Isidore Newman School Varsity Cross Country Program a Handbook For
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Isidore Newman School Varsity Cross Country Program A Handbook for Student-Athletes And Parents © 2019 2 Introduction Welcome to the sport of cross country. Or, for our returning student-athletes and parents, welcome back to another cross country season. Without a doubt, this is a unique sport for quite a few reasons. We, your coaching staff, are convinced that there is so much more to be gained from this experience than simply the competitive aspects of high school athletics. After most high school sports, approximately 70% of highly competitive athletes stop exercising regularly on the day of their last competition. After some time with this team however, it is very common for running to simply “flow through one’s blood.” The last day of high school competition for a cross country runner is hopefully the beginning of a lifestyle of fitness, strength, and good health. Additionally, during our season, we do not have to deal with many of the issues with which other sports typically struggle. The concepts of “playing time,” “starters,” and “making varsity” are rarely a part of our conversations. In cross country, each and every athlete typically gets a chance at stardom in virtually each and every race. Everyone is important in determining our best score possible. Everyone is expected to give his or her best effort, facing the same turmoil and agonies as everyone else. The greatest battle of all takes place inside each runner’s head. And so, perhaps that which we love most about this sport, each and every runner must face the challenge of the race and find a solution within him or her. In light of this last sentence, a unique and common bond develops between most cross country runners. Members from opposing teams slap hands on the starting line before the gun goes off and congratulate each other after crossing the finish line. While there are of course competitive feelings during any race between athletes, there is also a feeling of “us against the course and the clock.” By running a great race with a strong performance, an athlete conquers the course, pushes down his or her own fears and doubts, and learns to deal with the pain of racing a bit better. While the experience of racing can be miserable in itself, the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment at the finish line can be elating and even overwhelming. As a general rule, cross country tends to be a friendly sport. There is an appreciation held by most participants. This also contributes to the unique quality of this sport. Even for the ultra-talented, there is no easy way to be successful in cross country. Virtually every participant in this sport is aware of the phenomenal work ethic required to excel. And so, every cross country runner should wear a badge of accomplishment with pride, regardless of where he or she fits on the scale of finishers. And so, we begin our work together – coaches, athletes, and parents – as a single unit known as “the team.” Our hopes are that these moments will be among some the best times of our lives. 3 General Overview Program Philosophy The Newman coaching staff desires to create and provide a program that young athletes and parents love and respect. We want our athletes and parents to buy into our program whole-heartedly. We hope athletes will look forward to practices each and every day. In the process, athletes develop a desire to improve and to compete. Every practice and every competition is an opportunity to be our best. It is here that life lessons are to be learned -- lessons involving hard work, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. When former athletes look back on the experiences they had within our program, it is our hope they will remember them fondly, and has having been entirely worthwhile. * To read Head Coach Randy Zell’s Personal Coaching Philosophies, see Appendix A. Program Objectives The objectives of the cross country program at Newman are as follows: 1. For each student-athlete to further develop and improve upon their athletic skills, strength, conditioning, general health, and physical abilities. In short, we want to build better athletes and better bodies. 2. For each student-athlete to work as a productive, contributing, and integral member of a single unit – the team. 3. For each student-athlete to find a love for running, being part of a team, and competing. In the process, each athlete should feel a sense of accomplishment and worthiness. 4. For each student-athlete to grow as an individual. 5. For each parent to be an ally in our efforts to accomplish the above on behalf of our student-athletes. Program Expectations Those expectations of the Newman cross country coaching staff include: 1. Each athlete gives his or her maximum effort at all times without complaints or excuses. 2. Each athlete remains committed and dedicated to the team throughout the course of the season, exhibiting respectful, positive, and responsible behaviors. 3. Each athlete be willing to not only work toward one’s own goals, but the goals of the team as well. 4. Each parent be supportive of the cross country program and respectful of our coaching staff. 4 Coaching Staff Randy Zell Head Coach Now in his 27th year as head coach, Randy Zell arrived at Newman in the fall of 1993. He graduated from Allegheny College (Meadville, PA) in the spring of 1992 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Psychology. His first year in education was spent as a faculty intern at The Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN. In Newman’s Upper School, Coach Zell teaches a variety of courses in the biological sciences. Besides coaching cross country, he is also an assistant coach during both the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons, working with the vertical and horizontal jumpers. Office phone: 504-896-6304 Cell phone: 504-896-9132 School email: [email protected] Mark Faliveno Assistant Coach Mark Faliveno arrived at Newman in the fall of 2006. He graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) in the spring of 1997 with a B.S. in Physical Education and Coaching. After teaching and coaching for a few years in the state of Florida, Coach Fal arrived in Louisiana. After one year at Port Sulphur High School and four years at Mt. Carmel Academy, Mark eventually became a Greenie. Besides coaching cross country, Mark is also a Physical Education teacher here at Newman as well as the Head Track and Field Coach. Proficient in virtually all track and field events, Mark has more recently specialized in the throws, the hurdles, the sprints, and the sprint relays. Office phone: 504-896-6580 Cell phone: 504-654-9503 School email: [email protected] 5 Policies Newman Athletic Department Training Rules The Newman Cross Country Program supports and adheres to those training rules as outlined by the Newman Athletic Department. All athletes and parents will sign a contract acknowledging recognition and adherence to these rules as well. Of particular interest, the cross country coaching staff would like to draw attention to and reemphasize these particular components of the Newman Training Rules: Point 1 “If a student athlete is found to be in possession of, using or distributing alcohol, tobacco or drugs during his/her sport season, whether on campus or off campus, the student athlete will be subject to the following consequences:” “a. First offense. Suspension from 10% or two games (whichever is less) of the total contests scheduled for the season including playoff games. The student athlete may also be required to attend counseling.” We would like to point out the following clause that is also found within the Newman Training Rules: “Training rules violations that are deemed unusually severe or extreme in nature may result in immediate dismissal from the team and/or expulsion from school.” The cross country coaching staff in conjunction with the Athletic Director will determine whether or not a violation is deemed “unusually severe or extreme.” Note: ALL members of the cross country team are subject to adherence to training rules until the end of the season as identified by the completion of the State Championships. Point 2 “Attend all meetings, practices and games, including practices and games scheduled during school holidays and vacations.” We ask that parents and athletes take responsibility for the appropriate planning of trips and vacations. For example, planning a family vacation during the Labor Day weekend will mean an unexcused absence from the meet or practices that take place that weekend. (For more details on excused versus unexcused absences, please go to the next page.) It is our hope that our parents in particular will make family plans while simultaneously considering the cross country practice and meet schedule. The message we are trying to deliver is that being an athlete and being part of a team requires commitment, sacrifice, and organization. We, as a coaching staff, believe strongly in teaching such 6 principles to our student-athletes. Attendance 1. Consistent attendance at practices and meets is essential. As such, all practices and meets are mandatory unless otherwise specified. 2. During the entire season, an athlete may miss one practice due to “academic overload” so that athlete may have more time to study and prepare. This rule is meant to provide student-athletes with additional flexibility. However, this rule should never be abused. It is believed that if a student-athlete is organized, such “overload days” should be unnecessary. 3. Appointments with physicians are excused. We understand it is difficult to find appointment times otherwise.