Dolphin Preview: Champs 2025

This post will be dedicated to all things Champs. ALL the information you need, whether newbie or veteran, will be on this post.

1. CHAMPS:  I say it every year: champs can be as fun as it is overwhelming, and as overwhelming as it is fun! It is a GREAT day to witness a season of hard work pay off for every team and every individual. It will be paramount to your family experience to familiarize yourself with the Champs information. For this purpose, the VSL has created the 2025 Champs guide. Please make a point to read it as I will not be duplicating the information within this update! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sJaKHWjvEui9d1b6jARvLPq5JhRr3yZn/view?usp=sharing

   
   

2. Tasks to complete prior to and for Champs:

   1. We need to know who is swimming by today, please. If you have not yet filled this previously sent link out, please do so now. There is a financial penalty for changing our line up after the VSL deadline, so your prompt response facilitates our accuracy and timeliness. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScS6bsAtYFcF5ti-q6HEJMUOWcMShmAL5h1d41zPkDV9jKEDA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106490515155912567516

      
      

   2. Champs T-Shirts and other apparel are available for pre-order, as well as sale on site during Champs. Pre-order using this link: https://form.jotform.com/251745392059160

      
      

   3. Volunteer SignUp: team responsibilities at champs are divided across the VSL according to team size. Our responsibilities are not many, but are VERY important! Please click here:

      https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0549AEAD28A1F5C07-57521492-champs

      
      

   4. Heat Sheet Ads: If you have purchased an ad, please create it and upload it to this folder by Sunday July 13. I will then create full page ads on behalf of our team to meet that requirement. Final due date for all is July 14. If you need help, please text me directly. I am happy to assist! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rX9RUVhm8Mxv_F7yb3_I15CJLy2Ur9xG

      
      

3. Details about Champs:

   1. again, please read the guide shared above!

   2. 10u swimmers attend the AM session, and 11+ attend the PM session.

   3. upon arriving at JMU, please give yourself time to get inside so that your swimmer can be on time to our team warm up time: 8AM-8:20AM and 12-12:20PM respectively per session.

   4. There Is construction at JMU which could affect parking, which is available in and around Godwin/the bookstore as well as P lot along the highway and in the parking deck.

   5. Enter Godwin by going up the ramp on the 1-81 side of the building. Make your way to the gym where teams will be gathered. Our assigned location (which rotates every year) is far back left side, against the risers and by the exit doors on the front of the building.

   6. They will strictly enforce NO EATING IN THE GYM. Hungry swimmers may go outside in the halls to enjoy sustenance.

   7. Plan to bring: chairs, extra clothes and towels for warmth between races; TEAM CAPS, goggles. Swimmers may ONLY wear DOLPHINS caps. No Vast, no high school team, etc.

   8. I will have a table located at the front of our station for check-in, tattoos, extra markers, relay lists and heat sheet booklets (labeled per family).

      
      

4. End of Season Wrap Up: we are not quite there yet... but the end is in sight (insert tears here). Please make sure you have "settled up" with the team for any fees that apply to you (cash, check, venmo to @Spotswood-Dolphins, last four digits 7476).

   1. Required:

      1. Non-member team fees ($100)

      2. Post meet pizza parties ($5 per person, up to $20 per family max).

      3. Banquet ($10 per person)

      4. Heat Sheet Ad Purchases

   2. Optional Donations:

      1. coach gifts - more about this next week... but your donations go a long way to supporting our coaches. Our budget is small, and they do BIG work.

         
         

5. There will one more season update next week after champs, which will include a feedback form. This will provide our team board with data that we can purpose to make sure the team experience is enhanced and optimized.

Go Dolphins!