Gator Gazette

Alligators, it’s time to get excited—competition season starts THIS WEEKEND with our first meet on Sunday in Woodstock! After weeks of getting back into the pool, putting in the work, and building momentum, we’re ready to see our athletes race and kick off what promises to be an exciting season.

This newsletter is packed with important team information, including our Parent Meeting recap, team suit details, fundraising opportunities, upcoming events, and dates you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our families, coaches, volunteers, and athletes for helping us start the season strong. It takes all of us to make Alligator Aquatics successful—one team, one community, and a whole lot of Alligator pride!

LET’S GO ALLIGATORS!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Alligator Aquatics Parent Meeting! We appreciate you taking the time to join us and get ready for another great season. It’s always a pleasure spending time with familiar faces and getting to know the new families joining the Alligator Aquatics team!

If you missed the meeting—or just want to review everything we covered—the Parent Meeting slideshow is available on our website. Simply log in and visit the Parent Page to view the presentation and make sure you’re up to speed on all the important team information.

Don’t forget to stop by Kiefer Aquatics in Wheeling to try on your official Arena team suit and record your swimmer’s size! This week only, Alligator families receive an additional 10% off our already 30% team discount on all in-store items!

If your swimmer hasn’t worn an Arena suit before, we highly recommend trying one on, as sizing varies between brands.

Please complete the Team Suit Order Form by Monday, September 28 so we can place our bulk order in time for our October meets!

Our Short Course season is underway! Here’s a look at the anticipated meet schedule for the 2026–2027 short course season. Mark your calendars and get ready to race! Good luck to everyone heading to Woodstock this weekend!

• Woodstock Fall Kickoff — Sunday, September 27

• Woodstock North High School, Woodstock, IL

• MMSC Fall Frenzy — Saturday–Sunday, October 17–18

• RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI

• Monster Mash LFSC — Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25

• RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI

• Suzy Gavars Memorial — Friday–Sunday, November 20–22

• Barrington High School, Barrington, IL

• Winter Splash — Saturday–Sunday, December 5–6 (Alligator Hosted Meet)

• RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI

• Candy Cane Classic — Saturday–Sunday, December 19–20

• Woodstock North High School, Woodstock, IL

• Winter Classic — Friday–Sunday, January 8–10

• Barrington High School, Barrington, IL

• Boilermaker Gold Fever — Friday–Sunday, January 22–24 (Travel Meet to Indiana)

• Purdue University, Lafayette, IN

• Swim Your Heart Out — Friday–Sunday, February 12–14

• RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI

• Last Splash — Sunday, February 21 (Alligator Hosted Meet)

• Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove, IL

• Regional Championships — Friday–Sunday, February 26–28

• TBD - Athletes must have met the Regional Time Standards to compete in this swim meet.

• Senior State Championships — Thursday–Sunday, March 4–7

• TBD - Athletes must have met the Senior State Championship Time Standards to compete in this swim meet.

• 10 & Under Championships — Saturday–Sunday, March 6–7

• TBD - Athletes must have met the 10 & Under State Championship Time Standards to compete in this swim meet.

• Age Group State Championships — Thursday–Sunday, March 11–14

• TBD - Athletes must have met the Age Group State Championship Time Standards to compete in this swim meet.

Show your Alligator pride in style! Shop our Alligator Aquatics spirit wear and represent your team wherever you go. From practice to meet day and everywhere in between, gear up, stand out, and let everyone know you’re part of the Alligator family!

Shop the store using the button below. Sales close October 1st at 11:59 PM. No late sales will be accepted!

Calling all Gator families! Keep selling those Lou Malnati pizza coupons!

This fundraiser helps:
✅ Pay for pool rentals
✅ Buy training equipment
✅ Keep costs down per swimmer
✅ Support meet travel + team needs

As an added incentive, we will have a reward for the top training group based on average pizzas sold per swimmer!

For additional information check out the Lou’s Fundraising Flyer!

Please return orders to Heather Schramm via email or in person by Tuesday, November 17th. All orders must be pre-paid - Checks and Zelle ONLY - make checks payable to Alligator Aquatics. Zelle to heather.schramm@hotmail.com.

If you are opting out of selling pizza coupons, the cost is $100 per swimmer. Please consider utilizing any available company matches to maximize dollars to the team if opting out is the preferred route for your family! Families that do not sell the 20 coupons will be charged the remaining balance of the required $100. (NOTE: we receive $5 from each coupon sold. If you sell one coupon, you will be charged $95)

Safe Sport Splash Tip: Being a Good Gator Teammate

Being a good Gator means helping create a team environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and respected. That includes how we treat one another at practice and meets, as well as in texts, group chats, and social media.

USA Swimming Safe Sport has guidance for preventing and addressing bullying, and our Alligator Aquatics Athlete and Parent Codes of Conduct reinforce the importance of respect, sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive communication. If something happens that feels hurtful, repeated, or concerning, swimmers and parents are encouraged to speak with a coach or club leader so it can be addressed.

Learn more: Review the USA Swimming Bullying Policy, Alligator Aquatics Athlete Code of Conduct, and Alligator Aquatics Parent Code of Conduct.

Training Reminder: Parents and athletes should check their USA Swimming account and complete or renew Safe Sport training before it expires. Courses count for 18 months. Use our Safe Sport Training Job Aid for step-by-step instructions.

The A3 Swim Parent Playbook is here to support you with guidance, tools, and perspective at every stage of your child’s competitive swimming journey. Whether your swimmer is just getting into club swimming or chasing Olympic Trials cuts, your role as a parent or guardian matters more than you think. A3 created this resource to help you feel informed, confident, and empowered to be your child’s biggest cheerleader and offer support every step of the way. Help your swimmer unleash their unstoppable this season.

After a tremendous 2025–2026 season, Angel R. has been recognized by Illinois Swimming for her outstanding accomplishments in the pool. She was selected alongside a group of accomplished swimmers from across the state to be honored for their top performances from the past season.

Illinois Swimming will host a banquet in October to celebrate these talented athletes and recognize their hard work, dedication, and remarkable achievements throughout the season.

Congratulations Angel, you continue to make the Alligators proud!