As we gear up for a new school year, we’re excited to share information about our athletics program for students interested in trying out for a team.
Pioneer Middle School is proud to offer eight competitive sports as part of the Middle School Athletic Association. All students in grades 6 through 8 are eligible to try out. Each sport has one boys team and one girls team. There are no separate teams by grade level, and all students compete for the same roster spots. Teams are selected through a tryout process, and sadly, not all students who try out will make the team.
Tryouts take place after school from 3:45 to 5:00 PM. Students should be picked up in the parent loop on the south side of the school. Tryout dates are communicated approximately two weeks before each season begins. For the fall, our first sports golf, cross country, and soccer start within the first month of school, so early completion of eligibility requirements is strongly encouraged.
To be eligible for tryouts, all students must create an account at Aktivate.com and submit a completed physical and an approved insurance and permission form. This only needs to be done once per school year. Students without completed and approved forms on file will not be allowed to participate. On the day of tryouts, students should remain in their sixth period class until the second bell and then report to the locker room to check in with coaches. Parents are not permitted to attend tryouts.
Tryouts may be organized by grade level for efficiency, but all students are competing for one school-wide team. If a student cannot attend tryouts because they are participating in another Pioneer sport, they must notify the coach or athletic director in advance. Arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis.
To participate in sports at Pioneer, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in the previous, and current, academic quarter. For fall sports like soccer, cross country, and golf, eligibility is based on 4th quarter grades from the previous school year. Sixth graders are exempt from this GPA rule for first quarter sports only. In addition to academic eligibility, student-athletes are expected to maintain good behavior and attendance throughout the season.
Once teams are selected, coaches will post the team list on the athletics bulletin board in the cafeteria, and share practice and game schedules through the Remind app. Practices and games are held after school, typically 2 to 4 days per week. Games are played both at Pioneer and at other middle schools in the district. Bus transportation is provided for away games. Families are welcome to attend games for a three dollar admission fee, which supports our athletic program.
Students are encouraged to come prepared to all tryouts, practices, and games with appropriate clothes and shoes for their sport and bring water and stay hydrated throughout the day. The school provides uniforms for the season, which must be returned in good condition at the end of the season.
In the event of weather delays or schedule changes, families will be notified.
Thank you and please email Ross Levine, Athletic Director with any athletic questions.
