UPPER SCHOOL VISION
The SPA Upper School's athletic mission is to provide student athletes with the opportunity to develop the required physical tools, technical skills and mental stamina to compete to the best of their ability as individuals and as members of a team. To accomplish its mission, the school is committed to providing a dedicated, knowledgeable, inspiring coaching staff as well as top-notch athletic facilities. Student-athletes are expected to demonstrate a high level of commitment, perseverance and teamwork that serves as the foundation of any successful athletic program. As an extension of the classroom, student-athletes engage fully and strive for excellence. We gauge athletic achievement, individually and collectively, both on the outcome of games and on the sportsmanship, continued improvement, and leadership of participants.
GOALS:
- Provide a range of opportunities for students to compete in the sport and level of their choice
- Help our student-athletes reach their team and individual athletic goals
- Encourage levels of excellence from our athletic teams that match our expectations in the classroom
- Instill appreciation of commitment to team, school and fitness
- Teach rules, skills, self-discipline, cooperation, sportsmanship, respect and commitment to shared goals
- Support positive self-image and confidence gained through athletic participation
FOCUS:
Competition is the essential ingredient of the athletic program. We encourage our student-athletes to embrace challenge, overcome obstacles, think creatively, cherish loyalty and, most importantly, to compete with enthusiasm. Competition helps students to do their best and helps them learn how to deal with both winning and losing in a respectful, socially acceptable way. Our student athletes are expected to play with determination, play fairly and respect the efforts of their opponents.
Our program is led by caring professionals who promote high expectations while offering genuine opportunities for our student athletes to be successful.
Communication
Students and their parents are encouraged to communicate directly with coaches on any sport-related issue. Principals and the Director of Athletics are also sources of information about programs.
Sportsmanship
The cornerstone of our program is the promotion of the ideals of good sportsmanship. We hold out the highest expectations for our coaches, players, and the parent community in this regard. Demonstrating good sportsmanship through genuine support for our teams, courtesy toward competitors, and respect for officials is absolutely expected.
2013 FALL SPORTS
Please check back for updated athletics program information.
Coaches will contact parents and athletes with preseason practice information.
I. 9-12TH GRADE FALL SPORTSBoys Football: Varsity and JV co-op teams with Mounds Park Academy and Twin City Academy/Great River School. Practice begins August 12 times to be announced meet on the Upper Field. Season ends mid-November. **
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Boys Soccer: Varsity, JV or B and C team practice begins August 12 possible times 8:00-10:00 a.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m. Middle Field. Varsity Try-outs August 12-16. Teams will separate to level play and practice times may change. Season ends mid-October; Varsity. **
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Girls Soccer: Varsity and JV, All girls in grades 7-12 are invited to try out for the varsity team August 12 and 13, 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 pm, JV practice August 14, 3:00-5:00 pm, Middle Field. Season ends mid-October; Varsity. **
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Girls Tennis: Varsity and JV, Varsity try-outs August 12-14 4:30-6:00 p.m. JV and Varsity team practice begins August 15, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Randolph Campus Tennis Courts Season ends mid-October. **
Girls Volleyball: Varsity, JV, and C team practice begins August 12, Varsity try-outs August 12 - 14, two a day times to be announced, Big Gym. Season ends early November. **
II. 7-12TH GRADE FALL SPORTSGirls Swimming and Diving: Varsity and JV co-op team with Highland Park High School. Practice begins August 12, Athletes meet at Highland Park High School pool, times to be announced. Season ends November. **
◊ Boys and Girls Cross Country Running: Varsity and Development team practice begins August 12, 9:00 am; meet in the Randolph Campus athletic hallway. Season ends early November. **
2013-2014 WINTER SPORTS
Please check back for updated athletics program information.
Coaches will contact parents and athletes with preseason practice information.
I. 9-12TH GRADE WINTER SPORTSBoys Basketball: Varsity, JV, and C team practice begins November 11 and ends mid-March. **
Girls Basketball: Varsity, JV, and C team practice begins November 18 and ends mid-March. **
Boys Hockey: Varsity and JV co-op team with Mounds Park Academy. Practice begins November 11.
Varsity and JV season ends early March. **
Girls Dance: Varsity team practice begins October 21, practice site to be determined. Season ends mid February. **
II. 7-12 GRADE WINTER SPORTS#
SPA Girls Hockey or Area Youth Hockey: Varsity and JV co-op team with Visitation High School. Players have the option of playing with the SPA Varsity/JV program or age-appropriate area hockey depending on skill and maturity. Explore the Youth Hockey Association in your area. Be aware that sign-up information for Area Youth Hockey is available early September and tryouts begin in October. SPA practice begins October 28 and ends late February. **
Boys Area Youth Hockey: Grades 9, 8, and 7 depending on skill and maturity, explore the Youth Hockey Association in your area. Be aware that sign-up information for Area Youth Hockey is available in early September and tryouts begin in October.
Boys and Girls Fencing: Varsity team and Middle School team practice begins November 11 and ends mid-February.
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Alpine Skiing: Varsity and qualified 7th and 8th grade USSA skiers practice begins November 11 and ends mid-February. The varsity teams will be limited to 12 skiers each. **
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Boys and Girls Nordic Skiing: Varsity and Development team practice begins November 11 and ends mid-February. **
Boys Swimming and Diving: Varsity and JV co-op team with Highland Park High School practice begins November 25, Athletes meet at Highland Park High School pool and ends early March. **
2014 SPRING SPORTS
Please check back for updated athletics program information.
Coaches will contact parents and athletes with preseason practice information.
I. 9-12TH GRADE SPRING SPORTSBaseball: Varsity and JV (a possible C level) team practice begins March 17. JV ends in late May and Varsity ends mid-June. **
Softball: Varsity and JV team practice begins March 10. JV ends late May and Varsity early June. **
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Boys Tennis: Varsity and JV practice begins March 24, weather permitting. JV ends late May and Varsity early June. **
Boys and Girls Track and Field: Practice begins March 10 and ends early June. **
Girls Lacrosse: Varsity and JV co-op team with Visitation High School. Practice begins March 24. Athletes meet at Visitation High School and ends late May. ** Note: 8th graders may petition to play.
II. 7-12 GRADE SPRING SPORTS #
Boys and Girls Golf: Varsity and JV team practice begins March 17 and ends early June. ** Note: The varsity teams will be limited to eight players each.
** Play-offs may extend the season.
# Lack of space forces us to limit the size of these teams.
◊ Sixth graders are invited to participate in practices only. MSHSL rules prohibit sixth graders from participating in Varsity or JV sports.
Schedules are subject to change