Club Spotlight: Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) Swimming

By Lindsay Hock

SEWELL, New Jersey, September 23. IT seems like everyone writes a blog these days. In just one click, you can read personal opinion on entertainment, fashion, sports; there are even blogs about scooters and windmills. And, now, a club swimming blog joins the list of these wireless wonders.

This season, Matt Sprang, head coach of Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) Swimming in Sewell, N.J., is writing a blog aimed at both swimmers and parents.

"The biggest problem in our sport is misinformation," Sprang said. "I am trying to do whatever I can to get the right information to not only the people on my team, but anyone else who happens to read my blog."

Sprang said he tries to include things not found in the monthly newsletter or posted on the bulletin board.

"I try not to include deadlines or meet information," Sprang said. "The blog is just a new way to bring new information, like training tips and ways to improve strokes and turns."

Sprang's blog has included his experiences at summer nationals; he said he really enjoyed being able to share his stories with the people at home in New Jersey. He credited the idea of the blog to Mike Soderling at The Lawrence Aquahawks Swim Team in Lawrence, Kansas.

"I peruse other teams' Web sites as much as possible, and saw what Mike was doing with his blog and decided to try it myself," Sprang said.

Now, team members and GCIT's 100 new swimmers can read and learn from Sprang's blog.

"When I came on as head coach in October of 2004, our team membership was at 110," Sprang said. "This August, we had more than 100 swimmers sign up."

Those new swimmers have given Sprang reason to be excited about his team.

"They are the future," he said.

GCIT Quick Facts:
Head Coach: Matt Sprang
Assistant Coaches: George Kelly, Dave Schroeder, Gordon Thomas, Dan Saia, Skyler Lindsey
Number of Swimmers: 200
Number of Practice Groups: 8
Training Facilities: Gloucester County Institute of Technology Pool
Club Web site: www.gcitswimming.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x