Coaches and boosters update week of July 17

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer runs.  A few items to note:

  1. Coaches report that the turnout at the summer practices has been impressive and is providing a lot of excitement as we get closer to the start of the season!  
  2. The weather has been very cooperative to date, but in the event of bad weather that would cause us to cancel a summer practice the following steps will be taken on our end to communicate a cancellation: Coach Petrick or Coach Chermak will make the decision 30 minutes prior to the start time and at that point, we will send an email to both the Athletics office and the Boosters so both websites can post the announcement.  We will also post the message on the following Google Doc Link 2023 CROSS COUNTRY FALL INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM COACHES.  So please check the websites (Athletics and Boosters) and feel free to check the link above as well. Also, use your best judgment, we will run in the rain but not in thunder or the threat of lightning.  Coaches anticipate having another communication app approved in the next few weeks, but this is not in place yet- stay tuned!
  3. Wednesday July 19, the owners of the Tandem bike shop are hosting a small informal 5K which will occur during our practice time.  If any athlete would like to test their training and enter the 5K, they are welcome to do so.  However please do not feel any obligation to do so, there is no expectation on coaches’ end that you compete in the race.  Coaches will hold typical practice for anyone planning on coming and not competing in the 5K.  The final Tandem race is held August 9 which runners may feel free to participate if they wish. See details below.
  4. Speaking of ice cream, the boosters will treat all runners to ice cream at Tandem following the July 26 practice, to celebrate all their summer running!
  5. If you have not already, please update your information in Healthy Roster, coaches cannot allow anyone to practice who is not cleared through the athletics office by August 14.  Please try to submit all forms no later than Friday August 4. If paperwork is not submitted until the 13th or 14th, there is a strong chance you will not be cleared in time for the first practice.  Healthy Roster is open for athlete registration.  All athletes must have a physical signed no earlier than June 1.  Log in at dashboard.healthyroster.com or links are also on the booster website. 
  6. Don’t forget to put the start of mandatory practice (August 14) and pool party/booster meeting (August 17) on your calendar!

July Group Runs

These runs starting today July 4 are optional but encouraged!

Tuesdays 9:45 AM-10:30 AM at Al’s Cafe/Rite Aid Montour Trail Entrance (parking available at the Elementary School which sits behind the Rite Aid (Washington Elementary School, 515 Clifton Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102):

July 4,11,18,25

Wednesdays at 6:30 PM-7:15 PM at Tandem Bike Shop Montour Trail Entrance (Tandem Connection Bike Shop, 5 Georgetown Rd., Hendersonville, PA):

July 5, 12, 19, 26

Thursdays 9:45 AM-10:30 AM at Al’s Cafe/Rite Aid Montour Trail Entrance (parking available at the Elementary School which sits behind the Rite Aid (Washington Elementary School, 515 Clifton Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102):

July 6, 13, 20, 27

A Message from USC Athletic Training Services – Summer Hours & Healthy Roster

As we wrap up the 2022/2023 school year today and enter into the summer months, we wanted to make sure we communicated some important information to all coaches.

  • Our standard weekly schedule for when the ATR will be open is as follows: M/W/TH from 7:30A-10:30A and TU from 4-6P. If there are any changes to these hours, we will let everyone know via email.
  • If any coach or student-athlete needs anything outside of these hours, please reach out to us so we can make arrangements to take care of the situation. We can be contacted via Healthy Roster, email or cell phone:
  • We will be reaching out to coaches individually to set up time to complete baseline testing for their team. Please remember this is required for athletes entering grades 9 & 11, as well as grade 7 for those in collision/contact sports. The only exception is if an athlete is new to USC and will participate in a collision/contact sport(s). We will continue with SWAY Medical this year as our baseline cognitive testing software.
  • Important information regarding Healthy Roster:
    • The 2023/2024 PIAA CIPPE packet, as well as the two AHN forms, have been uploaded to Healthy Roster and shared with all student-athletes & parents currently on Healthy Roster. We will be consistently reviewing completed documents throughout the summer. 
    • If there is any student-athlete that needs added to Healthy Roster, parents should email us with the following information:
      • Student-Athlete Name
      • Student-Athlete DOB
      • Student-Athlete Graduation Year
      • Student-Athlete Sport(s)
      • Guardian Name(s)
      • Guardian Email(s)
    • IMPORTANT REMINDER: All student-athletes need to have all paperwork completed prior to the official start of their first sport season. If there are any missing or incomplete documents, they will not be allowed to participate until they are completed.

That should cover everything. Have a great weekend all!

Bob Smith MS, LAT, ATC, NASM-PES

Athletic Trainer, Performance Enhancement Specialist

M: 412.260.9118

E: RSmith02@uscsd.k12.pa.us