CTC Newsletter Archive October_2010 - Newsletter
In a last email blast of 2010, I want to thank everyone for their help and support. To celebrate that support our annual Gala is around the corner (information at the bottom of this email) - and as proof positive we have already sold half the tickets even without the paper invites hitting your mail box! Please look out for them as they should be received by Monday or Tuesday of next week. If you want to beat the rush please use our on-line platform as found on our website.
Fall recap -
We started the year in a familiar fashion (to those that were once rowers) with a fitness test on the erg. Never the 'fun' aspect of training, it is highly motivational and a great litmus test to sort out the serious contenders from the masses. Everyone converged on Gage Park to hit the erg. Those that used the summer wisely were rewarded with a very good score while others were less fortunate. Our test was also witnessed by our UIC Nutrition Volunteer, who then used that experience to discuss the importance of nutrition and hydration in a competitive environment. UIC's help in this area has been great for the kids and we look forward to their continued involvement for years to come.
With the results in the bag, we headed back to river to log miles in a boat (line-ups determined by the weight adjusted erg scores).
Our main event this fall was the Annual Head of the Rock Regatta in Rockford, Illinois. This has become a staple of our racing calendar and a great race for our kids and their families. This year we had our highest ever showing as we entered a boys 8+, 3 boys 4x's and 2 girls 4x's. 7 boats for one event is our highest total yet and we have begun to start beating some crews. Our 8+ showed a lot of progress, even though we never trained with that line up before the event. The quads are showing steady progress and this spring we expect to field a number of competitive boats in numerous events. We are now an official rowing team - one that looks, acts, trains, and rows like they belong on the river. Now we will start to gather results.
The remainder of this fall has been using water time to better hone technique and become as efficient as possible. We also hosted a scrimmage against St. Ignatius Chicago. Attendance has been growing even in the high wind and low light, there is progress every day.
Our resources require that we maximize equipment use and not waste effort where possible. To that end we have been lucky enough to afford three new coaches' launches and motors, so practice can run smoothly. The coaches want to let you know how pleased they are!
Speaking of coaching, this fall we were lucky to be contacted by a number of new volunteer coaches. Our numbers currently stand at 16. For our rowers to be coached by such fantastic volunteers is an honor they don't currently understand. But the mentoring skills of these volunteers will make that clear as time goes by. CTC is grateful for their involvement.
All eyes now are turned towards our Gala, new recruits, and an improved professionally created website. We hope to see you on the 12th of November and, as always, thank you for your support!
The leaves are changing and the fall races have begun, which means it is also time for the 4th annual Chicago Training Center Gala:
READY...SET...ROW!
This year's event will be held at the University Club of Chicago on November 12th with the fantastic silent auction and cocktails starting at 5:30 PM. The evening's program and dinner will begin at 7:00 PM.
Karen Jordan-Farr of ABC 7 will emcee the program, which kicks off with a special presentation by William Gates, senior pastor at Chicago's Living at Faith Church and star of the award-winning documentary, Hoop Dreams. We will also be presenting the Annual CTC Executive Director's award - this year's recipient is Dr. Dan K. Hibbler - Chief Program Officer for the Chicago Park District.
Once again, we are expecting to have a crowd filled with our star CTC athletes, as well as many World Champion and Olympic rowers.
Last year's event was a crowd pleasing success and this year's event is already on its way to breaking fundraising records for the Chicago Training Center. Much of this is impart to our incredible Presenting Sponsor, Bank of America who has committed again to this years' event. We hope you will join us and be a part of the celebration.
Auction Items this year includes:
* Links within newsletters may be outdated.
PO Box 7076,
Chicago IL, 60680-7076
Tel: 1.302.338.1205
info@chicagotrainingcenter.org
