THE MARSIAN MONTHLY
February 2016
Upcoming Events:
Mid-Cities Arlington Swimming
Email: officemanager@marswim.org
Website: marswim.org
Phone: 817-271-1537
Facebook: facebook.com/Mid-CitiesArlingtonSwimming
Coaches Corner:
Dear MARS family,
Over the last several weeks, you have been inundated with emails and personal contacts from the coaching staff, the office, and even some of our Super Parents about the upcoming TAGS meet. In my Coaches Corner for this month, I want to give you some of my perspective regarding these “Intergalactic Championships of Texas” (a.k.a. TAGS) that everyone is trying get your attention about. This meet is a really big deal. Not only is it arguably the fastest age-group meet in the country, but it is also the state championships. Teams and swimmers take this event extremely seriously.
As many of you know, MARS submitted a bid to host this event last summer. I knew we had the manpower and know-how to pull off a truly great event. The selection committee chose us because of our reputation and experience. This will be an opportunity to show the rest of the swimming world that we're a serious team with serious intentions that can put on a seriously impressive event.
We had a "warm-up" last December with the Pro-Am meet. Our club did nearly all of the work putting this event together, and by all accounts, did a fabulous job. The Pro-Am had 750 senior and professional athletes. TAGS will have nearly 1200 14&Under energetic swimmers and their equally energetic parents to care for. It will be a similar, but slightly different sort of event with slightly different needs.
I intentionally did not bid for any other LSC meets this year because I knew that I was going to be asking everyone to come together and put forth an enormous effort with this event. For us to successful, we're going to need everyone's help. I'm asking everyone to sacrifice a great deal of time and effort away from your lives to pitch in be apart of something great. We need much more than our team of Super Parents to carry the load for this one. From March 3rd to March 6th, your team needs you. Your team even needs your family and your friends to help out. No one, willing to help, will be turned away.
On our website are the jobs that we need filled. Security and safety personnel are currently in short supply and have several openings. Timers are also needed, especially for the preliminary sessions. Take a moment to look at the list of jobs. There’s going to be something on that list that can be done by someone in your family, or perhaps your whole family! We’ll be needing some food items too, but those will come available as we closer to the meet. Workers is what we need to get scheduled now. If you’re confused about what a job is, no problem. Someone will train you.
I want our MARS family to come together to do this because we all want to do this together. Even if you can’t find the altruism to help because we need it, do it because you need the volunteer points. This year’s requirement is 16 points. All 16 points, and more, can be earned by one or more family members at this single meet. Ever thought of being recognized as a Super Parent? Here’s your opportunity to get down that road. TAGS is your best opportunity of the year to gain volunteer points. Other opportunities will be few and far between, given we didn’t bid on any other meets. Please find a way to help out by getting involved in your child’s chosen sport.
There’s a reason I open every one of my emails to the team with “Dear MARS Family”. I truly believe we are a family. Decisions we make as a staff reflect our family values. I know it takes a family to raise these student-athletes to be great citizens of the world. Please let’s show our family we can come together and do something great. Don’t hesitate. Volunteer right now!
Cheers,
Coach Brian
Ask a MARSian Parent
Q: When should I buy my swimmer a tech suit and when can they use it?
A: Every coach as their own opinion on this subject. Before you spend several hundred on a tech suit, talk with your swimmer's coach. There are many physical and mental aspects on getting and using a tech suit. Your swimmer's coach has the experience and expertise to help.
Q: My swimmer has mentioned to me they want a tech suit for a big meet coming up that they qualify for. There are so many options. Is there a particular one that is better than another?
A: Here is a following article that should assist you and answer your questions.
4 Tips on Choosing a tech suit.
NOTE: Before you buy a tech suit talk with your swimmer's coach.
Q: Do the service hours start over in January?
A: Yes, service hours are per calendar year (January 1st through December 31st).
Q: How many service hours will we owe for 2016?
A: We will each owe 16 service hours for 2016 per family that have swimmers in Bronze and above groups.
Q: How can I see how many service hours I owe?
A: Login to the Mars Team Web Site.
Select My Account on the right.
Select $My Invoice/Payments.
Select the Service Hours tab.
If your number shows a positive value, then that is what you owe.
Do you have a question for the MARSian Mom? Email her at askmarsparent@gmail.com
Celebrating February Birthdays:
Callista Ross, Nico Ortizo, Parker Kruzel, Joshua Putty, Jacob Gamblin, David Capps, Caleb Eden, Ethan Le, John McDonnell, Isaac Schwartz, Akshaya Mohan, Sierra Smith, Winnie Liu, Jada Turner, Preston Lippe, Sawyer Hutcherson, Samantha Joray, Hannah Ventura, Alexander Yelverton, Zachary Rahman, Joel Jarmulak, Xzavier Matthew Vera Cruz, Clark Wallace, Dilan Shah, Eden Emiliano, Wyatt Wheeler, Rhett Williams, Kristen Robertson, Connor Gamble, Jack Morrison, Nekko Aguon, Jake Ruiz, Jackson Perdue