An eleven member board of directors administers Track City Track Club.  Club dues primarily cover the cost of the practice site operation, equipment and our coach's travel expenses.  Donations and fund-raisers cover the balance of our operating expenses.

The club and families must work together to provide a positive experience for each athlete.  We need families to share with us about their child’s experience, good and bad, and we need each family to take an active part in knowing what is going on in the club.  The club will try to have someone at practice each day that can field questions and take your feedback.  In addition, the club may publish several newsletters every year.  Some information will be mailed or emailed with the remainder being passed out at practice on a designated day.  Ask your child about these handouts or contact the club by one of the methods listed at the end of this information sheet.

We need parent involvement in several ways.  In addition to encouraging and supporting your athlete and every athlete of Track City Track Club parents must be willing to participate at the board level as well as participation on committees:

• As in all non-profits, an increased percentage of income must come from donations and sponsorships.
  If you know of any company or individual who might be willing to sponsor your child’s club be sure to speak with a
  member of the board.
  

• The club has a few standing fund-raisers but we are always looking for more so let us know your ideas.
  If you have ideas about fundraisers or would like to organize or help facilitate a fundraiser feel free to contact our fundraising committee.  
  

• We need your help on all committees.  If you are interested in being involved in club operations and policy setting, committee level participation may be of interest to you.   Current club committees needing parent involvement are:

Athletes/Parents Committee
Classic Committee
Coaches Committee
Fundraising/Marketing Committee

• Help at Track City Track Club hosted meets this year.

• Attend the annual meeting each January to learn about upcoming vacancies on the board of directors and to become involved as a committee member.
  

• Attend board meetings.  Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at E.W.E.B. in their community room.
  For specific dates and times of the club's monthly board of directors meetings check out the club's calendar page.
  

• Volunteer as a coach if you have experience in an event and enjoy sharing that knowledge. Contact the Coaches committee or the club directly by mail at PO Box 932;  Eugene, Oregon 97440, phone: (541) 465-8887.

Practices

Track and field practices beginning the Monday after spring break, March 31, 2008.  Practices will run through July 9, 2008 just prior to the Region XIII Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships except for athletes who qualify for the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships at Burke Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. During spring track & field season practices are held Monday – Thursday at the Sheldon High School track from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. There is a one week period that the athlete can attend practice before registration is required.  Athlete registration includes USATF membership which provides insurance coverage while at practice or attending meets sanctioned by USATF.  For additional practice information check out our practice page.

Athletes need to be at practice on time so they can participate in the warm-up and stretching period at the beginning of each practice.  Parents should be punctual so athletes are picked up promptly at the conclusion of practice. It is expected that athletes will come to practice ready to work and learn.  The coaches are experienced in their particular events, enjoy working with kids and try to make practices fun as they direct the athletes in safe appropriate training and conditioning. Baby sitters they are not!  Practices are not mandatory but all athletes are encouraged to attend as often as possible so they can work toward achieving their personal goals.

Cross-country practice will begin Tuesday September 2nd, 2008. Practices will run through November 13, 2008 just prior to the Region XIII Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships except for athletes who qualify for the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships at Pole Green Park in Hanover County, Virginia. Practices are from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Alton Baker Park. An alternate practice may be necessary at the end of daylight savings time.

Athletes need to wear comfortable running shoes and weather related clothing at practice. Practice is held each scheduled day regardless of the weather. Track City Track Club provides any implements needed to conduct training at practice. It is important that all athletes bring a water bottle to keep themselves hydrated.

 

Meets

The season begins with developmental meets that are hosted by track clubs in Eugene, Salem and Portland and are on Saturdays in the host cities. These meets begin this year on April 18, 2008 so the athletes have 4 weeks of pre-season conditioning and training before entering into the competition arena.  Developmental meets are open to anyone. These meets provide an opportunity for the athlete to experience competition before moving to the bigger Youth Athletic and Junior Olympic (JO) meets. Though meets are not required in order to be a part of the club, they are a part of the training process and provide an opportunity to meet kids from different parts of the state. Athletes are encouraged to participate in all meets.

The Oregon Youth Athletic meet usually takes place in mid-June with the Oregon Association Junior Olympic meets (Multi-Event and Track & Field) occurring the successive two weekends.  Any athlete may participate in the any of the state meets but must qualify to participate in the subsequent regional and national Junior Olympic meets.  Athletes are responsible for the entry fees to these meets, $3 for the developmental and a bit more for the Junior Olympic or Youth Athletic state, regional and national meets. Information about meets will be available to the athletes and their parents as it gets closer to the time of the meets.

Cross-country has a similar series of meets in the fall.  Developmental meets usually begin in late September so the athletes have had 2-3 weeks of pre-season conditioning.  Developmental meets that are again hosted by track clubs in Eugene, Salem and Portland and are generally held on Saturdays in the host cities.  

The Oregon Association Junior Olympic cross-country meet usually takes place in early November with the Regional Junior Olympic meet occurring at week or two after the Association JO meet. Any athlete may participate in the state meet but must qualify to participate in the subsequent regional and national meets. Athletes are responsible for the entry fees to these cross-country meets

Transportation to practice and meets is the responsibility of the parents.  Carpools can be arranged but this again is the responsibility of the parent.  Track City Track Club has a standing policy that coaches are not to transport athletes to practice or meets. It is important to let coaches know that an athlete is planning to attend meets so they can be sure implements are available. Parents are responsible for their athletes at meets except for the time in which a coach is preparing him/her for their events.

Please contact the club if you have questions or comments.