Powerful Culture Building and Maintaining a High Performance Cross Country Team

School & Community Information Carmel, Indiana Nearly 90,000 living in our community Growth of parks, bike lanes, and greenway paths Very supportive running community; growing across the county Carmel Clay Schools One high school with ~ total students (9-12 grade) Three middle schools with 1100 – 1500 students each (6-8 grade) Eleven elementary buildings – wide variety of populations 121 IHSAA State Titles since 1970 (133; soccer and cheerleading) Our athletes expect great outcomes **We acknowledge our population size is an advantage

Our History Chuck Koeppen Arrived at CHS in 1972 as boys’ track and cross country coach Took a program that was essentially pre-season conditioning for basketball and led it to a state title in IHSAA introduced girls’ cross country in Carmel was runner-up that year. He led both programs through 2008 and retired with 11 state titles on both sides (along with 1 boys’ state track title) He set the tone at CHS from the beginning and for 38 years. Since Chuck’s departure The girl’s program has one runner-up and five consecutive state titles Five consecutive appearances at NXN

Our Athletes Motivated Academically Expect to attend larger Division I schools for the most part Engaged in numerous student organization Bring all kinds of activities and events to our team High Focus and Commitment

What is culture? A way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (Merriam-Webster dictionary) The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group (Oxford)

Importance of Culture Know your audience: Teenagers have hundreds of options to occupy their time, and your group needs to stand out as “worthy” of their time. They want to be part of something that is bigger than themselves and they want to feel part of the accomplishments. A positive culture will spread quickly among the school population and encourage huge numbers to join.

Importance of Culture Provide a safe environment in which students can take risks (try something new). Encourage personal growth through goal setting. Help students to connect with others in a large population.

Building Carmel Culture Early, continuous opportunities in the community Set high expectations and hold athletes accountable Student ownership in the program Provide leadership opportunities

Feeder Programs Pup Running Middle school programs USATF Junior Olympics

Pup Running Elementary School program 11 elementary buildings in the district – each with a team Partnership with the schools and organized with each building’s PTO Cross country in the fall; Track in the spring Volunteer coaches – 2 or 3 “practices” per week held after school Targets 4 th and 5 th grade students (CC: 2k, Track: 100, 400) 3 meet schedule each season Nearly 800 participants in Fall 2014

Middle School Programs Three Middle Schools (Carmel, Clay, Creekside) Participation ranges from 70 – 140 athletes at each school MS Coaches coordinate and collaborate summer training Highly competitive athletes mixed with interested athletes Great opportunity for students to “try it out”. Indiana MS Cross Country Championships City Championships

USATF Junior Olympics Pulls together all age groups (elementary – high school) into one club team (Indiana All Star Running Club) Coaches include high school staff, middle school staff, parents, and even high school athletes Three practices at the high school per week. Athletes are instructed what to do on their off days. FUN is emphasized while getting quality training Most athletes are from Carmel, but some are from the surrounding area.

What Carmel Cross Country Offers Opportunity to be part of a team Looking for a group to identify themselves Limited cuts (28:40/27:25) Physical fitness Stay in shape for self or other sports (Lacrosse, Track) School credit (PE II) Complete a season, earn the credit, avoid PE during the school year.

What Carmel Cross Country Offers Social connections Keep connected with friends and make new ones Loads of travel together on weekends Gatherings after meets Informed training Learn about what is being trained and why it’s a focus Shared among teammates Long Standing Tradition Chance to compete at a high level, travel, and experience high levels of success

Activities Summer popsicles Canoe Trip Summer Movie Night Senior Leadership Meetings (Team Camp) Lincoln State Park – Team Camp Holiday World Friday Breakfast Friday Dinner Locker signs Shoe Collection Tailgate for Life Secret Buddies Pumpkin Carving Skipping State Tournament Dinners Fake, Bake, Shake End of Season Banquet

Leadership Opportunities Lead warm-up/dynamic routines Demonstrate and hold teammates accountable Part of schedule discussion in the spring/summer Set designs for practice pack Part of planning for team camp Lead a group through a workout Work with younger athletes in JO, Pup Running, and/or Greyhound Mile Coordinate spirit days Coordinate Friday breakfast/dinner Organize secret buddies

Building Your Team’s Culture Start with a couple of small, easy to repeat activities. Support reasonable ideas from your athletes. Take ideas from others. Give it time to let it grow…some of our activities have been around for decades.

Questions???