XCStats News
- The Donation-based Subscription Plan
- New Features for 2009
- New Searchable California Cross Country Database
- XCStats Takes off!
Donation-based Subscription Plan for 2009
SORRY, this offer expired on 9/1/09. However, we plan to run this promotion next year, so please sign up early! Information about
the program follows.
As an incentive for potential new subscribers, we have an exciting payment plan for 2009. It's very simple:
Payment is optional!
Yes, you can use the full features of XCStats all season long with no
commitment to pay! Of course, we'd love to receive donations up to our usual fee, but it's entirely up to
you.
Why would we do such a thing? A couple of reasons: With the current economic situation, school budgets
are tighter than ever. Secondly, we are so confidient that you and your families will love XCStats
that you'll become long term customers. Of our existing subscribers, 98% of parents want to come back year after year.
For those who do want to donate, the process is easy. Parents or runners
can log on to a school-specific private page to make
a donation. And coaches don't need to manage the process.
If you're interested in this exciting program, just fill out the form on the subscribe page.
Don't miss this opportunity to try XCStats without payment obligation! We do not expect to offer this program in 2011.
New Features for 2009
Each season rolls out new significant capabilities in the service. And 2009 is no exception. Looking back, in 2008,
we added a complete email sending system, which collects addresses from kids and parents
and provides the coach with a custom web page from which to send messages. Also added was the goal-setting system, where kids and
coaches can work together to set appropriate goals for every runner. Such goal setting improves performance and gives purpose to
training.
The enhancements for 2009 are equally exciting:
- Entirely new graphical design and navigation: Besides being more visually pleasing, the new design includes a modern navigation structure, with good user feedback on selections, a more consistent color scheme, contextual left-side navigation and incorporation of new elements like vertical carousels on the home page.
- Parents Login: In 2008, runners had a unique login to access their personalized goal-setting pages. Now, in 2009, parents also have a login, which allows us to deliver additional "private" features to a subscriber, including ...
- Private Discussion Forum: Forums are everywhere on the web, but we wanted one to meet our unique requirements, namely: 1) It doesn't require a moderator or anyone to police the postings; and 2) It must not require a separate registration or login process from your existing XCStats login. Based on these requirements it was easier to create one of our own, so that's what we did! Only runners, their parents and coaches can read and add messages, so it should be a safe place to discuss topics, experiences and disseminate information. The coach does not need to manage the forum or participate in it, if not desired. The functionality is very basic, so let us know if you have improvement suggestions.
- League Standings Report: Unlike other sports, determining the current league standings in cross country is not exactly easy. It is usually a complex formula that combines the results from league meets with a league championship event. Few parents and runners are aware of the standings. XCStats changes all this. Based on a few simple settings, your coach can display your current league standings. This helps build interest in the sport and excitement within your cross country community.
Access to our massive California database is also included in the 2009 version of XCStats. It is described below.
New Searchable California Cross Country Database
Want to scout your competition without searching through pages and pages of results? Or, as a runner, look up how your friends at other schools are doing? Or check out the best times at an event, or on a particular course? Now you can. With the 2009 edition of XCStats, you can search our massive California database of XC results. We have both individual and team results. Hours of fun await!
XCStats takes off!
2009 looks to be a break-out year for XCStats! As of this writing (8/23), 43 California schools have chosen XCStats for 2009 - a 140% increase!
We've grown from 8 subscribers in 2007 to 18 in 2008 and now to 43 (and counting) in 2009! The
incredible feature set, the ease-of-use (no loading data!) and our focus on creating a positive athletic experience for
every runner contributes to our appeal. Last year a graduating runner said "I have to admit, XCStats is absolutely amazing website.
It definitely has started to pick up and I'm sure that sooner or later
it will be the medium that all high school teams in California and beyond will use." We don't yet have all schools, but 2009
is proving that we're on our way!
Don't be left behind! It's not too late to join for 2009! Just contact us to find out how to get
started.