2008 Final Update
In this issue:
Season End Results
Thanks
Next Year
Season End Results
In case you didn’t hear, congratulations to Edgebrook Swim Team as Midlakes “A” Champions. Also Congratulations to the following “B” Champs winners: Div I – Edgebrook, Div II – Klahanie, Div III - Maple Hills, Div IV - Kingsgate Monarchs AND Tam O'Shanter, Div V – Woodridge. Job well done to all.
Thanks
Lots of “thank you’s” to pass around, so let’s get started (in no particular order):
Thanks from a variety of responses:
· “I would love to pass on high accolades for the Rolling Hills "B" Champs for Division 2. They ran a well-organized event, and all participants greatly appreciated the fact that the meet ran ahead of schedule!”
· “Commendations to Tam O’Shanter for always running good meets.”
· “I think that many of the volunteer officials are very helpful and patient. I've actually enjoyed my volunteer credits this summer.”
Kudos to specific officials from other officials and coaches: Susan Sutich (OL), Shelly Bevan (OL), Kris Van Wolveleare (NW), John Lynn (EB), all of the Edgebrook officials, George Luksetich (FW), John Childress (FW), all of the Fairwood officials, Margaret Brunke (KGG), Connie Sholdra (RH), Mark Moffat (RH), and all of the Rolling Hills officials. Great job to all of you!
So how a couple from me: Thanks to all of the officials – especially those USA Swimming officials who stepped up to help with the post-season events. And special recognition to those who worked all 4 of the post season meets (and I really hope I don’t leave anyone out) – Bob Keller (FW), Mike Howard (MICC), Curt Barclay (FW), and Margaret Brunke (KGG). And thanks to Steve Anderson (NYC) for helping organize the officials on deck when I was otherwise detained.
The last couple are for me so I want to brag just a little (and honestly – I didn’t have to make any of this up!). I’m sharing as I know that as word got around this summer (and back to me) that these updates really helped with the work that we all do. So thanks to all of you as this really positively reflects in our work – despite the occasional bumps we encountered along the way.
· “Overall, officiating at Midlakes meets went as smoothly as I've ever seen it….I think there were two reasons for why things went so well this year….while I didn't really appreciate the mandatory training prior to the time I attended, I think it really put us all on the same page for officiating meets this year; and your updates were very helpful also -- even if we weren't having the specific issue addressed in a particular update, it helped keep focus.”
· “I have nothing to offer except that you did a fantastic job Scott. From the early training to occasional emails you sent out answering questions, it worked great. I was glad to have been a part of your team this year.”
· “Thank you very much for your attention to the Midlakes officials. I have been judging for over ten years, and I have never seen this kind of support, education, and attentiveness.”
Finally, I wanted to thank those of you who took the time to contact me when things didn’t go right or as expected – I really respect and value your trust in me and allowing me to be a resource for you. I hope that we all learned something new and that as we experience those challenges that we look for the opportunity to make things better. I know that I have a couple of items to take with me to the board to help improve the work that we do – and believe it or not, I actually already have the first item for next season’s first email Update!
Next Year
Please watch for updates for next year’s season – Officials Training announcements will be made sometime late March/early April. And in the meantime, if you have friends who would like to be included, please pass along their email address and I’ll add them to the distribution list. And if anyone is interested in becoming a USA Swimming certified official, please contact me as training sessions are being scheduled now for September and October.
And lest I forget, it has been a pleasure serving as Midlakes Officials Chair thanks to all of you and your involvement! Your efforts have made a difference in supporting kids and their athletic efforts in swimming. On behalf of the board, it is much appreciated.
Scott Allen
Midlakes Swim League
Officials Chair
