Greetings Suffolk Stars Athletes and Parents

I would like to take time to welcome our new and returning members of the Suffolk Stars Track & Field program. I am truly humbled that you have chosen to join or return to the Suffolk Stars Track Club. Our program is one of the best in the country. We pride ourselves in teaching your athlete life-long lessons. Our program is a family program; much is expected from the coaches, parents, and athletes. We believe in hard work, commitment, and dedication. I am very excited to start a new season.

Once again, I would like to thank you for giving us an opportunity to work with your athlete. We are going to have an awesome AAU season!

Sincerely,

Gregory Rountree, President

Suffolk Stars Track Club

2016 Handbook

Club Founded: 2000

Team Colors: Navy Blue/Black/White

Website: suffolkstarstrackandfield.weebly.com

Suffolk Stars Track Club offers track and field participants ages 5-18 an exciting opportunity to improve their physical condition, learn new skills, and compete among the best athletes in the Hampton Roads area and beyond.

To provide an opportunity for youth to develop skills, athletic speed, endurance, and strength. To foster self-esteem, personal accountability, self-discipline, goal setting and achievement necessary for each athlete to reach his/her full potential as a track and field athlete.

The Suffolk Stars Track Club was founded in 2000 by Gregory Rountree and Vincent Pugh. It began with 23 members and has grown to over 70 members. Suffolk Stars has had a total of 23 student athletes receive track scholarships over the past 10 years. We have had over 20 members to become AAU All Americans in the past 3 years. Our primary girls 4 x 100 relay won Nationals in 2012.

Kevin Knight-Univ. of North Carolina State Champ/All- American

DeAndre White-Duke University State Champ/All- American

Andrea Wheeler-East Michigan State Champ/All-American

Chris Copeland-St. Augustine’s College State Champ/National Champ in High school and College

Chris was also an Athletic Academic Scholar twice in college

Jaquan Demiel-St. Augustine’s College State Champ/All-American

Anaquan Peterson-Purdue University State Champ/All-American

Jason Faulk-Morehouse College State Champ/All-American

Raushieen Thompson-Virginia Union University All-American

Richardson Everett-St. Augustine’s College All American

Michael Cross-St. Paul’s College State Champ/All-American

Travis Keys-Virginia Union All-American

Suffolk Stars Track Club Coaches

Gregory Rountree-President & Coach

Athletic Director at Lakeland High school

1988 graduate of Hampton University

7 time Track & Field All-American

Still holds the state AA record in the 400 meters

Won 4 state championships while in high school

Coached 2 state runner-up teams in 2002 and 2010

Coached 15 state champs, 13 high school All Americans

1 National Champion

Melley Rountree

1991 graduate of Hampton University

8 time All-American and National champion in the 55 meter hurdles

Coached at Salem High School-1991-1995

Currently coaching Track at Lakeland High school

Brian Rountree

1996 graduate of Norfolk State University

Coached 2 state runner-up teams at Phoebus High school

15 state champions and 23 All-Americans

Coached at Nansemond River and Phoebus

Currently coaching Track at Lakeland High School

Head track coach at King’s Fork High School

Coached 2 years with Suffolk Stars Track Club

Ran track for 3 years at Nansemond River High School (55m, 100m, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, LJ, TJ)

Alonza McGlone

Coached 2 years with Suffolk Stars Track Club

Ran track in high school

Mrs. Ragusa and Mrs. Frost will be joining us as well.

Suffolk Stars Registration Fee-$110.00 (1 child) (AAU membership & meet fees)

Uniform-$75.00

Warm-Up-$50.00

The following items need to be completed/submitted by April 15^th:

1. 
   A completed registration form (online)
   
2. 
   Registration fee of $110.00(1 child)
   
3. 
   Copy of the child’s birth certificate
   
4. 
   Handback Acknowledgement Form(online)
   
5. 
   Media release form(online)
   

The Track Club will send meet info & track entries via email. Cancellations or changes in practice will be sent via email and soon using the remind app. Please make sure you check your email several times a week.

Athletes will participate in meets wearing the Suffolk Stars Track Club uniform which includes compression top and shorts. It is recommended that all athletes purchase a warmup as well. All relay teams must wear matching uniforms. All athletes need running shoes for practice and meets. Spikes are needed for those athletes who are sprinters. Spikes can be purchased from Running etc. on Colley Avenue in Norfolk(offers discount to AAU athletes) and Dick Sporting Goods.

We will have practice on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00-7:30. The practice schedule is subject to change for various reasons: weather, events at Lakeland High School etc.

Attendance will be taken at all practices. Mandatory practices will be required for relay teams the week before meets. We will have each athlete give their name to a designated parent, who will be equipped with a membership list at the beginning of practice. The coaches will make every effort to accommodate schedules and address any concerns voiced by athletes and parents.

Athletes participating in practices are expected to observe the following rules:

• 
  Show up 5 to 10 minutes early(if possible) to report to the attendance coordinator and begin warming up.
  
• 
  Bring suitably layered clothing for the weather conditions, or for any possible changes in weather conditions.
  
• 
  Bring a bottle of water & keep it with you.
  
• 
  Do not leave the practice area for a restroom stop, or for any other purpose without your coach’s permission.
  
• 
  Be attentive to all coach’s instructions.
  
• 
  No horseplay.
  
• 
  No unsupervised use of hurdles or high jump mats.
  
• 
  Retain an encouraging, positive attitude toward teammates; no cursing, teasing, or bullying.
  
• 
  Advise a coach if you become ill during practice or experience physical pain.
  

Suffolk Stars will focus on field and running events through participation in various track & field competitions sanctioned through the Amateur Athletic Union(AAU) and USA Track & Field (USATF) *This event is not at all of the meets.

The coaching staff will determine the events an athlete will participate in. An athlete’s events may vary from one meet to another. These decisions will be made with the best interests of the athlete in mind. When determining the events each athlete will compete in, coaches use a variety of factors which includes, but not limited to the following:

• 
  Physical attributes
  
• 
  Fitness level
  
• 
  Performance evaluations
  
• 
  Previous experience
  
• 
  Performance during practices & individual competitions.
  

• 
  The coaching staff determines which athletes are on the relay teams.
  
• 
  There is no “permanent” spot on any relay team. All athletes must earn the right to compete on relays.
  
• 
  Before committing to a relay team, parents must consider their athlete’s availability & commitment for the entire season.
  

I have received and read the Suffolk Stars Handbook. I understand the information, rules, and regulations contained therein and will comply with them. Non-compliance may subject the athlete to be dismissed form the Track Club without a refund.

Date____________________

Athlete Signature__________________________