SV Athletics Hosts Preseason Meeting

In case you missed it, Wednesday night served as an opportunity for Saucon Valley Director of Athletics, Bob Frey, to introduce the 2016 PIAA Fall Sports season and highlight a few changes.

With a chatty audience of over 200 people in the high school auditorium, long-time athletic trainer Amy Virden took advantage of an available “gong,” of all things, to abruptly bring the meeting to order.

Frey took about 30 minutes to provide valuable information and review different standards, expectations and protocol relative to student-athlete participation in PIAA sports at Saucon Valley.

Preseason Eligibility Requirements

• Registration: Students/parents need to be registered via the “Family ID” link on the District website.
• Physical: A PIAA physical needs to be on file in the Athletics office.
• ImPACT test: A “concussion” test must be completed to participate.
• Debts: All students need to be cleared of any financial obligations to the District. Frey stressed that students are responsible for the care and possession of their SVSD supplied uniforms. He added that replacement of a single uniform can cost up to $400.

In-Season Eligibility

• Academics: Big brother is watching as weekly grade reports are run every Friday. Grade reports are generated with the push of a button for all SVSD PIAA athletes. It is a PIAA rule that students failing two classes be declared academically ineligible. Student-athletes will be denied participation from Sunday-Saturday of the following week in order to focus on their grades. Even if the student improves to passing within the restricted period, the student still must sit out the entire week. If a student is failing one class, they are considered to be on probation. Coaches are informed of any failures and student-athletes will be reminded of the protocol.
• Attendance: Student-athletes need to report to school by 9 a.m. If a player is unexcused, he/she will be denied participation. Further, more than 20 absences in a semester will lead to restrictions.
• In- or Out-of-School Suspension: Students will be denied participation in practice or a contest if they are in ISS or OSS.

Hazing

• Pennsylvania House Bill 1574 (Anti-Hazing Bill): Frey stated that middle school as well as high school students may now be criminally charged for engaging in “hazing” activities.

Training Staff

• St. Luke’s University Health Network: Because of more available resources to Saucon Valley including an on-site weight trainer and nutritionists, SVSD has switched from Lehigh Valley Health Network to St. Luke’s.
• Trainers: SVSD now has three trainers. Amy Virden and Matt Kirkpatrick are back. New to SV is Jamie Juschitsch (Yoo-Sitch). Trainer Amy announced that in addition to a third trainer being added, a second (bigger and better) training room is now available just off the “Pond Lobby” in the Middle School. This site makes it more convenient for athletes participating in the MS gym and on the fields at the west end of campus. Amy also advised all athletes and parents to communicate with the coaches and training staff any physical discomfort as soon as possible. The earlier injuries are reported, the easier they are resolved.
• Team Doctors: Dr. Dave Skillenge is back again along with Moheem Vikrim, Celestine Nmaoto and Gregory Carolan.

Saucon Valley Booster Club

• The Booster Club members are the unsung heroes of SV Athletics. It is through their efforts that student-athletes are provided many awards and recognition ceremonies are made possible. The Booster Club funds tournament fees, offseason camps and clinics, “championship” apparel and much more. The Booster Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Braveheart Highland Pub, 430 Main St., Hellertown. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Most everybody is bogged down with busy schedules, but please consider a couple hours out of your year to help out with this benevolent organization.

Communication/Resources

• Whether it has to do with the team, training staff or Athletic Department, Frey reminded those present that open communication will resolve most, if not all, questions and concerns.
• Website (www.svpanthers.org): The new and improved district website will be unveiled in about two weeks. According to Frey, it is much more interactive and will have easy-to-find links to coaches and trainers.
• Facebook Page: Like Saucon Valley Athletics
• Twitter: Follow @SauconAthletics
• Phone: 610-838-7001 (ext: 2720)

Following Frey’s presentation, the parents attended brief “breakout” sessions hosted by the individual Fall Sports coaches, who introduced themselves and outlined their programs. With the Fall sports season officially starting Monday, it was certainly a worthwhile evening for anyone invested in Saucon Valley Athletics.

Good luck to all the SVSD Athletic programs. We are looking forward to another great year of sports and competition!