Athletics

Staff

Joseph Thomas | Activities and Athletics Manager | Joseph_Thomas@hcpss.org

Important Athletics Information

LRHS EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

https://lrhs.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/LONG%20REACH%20NEW%20EAP%20final%202022-%20updated%203-1-23.docx.pdf

Incoming Freshman Fall Athletic Information Night (TBA for Incoming 2025 Fall Athletes)

June 2025

Attention Incoming Student-Athletes!

If you were unable to attend the Information Night or are new to Long Reach, Please contact coaches (emails below).

 

Eligibility Sports Season

For high school, a full-time student earns academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for the marking period which governs eligibility for that activity.

FALL-based on 4th Quarter from previous school year (10-12th graders), WINTER-based on 1st Quarter, and SPRING-based on 2nd Quarter grades.

 

Season Start Dates

Fall Sports Tryouts – Starting August 14, 2024, DEADLINE to REGISTER is Wednesday August 13, 2024

Winter Sports Tryouts – Starting November 15, 2024, DEADLINE to REGISTER is Thursday November 14, 2024

Spring Sports Tryouts – TBA !!!  Starting March 1, 2025 DEADLINE to REGISTER is February 28, 2025

Online Registration for Athletes (FALL Sports opens on Monday June 6th using Canvas Parent Portal). 

Parents/guardians can complete required forms, download physicals and proof of residency, and more as part of the online registration process.

Please note-Do not use Cell Phones, Use Parent Portal, Allow Pop Ups, and Limit File Size (4MB) for all uploads.

 

WINTER TRYOUT INFORMATION (TBA)

 

Instructions for Sports Registration

  1. Go to  https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
  2. Do not use your Mobile Phone;
  3. Login to your HCPSS Connect Portal (Parents & Guardian MUST use the parental login.  Using your students log in info. will not allow you to register); Once logged in, go to the menu on the left and click the bottom option More Options (Family File, Reports Cards, etc.).  ​If you have more than one student make sure you have selected the student from the drop down menu at the top of the page.) 
  4. Click on Athletic Registration on the right hand side Menu, select the correct season Fall/Winter/Spring; 
  5. Complete all of the forms: Parent Authorization Form, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form, Concussion, please complete all additional documents…Do not skip or leave any boxes blank. 
  6. Upload the following forms: Physical Examination Form, Upload ALL pages of the Physical Examination Form.  Older physicals will not be accepted.
  7. Upload a RECENT Utility bill.  Older Utility bills will not be accepted.  Utility (BGE, Potomac Edison, Solar,...Water, Cable/Satellite are allowed) 

**Reminder Physicals for Athletics are different from those used to register to attend school.  The Athletic Physical includes a Clearance without restrictions by Medical Staff.

Please, make sure Physicals have all signatures (Parent/Guardian, Athlete, and Physician) before scanning and uploading.

  • All student athletes must satisfactorily pass a physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner.
  • Student physical examinations cover one school year only.
  • Verification of an examination after April 1 or within 12 months of the tryout date for the particular sport must be submitted in each academic year of participation.

**Returning Athletes-If a Student Athlete is returning from Fall to play Winter and/or Spring season and wants to use the fall physical, parent/guardians will need to click the checkbox (option to use physical on file dated...) and save.  Otherwise, it’ll wait for a new one to be uploaded.  Reminder, returning athletes will still need to complete permission information and upload a new utility bill.

Updated Physical Form link: https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/preparticipation-physical-evaluation-form.pdf

Helpful How to Guide is available at  http://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/hcpss-connect-guide-hs-athletic-registration.pdf

Forms-Spanish

Athletic Participation Form

Concussion Information

Return to Play

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information

Testing Program

Winter 2024 Tryout Information-1st Day of Tryouts begins Friday November 15, 2024!

Make sure all paperwork is complete or online submission complete.  Reminder, practices begin after tryouts are completed.

NO WALKUPS ARE ALLOWED.  Contact your Coach to confirm all information, emails below


** All Paperwork Must Be Complete To Try Out!!

FAQ

1.  Do we need to turn in all paperwork or complete online registration before an athlete is allowed to tryout?  Yes

2.  How long are tryouts?  Student athletes are given 3 days from the scheduled start date for tryouts

3.  When do practices begin after tryouts?  Regular Practices begin immediately after rosters are finalized at the end of tryout period.

4.  How long is the Impact Test (Concussion Baseline) good for?  The Impact test baseline is good for 2 years.

5.  What is the roster size for _______ ?  Each team roster is determined by the coaching staff.

6.  How many courses do I need to be registered for my Senior year to be eligible to participate?

HCPSS requires "One on campus" course

7.  Why do we have to begin on a particular date (i.e. August 14, 2024 for Fall, November 15, 2024 for Winter, and March 1, 2025 for Spring)? 

The MPSSAA establishes start dates for all sports in MD  

A member MPSSAA school (includes athletes) may not participate in a regularly scheduled game until at least 20 calendar days have elapsed after and including the first day of practice.  Golf is the only exception.

This is why we are required to begin on August 10th so we have enough days (including the 3 Heat Acclimation days) of practice before the 1st play date which happens to be Friday September 1, 2023.

Issues could arise if we don't allow enough time for proper Heat Acclimation and/or preparation of athletes.

8.  What is the link for the NCAA Eligibility Center? contact information? (For student athletes interested or planning to play in college)

http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/eligibility-center

For students and parents with eligibility questions:
877/262-1492 (toll free)
317/917-6222

Additional NCAA information can be found at  http://www.hcpss.org/athletics/ncaa-participation/
 

Athletic Teams, Contact Information

Fall

Allied Soccer- Rebecca Weinberg - Rebecca_Weinberg@hcpss.org

Cross Country- Kevin Lawrence - Kevin_Lawrence@hcpss.org

Field Hockey- Stephanie DeWit - Stephanie_Dewit@hcpss.org

Cheer- Elisabeth Rice - Elisabeth_Rice@hcpss.org

Football- Jamie Willis - Jamie_Willis@hcpss.org

Golf- Anthony Valenza - Anthony_Valenza@hcpss.org

Volleyball- Jennifer Van Oosten - Jennifer_VanOosten@hcpss.org

Girls Soccer- Chris Loetell - Christopher_Loetell@hcpss.org

Boys Soccer- William Looney, William_looney@hcpss.org

Winter

Boys Basketball- Andrew Lazzor - Andrew_Lazzor@hcpss.org

Girls Basketball- Jocara Knight - Jocara.Knight@dcinternationalschool.org or Jocarak2@gmail.com

Indoor Track- Teyarnte Carter - Teyarnte_Carter@hcpss.org

Wrestling- Scott Hunt - Scott_Hunt@hcpss.org

Winter Cheer- Elisabeth Rice - Elisabeth_Rice@hcpss.org

Allied Bowling - Courtney Dzbynski - Courtney_Dzbynski@hcpss.org

Spring

Boys Lacrosse- TBA

Girls Lacrosse- Carlie Nethken - Carlie_Nethken@hcpss.org

Tennis- Jeremy Hotchkiss - Jeremy_Hotchkiss@hcpss.org

Softball- Heather Clausen - Heather_Clausen@hcpss.org

Baseball- Anthony Lyon - Anthony_Lyon@hcpss.org

Outdoor Track- Teyarnte Carter - Teyarnte_Carter@hcpss.org

Allied Softball- TBA

 

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

The purpose of the Long Reach High School Athletics Hall of Fame is to recognize achievements of persons who have made a significant contribution to the athletic program at Long Reach High School, or who have distinguished themselves at the collegiate or professional level after participating in athletics at Long Reach.  Nominees for the Long Reach Athletics Hall of Fame are divided in to three categories; Athlete/Team, Coach, and Contributor.  These divisions are for the sole purpose of assisting those making nominations to understand the kind of information that is required on the nomination form.  DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1st 

More information on how to submit nominations coming soon! 

 

Concussion Protocol Information

https://lrhs.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/HCPSS%20Concussion%20Protocol.docx

 

Athletic Rules of Conduct

At all Howard County athletic events, we strive to provide a pleasant and safe environment for all spectators and participants. We ask fans to refrain from:

  • Intimidating or harassing the players, coaches, officials, or fans
  • Using profanity
  • Throwing objects
  • Entering the playing area
  • Loitering in the hallways or on the grounds
  • Those who fail to abide by the Rules of Conduct will be asked to leave the contest, and could result in a trespass letter banning the spectator from future athletic events at the school.

Admission is a privilege to observe a contest, not a license to display insensitive or offensive behavior. Enjoy the event! Be a fan, not a fanatic!

 

Guidelines for Parent/Coach Communication

Parent/Coach Relationship:

By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefits to our children. As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.

Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:

1. Philosophy of the coach.
2. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players of the squad.
3. Locations and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e. fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning.
5. Procedure should your child be injured during participation.
6. Discipline that result in the denial of your child’s participation. 

Communication coaches expect from parents:

1. Concerns expressed directly to coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.

As your children become involved in programs at Long Reach, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

1. The treatment of your child, mentally or physically.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.

It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may want. However, playing time is earned in the estimation of the coaches and is not an entitlement. Coaches are professionals and they make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you have read from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:

1. Playing time

2. Team strategy

3. Play calling

4. Other student-athletes

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others’ position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

Procedures to follow to discuss a concern with a coach:

1. Wait 24 hours before you make initial contact with the coach.
2. After you have waited 24 hours call or email the coach to set-up an appointment.
3. If the coach cannot be reached, email/call Joe Thomas, the Athletics and Activities Manager, and a meeting will be arranged for you.

Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution. This is why waiting 24 hours before the initial contact with the coach is such a crucial step in the resolution process.

Parents are encouraged to discuss issues and problems with the Athletics and Activities Manager. However, if a parent has specific complaint regarding a coach, then the coach must have the opportunity to be present to meet with the parent.

 

Academic Eligibility

A full-time high school student earns academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for the marking period which governs eligibility for that activity. If a student withdraws from a course, the grades at the time of withdrawal will be used in determining academic eligibility.

 

Athletics Paperwork Checklist  (links to forms below)

Reminder Physicals for Athletics are different from those used to register to attend school.  The Athletic Physical includes a Clearance without restrictions by Medical Staff.

Updated Physical form link: https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/preparticipation-physical-evaluation-form.pdf

Updated Covid Information Form Link: https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/covid-info-signoff-form.pdf

*Note-All incoming 9th graders are eligible for Fall Sports

FORM 1: HCPSS Athletic Participation Form
FORM 2:  PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION FORM (Verification of an examination after April 1 or within 12 months of the tryout date for the particular sport)                            Updated Form Link:  https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/preparticipation-physical-evaluation-form.pdf
FORM 3: SPORTS CONCUSSION TESTING PROGRAM AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION
FORM 4:CONCUSSION INFORMATION SHEET
FORM 5: SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST INFORMATION

FORM 6: Covid Information Form https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/covid-info-signoff-form.pdf

Proof of Residence, Documents of proof are a current 2024-2025 (dated July 2024/August 2024 for Fall, September 2024/October 2024/November 2024 for Winter, January 2025/February 2025/March 2025 for Spring) utility bill, excluding a cell phone bill
 

Athletic Participation Resources

Athletic Participation Form

Student athletic policy agreement form for new student athletes.

Sports Concussion Testing Program and Release of Information

Agreement for families that acknowledge HCPSS may administer pre-concussion baseline testing and post-concussion testing after a sports-related injury.

HCPSS Athletics Concussion Information Sheet

Overview of concussion signs and symptoms that can occur in student athletes.

Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Form

Physician forms for future student athletes to fill out prior to sport seasons.

Medication Procedure Information

Protocols for administration of student medication during school hours along with a medication administration history form for physicians.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information

Acknowledgement statement and guidelines for identifying and responding to a cardiac arrest scenario.