Starting your own team - any other founders here?

[DarkDwarf]

Hey everyone,

I started a team at my High School after competing in Middle School. Frankly, it has been nothing but stress, since I have been more of a coach than a student, since my coach, frankly, isn't spectacular; however, this was our first year. Our major problem was getting started and selecting the team. My idea for selecting the team was to have students compete against each other for a month or so until we decided upon the team, but, unfortuantely, my coach was increasingly lazy and we didn't get the team done until December, right before winter break. Most people hadn't even started as of the end of winter break. Frankly, we're screwed at regionals, except our regional is new this year and almost half of the teams (out of eight) are new.

Any tips on getting started earlier and picking team members? Or just comments?

[L42]

Congrats! I would say that it's great you just have enough people to compete... And it'll only get better.

[EastStroudsburg13]

Any tips on getting started earlier and picking team members?

I don't know, at our school people just sign up if they're interested and the ones that end up being on the team filter out from the ones who don't. Also, for us, if you have more events, there's a better chance of making the team. Try to see which ones should go in each event and pick your team that way.

Also, good job for starting a team! I don't know if I could do that.

[binary010101]

You could actively try to recruit people who you know to be very intelligent, work hard, etc. Congratulations on your hard work. What state and region are you from?

[superjenius]

My coach makes us take tests in order to determine the team and events.

[EastStroudsburg13]

You could actively try to recruit people who you know to be very intelligent, work hard, etc.

Yeah, sometimes our coach goes to the advances classes and tries to recruit. It's not usually necessary anymore though, so once you get the team going, it'll probably get bigger, and more people will want to join.

[Coach Marz]

Starting your own team is very stressful. I started a team 4 years ago and this is the first year that has truly been without stress. I don't know what you are expecting from your coach, but most likely he/she is probably as stressed as you are. From what I have learned, it is very rare that a team in Division C do well without multiple coaches. There are just too many specific events for one person to attempt to gather material for. You may want to attempt to ask other teachers in the subject area to help out, NOT coach, just throw you a few tips and practice questions here and there.
As far as finding members, I recruit the smartest people we had ( but they just weren't that into it), and didn't do well at regionals at all. I find that students who are truly interested and dedicated tend to do the best.

My greatest suggestion is that you should just make sure everyeone has their events to compete in, let them compete and have fun, don't worry about making states, and just try your hardest in your events. Every year will get better and better. We were 3rd to last when I took over, only 4 years later do I think, if we are lucky, we make states.

Good Luck