The life of SCTCCCA President Lee the week of Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic

How has preparation been going for this weekend
It's going well from my end.... just a little annoying (see below). Dutch Fork's coaching staff is handling the bulk of the physical preparation and that helps tremendously!

Registration closed at 11:59 Tuesday night. Virtual meets to be posted Wednesday night. 

Coach
Eric Cummings (Riverside) handles the seeding, which is also a big help!

How long are you spending on the meet per day? 
I probably spent two to four hours per day these past few weeks.  This week, slightly more.

What are some of the tasks at this time of the meet for you? 
I handle all entries and entry fees.  I also schedule all field event workers.

What challenges have you encountered? 
We have some coaches in S.C. that are extremely lazy when it comes to getting their paper work completed on time.... and that can get really annoying!

Also, many coaches simply don't READ material that is sent to them.
  Answering the same questions multiple times gets old!

Finally, this is OUR association's meet (see below)!
  Coaches need to step up and help by working one field event.

How do you expect the meet go to at a different venue? 
I think it will roll just fine.

How can people help with the meet?
 
COACHES:  Next year, get your paper work done EARLY!!

PARENTS:
  If your coach makes a one-for-one substitution, DO NOT expect us to change the name in the computer!

SPECTATORS:
  Please obey the rules set by DFHS!  These are for your safety AND the safety of all athletes!

What does it mean to see the SCTCCCA Hall of Fame during each Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic? 
I love the HOF ceremony each year!  Its a (brief) chance to highlight the careers of some of our great coaches, both past and present!

What will your day consist of on Saturday? 
Load our bus around 4:30 a.m.  When we arrive at Dutch Fork, I'll begin coordinating field event officials and rules.  As the day rolls on, I'll be making sure that all field events are officiated and that all events run as smoothly as possible...hopefully!   If any issues arise, myself and the SCTCCCA officers will deal with those.  The goal is to have a safe, successful track meet!

What kind of costs do you encounter to host the meet? 
Partnering with Dutch Fork helps spread the costs and profits of the meet.  

How are weather delays handled and address prior and during the meet?
 
These, as always, are on a case-by-case basis.  If lightning, we MUST clear the stadium for a minimum of 30 minutes.  The Dutch Fork staff handles that decision/issue.

If just rain, we'll make those calls with the safety of the athletes in mind.

Let's stop talking about rain now!
   :-)

What would you like athletes, coaches and spectators to know about Saturday? 
This event is OUR (all coaches) event to benefit and highlight OUR association!

COACHES:
  If you are not a member of the SCTCCCA, you need to get involved!  Go to www.sccoaches.org to get the process started!

PARENTS:
  We are ALL volunteers!  Every meet official you see on Saturday is volunteering their time (on top of their regular teaching/coaching duties) to make this meet happen!

What are you most excited to see on Saturday? 
I'll be most excited to see the final heat of the 4x400 completed!  :-)

How is the uniform and jewelry rule going this year? 
Jewelry is now allowed.  BUT, coaches need to REALLY monitor their athletes to make sure they are safe! Read more.

The uniform rules now following the National Federation makes things SO much easier for us, from a meet-official standpoint!
  I'm extremely glad that the S.C. High School League has finally shifted to follow the National rules!

As the season continues and your term as SCTCCCA president ends, what do you want others to know? 
The president and officers in our association are all volunteers (in addition to being full-time teachers and coaches).  We work extremely hard to run XC and Track in S.C. for the High School League.  The league's involvement in our sports is going to HAVE to step up in order for S.C. to be at a level comparable with our surrounding states.

How are you looking at your term as president?
 
It's definitely been an eye-opening experience! 

How is your team doing this season? 
We're doing OK.  ...dealing with HS athletes, injuries, illness, etc. is always interesting.:-) But, we definitely hope to compete at the state level in multiple events this spring.