Update 8: Friday, October 11

​First, a big thank you to all the parents and athletes who worked the Pierce Oktoberfest Hot Dog Stand last weekend.  I’m sorry you didn’t have better weather.  Hopefully some of you got to meet Olympian Resi Steigler at some point over the weekend.

Thank you to all of you who attended the MAST Information Meeting on Tuesday.  Hopefully you have a better understanding of our sport and our team.   Don’t hesitate to call or write if you have any questions. And thank you to the board members and coaches who attended the Information Meeting.  I greatly appreciated your presence.
 
We are four weeks away from the opening of the high school alpine season.   We have much work to do to be ready to begin on November 11.
 
I.  MAST Registration (Step 1 of the Registration Process)
If you have not yet registered with MAST, please do so this week.   
Here is a link to the MAST Registration Page.  Attached is a list of people who are registered for MAST this Winter.   If any information is incorrect, please contact me.
 
II.  MPS/MSHSL Registration (Step 2 of the Registration Process)
It is time to download, print and complete all the forms you need to submit to your high school athletic director.  You can find the forms you need by clicking on the link below that is associated with your high school.
Washburn: https://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/athletic_forms
Southwest: https://athletics.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/eligbrochure_7_16_2019_20.pdf
Roosevelt: https://athletics.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/eligbrochure_7_16_2019_20.pdf
South: https://athletics.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/eligbrochure_2019_20_4.pdf
 
PLEASE NOTE:  DO NOT PAY the $75 Activity Fee.  You already did this when you registered with MAST.    In early November, MAST will send a check to MPS to cover the Activity Fee payments that we have collected.   These payments will be used to partially cover payroll for the five coaches that the district does not cover for alpine in its athletic budget. 

If you are downloading the forms from the links with Southwest, Roosevelt, or South, you will see that the “Packet” is 19 pages long.  This can make things very confusing for first time users.  Here is the message posted on the top of the first page.  
To Register for MPS Athletics this entire packet must be completed. Sign and Return the following pages to your school · Page 4 Emergency Referral card · Pages 5-6 Media Release and Student Transfer Form (if necessary) · Pages 13-14 MSHSL Eligibility and Sports Health Questionnaire · Pages 15-19 Athletic Physical Examination Forms

Note that the forms that you need to submit to your high school AD are listed above and contained in the 19 pages: 

• The Emergency Referral Card; 
• Media Release; 
• MSHSL Eligibility and Sports Health Questionnaire; 
• Athletic Physical Examination Form.  

You do not need to turn in all 19 pages.  And ignore the Student Transfer form.  This does not apply to you.  Be sure to look over this form twice. There are hard to spot signature requirements for both parents and athletes throughout these forms.   If you miss a signature requirement, the AD will not clear you for participation.   If you played a FALL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT, you only need to turn in a new Emergency Referral Card.   The Physical Examination Clearance Form is valid for three years.  If you are a returning MAST athlete, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR to see whether your Physical Exam Clearance Form is still valid for the Winter Season.

Submit these forms to your high school athletic director.  I suggest putting them in a sealed manila envelope addressed to your athletic director with your return address posted.  Hand the envelope to your AD directly or slip it under his/her office door if the office is closed.   
 
III.  Hyland Season Pass Payments
Attached is a list of athletes who have submitted payment for a Hyland Season Pass.  If your name is not on this list and you would still like to purchase a season pass through MAST, please mail a check ASAP in the amount of $424 to: 
Minneapolis Alpine
4800 Harriet Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
 
IV.  SPRONGO
Sometime in the next few days, you will receive an invitation to join the Sprongo account of the Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team.  Sprongo is the name of the video sharing service that we utilize.   Our videos are viewable only to members of the MAST Sprongo account.   When you receive the invitation to join Sprongo, please accept and create an account using the first and last name of the athlete.  Do not use nicknames.   You will need to write down your account log in name and password so that you can access your account once we start shooting video.   Also, give the log in and password information to your parents so they can also watch your videos when they start to miss you at work.  If you are a returning MAST athlete who has never set up a Sprongo account, look for an email inviting you to do so as well.   The coaches will shoot thousands of video clips this Winter.  Don’t miss your opportunity use this wonderful tool to help you improve this season.
 
V.  MAST Apparel and Swag Store Is OPEN!
Buy your MAST apparel and swap now.   The apparel sale will close on October 18th, so please don’t procrastinate.  Here is a link: MAST Apparel Sale.
 
VI.  Reminders:

• The next ski swap will be held from October 11-13 at Afton Alps.  Here is a link for more information: Afton Alps Ski Swap.
• Hyland Season Pass Picture and Pass Pick Up:  For our first practice on Monday, November 11, we are descending on Hyland to pick up our season passes.  Join us between 6:30 and 8:00PM at Hyland to pick up your pass. Mark the 11th in your calendar. 
• And don’t forget to explore our website. www.mplsalpineski.org

Get out and exercise.  Dryland is approaching quickly.   Be ready.
Mark Conway
612-275-8392