Middle School Athletics

Middle School athletics is an optional program for our students. We offer a robust and competitive athletics program that is open to all student-athletes who desire to participate at a more competitive level. Although winning is an important goal, we also put a large emphasis on the process. We feel that demonstrating a dedication and commitment to one’s team, maintaining a positive attitude, striving to win, and doing your very best are key components of the athletic experience at the middle school level.

Athletic Program Goals

Honing skills: Playing sports instills valuable lessons and delivers many lifelong benefits. Our coaches are an instrumental part of our program and bring knowledge and expertise, emphasizing the fundamentals and introducing more advanced level skills to challenge every player. Athletes have opportunities to advance and challenge themselves all while preparing for the next level of competitive sports.

Teamwork: We believe building strong character and how to work well with others towards a common goal is a very important and valuable life skill. Students also learn the importance of mutual respect and personal responsibility, they form deeper friendships with teammates, and they gain self-confidence. The program emphasizes  good sportsmanship, flexibility and cooperation, and encourages athletes to exhibit a healthy winning spirit and a strong sense of fair play.

Compete: Milton’s middle school athletics program introduces students to a variety of individual and team sports, giving them opportunities to develop sport-specific skills, tactical awareness, and compete against other schools. Our teams prepare and compete hard to win, but also learn how to win (and lose) all while demonstrating good sportsmanship and fair play.

Commitment: Athletics is a choice (not a requirement) students can make with each season. With a decision to compete on one of our interscholastic teams, our students learn about commitment, dedication, and what is required to be a good contributor and team member. Being a part of one of our teams also helps advance leadership skills and opportunities.

Sports Offered

Fall: Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer, All-Gender Cross Country, Field Hockey, Flag Football, All-Gender Volleyball

Winter: Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Basketball, Hockey, All-Gender Squash, Wrestling

Spring: Girls’ Lacrosse, Boys’ Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, All-Gender Track and Field, All-Gender Tennis

Resources

Strength and Conditioning
For athletes of all levels, this is a fitness program modeled after CrossFit programming. We implement functional movements at higher intensities to help move athletes to a greater level of fitness. We utilize kettlebells, wall balls, jump rope, box jumps, dumbbells, running, air squats, sit ups, push ups, burpees and more. All movements and loads are scaled to the individual’s level, always making mechanics and sound movement a top priority. No previous experience necessary, except for a positive attitude and a willingness to give it your all.
Team Selections and Ability Splits

While most of our sports can only accommodate a single team composed of students in Grades 6, 7, and 8, some sports have enough interest to warrant the creation of multiple teams. Currently, those sports with multiple teams include boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball. For these sports, we will conduct a tryout the first week of the season. All students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will have an opportunity to try out for our “A” team. The A team will include the highest-skilled and most experienced athletes regardless of age. Students who do not make the A team will comprise the B team.

All students will be placed on a team and participate in games. For reasons of safety, competitiveness, and sportsmanship, playing time may not always be equal for all athletes in all games. We hope that over the duration of the season each player will have opportunities to participate significantly in games and make contributions to the team.

Squash and Tennis will incorporate a team selection based on ability. Students who try out for squash and/or tennis and do not make the team will be placed in their second-choice winter/spring afternoon programs. Intramural squash and tennis opportunities will be provided through our Wellness curriculum in both the fall and spring seasons.

Game Day Information, Schedules and Cancellations

The Middle School Athletics website is updated as games are canceled, added and changed. Check the Calendar on this website for game times and locations, information about fields and courts, and—if the the game is away—return-to-campus bus times. The website is the most up-to-date place to access game day information.

If the weather is questionable, cancellations will be posted on the website by noon. When games are canceled, teams still practice indoors. Directions to opponents’ schools are available on this website

Please note that some games are played off-campus, and this will be noted on the athletic calendar. Bus return times are estimated and posted on the athletic calendar.

Safety, Injuries and Returning to Play
Every Middle School student has an ImPACT evaluation at the beginning of the school year. Developed by clinical experts who pioneered the field, ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most-widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. If a child gets a concussion during a game or practice, they will need to see their physician for a diagnosis, and must have a note from that physician indicating when they are ready to return to play.

If an athlete is injured during a game or practice, they should be evaluated by their physician or one of our athletic trainers. The athlete will need a return-to-play note from the physician in order for them to participate.

If the injury is such that an athlete must miss a significant part, or all, of the season, the student’s parents, advisor and athletic director will make a determination as to the best plan for the student.

After any injury, our athletic director should be notified so there is clear and timely communication with parents, coaches, and athletic training staff. Once we have determined what is in the best interest of the student, the athlete may use one of three options: 1) attend practice and watch/observe, 2) go to the training room and rehab during the practice time, or 3) be picked up at the end of the academic day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sports optional?
While sports are not required, participating in our Afternoon Program is required. Students can elect 1) to compete in an interscholastic sport, 2) participate in an intramural (3 days a week), or 3) perform in a theatrical production. There will be a sign-up three times (for each season) throughout the course of the school year. You have all already completed the first sign-up for the fall season.

When are Game Days? How do I find out where a game is being played, the time of the game, field location, pick-up time, or game day status?
You can find all of this information on our Middle School Athletics Calendar. Game days are Wednesdays and Fridays. Occasionally a team might compete on a different day. Sometimes a team will not have a game on a given Wednesday or Friday. If this is the case, they will practice from 2:15-3:45 p.m.

What schools does Milton play?
Including but not limited to: The Meadowbrook School, Dedham Country Day School, Noble and Greenough School, Thayer Academy, Beaver Country Day School, Brimmer and May School, the Rivers School, Shady Hill School, Dexter-Southfield School, Fessenden School, Winsor, School, Roxbury Latin School, Belmont Hill School, St. Sebastian’s School, Fay School, Boston Trinity Academy, Dana Hall, the Fenn School, Newton Country Day School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Tenacre Country Day School, the Park School, Derby Academy, the Pike School, Nashoba Brooks School, Charles River School

What equipment does my child need for sports?
They will need to have appropriate footwear for the sport they are participating in—ie cleats, basketball sneakers, and running shoes. They will need shorts, a T-shirt, sweatshirt/pants to change into. You can ask the athletic director or your child’s coach for more specifics regarding additional needs for each sport. This will also be communicated during orientation week. We supply all protective equipment for football, goalkeeping equipment, balls, cones, scrimmage vests, and game uniforms.

Are there locker rooms and water available during practice and games?
Every student will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Students should keep their equipment, uniforms, and practice clothes in this locker. We expect all students to have their own water bottle, and they are responsible for filling it before every practice and game. There are water sources in Ware Hall and the gym spaces.

What happens if my child suffers a concussion? Can you explain what impact testing is?
Developed by clinical experts who pioneered the field, ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. Every middle school student has impact testing at the beginning of the school year. If your child suffers a concussion in school or out of school, they should see their family doctor for further evaluation. Our athletic trainers will conduct the impact test only when the child is asymptomatic. The child’s physician should plan to evaluate and reevaluate the condition. We require a note from the physician restricting the student-athlete from participation as well as a follow-up note when they are allowed to return to play. The athletic director must be notified immediately and will work together with the student’s advisor on any classroom/academic accommodations that may be required.

What if my child has to miss a practice or game for an appointment? What is the procedure?
Participation in our afternoon program is a commitment, and we expect our athletes and performers to be there for every practice/rehearsal and attend every game. Any student who must miss a practice or game because of an urgent medical appointment or major family commitment must communicate clearly with the coach and/or athletic director ahead of time.

My child is injured or is not feeling well and cannot participate in practice or a game. What time should I pick them up from school?
Regardless of how long the student is unable to participate, it is important that the parent notify the athletic director. If it means the student misses a day or two of practice, they will be expected to stay with the team or receive rehabilitation from one of our athletic trainers. If it appears to be a long-term or season ending injury, the athletic director, parents, and advisor, will come up with a plan that makes the most sense for the student and the situation.

My child has an injury and cannot participate in sports. I am hoping to get an appointment for them to see the doctor as soon as possible. What is the best plan in this case?
Certainly, if your child has an injury and cannot participate, it makes sense to get an appointment with a doctor if necessary. If the only appointment time you can schedule is in the afternoon, then it is not a problem for your child to miss sports. Please notify the athletic director as soon as you know that your child will be missing a practice or a game. The athletic director will contact the coach about the student athletes’ attendance. We will also need a note from the doctor that they cannot participate, as well as a note of “return to play” when the student is cleared to participate.

It is raining or supposed to be stormy. What time should I pick up my child?
If it is a practice day, Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, the students will practice indoors during that 2:20-3:30 time that they usually have sports practice. Pick-up will remain the same. On game days, cancellations will be posted online, and the students will have practices from 2:20-3:30 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please check the website for game day cancellations.

What if my child returns from a game late and misses the 6 p.m. bus home?
Most of our buses return back to school at or before 6 p.m. If a student relies on the 6 p.m. bus home, in most cases, it is not a problem. However, we do anticipate that some teams will not make it back by six or can be unexpectedly delayed in traffic. Please arrange an alternative plan with your child to ensure that they are picked up upon return to the school. Coaches will have a cell phone for students to use in the event they do not have one. A student has permission to use a cell phone to contact family to let them know if the return to school is delayed and approximately what time the bus is due back to Milton.

Will games be made up if they are canceled?
We will try to reschedule games when we can. However, games are rarely rescheduled because most open dates we have in our schedule do not line up with an open date in the opponent’s schedule.

Milton-Mustangs

Contact


Samantha Lordi

Athletic Director
Samantha_Lordi@milton.edu

Athletics Office
617-898-2565

Upcoming Contests


view the athletics calendar