Concussion Video

9th-12th Grade Athletes

If you are unable to attend the MANDATORY athletic code meeting on July 31st at 6:30 pm at the high school be sure to let Coach Smith know. The concussion link is: http://www.wiaawi.org/Health/Concussions.aspx. Forms can be picked up at the HS office.

7th and 8th Grade

We will be sending out a clarifying letter, but these are some highlights just for 7th and 8th grade:

• Players are invited to help at the car wash on August 3rd. Please return the slip that came with the first letter.
• All parents and players should attend the informational meeting on August 19th at 6:30 pm in the HS commons.
• MS practice starts on the 1st day of school from 3:30-5pm.
• Players are required to have forms turned in at the end of that first week of practices. Coaches will have a list of what you are missing on the first day of practice. We will also have it at the informational meeting.
• You can find a schedule a few posts down.

Meet Your Coaches

Coach Smith - Head coach

1. How long have you played volleyball and where?  I played volleyball from 7th - 12th grade for Barron. I also played intramural volleyball during my college years at UMD.
2. Where did you go to college? I went to the University of Minnesota Duluth.
3. Why do you like coaching? I enjoy coaching because not only are you teaching a beautiful sport, you are also teaching life lessons.
4. Other interests outside of volleyball? Outside of volleyball I enjoy basketball, soccer, being outdoors, spending time with my family, being involved in my church, teaching, and scrap booking.
5. What is a goal you have for 2013? A goal I have for 2013 is to learn as much as I can.
6. Favorite volleyball memory? My favorite volleyball memory is my team the senior year of high school. We were a close group of friends and we worked hard. We lost at sectional finals that year and enjoyed the entire ride.
7. What grade/subject do you teach? I have taught 3rd and 2nd grade at Spooner Elementary School. I am currently a 3rd grade teacher there.
8. How do you like to work out? I like to work out by walking, roller blading, or playing sports.
9. Favorite foods? I love pretty much any type of food. I really love pickles, ice cream, and Chinese!
10. Family? I have been married for eight years to Sam. We own i play in Spooner. We have two children, Noah and Isabelle. We have our third child on the way, Jonah. He is due in December. I also have six nieces and nephews that belong to eleven brothers, sister-in-laws, and brother-in-laws. I love my huge family.

Coach O'Connell - JV team 

1. How long have you played volleyball and where? I played volleyball competitively from 7th - 12th grade at Eau Claire North High School.  I know play in sand leagues for fun.
2. Where did you go to college? I went to college at UW-Eau Claire.
3. Why do you like coaching? I've been involved in athletics since 5th grade, so it's always been a part of my life.  I love coaching because I am able to share my passion and love for the game with young athletes. 
4. Other interests outside of volleyball? Other interests I have outside of volleyball are basketball, hanging out with family and friends, fishing, working out, and watching movies.
5. What is a goal you have for 2013? A goal I have for myself for 2013 is to enjoy the ride and not stress over the little stuff.
6. Favorite volleyball memory? My favorite Spooner volleyball memory is our JV team beating Hayward last season in a comeback victory!
7. What do you teach? I teach 7th grade Math.
8. How do you like to work out? I love to run, bike, roller blade, lifting weights, hike, and swim.
9. Favorite foods? I love all foods beside mushrooms :)
10. Family? I am married to my best friend Ryan and we have two cats Michelangelo and Leonardo.  My mom and dad, Lynn and Rob still live in Eau Claire in my childhood home.  I have one brother and a sister in law, Charlie and Tawny, and they have my precious little niece, Olive.

Coach Jensen - C team

1. How long have you played volleyball and where? I played volleyball my freshman year in High School.  I also have played many years of intramural volleyball in college and sand volleyball leagues during the summers.
2. Where did you go to college? I attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville
3. Why do you like coaching? I enjoy coaching because it provides an opportunity for me to help build character and relationships with students outside the classroom.
4. Other interests outside of volleyball? Fishing, running, quilting, and baking just to name a few :)
5. What is a goal you have for 2013? My goal for 2013 is to get to know each of my players and help build and develop their skills and character on and off the court.
6.  Favorite volleyball memory?  I attended a coaching clinic a couple years ago and the guest speaker for the clinic was Russ Rose, the head women's volleyball coach for Penn State.  He was incredible to listen to!  Best part of the clinic was that we rode in the same elevator as him once and were able to have a conversation with him!
7. What grade/subject do you teach? High School Physical Education and K-12 Adapted Physical Education
8. How do you like to work out? Running
9. Favorite foods? Mexican, Chinese, Pizza  
10. Family? I grew up in a small town south of Madison, WI. I am the oldest of 3 children, and I have a sister and a brother!  I met my husband while I was teaching in Ashland, WI and we recently relocated to the Spooner/Webster area.
11. Anything else? If you think you can, YOU CAN.  If you think you can't, YOU WON'T.

Coach Maki - 7th grade team

1. How long have you played volleyball and where? I played volleyball for five years for Spooner.
2. Where did you go to college? UW-Eau Claire
3. Why do you like coaching? I've never coached before, but I love playing volleyball. I also used to teach/coach dance for a few years and it was really fun to help teach kids something new about something I love doing.
4. Other interests outside of volleyball? I have always loved music and dancing. I also enjoy reading, gardening, traveling, and spending time with family.
5. What is a goal you have for 2013? Coaching goal: to learn the skills to be a great coach in order to help the players not only learn all of the skills in volleyball, but also how to work together and love the sport.
6. Favorite volleyball memory? In 8th grade, out volleyball team won 1st place in a tournament. We worked really hard and played as a team. It was fun throughout the whole tournament playing each game with my friends, and winning the tournament was a bonus.
7. What grade/subject do you teach? Last year I taught kindergarten, and this year I plan to teach 1st grade.
8. How do you like to work out? I always liked doing drills and scrimmaging. When I work out on my own I like to dance and do Pilate's or yoga.
9. Favorite foods? Any kind of dessert and Italian food
10. Family? My family is from Spooner. I have two older sisters, and I recently got married. My family is everything to me, and I love spending time with them as much as I can. (My maiden name is Miss Tyler)

Parent Letter

A parent letter was sent out today, July 17th. Here is what it contained :)

On July 31^st at 6:30 pm at the High School there will be a mandatory meeting for all HIGH SCHOOL athletes. At this meeting there will be a review of athletic code expectations, concussion procedures, and individual sport expectations. Many of you need to have a physical, watch the concussion video, pay your volleyball fee, sign the athletic code, and turn in the parent permission card/alternate year card.  (MS students also need to turn in these, but do not need to attend the meeting.) 

The weight room will continue to be open from 7:00 am – 11:00 am and 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm until August 9^th. During this time you should be doing the Bigger, Faster, Stronger program. You can also ask the supervising coach to open the gym and get some touches on a volleyball. The volleyball cart will be left out.

On August 3^rd from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm we will be holding a car wash at Larsen Auto in Spooner. Here we will be doing car washes, selling concessions, and selling last year’s apparel and blankets. This fundraiser will help us buy new equipment and other items in this coming season. I would like each of you to commit to working at least one shift. On the parent letter there is a form to fill out and mail back to me. It can also be dropped off at the Elementary Office. You may also text Coach Smith the information at 218-590-6073. Please email or call for a new form. Even if you are unable to help, please return the slip to me. Remember that the time you sign up for is your commitment and we need your involvement. “Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.” Also included in this letter are a few fliers. Please give these out to your family members and friends as advertisement for this event.

 On another note, your coaching staff would like to hold an informational meeting on Monday, August 19^th at 6:30 pm in the HS Commons. It is highly recommended that you attend. At this meeting you will meet the entire coaching staff, ask questions, and coaches will give out a lot of helpful information for the coming season. We will also have you sign the NEW volleyball handbook. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact Coach Smith at 218-590-6073 or email her at smithm@spooner.k12.wi.us.

            Lastly, the first two weeks of high school volleyball practice schedule is as follows:

August 19th - Tryouts 9th and 10th grade 8:00 am – 10:00 am 11th and 12th grade 10:00 am - Noon	August 20th  - Tryouts 9th and 10th grade 8:00 am – 10:00 am 11th and 12th grade 10:00 am - Noon	August 21st - Tryouts 9th and 10th grade 8:00 am – 10:00 am 11th and 12th grade 10:00 am – Noon Combined practice 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Rosters will be posted on HS doors by 7:00 pm	August 22nd All team practice 9:00 am – 11:00 am	August 23rd All team practice 9:00 am – 11:00 am
August 26th All team practice 3:45pm – 5:30 pm	August 27th All team practice 3:45pm – 5:30 pm	August 28th All team practice 8:00 am -10:00 am (School Open House at all schools 12:00 p.m. – 7:45)	August 29th All team practice 3:45pm – 5:30 pm	August 30th All team practice 3:45pm – 5:30 pm

*Please let Coach Smith know if you will not be attending any of these practices due to pre-scheduled family vacations. That is the only exception to missing these practices.

**7^th and 8^th grade does not start practice until the 1^st day of school. Their practices will run 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Open Gym

Open Gym Cancelled tonight.

We will have open gym next Monday from 4-6 pm. See you then!

Updated Coach List

Melissa Smith - head coach - smithm@spooner.k12.wi.us
Michelle O'Connell - JV coach - oconnellm@spooner.k12.wi.us
Tifanie Jensen - C team coach - jensent@spooner.k12.wi.us
Chelsey Matthes - 8th Grade coach - matthesc@spooner.k12.wi.us
Jessica Maki - 7th Grade coach - tylerj@spooner.k12.wi.us

Mandatory Fall Athletic Code and Conussion Meeting

Fall Athletic Code and Concussion Meeting: July 31st, 6:30 p.m. HS Auditorium. Mandatory meeting for all athletes Meeting will be a review of athletic code expectations, concussion procedures, and individual sport expectations.