Team,

We want to take a moment to address a concern that has been ongoing for the past few weeks. We are proud of the progress you are making, and we are becoming stronger every day as a team. However, we have noticed an increase in missed practices without valid reasons.

We fully understand and respect commitments such as year-round swim, band, cheer, volleyball, and legitimate injuries/illnesses or unavoidable conflicts. These are excused and expected from time to time. This message is specifically regarding absences for non-priority reasons. Missing practice because you are tired, have homework, “time of month” or “don’t feel like it” is not acceptable. This applies to morning workouts and dry-land sessions as well. Consistent attendance—whether in the pool, in workouts, or during dry-land—is a core expectation of being on this team.

Unexcused absences directly impact your participation in meets and will absolutely affect your ability to earn a letter. By choosing to be part of this program, you have committed to attending all practices each week. Continued failure to meet this expectation may result in suspension from the team or loss of lettering eligibility. Refer back to part one of your lettering requirements, where it states you MUST meet all of those to letter each year – regardless of if you lettered the year before.

Communication is essential. If you must miss a practice for any reason, you are required to notify one of your coaches ahead of time. As high school athletes, it is your responsibility—not your parents’—to communicate absences.

With that said, if you are in town next week, we have practice on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. There will be no workouts or dry-land sessions. We look forward to seeing you then.