Game Schedules – We don’t usually get any schedules until Thursday or Friday before the tournament; that’s just the way it works. As soon as I get it, I will let you know.
· Cougar Camp - We will have a location where all the Cougar Select teams and their families will hang out. This is "Cougar Camp". We will have our big Cougar Select tent along with a handful of other tents setup- just look for us - you can't miss our Cougar Camp setup. You are welcome to bring tents and chairs, but you are responsible for them. (I would also write your name on them.) After games, teams should be heading back to “Cougar Camp” for hydration and a little bit of rest.
· Help Out - Most of the people involved in running Cougar Select program are volunteers, so please chip in and help around the “Cougar Camp” is you can. Every bit of help makes a difference. We can always use help in putting up tents, keeping the area clean, taking down tents at the end of the night, and keeping the cooler stocked with water and Gatorade.
Clean-up - You and your children are responsible for cleaning up your own area at the fields and at Cougar Camp. Remember that we are volunteers and that we all need to work together to make this a great experience.
· “Zero Tolerance” Policy - The “Cougar Select” program has a “Zero Tolerance” policy for parents and players. Parents, family members, and the players are expected to respectful to coaches, players, and the officials. If a parent or a player is involved in any misconduct, they will be removed from the tournament and possibly from the team. If any player is involved in any kind of theft at the hotel or the tournament, they will be removed immediately. Let’s cheer our teams on, not criticize officials and other teams.
· Equipment – Please tell your son to not leave his sticks or any of his equipment lying around. Keep them in your lacrosse bag if you have one. We will set up a couple of partially enclosed tents where teams can put their equipment, so they are not out in the open.
· Gatorade and Water – Gatorade and water will be supplied for the teams at “Cougar Camp”. Families are welcome to the drinks also, but let’s try to go easy on that since it’s mostly for the players. You are welcome to bring coolers with drinks, just make sure you put your name on your coolers.
· Parking – Parking is usually horrible and you will most likely have to walk a bit. The complex that the tournament is being held at is a pretty big complex with at least 8 fields, so just be prepared to walk a bit. I would suggest wearing comfortable footwear for walking.
· Dinner (Saturday) – In the past, we’ve held some sort of dinner function back at the hotel, but due to the wide range of game times for all the teams, we can’t do it. Everybody is on their own for Dinner on Saturday.
· Food – There will be food vendors at the tournament. Lines are usually long and it can get a bit expensive; you can leave the complex and bring back food, but you will have a distance to drive to anything. Some people bring a cooler with lunch meat, snacks, peanut butter and jelly, and additional drinks.
· Curfew (Hotel) – We are asking you to make sure your kids are in their room by 10pm. It is important that the players get a good night sleep.
· Drive Time - If you are staying at the Holiday Inn (Kroger Center), it is about a ½ hour drive from the hotel to the “Swift Creek” complex.
Help During Games - I will be asking a couple of parents to help keep the boys hydrated during each of our games. These volunteer parents will stay on the sideline with the team. They are NOT allowed to coach from the sidelines or must maintain a positive attitude.
Other odds and ends - This is a porta-potty tournament. You might want to bring some extra wipes for hands, toilet paper, and whatever else you might think you need. Don't bring too much because you will have to carry it. Most of this type of stuff can be kept at the base camp. In addition, you know your sons - if they are going to lose an item or forget one (like a mouthpiece), then pack an extra just in case.
This is a great experience for the players and their families, so let’s enjoy it and have a good time.