Clean Sweep For Texas!

MACA News Announces Inaugural Web Awards

The inaugural MACA News Web Awards have been announced, and it looks like a clean sweep for Texas. Web sites from the Lone Star State were awarded the top spots in each of the two categories this year. H20uston Swims was the unanimous winner in the Team category, while the Gulf LMSC emerged with a narrow victory in the LMSC category. Coincidentally, webmaster Sheila Baskett maintains both of the award winning projects from Texas. Indiana also had an outstanding showing, with Greater Indiana (GRIN) placing second in the LMSC Category and Indy Swim Fit third in the Team category. Both of the award winning web sites from Indiana were created by webmaster Dave Oplinger. Although California web sites didn’t finish #1 in either category, they certainly had the greatest depth of high-quality sites, including five of the top ten Team web sites and two of the top ten LMSC sites. Two of the Award Winning California Web Sites (Fog CIty and Pacific Masters) were created by Michael Moore.

All web sites found in the USMS links and the Harvard Swimming links were evaluated for: Navigation, Speed, Design, Content and Use of Technology. Across the board, the highest rated web sites scored well in a majority of categories. To promote and enhance this recognition, the MACA News has created an award graphic that is available for any of the winners who would like to display it on their web sites.

The recently launched H20uston Swims web site was the most highly rated of any web site in either category. Interestingly enough, the H20uston Swims web site is the one that most closely resembles Jim Matysek’s USMS Web Site. H20uston Swims coach Emmett Hines, who is one of the most eloquent writers and speakers in Masters swimming, had only one thing to say. “Cool!”

The MACA News Web Awards recognize many of the outstanding local and regional web communication projects in Masters Swimming. Not only does this recognition serve to inspire prospective webmasters, it also serves as a resource for others who wish to improve existing sites. Aside from the United States Masters Swimming Newsletter of the Year Award, there is no other recognition for communications sponsored by any swimming organization in the
United States.

If you are coordinating a web project, or know of an outstanding website not listed here, please contact the MACA News with the URL of the web site. Maybe your site could make the 2000 MACA News Top Ten.

MACA News Top Ten Club Web Sites

1) H20uston Swims, TX (http://www.h2oustonswims.org/): The recently launched H20uston Swims web site was the most highly rated of any web site in either category. The site features a discussion forum, a password-protected swimmer roster, a Houston weather forecast window, a swimmer poll and many other great features. In light of the high level of information and expertly
handled use of technology, the design is remarkably clean and simple. The site is easy to navigate and it loads very quickly. H20uston Swims is a truly outstanding web project.

2) Team New York Aquatics, NY (http://www.tnya.org/index1.html): The Team New York Aquatics web site is perhaps the finest design product of all the sites reviewed. Not only is the design wonderfully comprehensive and stylish, it loads quickly and is very easy to navigate. Kudos to webmaster Andy Willett and TNYA for developing a sharp, professional looking project in high style.

3) Indy Swim Fit, IN (http://www.mindspring.com/~goldstein/indyswim/): Mel Goldstein is a consummate professional and a very busy man this year. Goldstein is directing the 2000 USMS One Hour Swim and the Short Course Nationals, and when it comes to information he means business. It is no surprise to see his team’s web site in the Top Ten. Indy Swim Fit’s web site
is professional looking and informative. With a select group of well chosen links, easy navigation and quick loading, the site is an outstanding resource. Webmaster Dave Oplinger, who also created the award winning GRIN web site, is clearly first rate.

4) Menlo Park Masters, CA (http://www.menloparkmasters.com/): Menlo Park’s web site is a winner for its no-nonsense approach. The site is maintained by Randy Brasche, and features clean design, fast loading pages, easy navigation and excellent information. Menlo Park is well known for its unusual and challenging team events. One of the more interesting discoveries is their
“Killer Quad” challenge. Check out their site to see what it’s all about.

5) San Mateo Marlins, (http://www.webgal.com/marlins/): The San Mateo Marlins web site is loaded with information. It is an exceptionally professional looking, easy to navigate site. San Mateo has a long tradition of excellence in swimming. It is nice to see this tradition reflected by the quality of their web site. Webmaster Dana Hunter has done a first rate job with the
Marlins’ site.

6) Fog City Masters, San Francisco CA (http://www.pacificmasters.org/fog/): One of the most important reasons to have a web site is to provide web surfers with the ability to get information quickly. The Fog City Masters web site is a prime example of fast information. The site is simple, easy to navigate and very easy on the eyes. Webmaster Michael Moore demonstrates his
versatility by presenting a wonderfully streamlined product.

7 TIE) Cincinnati Marlins, (http://syrano.acb.uc.edu/cmm/index.html): The Cincinnati Marlins web site is an outstanding example of the merits of simplicity. The page is very readable, easy to navigate and loads in an instant. The familiar Cincinnati Marlins logo is the only image on the home page, which is refreshing in light of the many cluttered web sites. The
Marlins provide just enough information to give visitors a taste, without being the least bit overwhelming.

7 TIE) Crawfish Aquatics, (http://www.crawfishaquatics.com): Crawfish Aquatics is an excellent all-around web site and an exceptionally good resource. In light of the fact that their site is shared by the Crawfish USA Swimming and Masters teams, it is great to see such a large section of the
web site devoted to Masters. The site, which is maintained by Ken Roark and Scott Rabalais, features nearly 70 articles written specifically for Masters swimmers. Coach Rabalais’ prolific accomplishment is quite evident throughout.

8) Mountain View Masters, CA (http://www.mvm.org/): Mountain View Masters is one of the first Masters swimming teams to appear on the web. Their home page continues to draw visitors with weekly workout updates. Of all the team websites, Mountain View is one of the best resources for outside visitors. “We have found our web site to be very helpful for our swimmers,” says Coach Alan Liu, “We have received a lot of positive feedback from other swimmers
around the world.”

9) Garden State Masters, NJ (http://www.gsmswim.org/): Webmaster Ed Tsuzuki has done an excellent job bringing New Jersey into the information loop with the GSM web site. This site is quick to load, informative and easy to navigate. “This is tremendous news!!” said Tsuzuki upon learning of the Top Ten Award. “Thank you, on behalf of all of us at GSM, for this wonderful
recognition. I do have to admit that I am quite surprised, considering the many great web sites that are out there.”

10) Southern California Aquatics, CA (http://www.swim.net/scaq): When you have the largest Masters program in the United States, a good web site is an incredibly important communication tool. Clay Evans and Bonnie Adair of Southern California Aquatics have initiated another huge project with their SCAQ web site. SCAQ’s home page contains all of the important information,
including the award winning “swim.net” newsletter, which is one of the nicest HTML newsletters anywhere.

Honorable Mention: Bruin Masters at UCLA (http://www.spma.net/uclabruins)
DC Aquatic Club (http://www.swimdcac.org);
Lakeside Masters, KY (http://lakesideswim.org/LakesideMastershome.html);
South Oakland Seals, MI (http://www.southoaklandseasl.com/);
Stanford Masters (http:www.stanford.edu/group/masters/);
Tualatin Hills Barracudas (http://www.barracudas.org);

MACA News Top Ten LMSC Web Sites

1) Gulf Masters Swim Committee (http://www.gulfmastersswimming.org/): It may seem like a subtle distinction, but one of the greatest redeeming qualities of a good web site is its speed. If it takes too long to load, surfers will go to the next site — even if the slow-loading site is the most magnificent work of art. Gulf webmaster Shiela Baskett has a true knack for producing speedy web sites. The Gulf web site is informative, easy to navigate and well-designed — but what separates it from the rest of the crowd is it’s remarkable loading speed....“faster than a speeding bullet!”

2) Greater Indiana Masters Swimming (http://www.netusa1.net/~dwo/GRINNL.html): Indiana LMSC webmaster Dave Oplinger deserves high praise for producing an outstanding web site for GRIN. Oplinger demonstrates the uncanny ability to achieve an aesthetic that is both friendly and corporate looking. This aesthetic sets GRIN apart from all other Masters swimming web sites. Not only is it professional looking, but it loads quickly and is easily navigated. GRIN is truly fortunate to have such an outstanding resource.

3) Pacific Masters Swimming (http://www.pacificmasters.org/index.shtml): The beauty of the Pacific Masters web site is its capacity to communicate and document the high level of activity in the Pacific LMSC. Webmaster Michael Moore expertly conquers the challenge of keeping the site easy to navigate, loaded with information and current. Moore, who is also webmaster for the Fog City Masters, is clearly one of the leading webmasters in USMS.

4) Colorado Masters Swimming Association, (http://www.comsa.org/): The Colorado LMSC web site is a winner for its solid, businesslike approach. Web designer Rob Nasser provides a clean, simple, professional looking web project, and the dividends are clear. The COMSA site is one of the fastest loading, succinct web sites in Masters Swimming.

5) Delaware Valley LMSC (http://www.dvmasters.org/): Even though Masters swimmers are adults, we still like to have fun. Thanks to Delaware Valley webmaster Charlot Figgatt, the DVLMSC web site is one of the more enjoyable LMSC web sites. Visitors are greeted with some enjoyable design elements and lots of information about some of the greatest Masters swimming in the Colonies Zone. Barney Hungerford’s Open Water information is among the most
comprehensive in USMS.

6) Florida LMSC (http://home.att.net/~floridalmsc/): Rarely is the content of an LMSC web site of general interest to those who reside outside of the LMSC. The Florida LMSC web site is definitely an exception to the rule. In addition to being a fast, simple, well designed site, it has some great information. Their web archive is full of original newsletter articles from Florida’s
award-winning newsletter. It’s definitely worth a visit.

7) Kentucky Masters Swimming (http://www.kylmsc.org/index.html): Meg Smath is a truly multitalented individual. Smath, who is chairman of the USMS Rule Book Committee and Kentucky LMSC Secretary, is also the webmaster for Kentucky. The web site is a winner for its simple, straightforward approach to information. The site also contains “Kentucky Waves”, which is one of the better HTML newsletters.

8) New England Masters (http://www.swimnem.org/): The New England LMSC is a proud, spirited and talented group of individuals. Their web site is not only fast and simply designed, but it continues to draw visitors for its newsletter archive and all-time Top Ten lists. Carolyn Dooman and newly appointed webmaster Tom Mack deserve a round of applause for maintaining the
tradition of excellence in New England.

9) Southern Pacific (http://www.spma.net/): SPMA webmaster Wayne McCauley has created a monster! The SPMA web site is packed full of information for a very active LMSC. There are nearly 20 different categories of information, including the award-winning “swim.net” newsletter. The site also includes some great archived articles, and up-to-date information on events and LMSC meeting minutes. With so much information to communicate, it’s great to have
such a speedy resource.

10) Pacific Northwest Association (http://www.swimpna.org/): When Jim McCleery took over as the PNA webmaster in 1999, he was fortunate to have a good foundation, which had been established by Dan Frost. McCleery not only moved the site to a new location and upgraded the design, he added some excellent new features. The site includes a PDF registration form, Northwest Zone Records and a new NCAA conversion applet. Visitors can enter times for
conversion between short course yards, short course meters and long course meters. PNA is a sleeper, but it is certainly one of the most influential and innovative LMSC sites.