?
A. Please refer to our Meet checklist page regarding a list of items needed.
REGISTRATION
Q. Why do I have to create an account?
A. Creating an account establishes a means of communication and record keeping. You can review balances, receive account updates, pay any balances or fees and make any changes needed for participation in club activities. You keep this account as long as you are a member of the club.
Q. Can a multi-sport athlete register?
A. Yes, we have athletes which are registered in multiple sports. Should there be scheduling conflicts resulting in an absence during qualifying meets of the Junior Olympic competitive period your child may forfeit his/her participation.
Q. My child participates in track & field in school, may they still register?
A. Yes, we encourage you to register your child with the club although they participate in track and field at school. Parents often utilize our program for supplemental training. Athletes competing with middle or high school teams can only participate at the end of those seasons.
Q. Is the registration process different for USATF?
A. Yes. You must get a USATF membership number ($20) from usatf.org. This is a separate registraton and does not register you for the team.
Q. How do I register my child?
A. Club members are required to register on-line through this website. The registration period begins in March and ends June. Pacesetters Track Club has two program: Club membership and Training. Club membership includes training and track meet activities. If you are interested in just training you can register for this program as well. If you just want to train, keep in mind that you cannot register with any sanctioned USATF or AAU track activities. To actively participate in any track and field events and receive training from Pacesetters Track Club, you must join the club.
Q. What does the registration fee include?
A. The registration fee listed is the club and meet fees. For the elementary division is $355.00, and the registration fee for the middle/high school division is $275.00. These fees cover training time, track equipment, ribbons and awards, team liability insurance, meet fees and other expenses related to operation. Additional meet fees may be assessed for the Junior Olympic qualifying meets. Fees for training are $195.00. Should you decide to participate in our track and field program your training fees will be applied to registration fees for the club and you will be responsible for any difference. There is additional cost for uniforms.
Q. How do I pay for registration?
A. Registration may be paid in the form of cash, check, or money order. You can also pay on-line by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express only), which is our preferred method. A nominal fee of 3.4% will be applied at check out.
Q. Do you offer a payment plan?
A. Accessibility is important to us, so we do provide athletes registered on or before the end of March the opportunity to enroll in a Flex Payment option. This allows your registration fee to be spread over four equal payments. Q. Are registration fees refundable?
A. Registration fees are nonrefundable after two weeks of practice.
UNIFORMS
Q. How much are uniforms?
A. The current price for uniforms is $65.00. A store will be online and accessible to directly order/pay an be made. Uniform and other items ordered from the store will be mailed to the athletes.