EGR Athletics I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the beautiful Michigan weather and having some time to relax with friends and family. I have truly enjoyed my first year as the Director of Athletics and feel fortunate to work in a school system that is committed to academics and athletic excellence. This letter will hopefully explain a number of items that are directly related to the Athletic Department.
This Issue Practice/Try Outs Schedule Greg Dale PhD.
Below is a schedule of all Fall sports dates and times of the first day of practice/tryouts along with coaches contact information. Please communicate directly with coaches if you have any questions about the schedule. (Printable copy on last page of newsletter)
Web Site Physicals Eligibility Concussions Participation Fee Pioneer Gold Card Team Boosters Barwis Methods Season Passes
August 12/14—First day of Practice/Tryouts
I am very excited to have Dr. Greg Dale PhD.—Duke University to talk with our studentathletes, parents and coaches on your role as an athlete, parent or coach” as it relates to “Excellence in Performance”. Greg is an expert and has worked with some of the finest coaches in the world, and has talked to thousands of students
• and parents about the perspective of high school athletics. All student athletes will meet with Dr. Dale on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 2pm in the PAC and the parent meeting will be at 6:00pm. These meetings will last for approximately one hour. Please mark your calendar to attend. You will be inspired
by his message.
August 15—Dr. Greg Dale PhD October 4–Homecoming
Athletic Department Web Site www.eastgrsports.com This site provides you with the most accurate up to date schedules, forms, photo gallery, articles and results of contests. Sign up to be a follower on Facebook through this site also.
Physicals All athletes must have completed and have on file in the Athletic Department Office a physical that is dated no earlier than April 15, 2013 for the upcoming 2013-14 school year. Forms are available in the Athletic Office or our web site. http://eastgrsports.com/files/2013/06/Physical-Form.pdf
Eligibility To be eligible to participate in athletics at East Grand Rapids High School a student must pass four (4) classes in their previous semester. Any student who is participating and has less than a 2.0 grade point will be required to attend at least one hour a week of tutorial sessions during the season they participate. Any questions you can contact the Athletic Office—235-7593.
Concussions A new law is the state of Michigan requires parents and students to be provided educational materials regarding concussions and the risk of students participating in athletics. A signed acknowledgement will be required to be on file in our offices. This information will be provided in the student handbook and also available on our web site under “Forms”.
Participation Fee There has been an increase in the participation fee for all non-club athletic teams at East Grand Rapids High School. A fee of $250 per sport, per season is required for participation. These funds necessary to operate the high school interscholastic athletic program. The interscholastic athletic program in the EGR Public Schools is an entirely voluntary program based on activities outside a student’s regular academic school day. Credit is not granted for such activities; participation is not part of any academic course and is not required for progression from grade to grade. The athletic department programs are part of the schools’ co-curricular activities and afford students the privilege of participation in competitive sports.
Pioneer Gold Card The East Grand Rapids Athletic Department will be instituting a “Gold Card” system to ensure that all athletes have the required information turned in to the Athletic Office before they can practice/tryout or participate in any competition.
The Athletic Office will be open on Friday, August 2 to issue your son/daughter the “gold card” after we have received the following items: Physical on File Concussion Awareness Form Eligibility Checked Participation Fee
Coaches are being instructed to only allow athletes who have completed this process to be able to participate.
Athletic Team Boosters The Athletic Team Boosters have provided over $2 million in supplies, uniforms and equipment to all of our athletic teams over the past 20 years. I would encourage you to join the Team Boosters and support this organization any way you can. The athletes that wear our block E on their uniforms are very fortunate to be supported by the Team Boosters. Go to our web site and click on Boosters to find out how to join. Your support is appreciated. http://www.egrteamboosters.org/
Barwis Methods Strength Training In December of 2012 East Grand Rapids Schools became partners with Mike Barwis to provide strength training and conditioning to our students. In the past six months our students have received instruction in a research based strength training
model that is the finest available. The fitness room is open approximately 27 hours a week and all of our teams are taking advantage of training model that is appropriate for high school aged men and women.
I have been extremely impressed by the staff of Barwis and the commitment our student athletes are making to their training. I have received a number of compliments from kids and parents about how fortunate we are to provide this program.
Season Passes Season passes for the 2013-14 school year will be on sale starting Monday, August 12in the Athletic Office. The cost of the passes are: Family of 4—$200.00 ($25.00 for each additional family member) Adult—$95.00 Student—$65.00 This is a great way to save a few dollars and support your Pioneers!!
Tim Johnston, CAA Director of Athletics
[email protected] 616-235-7593 Sue Seitz Administrative Assistant
[email protected] 616-235-7593
We’re
www.
on the web! eastgr sports .com
I hope this information has been helpful and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events. I will be starting my 30th year in interscholastic athletics as either a teacher, coach or administrator and I can honestly say to you there is no better high school in America than East Grand Rapids. I am so impressed with our students and their commitment and responsibility that they show in the classroom and athletic areas. Our parents and community is very supportive of our schools that allows us to provide the opportunities for our kids. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Dr. Greg Dale presentation on August 15 and to a great year of Pioneer athletics! Sincerely, Tim Johnston, CAA Director of Athletics