Post by Kris on Jun 5, 2007 8:01:31 GMT -5
All,
I recently emailed something to the team officers, however, I probably should have sent it to all the players. So, I am now posting my information to the team. Please let me know your thoughts, comments, etc on the following.
SPEAK UP!! YOUR COMMENTS ARE IMPORTANT!!
Any potential Rookies reading this? We are interested in your thoughts too!
I have started to plan next season. That is, assuming you want Bill and me to return as the coaches. If so, here are some things to that need attention of some sort.
Incoming Freshman
The team has access to a list of the incoming freshman who have checked "Rugby" as in interest on their forms. In the past we have acquired that list and sent mail to the interested people. What I would like to consider is getting that list as soon as possible and see if we can get the interested freshman into the school for fitness week. If the school gives us permission to get freshman in early, then we will need to send letters as soon as possible. I do not remember where the team gets this list. I'll CC Miss Ridout to see if she remembers. This means we need to jump on this now, instead of the last minute.
General Interest Meeting (GIM) / First Match
The GIM we had last year was on the first day of classes - which enabled us to more easily play Sept 9 (Early Option). In previous years, it was the first Sunday after classes started (Late Option). If we go with the Early Option, we can get in a little more practice before a Sept 8 match. Otherwise, with the Late Option, we would have a start with less practice time. What are you thoughts on the GIM? Was it too early? If so, when do you suggest holding it?
One thing to consider, if we can get the freshman here for fitness week, I would definitely push the Early Option.
One note - because scheduling was starting, we did go ahead and get a match with UVa for Sept 8. I do not mind when we hold a GIM, we just need to know for practice scheduling purposes.
Recruiting
Outside of the letters to the freshman, we need to recruit heavily on campus during orientation. We need to hit every dorm and make sure people know about the team. This is the second year in a row that we'll take about a ten Senior hit. We recovered a bit from last year, but this year we will need to improve on our recruitment and retention. I would even like to have the team volunteer their services and help move in the freshman when they arrive on Wed August 22. This summer, I'd like the team to get some new t-shirts made. As a donation to the team, for everybody who helps with moving in the freshman, I'll cover the cost of your new t-shirt. How's that for bribery?
Retention
In the past we have had slightly higher numbers. We need to discuss what to do to keep the players. I would much prefer to have 30+ so we can scrimmage on Wednesday.
Scrum Sled
We need that thing improved. We need to have the pads either replaced or new covers made for the pads. If anybody is going to be around, we need to hunt down a upholstery place and get some estimates on making covers. We'll need to contact the facilities folks so we can kidnap one of the outer pads (T-pad) and the inner pad (I-pad). Recently, I contacted Rogers Athletic, the company that made the sled, (800) 457-5336, www.rogersathletic.com/. They no longer make the sled. They said they had T-pad replacements. I cannot remember the costs. Unfortunately, they said they did not have I-pad replacements. Whoever takes on this task can figure out the best course of action to take.
Fall Break Match
Fall Break starts Friday Oct 12, which means a Oct 13 match. Do we want to schedule a weak one game match for that day? I would hope the team would consider it. However, we definitely need people there. We barely escaped VCU 10-5 last semester. We cannot afford to do that again.
Alumni Match
Homecoming weekend is scheduled for October 19-21. That is, the Alumni match is October 20.
So, that's about everything I can think of. Can anybody think of anything else? Please speak up and let me know what you want for next year. Let's take the next few steps to make this team even better!
-Kris
I recently emailed something to the team officers, however, I probably should have sent it to all the players. So, I am now posting my information to the team. Please let me know your thoughts, comments, etc on the following.
SPEAK UP!! YOUR COMMENTS ARE IMPORTANT!!
Any potential Rookies reading this? We are interested in your thoughts too!
I have started to plan next season. That is, assuming you want Bill and me to return as the coaches. If so, here are some things to that need attention of some sort.
Incoming Freshman
The team has access to a list of the incoming freshman who have checked "Rugby" as in interest on their forms. In the past we have acquired that list and sent mail to the interested people. What I would like to consider is getting that list as soon as possible and see if we can get the interested freshman into the school for fitness week. If the school gives us permission to get freshman in early, then we will need to send letters as soon as possible. I do not remember where the team gets this list. I'll CC Miss Ridout to see if she remembers. This means we need to jump on this now, instead of the last minute.
General Interest Meeting (GIM) / First Match
The GIM we had last year was on the first day of classes - which enabled us to more easily play Sept 9 (Early Option). In previous years, it was the first Sunday after classes started (Late Option). If we go with the Early Option, we can get in a little more practice before a Sept 8 match. Otherwise, with the Late Option, we would have a start with less practice time. What are you thoughts on the GIM? Was it too early? If so, when do you suggest holding it?
One thing to consider, if we can get the freshman here for fitness week, I would definitely push the Early Option.
One note - because scheduling was starting, we did go ahead and get a match with UVa for Sept 8. I do not mind when we hold a GIM, we just need to know for practice scheduling purposes.
Recruiting
Outside of the letters to the freshman, we need to recruit heavily on campus during orientation. We need to hit every dorm and make sure people know about the team. This is the second year in a row that we'll take about a ten Senior hit. We recovered a bit from last year, but this year we will need to improve on our recruitment and retention. I would even like to have the team volunteer their services and help move in the freshman when they arrive on Wed August 22. This summer, I'd like the team to get some new t-shirts made. As a donation to the team, for everybody who helps with moving in the freshman, I'll cover the cost of your new t-shirt. How's that for bribery?
Retention
In the past we have had slightly higher numbers. We need to discuss what to do to keep the players. I would much prefer to have 30+ so we can scrimmage on Wednesday.
Scrum Sled
We need that thing improved. We need to have the pads either replaced or new covers made for the pads. If anybody is going to be around, we need to hunt down a upholstery place and get some estimates on making covers. We'll need to contact the facilities folks so we can kidnap one of the outer pads (T-pad) and the inner pad (I-pad). Recently, I contacted Rogers Athletic, the company that made the sled, (800) 457-5336, www.rogersathletic.com/. They no longer make the sled. They said they had T-pad replacements. I cannot remember the costs. Unfortunately, they said they did not have I-pad replacements. Whoever takes on this task can figure out the best course of action to take.
Fall Break Match
Fall Break starts Friday Oct 12, which means a Oct 13 match. Do we want to schedule a weak one game match for that day? I would hope the team would consider it. However, we definitely need people there. We barely escaped VCU 10-5 last semester. We cannot afford to do that again.
Alumni Match
Homecoming weekend is scheduled for October 19-21. That is, the Alumni match is October 20.
So, that's about everything I can think of. Can anybody think of anything else? Please speak up and let me know what you want for next year. Let's take the next few steps to make this team even better!
-Kris
