Athletic FAQs

  1. What sports should a student try out for if they never played them before?
  2. What sports are in need of more student involvement?
  3. Is it too late as a junior or senior to try out for something s/he has never played?
  4. What are the expected behaviors, attitudes and performances of athletics?
  5. What are eligibility requirements to try out for JV and Varsity sports?
  6. What is the policy on try-outs and cuts?
  7. When are try-outs held?
  8. Is sports equipment provided?
  9. How much money does it cost to participate in sports?
  10. When are practices generally held?
  11. Do students miss classes to participate in sports?
  12. How is transportation handled?
  13. How are food and refreshments provided to players?
  14. What is SVHS’ policy in regards to injuries players sustain?
  15. Will SVHS provide written comments about a player’s behavior, attitude and ability at the end of each season, as part of the student’s record?
  16. How can a parent find schedules and last minute changes?
  17. How should parents/guardians of players communicate with the athletic director and coaches?
  18. Where can I find a complete directory of the athletic department?
  19. Where does one buy tickets to a contest and how much do they cost?
  20. Where does one purchase spirit wear?
  21. What expectations/needs does the athletic department have of the parents/guardians of players?
  22. What is the difference between a team and a club?
  23. Can students receive Student Service Learning hours for being a sport team manager?

We utilize the Eagles Bulletin for announcements so hopefully this will be of help in getting information out to the community.
 

1. What sports should a student try out for if they never played them before?  

A student should try out for the sport in which they have an interest. There have been cases where students with little or no experience have excelled in all sports. Some of the sports where students have had the most success with little or no experience are cross country, field hockey, football, indoor track, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
 

2. What sports are in need of more student involvement? 

In recent years the sports where additional athletes have been needed are boys’ tennis, cross country, field hockey, girls’ JV soccer, indoor track, track and field, wrestling and volleyball.
 

3. Is it too late as a junior or senior to try out for something s/he has never played?  

No, if a student has good general athletic ability and good work ethic, a student should try out for any sport.
 

4. What are the expected behaviors, attitudes and performances of athletics?  

The Student-Athlete Handbook contains expectations and the Student-Parent Athletic Participation Contract and Parent Permission Form, which must be signed and brought to the first day of tryouts.  Coaches of each sport develop team- specific requirements and standards that would supplement the contract in the student-athlete handbook. While eligibility requirements are the same for each activity, team standards may vary from team to team.
 

5. What are eligibility requirements to try out for JV and Varsity sports?  

The standards for a student to be eligible to participate in the MCPS high school interscholastic athletic program are extensive.  A summary of these requirements is contained in the Student-Athlete Handbook.   A copy of the Student-Athlete Handbook can also be obtained from the main office.
 

6. What is the policy on try-outs and cuts?  

The policy for try-outs and cuts are specific for each sport. All coaches should provide criteria for try-outs in their information package. Due to the number of students that actually show interest in a particular sport the try-out period may be as short as three days or extended to just prior to the beginning of the season.
 

7. When are try-outs held?  

The first day of tryouts for fall sports is mid-August, for winter sports the first day is mid-November, and for spring sports the first day is the beginning of March. Please check the exact date on the school website under Fall, Winter, or Spring Sports.

Cheerleaders and Pompons have their tryouts during the last week of May or the first week of June prior to the next school year. Actual dates for Cheerleaders and Pompons are usually posted two or three weeks prior to the first date of the try-outs.
 

8. Is sports equipment provided?  

Uniforms are provided for most sports. A reasonable amount of balls are provided for all sports. Personal items, such as hockey and lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets and chin guards, as examples, must be provided by the athletes. Shoes and socks are purchased by students. While some teams may purchase these items through the athletic department, checks made payable to SVHS are collected from the athletes for the items purchased.

Some teams, such as tennis and golf, may prefer to purchase their own jerseys and keep them as a remembrance of these athletic activities. Please check the information sheet associated with the sport of interest for the specifics.
 

9. How much money does it cost to participate in sports? 

The cost to participate varies from team to team. Usually the information package will identify what each student needs in order to participate in the activity of interest for the upcoming season.
 

10. When are practices generally held?  

Practices are typically held after school hours as early as the facilities or coach becomes available. Typically facilities during the fall and spring seasons lead to the least conflict for space.

During the winter, indoor practice space is at a premium and practices can start as late as 6:30 to 7:30 PM and finish as late as 8:30 PM.

For certain sports, such as swimming and golf, practice time is limited, practices dates may vary, and starting times may change depending on the availability of county facilities.
 

11. Do students miss classes to participate in sports?  

For contests that start at 3:00 or 3:30 PM the latest transportation can be provided to the schools for athletic events is 1:15 PM and sometimes no later than 1:00 PM. If there is an away contest at 3:00 or 3:30 PM and the team needs transportation, the students will be permitted an early release to make the bus in time for departure.

The county also has a restriction that buses can not leave later than 11:00 AM for an early contest played out-of-county.  This restriction is due to the bus drivers needing time to get back to their first runs in the afternoon to take students home from school.  The need to leave early for out-of-county contests occurs during the state tournaments.  There will be times when parents will be requested to volunteer to drive students to away contests.
 

12. How is transportation handled?  

County transportation is used as needed at each school. Some schools only use transportation on a very limited basis. Seneca Valley is a heavier user of the county transportation.

When MCPS transportation is not used, athletes must have completed a transportation form. The transportation form states the means of transportation and/or the individuals with whom each athlete is permitted to drive to and from an event. The form must be signed by parent, legal guardian or eligible student.
 

13. How are food and refreshments provided to players?  

The athletic department does not provide food and refreshments. Any refreshments are arranged and organized by the coach of the specific team. Some teams arrange pre-game dinners at team members’ homes, restaurants or in the cafeteria.

Some team parents have brought orange slices or cookies for after the games. If anyone is interested in providing refreshments to a team, contact the team coach or sponsor for further details and discussions.
 

14. What is SVHS’ policy in regards to injuries players sustain?  

If an injury requires medical evaluation by a physician, a player should not return to playing the activity until a dated note or letter is provided by a doctor, either identifying when the player can return or stating that the player is fit to play.

Additional procedure instructions may also be provided by the specific coach or sponsor. A coach may, for example, require an athlete to check with a physician before being allowed to return to practice if the athlete has complained about a pain for several days.
 

15. Will SVHS provide written comments about a player’s behavior, attitude and ability at the end of each season, as part of the student’s record?  

A written evaluation is not a required responsibility of the coaches. Typically, college applications only ask about the activities that a student-athlete has participated in during high school to show involvement.

If a college has shown interest in an athlete, NCAA rules must be followed on communications. High school coaches will typically provide information on behalf of the student-athlete if requested by the parent or guardian.

Parents and guardians should submit an application to the NCAA Clearinghouse during the student-athlete’s junior year if there is interest in playing sports at the collegian level. More information on the NCAA Clearinghouse can be obtained from the Career Center.
 

16. How can a parent find schedules and last minute changes?  

Schedules are provided to the students prior to the beginning of each season. Schedules are also available on the Seneca Valley website. On the website homepage click "ATHLETICS." Click either fall, winter or spring sports for the desired schedule.

Last minute changes are just that with some decisions not being made until school has let out for the day. There are several ways in which last minute change information is communicated. An email is sent to Seneca Valley Private (email for staff), the main office is notified, a message is sent to coaches, and changes are now posted on the Eagle Bulletin email service. Some teams also use a telephone tree system.

We make every effort to make decisions prior to the end of the school day so that student can be made aware prior to leaving the building.
 

17. How should parents/guardians of players communicate with the athletic director and coaches?  

The best way to communicate with the athletic department is by email. You will find that you will get the quickest response this way.  All the coaches’ email addresses and telephone numbers are available on this web site. Click “ATHLETICS,” then “Coaches.” You may also call the athletic department at 301-353-8028.

18. Where can I find a complete directory of the athletic department?  

All the coaches’ email addresses and telephone numbers are available on this web site. Click “Athletics,” then “Coaches.”
 

19. Where does one buy tickets to a contest and how much do they cost?  

Season ticket passes for home contests can only be purchased from this website by clicking "ATHLETICS," then "Season Tickets."  This will take you to the web site where season passes can be purchased using a credit card.  If your season ticket pass does not arrive in the mail by the time of the first home contest, just bring your receipt that you received from the site.

The prices for the home contest season ticket passes are $30 adults/$18 students for the fall season; $40 adults/$24 students for the winter season; and $20 adults/$12 students for the spring season.

Individual tickets to an MCPS contest are Adults $5.00, Students $3.00, Child $1.00, Preschool Free. Students must present their identification badge to purchase tickets at $3.00; otherwise, they must pay the adult charge.
 

20. Where does one purchase spirit wear?  

Spirit wear can be ordered from the PTSA (see Spirit Wear link under ATHLETICS) and at other school activities and events when volunteers from either the PTSA or boosters are available to sell the merchandise.

Some sports teams may also order their own spirit wear, which offers an opportunity to purchase certain additional items. Such spirit wear purchase may be organized as a team by contacting the team coach.
 

21. What expectations/needs does the athletic department have of the parents/guardians of players? 

The athletic department's biggest needs are for you to volunteer a little of your time and to support our fund raising projects.  Also continue to support your student-athletes by attending their contests. 

There are many activities where we could use the help of our athletes’ parents and guardians.  We always need help running the concession stand.  There are field maintenance projects that need to be performed throughout the year.  Scoreboard operators for soccer and lacrosse contests are needed, as are ball boys and ball girls (for any younger siblings that may be interested).  Parents are also needed to help as hall monitors on weekends.

We need to conduct fund raisers each year in order to help cover our expenses.  Please support the fund raisers when they are presented to you by your team coach.

Coaches and sponsors usually need help to organize many activities during the season.   Ask your coach or sponsor how you can be of help to the team or the athletic department.
 

22. What is the difference between a team and a club? 

Many of the eligibility requirements are the same for sports teams and clubs. Sports teams require approval by the county to be added to the program. Many clubs only require approval by the school, a sponsor, by-laws, and enough members to make the club function properly.
 

23.  Can students receive Student Service Learning hours for being a sport team manager?  

No, Student Service Learning hours are no longer offered for students who are sport team managers.  During the summer of 2004, a recommendation at the state level resulted in a change in the rules for receiving Student Service Learning hours for students wishing to be team managers.