Some High school news

The Venice faithful got some good news today on the '09 High school season front. We found out a few weeks ago that our 5A district will be VENICE, Manatee, Charlotte, Pt. Charlotte, and Gulf Coast (Naples). Today was the district meeting where we decide how many times each team will play each other and where the District tournament will be held. By a vote of 3-2, District teams will only be required to play each other once. Also, the team with the best District record will host the District tourney at the end of the season. This also means that VHS could possibly host the next 2 years. It really makes a lot of sense to do that for financial reasons as the top seed will most likely be in the championship. Now, the only thing we are waiting for is the Board of Directors at the FHSAA to vote on whether or not our match limit will drop from 25-20 matches.Many coaches around the state, including myself, have written letters to the FHSAA to oppose this motion. More on that at a later time. Our bid to attend the Nike Invitational is moving forward. It will be on tap at the next school Board meeting.

Final results from Basic Training

6 weeks ago, I told you that I wanted to become a better coach by relating more with my players in their off season workouts so I joined a Basic Training class at the YMCA. I went one step further and went to the the 5:30 AM class. My goal was to not miss a class (which I accomplished and I even went when we had 2 days off from school and the day after the superbowl. No Excuses! ) . I also told you that the instructor gives everyone a nickname after a few weeks in the class. I am now known as "SPIKE". We really dont know people's real names in the class but we are made to know everyones nickname otherwise the class pays for it with scissor kicks. My partner most of the time was "RESCUE" because she is in the medical field. Some people take the class over and over again. For example; a former (and future) players parent was in the class. Terry Ream A.K.A. "Bulldog" has lost over 40 pounds since last March. Today was graduation where we had to do testing to see how far we have come. Here are my results.
I lost 12 pounds (180 to 168) and 2.5 % of body fat.
pushups went from 85 (in 2 minutes) to 102
sit ups went from 75 to 92
mile time from 7:40 to 7:16
So there you have it. I would encourage you to all do it as there were many different shapes and sizes in the class and if you have an athlete in the program, you will be able to relate with them on a more personal level. I have been brainstorming about the possibility of even a mother/father and player basic training class for our summer workouts. Stay tuned on that one. I will say that we finished with a lot less people then when we started. The next class starts March 9th. I would probably take the class again but my wife has banned me from getting up that early. It was a great experience and it taught me a little discipline with getting up early and I now eat salads for lunch. I feel a lot better and have a ton more energy then before.
Over and out,
Spike
Phil 4:13

Vision

Championships are won in the off season.

2009 Districts Released

Here is the new 2009 volleyball District has been released. This is still tenative.

DISTRICT 12(9 schools): Baker (Cape Coral) * Cape Coral * Charlotte (Punta Gorda) * Gulf Coast (Naples) * Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) * Manatee (Bradenton) * Palmetto Ridge (Naples) * Port Charlotte * Venice

Here are a few notables: Plant has moved to Class 6A and Ft. Myers has dropped down to 4A

Sir, yes sir!!!

I thought to myself a couple of weeks ago, "what could I do to become a better coach"? I thought, "go to a clinic and learn something new". Then I said to myself, "How can we make 2009 THE YEAR? Then it finally hit me. "Experience the same pain that our players feel during workouts" So I did the unthinkable. I signed up for a basic training class at the YMCA" I had 2 choices. Either go at 5:30 AM or 5:30 PM. Now, anyone who knows me knows that mornings are not my thing. I am a night owl. I am actually writing this at 12:15 AM on a school night. So I said to myself again, "Do what I would normally not do" so of course I joined the morning session. I am now in my 3rd week and let me tell you something. I cannot believe how happy people can be at 5 in the morning. It has been a very interesting experience with the running, torturous ab workout and millions of push ups. I was suppose to take this class with 2 other coaches but they backed out at the last minute. I will not mention their names so I dont embarrass them but I will say that their initials are JP and CF. Figure it out.
The first week, everyone who has not taken the class is named "recruit", the drill sargeant yells and you have to take a test. number of push ups and number of sit ups in 2 minutes as well as the mile run. I had 75 sit ups, 88 push ups, and a 7:40 run. I will admit to you that I practiced for about 2 weeks prior. Anyway, I will keep you updated on our teams off season progress and my fight to get up in the mornings. There are also a couple of things in the works that I am excited about for next year but cannot say exactly what it is just yet. And dont forget that Pain is weakness leaving the body, sir.

New Wellness Center set to open!

Dear VHS Volleyball Parents and players,

(See pictures on front page of website)

As you may or may not know, our brand new wellness center at VHS is ready. Over $250,000 worth of equipment will arrive at VHS on Saturday, Jan. 24th. This facility will be state of the art and will tremendously help not only our volleyball team but all of our athletic teams at the school. Larry Sandburg is asking that all teams help out in the assembly of the equipment this Saturday. Even if you can come to VHS for a little while this Saturday, it will be a tremendous help as we strive to work as a family at VHS. Below is a letter from Coach Sandburg as well.

The day we have all been waiting for is almost here. Saturday a truck will arrive at 7 am and must be unloaded immediately. We need all VHS athletic teams to get involved along with as many other people as we can get. All teams will be expected to attend since all are expected to use the facility. Only let me know, if for some reason, your team cannot be here.

Attached is the tool list for putting the equipment together. Anyone that has these tools at home are asked to bring them with you. If nothing else this project will be interesting. See everyone Saturday morning around 6:45 am.

Thanks Larry W. Sandburg
Athletic Director-VHS

Tools Needed

Combination Wrench 9/16; ¾
Sockets 9/16; ¾
Ratchet
Cordless drill w/ socket adapter
Tin snips
Tape measure
Chalk Line
Utility Knife
Two wheel carts
Four wheel carts


ALLEN WRENCHES

Off season plans

On Tuesday, all players will meet in the new wellness center immediately after school. We will have a meeting with Vern and the rest of the coaching staff to discuss our off season workouts. Vern will discuss in detail our goals and vision for our 2009 workouts. We will be breaking our team up into 3 different skill level groups. As we enter 2009, the bar will be raised and we are certain that our committed players will have a great time rising up to the expectations during this critical time of the year. War Eagle!