Props to UIW and the Cygnets of San Antonio for taking us one step closer to meeting our goal of building age-group/collegiate contact. Below you can read a short post from UIW's, Emily Van Vleck, on what it is that these two teams do every season to help not only promote their programs but also fund them. Great job UIW and CYGNETS!The two teams generally do a show at 2pm and one at 8pm, alongside 2 silent auctions towards the end of October. Each year, the show is themed differently. This year, the theme was "Music and Me, a Tribute to Michael Jackson." In the past it has been "Around the World," and "Calendar Girls. Both teams spend the few weeks prior, choreographing numbers for the show and include trios, duets, 5-somes, teams, combos...anything goes. UIW and the Cygnets generally swim the opening number, the finale, and one large team routine together. Aside from those few routines, they swim separately. The entire show, with intermission, runs about an hour and 15 minutes.
Both teams spend about 1-2 months preparing for the show and auction. The Cygnets and UIW each have their own separate auctions, with separate items, and separate profits. They collect donated items from local shops, restaurants, campus event coordinators, etc. Those donations usually include nail salon treatments, restaurant gift certificates, coffee and coffee mugs, signed UIW Football gear, UIW sweatshirts and clothing, or gift baskets donated by stores or families of the athletes. After the show, the teams send thank you letters to each company with their University's tax id# so their donation can be tax deductable.
Even swimming only a few routines with the Cygnets, the UIW girls form close relationships. They are friendly, supportive, and very helpful towards each other. But the the relationship doesn't end there, a lot of former UIW athletes end up coaching for the Cygnets. I can't help but see the true benefits from this; it creates consistency in coaching, styles, and expectations throughout San Antonio.
To read the full document (includes music selection, times, etc.) please contact Rebecca Story at story_rebecca@wheatonma.edu.
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