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    The success that HCHS has displayed through the years in the track and field program is a result of many hours of hard work and dedication by athletes, coaches and parents.  This information page is an effort to inform both parents and athletes of the requirements and expectations that it takes to be part of a successful program.  Hopefully, most questions and concerns can be answered here.  If there are any other questions or concerns not listed here, always feel free to ask coach McGill.

    TRYOUTS - Tryouts are designed to put together the best team possible for the upcoming season. Those who do not demonstrate the dedication and hard work that is required to be a part of our program will be cut.  The coaches do not make cuts based on talent alone. Attitude, work ethic, school discipline, grades, and coachability are all factors considered among others.  Track is a sport that requires commitment to be successful and if a person does not like to run everyday he or she is in the wrong place.  If an athlete is not willing to commit 100% to the team he/she will be cut. We believe that these are all major factors to having a successful program. We want a team filled with athletes who have a desire to work hard on a daily basis and who will represent the team, school, and community in a positive way.
     
    WHAT ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN OTHER SPORTS OR ACTIVITIES DURING TRACK SEASON? - We encourage our track student/athletes to focus on track and field during track season if that is the sport they wish to participate in.  If an athlete is unsure whether or not they want to play other sports, participate in other activities, or work a job after school along with track we encourage them to not go out for the track team.  We do not allow student athletes to split time with other sports or activities during the track season.  If a previous sport extends into track season it is ok to finish that sport or activity and then do track full time.  If there is a situation where an athlete has to work because of a financial hardship, communicate with coach McGill.  We can make arrangements in some circumstances.  Track is a full time sport that requires full effort.  It is not fair to the athletes who come everyday and train hard if we let this happen.  We believe as a staff that if you give part time or half effort to the team you will get half the results.
     
    WHERE DO ATHLETES GO FOR PRACTICE?  Athletes should change in the field house or a restroom in the school and then go immediately outside to the band field.  If an athlete needs to see the trainer the athlete should tell a coach first, see the trainer, and bring a note back to coach McGill stating the trainer's recommendation.  An athlete should not go straight to the trainer without notifying a coach.  Communicate with the coaching staff and make them aware of the situation.  If there is a question about the weather check the website or listen for the announcements during school.
    In the event of rain, practice will be held inside the school building.  Athletes should meet in the school lobby prior to practicing inside.  All practices are closed to members of the team and coaches.  Non members of the team are not allowed to hang around practices.  This serves as a distraction to runners and the coaching staff.  All non members of the team will be asked to leave the practice area.
     
    WHEN ARE PRACTICES?  Practices are every weekday (Monday through Thursday) that school is open unless coach McGill changes the schedule for the week.  In that case, athletes will be notified at practice prior to the change and on the website.  We practice immediately after school is dismissed, allowing the athlete 15 minutes to change and get down to the field. All athletes will be held accountable for being on time to practice as well as attending every practice.  Make up running will be given to those who are late or miss practice. Practices usually last between 1 ½ and 2 hours.  Athletes are responsible for getting a ride home after practice.  If a parent is not there to pick the student up after practice the student should wait in front of the school by the main entrance.  Coaches will not give students a ride home after practice.
     
    WHAT IF ATHLETES HAVE TO MISS A PRACTICE?  The coaches always expect the athlete to be at practice and be on time.   We realize, sometimes, that this is not always possible.  It is possible for the athlete to notify the coach though.  It’s difficult to explain what an acceptable reason for missing practice is.  Obviously, sickness, injury, or death in the family is acceptable.  Communicate with the coaching staff.  We are reasonable people.  Just know that we want you to be at practice.  There will be make-up running that will need to be done if you miss.  An athlete will not be entered in upcoming meets if the make up running is not completed.  Multiple unexcused absences or tardies from practice will result in suspension and ultimately dismissal from the team.   Be aware that every time you miss a practice you are giving an advantage to your opponent.
     
    WHAT ABOUT INJURIES AND PRACTICE/MEETS? If an athlete is injured it is his or her responsibility to communicate with the coaching staff about the injury.  The coaching staff will never make an athlete practice if seriously injured.  However, in any sport there will be minor injuries such as soreness, fatigue, bruises, etc... that an athlete can practice through.  If an athlete thinks an injury is severe enough he/she should see a doctor or one of our school's athletic trainers.  The athlete should then bring a note stating the injury and the recommendation for practice or competition to coach McGill.  It is not acceptable for an athlete to skip practice without communicating with the coaching staff about an injury.  This will result in suspension from meets.  Multiple absences will result in dismissal from the team.
     
    WHAT SHOULD ATHLETES WEAR AT PRACTICES?  Unlike most of the other sports we do not have specific practice uniforms.  Dress appropriately for the weather—bring sweats or warm up suits for the colder weather.  All athletes should be aware of the weather conditions depending on the time of year.  All athletes are expected to wear shirts at all times. 
     
     WHERE WILL TRACK INFORMATION BE POSTED?  Many things that Coach McGill wants the athlete to know will be posted on the Hillcrest website under track and field.  Announcements will also be made during school.  Athletes are always encouraged to ask the coaching staff in person if they have questions.  It is the responsibility of the athlete to check the website, listen for announcements, or ask a coach.  "I didn't know" is not an acceptable excuse.
     
    WILL THE SCHEDULE FOR MEETS CHANGE?  Possibly, Coach McGill will try to get the schedule for the indoor/outdoor seasons out as soon as possible.  Different schools who host meets sometimes change the dates, times, and locations.  We will do our best to get a finalized schedule as soon as possible. However, if a school cancels their meet or changes the date or location we may have to go to another meet that fits our schedule best at a different time or day. 
     
    HOW DO ATHLETES GET TO MEETS?  For indoor meets, local meets in Tuscaloosa, and outdoor meets out of town athletes are responsible for getting to the meet and home on their own.  There is no transportation provided.  For meets during school athletes must ride the bus or with a parent.  Athletes cannot ride to/from a  meet with other athletes unless they are siblings.  If a bus is taken the athlete must ride home on the bus unless a parent  tells coach McGill face to face they are taking their child home.  Failure to follow this rule will result in an automatic suspension from the team. 
     
    DOES COACH MCGILL MIND IF ATHLETES LEAVE THE MEET EARLY IF THEY ARE THROUGH COMPETING?    No. Obviously, we encourage all team members to stay and watch the team when they are finished competing.  However, it is not mandatory that an athlete stays for the entire meet.  A parent must let coach McGill know they are taking their child home from meets that a bus is taken. 
     
    WHAT EVENTS WILL ATHLETES TRAIN FOR AND COMPETE IN? Athletes do not get to choose what events they will compete in.  This is determined by which events the athlete can help the team most in.  Entries are determined by the coaching staff.  The coaches will help the athlete determine where his/her talent lies and which events he/she needs to be doing.  This can be a process of trial-and-error and sometimes takes many weeks to determine. It is best to understand not all athletes are 100m sprinters.  We also need middle distance, throwers, and jumpers, etc... It is the belief of our staff that we focus on the events we can train for and be the most successful at.  We do not have  equipment and facilities for certain events, therefore we will not train for and enter those events at meets.  It is our policy to compete at the highest level at every event we enter and we will never just put an athlete in an event unprepared or to just have an entry. Athletes are expected to participate in events they are placed in or needed to run at meets.  Sometimes an injury or scratch occurs and the staff may need to substitute in another runner.  The athlete is expected to be coachable and open to helping the team in this situation. It is our hope that the athlete and parent will trust the coaches and there will not be a fear to try new things.  Trust the coaches.  We want what is best for the individual and the team at all times.
     
    HOW WILL ATHLETES KNOW WHICH EVENTS THEY ARE COMPETING IN AT MEETS?  Coach McGill and the staff will determine who is doing what events for the upcoming meet.  These entries have been entered by computer before the meet deadline and will be announced by Thursday before the meet.  If you think there is an error or if there are any questions please ask Coach McGill immediately.  Sometimes the entries can be corrected.
     
    HOW ARE RELAY TEAMS DETERMINED?  Relay teams are determined based on who will benefit the team the most.  Sometimes it is the fastest people who are on the relays and sometimes the coaches want to see how someone will perform on a relay.  Everything is done throughout the season to work toward finding our best team for the sectional and state meets.  Coach McGill may change the order of relays and members of relay teams at his discretion.  By sectionals the teams will be made up of those who have performed the best all year.  This includes speed of races, handoff taking abilities, effort during races, practices, and dedication to the team.  We always tell athletes if they want to get on a specific relay or any event, "put up a time in your event and we will notice it." 
     
     HOW LONG DO MEETS USUALLY LAST?  There is no way of giving an exact time for this question.  It depends on who is hosting the meet, how many schools participate, and meet officials.  The coaching staff can give approximate times for when the meet may be finished so parents can be ready to pick their child up.  Parents and students are encouraged to communicate with each other to avoid having any child waiting at the school for an extended amount of time following a meet.
     
    WHAT DO ATHLETES DO ABOUT FOOD/DRINKS WHEN AT THE MEETS?  Students are encouraged to bring their own snacks for meets.  They are also encouraged to bring money to buy food at the concession stand.  Snacks such as fruit, snack bars, and water/Gatorade will be provided.  It is important to remember that any athlete competes better when eating properly and staying hydrated.
     
    WHAT ELSE SHOULD ATHLETES BRING TO THE MEETS?  Athletes should bring sunscreen, money, snacks, storage bag, warm up suit, uniform, socks, running spikes, and any other equipment needed for competition.  Electronics are prohibited in the race areas and can result in disqualification.  All electronics should be left in the stands in a bag or with a parent.  The coaching staff is not responsible for lost or stolen money or electronics.
     
    WILL THERE BE MEETS ONLY CERTAIN ATHLETES ATTEND? Yes, Some athletes on the team compete for state championships year in and year out.  On occasion, there will be some meets that only certain relay teams or individuals will compete in.  For example, some athletes may attend one meet on a Saturday while others may go to another location. Another example would be that a select few may attend a meet on Friday while the rest of the team attends a meet in town on Saturday. These will be larger meets with top level competition from across the state and nation.  Almost all of the time these meets will be out of town in different parts of the state.  The coaching staff will determine who attends these meets based on previous times, throws, jumps, and ability demonstrated in practices and past meets.  This has nothing to do with favoritism and is solely based on ability and effort. The coaching staff will make all final decisions about who attends which meets.  Student/athletes do not get to choose which meets they will run in.
     

    WHO ATTENDS THE SECTIONAL MEET?  We are limited to entering the top 3 athletes in each event.  These will be determined based on performances during the season.  It is also determined by effort and coachability of the athlete demonstrated during the season.  For example, if an athlete runs a time in the first meet of the year and never runs any faster due to lack of effort in practice, another athlete who has worked hard and is emerging may be selected. This is the qualifying meet for the state meet.

    WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE STATE MEET?  All athletes that qualify for this meet from sectionals will go to Gulf Shores for this meet. 
     
    BEHAVIOR/CONDUCT AT THE STATE MEET:  Hillcrest athletes always have the expectation by the coaches and the school to conduct themselves in a way that reflects positive on the team, school, and community.  Traveling on overnight trips is a privilege and the athlete is expected to follow all instructions by the coaches at all times. Athletes are always expected to stay in their rooms and sleep after room check.  Our first priority on these trips is to compete well.  Athletes can have a good time and still follow all team, school, and board of education policies.
     

    CAN PARENTS GO TO OUT-OF-TOWN MEETS WITH THE TEAM?  Absolutely, We may not have room for parents on the bus so parents are encouraged to provide their own transportation just in case.  Sometimes we may need parents who are driving to carry luggage or equipment.  This is up to each parent and is greatly appreciated by the team.  Contact Coach McGill if you would like to know  which hotel/beach house we are staying at during the state meet at Gulf Shores. 

    HOW MUCH DOES TRACK COST?  Student/Athletes are encouraged to participate in both indoor and outdoor track seasons.  However, there may be circumstances that prevent some students from participating in the indoor season.  Spirit Pack fees include uniform, warm up suit, compression gear, meet fees, and travel fees.  Running spikes are not included. Once an athlete tries out, makes the team, and orders a spirit pack by giving coach McGill their sizes, they are then responsible for paying the full amount due.  Any unpaid amounts at the end of the year will be added to the student's school account.  Student/athletes will not be given uniforms until fees are paid.  If half the money due is paid the athlete will get the uniform top and shorts and be guaranteed to run in 1 meet.  If no further payments are made the athlete will not receive any more gear and will not run in subsequent meets.  Coach McGill will set due dates for certain amounts of money to be paid by.  Any athlete can pay the full amount at any time before the due dates.  If an athlete quits the team there is no refund for spirit packs already ordered.  If there is a conflict or hardship please make the coaching staff aware so we can work with you.  Coach McGill understands there may be financial hardships or other circumstances that come up.  Please communicate with the staff.  We can make arrangements in certain situations.  We never want a student to not be able to participate because of a financial hardship or unavoidable circumstance.  Indoor/Outdoor Spirit Pack costs are $300.00 (this includes all spirit pack items and indoor/outdoor meet/travel fees ).
     
    ELECTRONIC DEVICES: During practice all electronic devices should be kept in the student's bag or car.  No student/athlete should have a cell phone or other electronic device out during practice or team meeting.  Failure to follow this rule could result in suspension and ultimately dismissal from the team.  During meets no electronic devices are allowed out of the bleachers.  Failure to follow this rule could result in an athlete being disqualified by the meet official.
     
    CONDUCT/BEHAVIOR OF HILLCREST TRACK ATHLETES:  All student athletes who make the track team are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects positivity towards the team, school, and community.  This includes practices, meets, and travel.  Any conduct that is deemed detrimental to the team will result in suspension or dismissal from the team.  We expect our athletes to display a great work ethic, be accountable for themselves, and be respectful to their teammates and coaches.