Gator Gazette
October 2026
Alligators are off to a great start!
Congratulations to all our Alligator athletes who have competed in our first few meets of the Short Course season! We've already seen some incredible swims, personal bests, and goals being accomplished. It's exciting to see the hard work in practice paying off!
At both the MMSC Fall Frenzy and LFSC Monster Mash, our athletes delivered impressive performances, proving that quality outshines quantity! Competing against teams with much larger rosters, Alligator Aquatics earned top rankings in points per swimmer.
Take a look at the results below and see why we're SMALL BUT MIGHTY!
There's still plenty of work ahead, but we're building a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting season. We look forward to seeing our athletes continue to challenge themselves and reach new milestones as we move toward championship season!
This month's newsletter is packed with important team updates, upcoming meets, events, volunteer opportunities, and reminders to keep everyone informed and involved.
Thank you to our coaches, families, and volunteers for your continued dedication to Alligator Aquatics. Our team's success is a reflection of the commitment and support of our entire Alligator community!
LET'S GO ALLIGATORS!
Get Involved & Make a Difference!
Alligator Aquatics is a parent-led, parent-supported program, and our success depends on families stepping up! We've heard great ideas for improving our team, building spirit, and creating an even better experience for our athletes. Now's your chance to help make it happen!
We're looking for some new faces to fill these volunteer roles:
Meet Officials - AO & Stroke and Turn: Get the best seat in the house—right on deck! Self-paced certification training required.
Meet Director: Seeking 1 volunteer to make sure swim meets hosted by our team are run in accordance with USA Swimming and Illinois Swimming rules. The Meet Director works closely with the Head Coach, coaches from other teams, officials, Concessions/Hospitality Manager to oversee and coordinate all aspects of meet preparation, meet execution and post-meet follow-up.
Blaze Training Group Lead(s): Seeking 1–2 parents to welcome new families, answer questions, and help organize team-building activities outside the pool.
Special Events Leads: Seeking 1–2 volunteers to help plan our end-of-season banquet and support Splash for Cash.
You don't have to do it all—just pick one way to get involved! More helping hands mean a stronger team and a better experience for our athletes.
Interested? Contact Erin Greiss at president@alligatoraquatics.org to learn more or volunteer for any of these positions.
Our athletes get out of this program what we, as parents, are willing to put into it. Let's make it count!
You don't have to do it all—just pick one way to get involved! More helping hands mean a stronger team and a better experience for our athletes.
Upcoming Events
Our 2026–2027 Short Course season is off to a great start, and the excitement is just beginning! From now through Championship Season, we have plenty of opportunities to race, achieve new personal bests, and cheer on our fellow Alligators!
Take a look at the anticipated meet schedule, mark your calendars, and get ready for an exciting season ahead. Every race is another opportunity to grow, improve, and work toward those goals!
BSC Suzy Gavars Memorial: Friday–Sunday, November 20–22
Barrington High School, Barrington, IL
AA Winter Splash: Saturday–Sunday, December 5–6 (Alligator Hosted Meet)
RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI
Be on the lookout for volunteer position sign-up. We need all hands on deck to make this swim meet possible!
WDST Candy Cane Classic: Saturday–Sunday, December 19–20
Woodstock North High School, Woodstock, IL
BSC Winter Classic: Friday–Sunday, January 8–10
Barrington High School, Barrington, IL
BA Gold Fever: Friday–Sunday, January 22–24 (Travel Meet)
Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
BDSC Swim Your Heart Out: Friday–Sunday, February 12–14
RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, WI
AA Last Splash: Sunday, February 21 (Alligator Hosted Meet)
Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove, IL
IL Winter Regional Championships: Friday–Sunday, February 26–28
TBD - Athletes must have met the Regional Time Standards to compete in this swim meet.
IL Winter 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.
IL Winter 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.
IL Winter 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.
Please mark your calendars and save these dates! Meet participation and additional details will be communicated as each competition approaches. As always, please refer to the team calendar and events page for the most up-to-date information and any schedule changes.
Fundraising
Lou Malnati’s Fundraiser – Only 3 Weeks Left!
The countdown is ON, Gators! We have ONLY 3 WEEKS left to get those Lou Malnati’s pizza coupon orders in! Let’s rally together, spread the word, and finish this fundraiser STRONG!
Every pizza coupon sold puts $5 directly back into Alligator Aquatics, helping us cover pool rentals, purchase training equipment, support team travel, and keep costs down for our families!
Training Group Challenge!
Which group will take the TOP SPOT? Remember, there's a special reward for the training group with the highest average number of pizzas sold per swimmer! Let's get some friendly competition going!
Important Reminders:
- ORDER DEADLINE: Tuesday, November 17th!
Submit orders to Heather Schramm via email heather.schramm@hotmail.com or in person.
All orders must be prepaid via check (payable to Alligator Aquatics) or Zelle to heather.schramm@hotmail.com.
Each swimmer has a $100 fundraising commitment (20 coupons). Families who sell fewer than 20 coupons will be billed the difference.
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 get $5 from each coupon sold. If you sell one coupon, you will be charged $95)
Every coupon counts, and every family makes a difference!
Check out the Lou's Fundraising Flyer for all the details!
SafeSport
Safe Sport Splash Tip: Locker Rooms Are Athlete Spaces
Locker rooms and changing areas are private spaces for athletes. Parents should avoid entering athlete locker rooms unless there is a true need and it follows facility, meet, or team guidance. Swimmers should use designated changing areas and respect everyone’s privacy. These rules are for both practices and meets.
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.
Coach's Corner
New this Season - Attendance Incentive!
As the 2026/2027 Short Course Season is fully underway, the coaches are proud of the work our swimmers have been doing. As we move further into our training, the coaches have been evaluating how we can elevate our time in the water. Regular attendance is one of the best ways swimmers can build confidence, improve their skills, and contribute to the success and energy of our team. One of the biggest drivers of success in swimming is consistency in the pool. Consistent attendance allows us to build on drills, sustains a training base to accomplish more complex sets, and sets us up for a strong taper at the end of the season.
We also recognize that swimmers have busy schedules, and we want to make attendance something to look forward to. To help motivate and celebrate consistency, we’ll be introducing some attendance incentives throughout the season. The goal isn’t to penalize swimmers for the occasional absence, but rather to recognize and reward those who make the commitment to show up, work hard, and be part of the team. Swimmers will have opportunities to earn recognition and rewards for reaching attendance milestones. Each month the coaches will choose an attendance benchmark and a corresponding prize.
We’re excited to see everyone in the pool, cheering each other on and continuing to grow together! Thank you for your support and commitment to our swimmers and our team.