My Parents Volunteered for the Classic, and So Should You
My Parents Volunteered for the Classic, and So Should You
Picture it, Northshore Pool, June 2007. My dad ran the concession stand that year. He had this idea two days prior, which he was executing flawlessly in the garage on a fold out table at 4am. The man had been cutting up fruit to make bowls to sell at concessions. Why? He thought it would be profitable for the team.
Flash forward to later that day, around 11am. My mom rolls into the parking lot at Northshore requesting assistance to carry in some food. This woman made 7 trays of baked ziti for hospitality. She spent the morning boiling FOURTEEN POUNDS of pasta to feed our coaches and officials. She still does, to this day, a solid 15 years later.
I will never forget how my parents threw themselves into volunteering for the team, and their dedication is something I have tried to emulate as I grew in the sport, as well as my role as a coach. We were always first to arrive, and last to leave depending on the work that needed to be done, regardless of if I was swimming in a particular session or not. It wasn’t an expectation, but I’m certainly grateful for their hard work, even more so now in my role as a coach looking back and realizing how the staff then would’ve never gotten it done without the extra sets of hands.
Moral of the story:
- Your kids are watching. They will remember those early mornings and the late nights you made happen for them, and they will be so grateful.
- We need you. Whether your child swims the morning or afternoon session, consider biting off one more if you have three required of you.
- The coaching staff appreciates you so much more than you know. You are integral to running a smooth meet, which makes for a more successful meet in the subsequent years we host.
- We really need volunteers for the morning sessions of the Classic this year. Please consider stepping in even if your child isn’t swimming those sessions
Coach Maria
