Volleyball Schedules Posted

Click Here to view this year's volleyball schedules. It is also best practice to re-check the schedule the night before your game, to confirm that there have been no changes. If CYO Athletics ever has to move a game, we will do our best to notify the coaches involved, but any game change will always be posted on the schedule, and that is the best most accurate way for all our parents to know when and where games are.

Coaches Meeting and Training Canceled Tonight

Greetings~

As you might expect, the current weather is wreaking havoc on our efforts to hold our 2nd volleyball coaches meeting tonight. Outlying areas are already receiving considerable snow that will make driving conditions less timely if not downright dangerous. Additionally, most recent predictions are that the Seattle area will be getting snow during the commute hour of 5-6pm with a let up until the approximate time frame we would be completing our meeting this evening. This combined with temperatures dropping to freezing can all make for hazardous driving conditions across the region.

In light of this, we have postponed tonight’s volleyball coaches meeting and Play Like A Champion Today training until next Wednesday, March 2 at 7pm at Isaac Orr Conference Center. We will still offer the Play Like A Champion Today coaches training to follow the meeting next week as well.

We realize that some of you may have needed to take the coaches training prior to coaching this weekend, but coaches will be granted an exception for this weekend due to the snow that canceled tonight's meeting and training. You may coach this weekend without the training, with the understanding that you will attend the training next week prior to continuing coaching this season, if you need to take the training. Coaches therefore could also attend the Play Like A Champion Today training on Tuesday March 1st following the baseball coaches meeting, and be in compliance with the policy.

Prior to this weekend's games, if you are not familiar with the scoring for volleyball, you can go to the WIAA website for information and also review this powerpoint. Please disregard the information on “libero” since we don’t have that position in volleyball in CYO Athletics.

Also, in order to be in compliance with the Washington state Lystedt Law, you need to view this video every year before coaching in a sport. We show this video at all our coaches meeting, but if you come to the meeting next week, you will need to watch it on your own before coaching this weekend.

We look forward to seeing those of you who did not attend the mandatory coaches meeting last Tuesday at next week's meeting.

Free Tickets to Seattle U Men's Basketball

Seattle University has given Vouchers for FREE tickets to the CYO Athletics community for next Tuesday's men's basketball game at Key Arena. Seattle University will be playing UC Davis at 7:10pm Tuesday, February 15th. Print off vouchers, and redeem for tickets outside Key Arena on game day at the East ticket window.

1 Million 4 NOLA this Sunday

In CYO Athletics, we are proud to be a place where winning off the court is more important than on the scoreboard. It is for that reason that we are excited to share an opportunity during basketball championships to live out Gospel values both on and off the court.

ONE MILLION 4 NOLA, asks people to shoot a free throw and to donate one dollar to help the families of New Orleans move home. One player from each team will shoot a free throw to connect with this effort. There will also be an opportunity for fans to shoot a free throw on site at Bishop Blanchet High School this Sunday, February 13. For more information on the cause, please go to the website at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=m4j5lzbab&et=1104374190226&s=0&e=001Jlsn9mJJseDFdK3YE0iRNNigwUdKtgNN_U6vAfaASQZdpugxayu41V-YDr2SO89DmLul3OmgOw2C697ncuyhJ6psDlBkurAOSlf4U9TGyHRun3-PAQngCA==

FREE WEBINAR: "Getting Parents on Your Side"

This Webinar seemed fitting as we begin our CYO Athletics volleyball seasons, and we wanted all of you to be made aware of this opportunity.


Active Network, Sports is teaming up with the Positive Coaching Alliance to present a FREE webinar on February 10, 2011: Getting Parents on Your Side: Setting effective expectations for parents to gain support for your organization and their child.


Register today!


To create an alliance with parents and gain their support, you need to understand them and identify common goals. Through understanding and a shared vision, you will be able to get parents' full buy-in of your organization, as well as encourage healthy support of their child.


This webinar includes an interactive Q&A and covers how you can get parents on your side, ensuring a positive experience for your players, parents and coaches. Specifically, how to:
· Set expectations for a positive Parent Culture
· Establish a positive coach/parent relationship
· Redefine the term "winner" and fill the emotional tank
· Honor the game and reinforce appropriate parent & fan behavior

Positive Coaching Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to transform youth sports so all athletes have a positive, character-building experience. In this webinar, you'll hear from PCA experts and learn how to set expectations with your coaches to ensure better experiences for you and those involved in your sports organization.


Attendance is limited, so register now!

When: Thursday, February 10, 2011

Time: 1pm - 2pm Pacific Standard

Cost: Free

After registering you will receive a confirmation email from Active Network Sports containing details on how to join the webinar.

*Please note, this organization is independent and is not part of the Corporation of the Archbishop of Seattle. They are not sponsored, directed, administered or managed by the Archbishop of Seattle, pastors or archdiocesan staff.

St. Louise Gym and CYO Athletics Basketball Playoffs

Just a reminder that efforts have been and are continuing to be made to keep the gym at St. Louise sanitized since the school was closed on Friday.

At this point, and at any time during the flu season, it is important to follow the good health habits as described in the previous blog post of Friday, February 4 and outlined on the Washington State Department of Health website.

In addition, to make some of those precautions more sports specific, athletes:

1. Should hydrate regularly but not share water bottles;
2. Should keep themselves dry and clean but not share towels or other items;
3. Should not handle food without first washing or sanitizing their hands;
4. Should not wear their uniforms for extended periods of time after playing;
5. Should not play immediately after recovering from illness;

Blessings during playoffs and championships!

St. Louise School Closed, but Playoff Schedule Remains Unchanged

Greetings CYO Athletics community,

It came to our attention today, Friday, February 4 that St. Louise school was closed today and again Monday due to a significant occurrence of flu. At this point, estimates are that 25% of the community had been out of school at some point this week due to this illness.

We understand the following to be true:

1. In these cases, closing the school is as much or more about limiting the exposure of the school community to one another as it is to the facility;

2. The St. Louise maintenance staff is using this time to sanitize surfaces that students come into contact with, above and beyond normal daily cleaning;

3. This is flu season so that it has been making its rounds around many communities in Western Washington: the virus is not exclusive to St. Louise;

4. Simple precautions can assist in preventing the spread of the flu no matter where you are and what you are doing - as indicated on Washington State Department of Health website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/FluNews/flufacts.htm#basics:

Good Health Habits
Protect yourself and others--use good health habits

Take these simple precautions to help prevent the spread of flu and other lung and breathing (respiratory) diseases:

• Get a flu vaccine every year.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your bare hand.
• Use a tissue to wipe your nose, then throw the tissue away.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel or disposable wipes.
• Stay home and away from others while you or your family members are sick.
• Wear a mask to cover your face in a medical office, if asked.

As always, we would ask members of the CYO Athletics community to use prudence in making decisions. We would especially encourage those who have been sick with the flu or been exposed to it keep in mind how their decisions affect other people. Practicing the good health habits above should assist in keeping people healthy. However, we cannot guarantee that players or others will not be exposed to the virus in any gym or facility in which playoffs are taking place during this time.

At this time, playoff brackets will remain unchanged as a result of this issue. Thank you.

Tauno Latvala
Director of CYO Athletics

Volleyball Coaches Clinics

The volleyball coach clinics now have locations. The Beginner's clinic scheduled for Saturday, February 12th will be at St. George from 9-1:00. The Advanced clinc scheduled for Sunday, February 13th will be at St. Joseph in Seattle from Noon to 4:00. Information regarding CYO Athletics Volleyball may be found on the volleyball page on our website.

2011 Basketball Playoff Brackets Posted

The 2011 CYO Athletics Basketball Playoff Brackets are posted HERE.