September_2011 - Newsletter

CTC Supporters,

***** CTC is in the news again! *****

The fall season has kicked off with a bang. Recently there was an announcement by Mayor Rahm Emanuel about proposed development along the Chicago River. CTC is very excited by the possibilities and we look forward to helping in any way we can to make the river more accessible.

This announcement kicked off an already aggressive and busy fall season. Our new recruits are building on their recent summer experience and learning to race properly! The season will start with a scrimmage against St. Ignatius and Crystal Lake on October 1st followed by competition that includes the Quad Cities Classic, Head of the Rock, and Head of the Eagle -- a 400% increase in our fall schedule! All details on these events will be updated on our website shortly.

A special mention to Abel Duran. Abel was our first ever CTC member and 6 years on he has now been hired as a coach in training. Abel is extremely motivated and enthusiastic about staying intimately involved in the program he used to call his own and CTC is very excited about his formal involvement. We will work with his schedule as a certified mechanic so that he may successfully juggle both commitments. His role will be a learning one - helping with the novices / support recruiting / regatta transportation - and we look forward to evolution as a team leader.

***** Education and Mentoring *****

New items for this year include a more detailed education and mentoring program - one that has already begun with achievement testing of all seniors and a planned BASC exam for the underclassmen. We feel that understanding this base line will allow us to provide more effective services to our youth. In addition to the education support, we are working closely with board member, Stacy Harris, to refine our mentoring program - one that now will work in concert with our on-water programming. Detailed involvement and support will now be more formalized with the volunteer coaches, so that everything becomes more transparent and clear.

***** Accelerated Rehab *****

CTC has also partnered with Accelerated Rehab to provide injury prevention, nutrition counseling, and a range of services to our participants to help them be as effective in their efforts as possible. A special mention for the insight offered by Dr. Allison McGregor of Imperial College London whose background with the British National Team makes her an invaluable resource for CTC. We are very excited about this new development.

***** THE CTC SHOP IS NOW OPEN *****

We have worked closely with Boathouse Sports to provide a much cleaner and easier way to buy CTC and UNO gear. We have now opened a virtual shop to buy anything you want, with your order shipped directly to your address at the end of the business day. No more waiting for orders to come in batches to CTC for distribution. This is a fantastic way to support CTC (and UNO) while also helping to create awareness of our names out in the community. The shop is open for only a limited time, so please act quickly. The CTC web address is http://ctccrew.boathousegear.com/ and the UNO address is http://uno.boathousegear.com/. If you are a team member you are eligible for a steep team discount, so be sure to reach out to the coaches to find out how you can use your specific codes. (If you are an international order please reach out to me personally so that we attend to your order)

Rudy Project is also a continuing sponsor of CTC and you can access their discounted eyewear by clicking www.e-rudy.com. These costs are discounted for all, so please spread the word. If you are in need of prescription glass you may access this (outdated link). The code for the supporters' discount is chicagotc

***** CTC Gala is coming to town! *****

Please mark your calendars for the 5th annual CTC Gala Celebration. This year the Gala will have more involvement with the kids and we're also moving to a larger room at the University Club! We hope you come out to support the team at this fun event. Tickets for tables, sponsors, and individuals can now be purchased on-line at our new CTC Store. It only takes a mouse click! The CTC shop is located (outdated link). Reminders for the event will be hitting your inbox and mailbox with more frequently from this point on.

***** The Chicago River Race LTD *****

CTC would also like to congratulate and support the Chicago River Race LTD for all the work they are doing to bring an international event to the Chicago River in 2012. You may access their recent press release and have a look at their website at www.thechicagoriverrace.com.