Middle School Athletics
101
Tony Foust
Middle School Athletic Director
Introductions
Administration● Van Buren-Jeff Blakley & Amy Snyder
● KMS- Hank Jackoby, Dave Delon, Jeff Duncan & Kari Calborn
CoachesThe coaches are here to welcome you; however, this is not the time to track them
down and tell them what position Johnny or Susie played in previous seasons and
what ribbons they received from participating in previous seasons...They are here
so you can put a face with a name before the season begins…
And Now the Fun Begins
Welcome to some of the greatest years of your child’s life...We have so much to
offer them in the Kettering Schools Academically and Athletically…
As one chapter of their athletic career comes to a close the 7th-12th adventure of
School Sports begins…
Playing rival schools (and beating them) and hearing your name on the morning
announcements are just a couple of the many things they to look forward to here in
Kettering
Sports at the Middle School Level
Fall: Football, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Football Cheer and
Cross Country
Winter: Basketball (Boys and Girls), Wrestling, Basketball
Cheer and Competition Cheer
Spring: Baseball, Softball and Track and Field
“Do not let what you can not do interfere with what you can do.”
John Wooden
I’ve been in education for almost 20 years and a coach for even longer and have
not met a single College Coach scouting Middle School events…
Your child will not lose his or her scholarship in our program, but if pushed too hard
they may lose their interest in a sport…
I am fortunate to have a son that is a positive statistic on the table on my next slide,
but it has more to do with the work ethic and drive he developed as an individual
than any team he played on or any practice I took him to...Work Ethic and Drive will
take you more places than athletic talent as it opens more doors….
Always Remember This!
Middle School Athletic Philosophy
We are preparing our Student/Athletes for the challenges he or she will face not
only in athletics but also in the real world...We are all about the program and what’s
best for the Varsity programs we are feeding...We do not have playing time quotas
of minutes or plays and every member of the team may not play in every game…
We believe you develop kids in practice and not in games...We are not a “win at all
costs district” but we do believe winning breeds success for our programs and
those we feed…
We abide by the rules of the Greater Western Ohio Conference and Ohio High
School Athletic Association and will foster success at the middle school within
these parameters...We are tough and have high expectations for ourselves, our
teams and our parents...
New Concepts for Middle School
Academic Eligibility-To Tryout or participate on a KCS Sports Team:
1. You must be a 7th or 8th grade student enrolled in a KCS Middle School or meet
other OHSAA criteria...
2. Have a current physical on file in the athletic office and have completed and
digitally signed all necessary forms on Final Forms...
3. Meet Kettering City Schools Eligibility Policy: no more than 1 F--and a 1.5 GPA.
Any athlete with a 1.5-1.99 GPA is conditionally eligible and can be placed on
Academic Intervention.
New Concepts Continued...
4. Transportation To and From Away events-Students are expected to ride the bus
to and from all competitions unless there is an unavoidable circumstance in which
case we need a travel release form 48 hours prior to an event...
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Travel Release Form-Downloadable from either MS Athletics Page
5. Playing Time-This may be the first time your son or daughter is not a starter or
playing as much as he or she would like but that’s part of the transition into our
Varsity feeder program…
6. Now that your child has made it to middle school athletics you get some of your
life back...There is no reason to sit at practice; go home enjoy yourself or your time
without your athlete...Just make sure you try and arrive 5 minutes before practice is
scheduled to let out...
New Concepts Continued...
7. Final Forms-All athletes in the Kettering City Schools Athletic program must be
registered in Final Forms…Students cannot use district email account...
● You can download a parent information sheet from the Middle School Athletic
Webpages…
● Go to Fairmont’s Athletic Page for link to create account…
● Register your athlete
● Bring the up to date physical paperwork to the Athletic Department…
All steps for Final Forms must be completed before your athlete will be allowed to
participate by August 1, 2016...
8. Sports Meeting for each Season at Trent Arena- Fall is Sunday August 7th 6pm
Concepts We Should Be Familiar With...
● Athlete’s should always be the first point of contact with a coach if he or she
has a question about the program…
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Team Policies
Position
Playing Time
An athlete nor parent should NEVER contact a coach about these before, during or
after a contest/event...
Fall Only Start Dates
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Football Conditioning: Begins the week of: July 25, 2016 from 5-7 pm at KMS...Practice begins the
week of August 1, 2016 from 5-7 pm up until the first day of school...Practice will then be held right
after school until 6:15 pm…
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Field Hockey
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KMS-Open Fields M, W, F 8/1-8/12...Tryouts begin 8/15/16 4pm-5:30p
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VB- Open Fields/Conditioning 8/1, 8/3, 8/5 4-5:30. Practice officially starts 8/8 from 4-5:30
Volleyball
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KMS- Open Gyms July 25-29 5:30-7:30 KMS Gym....Tryouts Begin 8/1/16 from 5:30-7:30 MW in the KMS Big Gym
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VB- Open Gyms July 25-29 and Aug. 1 noon-2 ...7th grade Tryouts begin 8/2-8/4 10am-noon
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Cross Country-Begins 8/1/16 @ Indian Riffle Park Shelter
Tryouts
We know you want to watch but…
● Tryouts are closed to everyone but school staff and athletes…
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We are not trying to keep things a secret, but what we have found is that maybe your son or
daughter is fine with you being there; however, your presence may make others nervous and
unable to perform at their best…So please do not come into tryouts or watch through windows
out of respect for other’s kids…
● With the exception of Cheer, we meet with athletes to let them know whether
or not they made the team and to offer advice if they are cut on how to make
the team in the future...Again do not approach after tryouts demanding
answers as this puts all of us on the defensive...An email kindly asking how
your child could improve works a lot better...
During the Season
● Athletes are held to specific standards both on the field and in the classroom...
This includes grades and behavior….KCS has allowed each sport and Head
Coach to establish policy on this governing their expectations…
● Athletes are expected to be at practices and contests unless they have a valid
reason for missing...Here is the philosophy of one of our Varsity coaches and
his beliefs for 7-12 regarding attendance but this is the overall philosophy on
attendance for all of our teams…
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You are no longer participating in Youth sports
All players are expected to attend all practices (unless injured or ill -- in which case athletes should
still attend unless at a doc appt or physical therapy, contagious, or throwing up)
You are a member of a team and others are counting on you
Communication is vital -- no call no show is an egregious error
No practice, no play
Blended Sports at the Middle School Level
We have several sports that include students from both schools….These are:
● Fall-Football, Football Cheer and Cross Country
● Winter-Basketball (Boys and Girls), Basketball Cheer and
Competition Cheer
● Spring-All sports at this time are by school either KMS or
VB...
What does it mean if my Child is on a Blended Team?
1. It means the roster consists of athletes from both schools…
2. It means your son or daughter may not be practicing at their home school or in
the case of basketball playing their games at their home school…
3. If an athlete does not practice at his or her home school they will ride a shuttle
bus to the practice location and be picked up there by their parent or
guardian…
Important Contact Info
My email address: [email protected]
Athletic Department Number: 499-1577
Athletic Fax Number: 499-1576
KMS Main Office Number: 499-1550
VB Main Office Number: 499-1800
KMS Athletics Page: http://www.ketteringschools.org/2/Department/94
VB Athletics Page: http://www.ketteringschools.org/3/Department/92
Fall Coaches Contact Info
8th Grade Football- Doug Donese [email protected]
7th Grade Football-Sean Hall [email protected]
KMS Volleyball- Karen Amstutz [email protected]
Van Buren Volleyball- Jeffrey Bohaboy
[email protected]
KMS Field Hockey-Katrina Wilbur [email protected]
Van Buren Field Hockey-Megan Duffin [email protected]
Cross Country-Angie Drexler [email protected]
Football Cheer Contact- Collette Hauge [email protected]
Thank you for coming tonight!
There are handouts in the lobby for several of our sports next year...Please feel free
to pick them up as well as paying attention to the Athletics pages for both Middle
Schools for information on Winter and Spring Sports…
Don’t Forget to pick up some Athletic Spirit Wear on your way out as well...100% of
the profit from these items stays in the Middle School and helps to fund many of
our undertakings…
Plus you look COOL sporting Firebird gear!