High School Athletics
- Athletic Offerings by Season
- Team Selection and Participation
- Holiday Conflicts
- Mandatory Participation Forms
- Eligibility
- Attendance
- Signing Ceremonies
- Varsity Letters
Athletic Offerings by Season
Fall | Coach/Contact |
Volleyball | Randy Thomas, ahnvolleyball@gmail.com |
Cross Country | Ray Rodriguez, rrodriguez@holynamestpa.org |
Swimming & Diving | Bill Shaffer, shaffer@tampabay.rr.com |
Golf | James Fredericks, greatexpectationsgolfacademy@gmail.com |
Crew |
Alex Thome, ahnrccoach@gmail.com
Craig Moore, ahnrcpresident@gmail.com
|
Jaguarettes |
Sofia Curry, scurry@holynamestpa.org
Kara Manelli, kmanelli@holynamestpa.org
|
Winter | Coach/Contact |
Soccer | Kareem Escayg, kescayg@hotmail.com |
Basketball | Chris Severini, cseverini@holynamestpa.org |
Spring | Coach/Contact |
Softball | Jeff Krone, jkrone01@yahoo.com |
Track & Field | Ray Rodriguez, rrodriguez@holynamestpa.org |
Tennis | Robert Quinn, rquinn@holynamestpa.org |
Lacrosse | Ariana Newman, anewman@holynamestpa.org |
Crew |
Alex Thome, ahnrccoach@gmail.com
Craig Moore, ahnrcpresident@gmail.com
|
NOTES:
- AHN’s Rowing Club and the Jaguarette dance squad are the only two athletic offerings not governed by the FHSAA. These are the only two sports that require additional fees to participate.
Team Selection and Participation
AHN fields a competitive athletic program. It is important to note that AHN’s athletic program is not of an intramural or recreational nature and every student may not be able to play at the level of competition offered. High demands are placed on each participant, especially at the high school level.
Team Selection/Cuts:
10 of AHN’s 12 high school sports have cuts. The determining factor for the eight sports that have cuts is the number of girls who come out for the team--if it is too high, the team will have cuts.
The number of players selected for each team is at the discretion of the coach and Athletic Director. The amount will vary from sport to sport, and it can vary from year to year in the same sport.
CUTS: basketball, dance, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball
NO CUTS: crew and cross country
All decisions regarding which student-athletes are selected for a team are made by the head coach with input from assistant coaches and with the final approval of the Athletic Director. Such decisions will be made in a timely manner at the completion of tryouts and will be based primarily upon individual performance at tryouts. Past performance, and past selection to a given team, does not determine current team selection. However, past performance/selection can be used to help determine current team selection when individual performances at tryouts are equal.
Those sports that have not had cuts in the past reserve the right to make cuts if an inordinately high number of girls come out for the team. This will be done for practical purposes when the number of would-be participants is larger than the team could carry and still conduct effective practices, etc. Also, although a team may not have cuts, each team has its own rules for attendance, participation, effort and conduct that must be followed to be a member of the team.
Tryouts:
All dates for tryouts are announced well in advance and are on the school calendar and the school website. Stay alert for any changes.
In order to be a member of a team that might have cuts, the student-athlete must attend at least one day of tryouts, even if the student-athlete is a member of a team whose season is in progress. In exceptional circumstances, appeals to this rule can be made to the Athletic Director.
When a student-athlete is a member of a team whose season is in progress, and she also wants to join a team for the next season in a sport that does not have cuts, the student-athlete must notify the head coach of the second sport of their intent to join the team. She can join the second sport once the first sport season has ended.
Those selected for a junior varsity team can be moved up to varsity, or vice versa, during the season at the discretion of the head coach with input from assistant coaches and with the final approval of the Athletic Director.
Participation:
There is no guarantee that each student-athlete will play or participate in each contest. This is increasingly true as AHN student-athletes move up the ladder of competition, from middle school to high school and from junior varsity to varsity. As a general rule, the coach will field the most competitive team in each contest while also pursuing opportunities to allow others to participate.
Student-athletes cannot participate in multiple sports in the same season (Fall, Winter, Spring). The rule of thumb: one sport per season, complete the current season before starting the next.
If a student-athlete quits a team after 50 percent of the regular season is completed (as measured by the mid-point on the calendar between the date of the first regular season contest and the district championship), she cannot join another AHN team until her previous team’s district playoffs are completed. If she quits within two weeks/14 days of the district championship, she cannot join another AHN team for two weeks/14 days.
Student-athletes must complete their current season before participating on a team in the next season. Participation in preseason conditioning for one team while a member of another team whose season is in progress is prohibited.
Since athletic seasons frequently overlap, student-athletes can try out for a team in the upcoming season while finishing up the current season. But they cannot join the second team until the first team’s season is completed.
Participation Exception:
Because the end of one high school sports season often overlaps with the beginning of the next, AHN has implemented a plan that allows for varsity athletes to have limited participation in the second sport season before the first season is complete. The student-athlete must have earned an AHN varsity letter in the second sport in order to qualify for this exception.
In such instances, the student-athlete must notify the Athletic Director at least four weeks prior to the tryout date of the second sport. The Athletic Director, along with the respective head coaches, will develop the best plan for that student-athlete for participating in both sports during the seasonal overlap. The plan will keep in mind that:
A. The first season, which is entering its final phases, is the more important season, especially the state series playoffs.
B. The student-athlete will participate in the second sport no more than twice in a week (contests or practices) until the first season sport is completed and cannot participate in more than one contest in a week. Therefore, in the second sport, over the course of a given week, she would participate in one of the following: one practice; one contest; two practices; or one contest and one practice.
C. The plan will not include missing any contests or practices of the first season sport in order to participate in the second season sport.
D. The AHN Athletic Trainer can restrict participation. If the trainer determines that participation in both sports simultaneously is not in the best interests of the overall health of the student-athlete, specifically concerning overuse injuries, the trainer can limit or restrict the student-athlete’s participation in the second sport.
A student-athlete who wishes to implement such a plan acknowledges that by participating in the second sport before the first sport season is complete, she could compromise her ability to do her best in the first sport, and vice versa. And as such, she might not perform her best in each sport and could alter her status/position on a team.
The Athletic Department advises student-athletes to finish the first season sport before starting the second, even those who have previously earned a varsity letter in both sports and are eligible for this exception. However, the Athletic Department will make every effort to implement a dual-participation plan, within the guidelines listed above, for those qualifying student-athletes who request it.
If a student-athlete has not declared her intent to the Athletic Director more than four weeks prior to the first day of practice or tryouts for the second sport, she will adhere to the standard rule, which requires she try out for the second sport but then return to the first sport exclusively until that season is complete.
Semester Exams
Student-athletes who miss exams due to athletic contests must make-up their exams after the originally scheduled exam date. Exceptions to this policy are rare and may only be granted by the High School Administration.
Off-Season and Preseason Conditioning
Athletes are encouraged to participate in off-season conditioning, and high school teams are allowed to conduct organized preseason conditioning sessions in accordance with FHSAA rules before the start of tryouts or practice in each sport. While such sessions can improve performance and are encouraged, they are optional and participation in preseason conditioning is not a factor in team selection at tryouts.
Holiday Conflicts
When practices and/or contests take place during vacations and holidays, attendance is still mandatory. Teams will try to avoid such situations in general, but in some cases, it is considered an essential part of the season (such as with the basketball team’s Jaguar Holiday Tournament during the break between Christmas and New Year’s Day) or is otherwise unavoidable. Sometimes AHN’s spring break occurs during a critical part of the spring sports season, and important contests may be scheduled during this time. District and Region events, which are scheduled by the FHSAA and cannot be changed, sometimes take place during spring break or on Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Easter Monday. Please look ahead at the schedule before the start of the season and plan accordingly. There are never any practices or contests on Sunday.
Mandatory Participation Forms
Before a student-athlete can participate in AHN athletics, he/she must complete and submit the following forms to the Magnus Health Online Portal:
- EL2 (Physical)
- EL3 (Consent and Liability)
- AHN’s Athletic Travel Waiver and Liability Release
- Student-Athlete & Parent Handbook Affirmation
- COVID Opt-In Waiver (This form is not available through Magnus).
These forms can also be accessed on Magnus Health. These forms must be updated annually.
Eligibility
Academic:
To be eligible to participate in AHN co-curricular activities, which includes all clubs and athletic teams, students must follow a full subject schedule, maintain satisfactory conduct, and have an acceptable attendance record. An acceptable attendance record constitutes of less than 8 unexcused tardies and less than 16 tardies total, less than 8 absences TOTAL (without medical or club sport documentation), and less than 8 early dismissals and late arrivals.
Also, AHN has an incremental, progressive policy for maintaining academic eligibility designed to monitor academic progress and assist academic standing.
- Upon completion of the first four weeks of each semester, grades will be viewed weekly by the high school administration on Wednesdays. At that time, any student with a grade of 2 or more C’s or lower cannot miss the class(es) in which she received that (those) grade(s) to participate in a co-curricular event. Students will regain their eligibility once their grade(s) has (have) risen to or above 72%.
- Any student who receives a grade in two or more classes of C or lower is ineligible to participate in co-curricular activities for a three-week period. The three-week ineligibility period would be in effect over the first three weeks of the following semester.
- Any student who earns a weighted GPA below 2.00 in a semester is ineligible to participate in co-curricular activities the next semester.
Academic eligibility for participation in AHN high school athletics must be cleared with the High School Administration, which informs the Athletic Department of any ineligible student-athletes. If a student-athlete is ineligible, she can try out for a team. However, she may be cut due in part to her eligibility status, at the discretion of the head coach.
If a student-athlete becomes ineligible during a season, she cannot participate in or attend any practices, and she cannot be affiliated with the team during contests – i.e. she cannot ride the team bus, wear the team uniform, be in the team locker room, be on the team bench, etc. If an ineligible student-athlete becomes eligible during a sports season, she cannot join a team whose season is in progress unless:
- she was already selected to the team during tryouts or that team did not have any cuts,
- the team has at least four regular-season contests remaining, and
- the head coach and Athletic Director have given their approval.
Conduct:
The AHN High School Administration can prohibit a student-athlete from participating in athletics because of an ongoing conduct or effort matter, or because of a serious disciplinary matter, which is determined at the discretion of the administration on a case-by-case basis.
Attendance
Participation in practices and contests is dependent on school attendance. Below are the criterions that must be met to participate:
- A co-curricular activity is any school-sponsored activity (game, practice, club meeting, social event, etc.) that occurs outside of the traditional academic day, usually before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:25 p.m.
- Students absent from school may not attend a co-curricular activity or school function on the day of the absence.
- Students who become ill at school and go home sick may not attend or participate in any co-curricular activity or school function later that day. In the case of a student-athlete testing positive for Covid-19, AHN’s policies regarding returning to school will be followed for returning to play. Click for AHN’s Covid policies.
- Students who have attended school but who leave school for a medical or dental appointment may participate in a co-curricular activity later that day only if a doctor/dentist note, stating the day and time of the appointment, is provided to the HS receptionist. Students who are unable to provide a note prior to the appointment and who will be missing the remainder of the academic day may participate that day but are suspended from any additional co-curricular activity until such a doctor/dentist note is provided to the HS receptionist.
- Students arriving late to school who are not in attendance by 9:00 a.m. (M, T, R, F) and 9:45 a.m. (Wednesday), may not attend or participate in any co-curricular activity or school function later that day.
- Students who violate these policies will be suspended or placed on probation with their co-curricular activity and may face other disciplinary actions.
In addition, there are occasionally special all-school gatherings for assemblies, mini-course events, Masses, retreats, and service days. These events are an integral part of what it means to be a member of the Academy. A general pattern of absences, and specifically absences at these special events, may be used as a criterion by moderators and coaches when considering students for membership in co-curricular activities or leadership positions in those activities.
Attendance eligibility exceptions include the rare occasions when an athletic contest takes place during the school day (which can occur in District, Region or State competition at the end of the season). In such situations, attendance regulations will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the athletic department, in conjunction with the AHN administration, and fulfillment of such regulations is mandatory for participation in that competition.
Signing Ceremonies
Each year the AHN Athletic Department will coordinate and host a signing ceremony for senior athletes who are current members of their respective sport(s) at the Academy of the Holy Names and are signing to attend college to continue their athletic career in their respective AHN sport(s). The Athletic Department will look to schedule group ceremonies in the fall and the spring and will work with the athletes and families in finding a time that works for the respective families and the AHN school calendar.
Any non-AHN affiliated athlete who is signing collegiately will be acknowledged and celebrated by the high school administration at a to be determined high school convocation.
Varsity Letters
The head coach in each high school sport decides which student-athletes earn varsity letters. Appeals can be made through the Athletic Director.
The following guidelines are used to determine if a student-athlete has earned a varsity letter. These guidelines are not ironclad determinants of whether or not a student-athlete receives a varsity letter. For example, insufficient practice attendance in the judgment of the head coach, or quitting the team before the end of the season, can result in someone who has otherwise met the criteria for earning a letter to not receive one. Such decisions are at the discretion of the head coach with approval of the Athletic Director.
Guidelines for Earning a Varsity Letter:
- Basketball- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season games, or participation in state series competition.
- Crew- A member of the team in good standing for the fall and spring seasons, or a member of the team in good standing during the spring season, while participating in three or more regattas and meeting practice attendance requirements established by the head coach.
- Cross Country- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season meets, or participation in state series competition.
- Golf- Participation in three or more matches, or a member in good standing of the team for the entire season.
- Jaguarettes- A member of the team in good standing while being an active participant throughout the season’s required events and meeting practice attendance requirements established by the head coach.
- Lacrosse- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season games, or participation in state series competition.
- Soccer- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season games, or participation in state series competition.
- Softball- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season games, or participation in state series competition.
- Swimming & Diving- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season meets, or participation in state series competition.
- Tennis- Participation in three or more matches, or a member in good standing of the team for the entire season.
- Track & Field- Participation in four or more regular season meets, or a member in good standing of the team for the entire season. Each member of the team is required to practice and compete with the team through the completion of the District Meet.
- Volleyball- Participation in 50 percent or more of the regular season meets, or participation in state series competition.
A “member in good standing’’ is a student-athlete who abides by team rules and meets attendance standards established by the coach while maintaining a good attitude.
Student-athletes who fall short of meeting the criteria listed above can earn a letter at the discretion of the head coach with approval of the Athletic Director, or through an appeal to the Athletic Director, who makes final decisions on varsity letters.
A team manager also can earn a varsity letter if the head coach determines her contribution to the team warrants it.
Varsity Jackets/Sweaters
Varsity jackets and sweaters can be purchased at many sports apparel outlets in Tampa. The AHN Athletic Department recommends Teamwork Imprinted Sportswear, 2403 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.