How will I know what workout group and site my child will be assigned? The entire coaching staff , will be collaborating to assign swimmers to each group. Group placements can be discussed with the coaching staff at any time.

Can you comment on the "competitiveness" of team focus? I don't personally think this is bad but what I have disliked on the some teams is the focus only on the JO swimmers. I would be interested in how the new team "brings along" other swimmers in addition to the stars. The new structure of the team provides a gradual increase in training and competition loads as the swimmers move up “thru the ranks”. We are actively pursuing a meet schedule which will provide appropriate competition opportunities for each caliber of swimmer on the team. This would include dual meets, invitationals, travel meets, conference meets, A state, Junior Olympics, Senior Champs and ISI Sectionals. The majority of the current coaching staff were not high level swimmers as a youth and so have a empathetic awareness of the needs of the average swimmer in the program. We are also aware that children will be involved in other sports and so commitment level may wax and wane as they develop in the sport.

Why is the fee structure set up the way it is? The coaching staff has investigated the cost of comparable programs in the Midwest and set the fees based upon this research. Programs which do not own their own facility are always subject to the increased cost associated with pool rental and off-site operations. Additionally, a solid fee structure helps insure a long-term committed coaching staff in the program. Consequently, the team offers fund-raising, service options, and scholarships as a means to reducing fees (check website for details.)

Is Jon Lederhouse involved with the team? Since Wheaton College does not have any supervisory role with WHTN and since the Lederhouse children are not currently enrolled on the team, Jon Lederhouse has no formal role on the team at this time. He will still coordinate pool time and equipment use as part of his job as Aquatics Director at Wheaton College

How would you describe the staff’s coaching style as they interact with swimmers? Having a primary site for each of the coaches and training groups helps with coach/swimmer communication. Our coaching philosophy is to create a group setting which is comfortable for the swimmers, so that they are not afraid to take risks.

How many swimmers will be on the team and what is the coach/swimmer ratio? We do not know at this point how many swimmers will sign up for the team, but we have a capacity for more than 300. The website will list the training groups and their coaches. Certain groups have a smaller coach/athlete ratio than others based upon environmental conditions, ages, skill level, and expertise.

Are group assignments a season long placement? No. If a swimmer’s placement needs to be adjusted, the coaches do not hesitate to switch a swimmer to a more appropriate training group.

Do all swimmers compete in the same meets? Some competitions are geared for lower age swimmers, others for higher ages. Invitationals are available for all swimmers regardless of age who wish to sign up for them. End of season championships do not involve the entire team as there are usually qualifying standards or entry limitations that preclude full team participation.

Is attendance mandatory at all practices? No. However, in the upper ability groupings, the coaches encourage full participation at practice for the sake of athletic development for the swimmers. The coaches try to maintain a relaxed atmosphere and social opportunities while at the same time encouraging a competitive work ethic. There are attendance requirements for participation in the National Level meets.

Are all the coaches full-time? The three lead coaches are full-time in the sport and are committed to a long-term role on the team. Even if only 100 swimmers sign up, all three are committed to building a solid, strong, fully enrolled team for the future. The remaining coaches are part-time.

How will you blend the returning and new swimmers together? Parent meetings will take place to help orient the families to the team. As the swimmers and coaches do practices and meets together, a bond will develop and the coaches will intentionally attempt to build camaraderie among the swimmers in their training group.

To what extent are my fees refundable? Within the first two weeks of practice your team fees and escrow fund will be returned to you if you drop out, but your ISI registration will not. After that time, no team fees will be refunded.

Are there qualifying sets for Gold, Pre-National or National squads? Not formally, however Gold swimmers should be able do do 100s on 2:00, Pre-National swimmers should be able to do 100s on 1:30 and National swimmers should be able to do 100s on 1:20.

What is a typical workout like? A workout typically is structured to allow swimmers to learn-by-doing. After a warm-up, instruction is given in stroke drills, race strategy, etc. The swimmers are then given the chance to apply this teaching to their own swimming. Generally a “main set” takes up a large part of the second half of practice. Swimmers also will do kicking, starts, turns, etc on a rotating basis. More information on a typical season’s cycle and focus will be posted online shortly.

Where do 8^th graders fit in the program? Some 8^th graders may swim in the Gold group, some in the pre-national group, some in the Senior group, and some in the National Group. Coaches will help assign them at the walk-in registration.

Is the Fund-Raising requirement per person on the team? The $150 fundraising fee is Per Family. The fundraising fee is an additional charge to the team fee. However, once the $150 amount is reached, all additional fundraising monies raised from ads and swim-a-thon go to offset that family’s team fees. Once the $150 amount is reached, 50% of the monies raised from Scrips go to offset team fees. Official fundraising will take place in the short course season.

Is there an official Head Coach? The three lead coaches are equal partners in the ownership of the team and as such handle different aspects of the program, eg. Webmaster, fundraising coordinator, etc. A more accurate description would be that there are three associate head coaches.

Is there a code of conduct for the team? Yes, and this will be posted on the website. In addition, as USA Swimming Coaches, there is a national code of conduct that is followed as well.