New Parent Information for Swim Meets at Miami University

New Parent Information for Families New
to Miami University for Swim Meets

1. PARKING:  There is metered parking along the street.  The Miami Police monitor this closely and give out tickets for expired meters. There is also a parking garage on Campus Street , where you may pay upon exit, or, you can bring your ticket into the swim meet and purchase a weekend pass with unlimited access to the parking garage for around $6.00.  
2. CHECK IN & DECK PASSES:  You must be a swimmer, coach, or a designated helper to be allowed onto the pool deck. Last year, the meet provided deck passes ahead of time, and the coaches handed them out at the last practice prior to the meet.  This eliminated the need for checking in upon arrival. Deck passes will not be pre-issued this year.  When you arrive, you will need to check in, and will then receive identification (probably hand stamp) that will allow you deck access.  No one will be allowed onto the pool deck without this identification.  The check-in table should be located near the entry.
3. FACILITY LAYOUT:  This facility has two levels. You enter the building on the upper level, where the lobby, concessions, and bleacher areas are located.  The locker rooms and pool / deck are on the lower level.  Only people with proper identification will be allowed on the lower level.  The Coaching Staff will designate a couple parents to help with the swimmers on the pool deck.
4. SEATING:   It is a good idea to find a place to sit when you first arrive – it fills up quickly. I recommend finding a place to sit BEFORE your child goes down to the lower level – so they know where you are sitting. (CFY Seat Cushions are a great way to reserve your seat – you may purchase one from Coach Dave for only $10.00!!)
5. BEFORE YOUR CHILD GOES DOWN TO THE LOWER LEVEL: Once the swimmers are on the lower level, they stay down there with the team. So, it’s important to have them prepared.  With the younger kids, we recommend that they do not use the locker area before the meet, and that instead, they are ready to go right onto the pool deck.  They may bring their swim bag with them.  Please have the swimmer changed into their suit, wear their pants/flip flops, and carry their swim bag, which they will bring on-deck with their cap, goggles, towel, clothes, etc).  Also, please have their events written on their hand.  Please keep everything else (coats, shoes, etc) with you.
6. MEET YOUR COACH ON-DECK:   Afternoon swimmers cannot enter the lower level until a certain time (last year it was 15 min before warm-ups). Please have your swimmer get into the line to go downstairs.  Once they are downstairs, have them turn left at the bottom of the stairs and enter the pool deck (they can’t miss it). The deck has a designated bleacher area for each team. The CFY area is straight back when you enter the pool deck – along the left wall, and is the last area you will come to.  Just have them walk straight back. 
7. SWIMMERS MUST STAY ON DECK:  Swimmers must sit with the team in the designated area and should stay on deck at all times unless they have permission from their coach to go upstairs to the bleachers.  They must have their clothes/shoes on, and must also have whatever they get (hand stamp, pass) to allow re-entry.  Make sure your swimmer checks in with a coach before going upstairs.
8. FOOD:  There is a concession area with healthy choices, but at times, the lines were long.  For swimmers, there is no food allowed on the pool deck.  The swimmers may have bottled water and Gatorade only. A swimmer may pack a small snack and take it with them, however they would need to leave the pool deck and go back into the locker area to eat it.
9. PARENT HELPERS:  There will be a parent volunteer(s) on the pool deck in the designated team area to keep track and to assist our younger swimmers.  This volunteer will be accessible to parents by cell phone.  (not to be abused)
10. YOUNGER SIBLINGS:  Unlike a YMCA where there is some room to roam, this is a tough meet for younger siblings.  There really isn’t any place to go between events other than the bleachers and the lobby/concession area, unless you want to put your coat on and take a walk outside.  
11. MEET END:  When the meet is over, the swimmers may use the locker area to shower and change.  Last year, parents with young children (8 or younger) were allowed to go down to the lower level with a pass, or at the end of the meet (and into the locker area, but NOT onto the pool deck) to assist their child. We are double checking to make sure it will be the same this year.