Dear Berkeley Carroll Athletes and Parents,
Even though our spring teams are still ending successful regular seasons and eagerly awaiting state tournament play, it is not too early to send out some information related to the fall preseason practice schedule. For our returning athletes, much of the information on this page will be familiar, similar to the programs that you have followed in past years. However, if you are transitioning from our Middle School or are entering Berkeley Carroll from another school, the following will outline “Preseason” for you.
The question that first comes to mind for many athletes and parents new to secondary school and to interscholastic sports at that level is “Why is there a ‘preseason’ “? There are several important reasons behind its existence:
First, in the interests of the health and safety of all athletes, an appropriate amount of training and conditioning is deemed essential before an athlete participates in any game/match. The governing body for Berkeley Carroll, as well as most independent schools, is NYSAIS. They have set two well thought out regulations in this area. First, each interscholastic team must have completed ten practices before beginning formal competition. Second, individual players must take part in eight practices before participating in formal competition.
Second, the fall season is perhaps the shortest in terms of the athletic calendar. There are approximately seven weeks of play (three in September, four in October). If schools/teams did not begin practice until the start of school, the season would further shrink to only five weeks. This would not only limit the athletic experiences of our fall participants but also interfere with other valuable, non-athletic experiences that accompany the start of a new school year.
Third, by establishing a two week period before the formal start of school, Berkeley Carroll and its peer schools are able to offer fall athletes the appropriate instruction and conditioning to compete at the secondary school level.
Finally, there are some intrinsic values in the experience itself. Perhaps the most important lessons to be taken from athletic participation involve teamwork and shared commitment. These two weeks in August provide coaches and players an opportunity to bond, to set realistic goals together and embark on a program to achieve them.
Along with all of these positive elements of preseason, we are very aware (and appreciative) of the sacrifice and commitment that participation requires of our athletes and families. Vacations are shortened; transportation and other logistics must be arranged. In order to limit these burdens, let me offer some early information:
- The calendar this year allows us to begin a little later than last year. Preseason practices for Varsity Boys Soccer, Varsity Girls Soccer, and Girls Varsity Volleyball, as well as any potential JV programs, begin on August 22 and run through the start of classes following Labor Day.
- These practices will be conducted at our usual location for play. The soccer teams will practice at the Parade Grounds; volleyball will use the Athletic Center.
- Practices during the first week will be conducted Monday through Friday (8/22---8/26) and Monday through Thursday (8/29---9/1) during the second week. This will allow athletes and families to enjoy a long Labor Day weekend to relax and to prepare for the start of school.
- A schedule of practices will be posted for the opening week of school (Tuesday, 9/6 through Friday, 9/9).
- Volleyball will begin by participating in the Brearley tournament on Saturday, 9/10; competition for our soccer teams begins on Monday, 9/12. Please keep these dates in mind in terms of meeting NYSAIS requirements.
We hope to post some important forms on this website shortly; hard copies will also be mailed in June/early July. These will include health forms and a Parent Consent Form. I would ask that you pay some added attention to the latter form. A primary goal of this summer’s efforts includes efforts to improve our communication with families. We hope to prepare preliminary e-mail lists that will enable more timely and complete communication with the families of our student-athletes. With your cooperation, the summer months will provide opportunity to lay the foundations for these efforts.
Thanks for all of your help and cooperation as we prepare for the coming year.