Athletics
Chris Skrapits selected assistant coach of the year
The Oregon Athletic Coaches Association has selected eighth grade science teacher and ace cross-country coach Chris Skrapits as the assistant coach of the year in Oregon for all sports categories in the 3A classification.
PE teacher and coach John Hamilton submitted this nomination:
Chris came to Catlin Gabel in 1996. He had been a cross-country runner during high school and college. Not long after starting to work on our campus he connected with me to see if he could participate in our team workouts. He became a frequent participant in many of our on campus sessions, and eventually began to join us for trail runs.
In 2004 we lost our assistant coach, and invited Chris to become an official part of our program. He was more than ready, and eagerly accepted the offer. Having him become a permanent member of our [coaching] staff has proved to be a huge boost to the program on many levels. He helps me organize the overview of the full season training schedule. He in charge of all our team warm-up drills prior to all training and racing sessions. This means his voice is the only one that the racers hear as they enter the chute on race day. He has continued to be an active participant in most of our training sessions and leads all the abdominal work at the end of each training session. I will ask him to step out of a session when I need his help with timing, or watching for form and tactical adjustments we might want to make. The entire team loves the energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, experience, and the joy he brings to the team.
During the eight years Chris has been with the team we have grown from 24 participants to 38, a 55% increase. More than 14% of Upper School students are on the cross-country team. During Chris’ tenure as assistant coach, the program has achieved a level of success that we had never before experienced. The team won seven out of eight district titles. Racing in Eugene at LCC, the Catlin Gabel team has finished in the top two for consecutive years, runners-up four times, and state champions four times.
Creating Positive Change in Our Athletes
From the Winter 2011-12 Caller
By Sandy Luu, Catlin Gabel athletics director
Catlin Gabel. In my career I have seen many coaches who taught physical skills—but thought that the development of character would just naturally arise from being part of a team. To develop athletes of character, we need to intentionally teach the skills that will help them make choices based on beliefs and principles. Our job is to build habits in our athletes that will help them make tough choices, and to consistently follow through with them.
sports. After my father died when I was in 8th grade, one of the many changes in our lives was that I had to go to a new high school as a freshman, in our town near Sacramento, California. I had just grown five inches and turned from a confident athlete who was a leader on the court to a nervous, awkward new kid on the block. After the first volleyball practice, the coach cut me from the team, saying, “Sandy, unfortunately, you don’t have a future in volleyball.” He didn’t know about the difficult transitions I had gone through; he was only worried about having the best team out on the court. I learned that I had to be resilient and not feel sorry for myself. If I was going to make it happen, I had to work hard. I ended up playing junior and senior years on the varsity team (and also played basketball and softball) and received a scholarship to play at Concordia University. If I had listened to that first coach and stopped playing the sport I loved, my life would be very different today. I want to make sure we don’t have any kids who are made to feel the way I did. In one of the schools where I worked before Catlin Gabel, we had a sports team that was dysfunctional on and off the court. We made a difficult decision to replace the coach. I told the new coach that I hoped to see character growth as his number one priority. After losing the first three games, he came into my office, dispirited, slumping in his chair. I assured him that the team would improve as soon as he helped them learn to be better friends and teammates. Over the next two years, he helped them grow into one of the best teams that school had ever seen. He held them accountable for any negative behavior and taught them how to be good basketball players, but more importantly, to be athletes of character.
Girls basketball team win featured in Portland Tribune
Ski program information
Carefully review this article, download the emergency medical form posted at the bottom of the page, and register online with Mt. Hood Meadows.
The Catlin Gabel ski bus runs on six Saturdays: February 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 3 and 10.
This Catlin Gabel ski program is supervised by faculty members from all divisions and lessons are taught by Mt. Hood Meadows ski and snowboard instructors. The program is open only to Catlin Gabel students in 5th through 12th grades. The transportation fee for the six week program is $150, payable by check to Catlin Gabel. Lift, lesson, and rental fees are payable to Mt. Hood Meadows through their online registration.
Transportation and supervision
Catlin Gabel buses transport participating students to and from Mt. Hood Meadows. The bus drivers are Catlin Gabel employees. Chaperones ride each bus and are available in the lodge at most but not all times.
Buses leave Catlin Gabel campus at 6:30 a.m. sharp. At the end of the ski day, the buses leave Mt. Hood Meadows at 3:30 p.m., returning to Catlin Gabel by 5:30 p.m.
All students must return via the Catlin Gabel bus unless alternative transportation is prearranged by parents/guardians. Chaperones must receive a note signed by a parent/guardian detailing the alternative transportation arrangements.
Drop-in skier information
Transportation and supervision are available to skiers who can only attend one or two Saturdays. However, we recommend signing up for the full program if you plan to ski more than twice because the unused days on the tickets are good until the end of the ski season.
The drop-in fee is $30 payable in cash or check on the day of attendance. Drop-in skiers must purchase their own lift and/or lesson tickets. Please rent equipment in advance in the Portland area. Beginning and first-season skiers are not permitted to use the drop-in system.
The Catlin Gabel emergency medical form is required for all drop-in skiers. Extra forms are available in each of the division offices and posted at the bottom of this page. The form may be filled out ahead of time or brought with the skier on the day of attendance. We cannot accept phoned in permission.
Registration
Four forms are due to Kathy Sloan inthe Upper School by Friday, January 13: the Catlin Gabel medical release form posted below, the Mt. Hood Meadows release form, the Mt. Hood Meadows medical form, and, if renting, the Mt. Hood Meadows rental form. The Mt. Hood Meadows forms will be sent after you complete their online registration.
There are two separate components to registration.
You must do both by Friday, January 13!
Complete the Mt. Hood Meadows online registration as follows:
1. Go to www.skihood.com/go
2. Enter the GO code for Catlin Gabel in the GO code Box. Our GO Code is: 1024713.
3. Select the package you wish to purchase. Grades 5-8 are “Trailblazers,” grades 9-12 are “High School.” Trailblazers MUST sign up for lessons. This is a Catlin Gabel requirement.
6. Check out.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email and the Mt. Hood Meadows forms mentioned above.
Complete the Catlin Gabel medical release form at the bottom of this page and return the following in hard copy to Kathy Sloan in the Upper School:
- Mt. Hood Meadows medical form
- Mt. Hood Meadows release form
- Mt. Hood Meadows rental form (if renting)
- Catlin Gabel emergency medical release form (download from this web page)
- Check for $150 made payable to Catlin Gabel.
Financial aid is available directly through the ski bus program for students who need it and are committed to attending all six weeks. This financial aid does not come through the admission and financial aid office. Please contact Kathy Sloan directly to inquire about financial aid. To apply, send an e-mail with your request to sloank@catlin.edu indicating how much financial support it would take to make the program affordable for you.
Program guidelines – read these carefully!
- Be on time. Please arrive at 6:15 a.m. to load skis and get seated on the bus. The bus leaves campus promptly at 6:30 a.m. and returns to Catlin Gabel by 5:30 p.m. Parents/guardians, please be on time to pick up your skier(s) at the end of the day.
- Lessons are required for all participants in 5th through 8th grades. They are optional for high school participants. Lessons are approximately two hours. Prior to and after lessons, participants are “free skiing.” Although program rules require skiing with a partner, participants are not supervised by chaperones while on the slopes.
- Skiers are required to travel both directions on the same bus. There will be chaperones on each bus and in the lodge at most but not all times. In the morning, buses drop students at the lodge, and at the end of the ski day students walk to the buses parked in the parking lot by 3:15 p.m. Failure to return to the bus on time causes worry and delay for everyone. Late skiers could be dropped from the ski program the following week.
- All skiers are expected to honor the rules and regulations governing the use of lifts, slopes, and lodges as posted by Mt. Hood Meadows. Failure to comply will result in dismissal from the program.
- All skiers are expected to honor the rules and regulations of Catlin Gabel School in terms of our drug and alcohol policy. Failure to comply will result in dismissal from the program.and disciplinary action taken at school.
- We strongly encourage all skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets although this is not mandatory. In addition, wrist guards for snowboarders will help prevent wrist injuries.
- Loading and unloading equipment and cleaning the bus at the end of the day is everyone’s responsibility. No one should leave the campus until the buses are empty and cleaned.
- Concern for others is an essential part of the ski program while on our way to and from Mt Hood Meadows and while at the ski area. We have been justifiably proud of the Catlin Gabel students in the past and have had numerous great seasons. We hope you can be a part of the best season yet!
We ask all students and parents to join in our commitment for the safest and most enjoyable ski program possible.
Ski program leaders: Kathy Sloan, Len Carr, Chris Bell, Peggy McDonnell, Bob Sauer, Larry Hurst, Paul Monheimer, Aline Garcia-Rubio, and Spencer White
Comments
The Mt. Hood release form that downloads is only one page. Does this page fulfill the requirement of medical form AND release form?
Thanks,
Jett McCabe
Can't wait for the ski bus!!!!
CG letter jackets available now
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We are partnering with LaHaie’s, an Oregon family-owned business, to make a Catlin Gabel letter jacket. LaHaie’s uses northwest-produced 100% wool fabric. The jackets are manufactured in Portland, and all patches and embroidery are locally made.
LaHaie’s will be on campus with sample jackets on Monday, December 5, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the gym. If you would like to check sizes, they will make note if it for future orders. If you are ready to order now, they can help you.
The jackets come in many different sizes, including children’s sizes for Beehivers.
You may purchase the jacket alone, or add any of the patches listed below.
Base price for letter jacket: $177
Add patches on the front
First and/or last name: $22
Blue varsity letter: provided by student (no charge)
White JV/activity letter: $15
Graduation year: $24
Add patches on the back
Catlin Gabel: $44
Eagle mascot: $85
“Eagles” script: $44
Add sleeve patch only
Tree logo: $39
Sewing patches on: $40
Total for jacket with patches on front and sleeve only: $300
Total for jacket with all patches: $475
Order jackets at LaHaie's Jackets, 503-648-2341
Interview with new athletic director
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Athletic director Sandy Luu came to Catlin Gabel this year from Liberty High School in Hillsboro, where she was AD of their large 5A program. An Oregon native, Sandy previously served as athletic director at Morrison Academy International School in Taichung, Taiwan. Originally a 6th grade language arts and math teacher, she has also taught in Vietnam and China. We caught up with Sandy to find our how things are going for her at Catlin Gabel.
How’s Catlin Gabel treating you?
I have really enjoyed my first few months here. The people are amazing—just as advertised. The faculty and staff really care about the students, and about their colleagues. Everyone is so complimentary of each other’s strengths. They feed off each other in a very positive way. People here told me before I was hired that they love coming to work each and every day. I fully agree.
Tell us about your background and how you became an athletic director.
Sports have shaped my life. Growing up I played as much as I could, even persuading the middle school athletic director to let me participate on the 7th grade team as a 5th grader. In college I played varsity fast pitch softball, basketball, and volleyball, but I love all sports. I have coached basketball, softball, and volleyball. I studied education in college and taught for many years, but started moving toward athletic administration when I was in Taiwan. Coaching coaches and organizing sports really appeals to me. I took classes at Ohio University during summer vacations and earned a master’s in athletics administration.
What is your general philosophy about the role of athletics in schools?
I believe in character-based athletics. Catlin Gabel has a great tradition of winning the right way, and I want to continue this. The character development is paramount; the wins are icing on the cake. Sports are an extension of the classroom and teach lessons about how to be a good teammate and the value of hard work. Athletics builds confidence and self esteem. The skills you learn through sports will help you now and serve you well later in life. Employers look for people who know how to lead as well as people who can be good teammates. They want people who have handled loss and experienced success.
What advice would you offer athletes and their parents who think CG’s high school athletic program is too small for colleges to take notice of a star athlete?
College coaches are looking for one thing: talented athletes. They are not as interested in the size of the school or how well the school team did in recent seasons. They are really looking for potential. Being a talented student-athlete at Catlin Gabel can have a lot of advantages. You can assume a leadership role and have a great chance to earn a starting position. One of the greatest benefits here is personal attention from coaches and teachers.
Is it a disadvantage for outstanding athletes to compete at a small school if they hope for an athletic scholarship?
The advantage you gain at Catlin Gabel is the level of academics. The education you receive here is unmatched. The benefit you will have is in the transcript you provide, along with your athletic résumé. I don’t think people understand how few scholarships are available for Division I and II sports. A fully financed Division I soccer program can offer 9.9 full rides, but they split these up among all of their players (as many as 25 or 30), which leaves some players with very small scholarships. Often, Division III schools are the best places to receive scholarships. These schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, but they routinely give merit awards for academic and other accomplishments. The merit scholarships that private colleges award can be a significant percentage of tuition.
What are some of the differences between being AD at a large school like Liberty HS in Hillsboro and a small school like CG?
Going from nearly 1,400 students to 300 is a big transition. CG’s smaller program is one of the main reasons I applied for this job. I love to work with kids and build relationships with them. In a large school, the athletic director is mainly a scheduler, and most of my time was spent making sure everyone was where they needed to be. At Catlin Gabel, I can get to know the students and make sure all of the coaches are contributing to students’ lives in positive ways. I can have more of an impact.
What have you found most challenging in your new job?
In my past school, I only had high school sports. Here at CG, there are more sports teams at different levels, so have many more balls in the air. Everyone in the PE department and the coaches have been incredibly helpful and supportive. I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.
How are your sons Trevor (a junior) and Max (a freshman) adjusting?
Catlin Gabel is a great fit for Trevor and Max. They love it here; it reminds them of the school they attended for seven years in Taiwan. They will probably hate me talking about them, but CG has been a huge blessing for my boys. The individualized instruction is unmatched. I just attended my first parent-teacher conferences and was blown away. After just two-and-a-half months their teachers have my boys figured out. I also attended a couple of senior athletes’ conferences, and the general theme from parents was thankfulness. They appreciate the time teachers put into the kids. They know that CG has shaped the people their children have become. I couldn’t ask for more for my own boys.
What have you liked most about Catlin Gabel so far?
The school transforms lives. I have been most impressed by how the faculty treats each student as an individual and how well they know each child’s strengths and weaknesses. Teachers and staff work hard at building relationships with their students daily. I have never seen anything like this at any of the other schools I have worked at. Teachers are interested in many aspects of their student’s lives. It’s impressive to see so many faculty and staff members out watching extracurricular activities. I have also been impressed with the students. They are refreshingly polite, friendly, and selfless. They are always ready to lend a hand and pitch in, whether for service day, or just to help put away sports gear.
Girls soccer team playing OES for state championship Saturday
Girls Soccer Final
Saturday, November 19
10:30 a.m.
Liberty High School
Join us for this exciting match as the varsity girls soccer team faces their friendly rivals for the state title.
Every CG voice is needed.
» Learn the school spirit song
Admission: Cash or VISA/MasterCard only | Adult $8 | Student $5
Can't attend the game? » Check out the webcast on OSAA.tv
Sophomore Mckenzie Spooner invited to run at Nike competition
Mckenzie is among the top 40 girl cross-country runners in Oregon to compete against the top 40 girls from Washington at the 13th annual Border Clash. The Nike-sponsored event is on Saturday, November 20.
Comments
Yes indeed! I'm impressed and so pleased to hear this news. All the best!
Awesome news, Mckenzie. Good luck.
Girls cross-country team places second in state
Katy Wiita '12, US national synchro swimmer, profiled in Columbian
Calling all fans to the last home varsity boys soccer game Friday
CGS teams run with world champions at Nike
On October 20, students on Catlin Gabel cross country teams had the opportunity to meet all of the professional runners from the Nike Oregon Project and run with them on the wood chip trails surrounding Nike’s campus. After an introduction to all of the professional athletes by head coach Alberto Salazar, the cross-country team headed out for a few miles around the Beaverton campus.
Comments
What a great opportunity. Truly inspiration!
Homecoming 2011 photo gallery
Thanks go to media arts teacher Brendan Gill for taking these great photos of the community gathering in the Barn, fans at the field, the jazz band at halftime, and awesome JV and Varsity girls soccer.
athletics News
Comments
What poise to take that shot!