Middle School Athletics

1. Middle School Athletics

2. Sports Offered & Calendar of Seasons Fall 2014 • Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country – 7th and 8th Grade August 18 – October 4 (6 weeks) 4-6 Meets • Head Coach Justin Stigge and Asst. Coach Dan Fitzmaurice • Boys’ Wrestling– 7th and 8th grade August 18 – October 4 (7 weeks) 4-6 Matches

3. Sports Offered & Calendar of Seasons Winter I - 2014 • Girls’ Basketball – 8th Grade October 6 – December 12 (10 weeks) 8 Games Winter II - 2015 • Boys’ Basketball – 8th grade January 5 – March 13 (10 weeks) 8 Games

4. Sports Offered & Calendar of Seasons Spring – 2015 • Girls’ Volleyball – 7th and 8thgrade March 23 – May 15 (8 weeks) 8 matches (Duals and Tri’s)

5. Try-outs • There will be no try-outs for Cross Country or Wrestling. • Following try-outs for basketball and volleyball: • The top 8-10 athletes will be placed on a team together. • The next 8-10 athletes will be placed on a second team together. • The remaining athletes will be placed on teams so that there is a relatively equal level of competitiveness amongst those teams. • Students may not try out/participate without submitting a properly completed physical form.

6. Practices • Practices will be held before and after school on a rotating basis during basketball and volleyball seasons, dependent on the number of teams participating. • Practices will be approximately 2 hrs. in length. • No early or late bus will be available.

7. Basic Tenets of MS Athletics program • Roles of people involved in Athletics • Area Activities Director (currently HS AD) • MS Athletic Coordinator • MS Bookkeeper • Building Administration

8. Basic Tenets of MS Athletics program • High school Athletic Directors will take on additional responsibilities to help oversee and support the middle school program • Current middle school intramural coordinators will take on expanded role to cover athletics as well • Middle school bookkeeper will coordinate budgeting, payroll, and purchasing for athletic programs

9. Basic Tenets of MS Athletics program • MS teams will only compete against other SMSD middle school teams. Exception might be cross country • No athletic training services will be provided to the middle schools, however, all coaches will be required to be First Aid/CPR trained and will receive some additional training in how to respond to severe trauma • Middle schools will not be members of KSHSAA in this first year, but may consider joining in the future

10. Basic Tenets of MS Athletics program • Middle school students will be required to complete an Extra-Curricular participation packet which will include completing a physical, signing a Tobacco, Drug and Alcohol contract, and maintaining academic eligibility to participate • The Sunflower League Commissioner of officials will provide the scheduling of game officials for the basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs

11. Intramurals Program • Middle schools will still continue to offer an intramural program • Intramurals will not include sports that are already being offered in the competitive sports program • Intramural activities that will likely continue include: Kickball Soccer Wiffle-ball Table Tennis • Most buildings can then add other activities based on student interest: Chess Robotics Dance/Stomp Cooking Sewing Debate Book Club Art Theater

12. Goals of MS Athletics program • All sports operate on an all-inclusive skill development philosophy with even amount of playing time or participation in competitions. • Skilled coaches will be identified with the goal of working with high school coachers to develop a 6 year program to encourage student growth. • Goal is to increase interest and participation in healthy activities, encourage more student participation in activities, develop skills and connection with the schools. • Prepare students for involvement in high school activities, leadership roles, time management and maintain academics.

13. Middle school athletic participation packet • Must be completed in entirety before athlete can try-out for basketball and volleyball or participate in cross-country or wrestling. Students may NOT attend practices without these forms filled in properly and completely. • Athletic Disclosure Statement – acknowledgment of potential for serious injury/death to athlete • Medical Treatment Consent Form • Insurance Inquiry Statement • Student Accident Insurance Opportunity • Concussion & Head Injury Information

14. Middle school athletic participation packet (cont.) • Transportation Guidelines • Encourage athletes to stay for both games in basketball • Form will be available for signing out athletes by parents/guardians • Reasonable Student Pick Up Time • Academic Guidelines • Students will carry eligibility cards • Must pass 5 classes in previous SEMESTER and be continually eligible • Tobacco/Alcohol/Drug Contract • Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation

15. Physical Check Opportunity LOCATION : SMNW ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM IN THE BASEMENT TIME: 5:30PM TO 7:30PM DATE: MAY 22, 2014 PRICE OF PHYSICAL: $20.00 ACCEPTS CHECKS AND CASH MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO SMNW SOFTBALL (physicals must be administered after May 1 to count for 2014-2015 school year)

16. questions???