MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
207th EDITION: October 29, 2021
From the Desk of Mr. Curtis Price
As we approach the end to the Fall season, there have been many obstacles that players, parents, and coaches have all had to overcome and are staring down for their off seasons and upcoming Winter seasons. The different perspectives and experiences of the players, parents, and coaches are all so unique as they move through a sports season. I would like to share my experience with each perspective.
When I first started playing basketball, I didn’t realize the importance of off-season training and how much it prepares you for the grind of a full season. We all possess God-given talent, but it is how we improve on and utilize that talent that will help us become a better player than we envisioned. My sole priority started as playing time and winning, I did everything I could to help our team win and make fans want to come to our games. I sacrificed relationships because of my competitive spirit, and I missed out on what playing high school sports is truly all about: the experience. When I started playing at the high school level my coach told me that my goal shouldn’t be about playing time and winning but to make sure that I was the best player for my team every time I stepped on that court.
My career as a basketball coach gave me a different perspective on how much work it takes to coach a team and run a program. The countless hours of watching film, developing plays, re-arranging different lineups, and trying to get the team to buy-in to what I was teaching was exhausting. I spent any extra minute developing schemes that would help our team achieve the success we were chasing. As a young coach, I was very stubborn and didn’t listen to other ideas because I felt I knew it all. That behavior changed as I learned that you cannot build a program alone. When I started involving my assistants our program became more cohesive and the victories followed.
As a parent, I wanted my children to find their own interests and didn’t force them to play sports. After experiencing life as a high-pressure athlete, and overseeing a program, I wasn’t going to put that kind of pressure on my kids. When they chose for themselves to join athletics, I enjoyed watching them be part of a team and more importantly doing something that they choose. My concern wasn't on their playing time or win/loss record, but on making sure that they enjoyed what they were doing. I made it a point not to talk sports or team strategy with my kids because I didn’t want to interfere with what their coaches were teaching them or tarnish their experiences and relationships with my own opinions. I was happy to have the opportunity to share their experience with them and support them throughout their athletic seasons.
While looking back on my time as a student-athlete, coach, and parent I wish I would have paused more often to just enjoy the experience. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the moment that we tend to lose perspective on why we decide to play the sport, coach that team, or come to the basketball game.
I hope this gives you a better understanding of me, and my perspectives as your Athletic Director, still the fierce competitor I was as a player and coach, but with the added perspective that there is more to athletics than the wins and losses.
Mr. Curtis Price
Reminder: Schedule Change - November 3rd
Instead of a Late Start on Wednesday, November 3rd, Marian will be taking a full-day teacher institute. The students at Marian will be given an asynchronous day of learning for November 3rd. We apologize for the change in the schedule and any inconvenience this change may cause.
Picture Day - Tuesday, November 2nd
Picture Day for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors is Tuesday, November 2nd. Students will be photographed in school uniform for these yearbook pictures.
Notes from our Photographer, Vicky Long
Before Picture Day
• Purchase a PREPAY CREDIT to receive a FREE sheet of wallet-size prints with your School Picture order!
• Use the QR (attached) or visit www.vickylongphotography.com/marian to purchase your credit and qualify for the FREE wallets.
On Picture Day
Students will have their pictures taken in their school uniform*. Pictures will be in a traditional school picture pose using a traditional school backdrop.
After Picture Day
• Images will be available to view and order in private albums from the Marian School Picture gallery at www.vickylongphotography.com/marian. (Please allow up to 10 business days for the images to be available!)
• Use your student’s four-digit birthday (month and day) as the password to his/her private album.
• Order by December 15, 2021 for the best pricing! If you purchased a Prepay Credit, add your FREE wallets to the order and enter your student’s four-digit birthday in the PROMO CODE field during checkout.
Make-Up Opportunities
Students that miss their scheduled Picture Day may attend a Make-Up Session at school on December 2. To arrange a makeup session, please contact the school office. Students not able to attend Picture Day or the designated make-up date at school, may arrange a private session with us in our Woodstock studio. A $25 sitting fee will apply to private make-up sessions.
*Any attire, jewelry, or grooming that does not meet school policy will not be photographed. In such cases, the Student will be required to arrange a make-up session.
School Pictures are offered in partnership between www.vickylongphotography.com and www.cameralady.com. If you have any questions, please contact Vicky at vlbrphotography@gmail.com or Kellie at kellie@cameralady.com.
Seniors - Order Your Cap & Gown by November 2nd
Don't forget to order your cap and gown - orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 2nd by visiting www.jostens.com. All seniors must provide their height and weight to order the cap and gown. If you are only ordering a cap and gown, there is no money due.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. DiSilvio at ldisilvio@marian.com.
Senior Portraits
Senior portrait proofs are available for viewing and ordering! Please click the link below for additional information.
Next Week's College Visits in Guidance
All juniors and seniors may attend these visits. Students must receive permission from their teachers to attend each visit and must sign up for all visits in SCOIR.
Monday 11/1: Loyola University Chicago-1st Period
Tuesday 11/2: Holy Cross College-1st Period
Friday 11/5: NROTC-Marine Option Scholarship Information Presentation-3rd Period
Marian Central Theatre Presents...
Fall Production - All Together Now
Friday, November 12th - 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 13th - 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 14th - 2:00 pm
Tickets on sale at the door
Adults: $10; Students and Seniors: $5
Masks Required