Dedicated to Peoria Notre Dame's Swimming and Diving Teams. Latest happenings, announcements, and our history.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Post #400

When I started this blog three years ago, I never envisioned it becoming such a big part of the PND swimming & diving experience. Today marks the 400th post to this blog. During this time, we have captured everything from photos, results, lineups, newspaper clippings, funny stories, to videos of incredible swimming performances.

I expect the next 400 posts to accrue much faster than the previous 400 posts. We now have a team of blog authors that are going to work diligently to keep you updated and informed. Mary Johannsen, Vicky Stoughton, Renee Bolden, Kelly Tillis (on sabbactical), Derek Amerman, and I will continue to document the growing legacy of PND Swimming & Diving.

Thanks for reading, thanks for cheering, and check back often.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Videographer Needed

I am looking for someone who would be willing to videotape all swim meets this year for the boys and girls teams. Derek and I want to do more video analysis and capture the memories. I am open to students or parents. The person just needs a steady hand and a good eye.

Monday, July 28, 2008

3 Coffeys, No Sugar






“3 Coffeys, No Sugar.” People often have an “aha!” moment when they understand the play on words in our team name. Three Coffey kids. All have type 1 diabetes. The hope, the dream, the motive behind our ceaseless fundraising is for our three Coffeys to have normal blood sugar levels. In other words, “no sugar.”

Brian gets credit for our latest family project: coffee beans! With startup funds provided by an anonymous donor, we worked with Leaves-N-Beans Roasting Company in Peoria Heights, to select a blend of hand-roasted coffee which pairs with our family’s story. The coffee is available online, at Leaves-N-Beans, or directly from us. Proceeds from every sale go to JDRF.

To officially launch the coffee, we hosted a “release party” at the Leaves-N-Beans cafe, where we unveiled our professionally designed label and offered free samples of brewed coffee. Before the party, Lori eyed the trays of refreshments, bottles of wine, and miscellaneous boxes to be loaded into the van along with the kids. Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, Lori grumbled, “I’m tired of hosting events!”

Out of the corner of her eye, Lori saw 7-year-old Matthew lugging the heavy boxes out of the house. “Matthew, what are you doing?” she asked. With a determined look in his eye, Matthew calmly stated, “Loading the van for you. We need to go raise money for a cure. What is worse, events or diabetes?”

Lori’s jaw dropped and her eyes filled with tears. Indeed! What is worse: hosting fundraising events or living day-in, day-out with a life-threatening medical condition? One that requires relentless blood sugar checks, frequent insulin pump site changes, and every morsel of food to be measured for its carbohydrate count. One with grave and very real long-term health risks. Sarah, Emily and Matthew, without a moment’s hesitation, answer that question: diabetes.

It took the spontaneous, heartfelt words of a child to remind Lori just why we keep fundraising year after year.

Please help us in our quest to cure this disease. Our team goal this year is $40,000, up from last year’s team total of a phenomenal $34,000! Over 85 cents of every dollar raised for JDRF directly funds researchers working tirelessly to find a cure for our kids and the other 246 million people living around the world with diabetes.

Mail your check (payable to JDRF) in the enclosed envelope by September 1. If you prefer to donate online with a credit card, go to our website at http://www.3coffeysnosugar.com/. While there, you can donate to JDRF through their secure website. You can also read fundraising updates, order coffee, view a touching video showing a day in the life of “the 3 Coffeys”, or register to walk with us at 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 7 at Peoria’s Glen Oak Amphitheater. Thanks a latté!
Lori & Brian Coffey
Sarah (age 13, diagnosed 4-1-07)
Emily (age 9, diagnosed 10-19-01)
Matthew (age 7, diagnosed 9-7-06)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

2008-2009 Boys & Girls Schedules Posted

The Boys & Girls schedules have been posted. They are available on the right hand navigation bar of the blog.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Faith, Determination, Discipline and Success

Above are just some of the reasons why the PND
Swimming and Diving Teams are growing in strength and
numbers. Mid-State Conference Championships were won by
BOTH the Boys' and Girls' teams during the 2007-2008 seasons!
Here's your chance to be a part of something remarkable
during your high school years...

The Mens' and Womens' Swimming/Dive Teams invite all
students interested in becoming new members, returning
members, and their parents to:

BACK TO SWIM NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
6:30 PM
NOTRE DAME COMMONS

We will dive into the season with an ice cream social followed
by a short meeting for team members and parents.
Girls' team members will have suits and team apparel
available to try on and purchase.

Please RSVP to either:
Julie Streid 231-1887 j.streid@comcast.net
Renee' Bolten 253-4991 Boldenclan4@aol.com


Monday, July 07, 2008

coach with THE COACH


Can anything be more backwards than this