Parents Guide

1.  Communication

bullet Email – this is the preferred method of communication to and from the coaching staff.  Coaches will send out information and reminders to all participants via email.  Please make sure that your email address is accurate and up-to-date and that you check it regularly, especially for schedule changes over breaks and for inclement weather. 
bullet  Talking to the coaches – if email is possible, that is preferred.  Coaches need to pay attention to their duties before and during practice.
bullet  Information can be obtained by emailing the coach or by checking the team’s websites at http://www.psu.edu/dept/nat/training.html or www.BigCatSwim.com

2.  Practice
bullet  Schedule
bullet The training schedule is posted at http://www.athletics.psu.edu/nat/training.html.  Please check it regularly and note that practice times may change following the PSU schedule around graduation, breaks, and holidays.
bullet  If practice is cancelled for inclement weather, we will send out an email to the team.

 

bullet  Fees
bullet  All new swimmers are given a free one week try out period.  Once that period ends, we will submit rosters for invoicing.  Invoices are payable directly to the Bursar’s office.

bullet  The Natatorium and Parking
bullet  All participants and their families should respect the Natatorium and related facilities.
bullet  Parents are responsible for their swimmers until they arrive on the pool deck – PLEASE monitor their behavior in the locker rooms and hallways at the Natatorium.
bullet  Parking is available in several nearby lots after 5 PM – check the signs at the entrance to the lots.  Parking is also available in the East Parking deck for $1 per hour, or you may purchase a pass at the Eisenhower Parking Office for $5 per month to park in selected lots that are enforced until 9 PM.  DO NOT park illegally behind the Natatorium.
bullet  When dropping off or picking up your swimmers behind the Natatorium please drive slowly and watch for pedestrians and other cars.

bullet  General Policies:
bullet  Swimmers should come to practice on time and ready to swim.
bullet  Swimmers should bring all necessary equipment, as well as extra goggles and caps.
bullet  Swimmers should use the restroom before practice.
bullet  Swimmers should treat coaches and peers respectfully at all times.
bullet  Swimmers should be present for the majority of the workouts if they expect to see improvement.

bullet  Group Placements and Advancement
bullet  Coaches will make all decisions regarding as to the best group for swimmers to train with.  This decision may include the swimmer’s mental maturity, workout consistency, skill level, and commitment to the sport.
bullet  Coaches, in consultation with swimmers and parents, will initiate the move of a swimmer from one training group to another.

bullet  Equipment, Suits, Caps, and Goggles
bullet  Each training group will use some specific training equipment.  The coach of your child’s group will recommend equipment for your child to have for practice – Parents should not spend money on equipment without first consulting with the coach.
bullet  All swimmers should wear appropriate competitive swimwear.  If you have questions, please ask your child’s coach – Parents should not purchase high quality competition suits, such as Fastskins or Aquablades without first consulting with the coach.
bullet  Swimmers must provide their own caps and goggles and should have backups for practice and meets – caps and goggles break regularly.  At swim meets, Big Cat swimmers will be charged for any team caps that they request from the coach.

3.  Competition
bullet  General policies:
bullet  Swimmers may participate with any competition organization, such as Big Cat, the YMCA, the High School, or others.
bullet  Most swimmers compete with Big Cat Aquatics, a United States Swimming Club, as a part of the local chapter Middle Atlantic Swimming.
bullet  Swimmers who participate at meets with Big Cat coaches available should sit with the team.  Parents should not be on the deck extensively unless working the meet and should not coach their children at these meets.  Swimmers are expected to follow the coach’s guidelines at meets.

bullet  BCAT Registration and Information
bullet  Many swimmers with PSAQ compete with BCAT, a club team which is part of USA Swimming under the Middle Atlantic Swimming LSC.
bullet  BCAT Swimmers must be registered with USA Swimming.  There is an annual fee and the team does the bulk of the registrations in the fall for the following year (swimmers may still register throughout the year).
bullet  Regional meet information and a meet schedule are available at the Middle Atlantic Swimming website - www.maswim.org. 

bullet  Meet Entries
bullet  Meet entries are done through the Team Unify website. We will send out registration reminders with entry deadlines for all meets that BCAT will attend.
bullet  Meet entry fees are non-refundable once the entry deadline has passed (host teams must send a percentage of the collected fees to Middle Atlantic Swimming).  Please plan ahead!

bullet  Big Cat Meets & Your Role
bullet  Big Cat hosts several meets during the year.
bullet  These meets are the team’s major source of funding.
bullet  Big Cat parents are expected to donate their time to the club to help run smooth, efficient meets.