1. Athletic Parent & Athlete Meeting

2. Spartan Athletic Mission
The Sossaman Middle School Athletic Program is committed to uphold a positive culture in which coaches, parents, fans, officials, and athletes work together to create a first-class experience that will have a long-term impact.
Our coaches strive to create an encouraging environment that will allow each student athlete to learn life lessons that have value beyond the game.
Our athletes will learn the skills, tactics, and strategies of the game and improve as players while feeling valued as team members.

3. Why do we do this? Developing skills and physical abilities
Increasing resilience to overcome challenges
Building relationships with teammates
Learning from positive adult role models
To become champions in the game and in life

4. Overview of Sossaman Athletics
We are members of the EVC
East Valley Conference.
For schedule, standings, and maps to away games: Link of conference we compete in
The conference includes a total of 10 schools from Queen Creek, Higley, and Chandler.

5. We follow HUSD rules
HUSD follows AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association)
Students are required to complete athletic packet.
Parents and students should be aware of the risks of being involved in sports.

6. We are partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance
Their motto is
“Better Athletes,
Better People”

7. Double Goal
Our coaches have the goal of winning but even more important- the goal of teaching life lessons through sports (a primary initiative of the Positive Coaching Alliance).
Triple-Impact Competitors –
Making themselves better through individual effort.
Making their teammates better through being a supportive teammate.
Making the sport better through following rules, honoring officials and demonstrating sportsmanship.

8. 8th – Jesse Brown Jesse.Brown@husd.org
Boys Basketball
8th – Jesse Brown
7th – Lena Dibartolomeo

9. Cross Country Coaches – Tracy Maluski and Troy Emenecker

10. Softball 8th – Ashlyn Leyba Ashlyn.Leyba@husd.org
7th - Alix Hoyt

11. What to Expect
Season schedule includes home and away games, playoff, and championship game.
All students who “suit up” will have game time.
Coaches are responsible for determining the duration of play.

12. Student safety Coaches are first aid/CPR trained.
First Aid kits are at every game.
Water is provided.
Heat guidelines are followed.
Accident reports are filed for any injury.
Emergency action plans are in place.

13. Responsibilities
There is a $100 athletic fee (nonrefundable) per season, with a $350 family cap per year
Please take it upon yourself to track the amount you have paid in athletic fees for the current school year.
Uniforms are loaned from the school and must be returned in good condition at the end of the season or you will be charged to replace it
Stay a positive leader on campus.

14. Eligibility
The first eligibility check will be run at progress reports.
After progress reports grade checks will be run every week.
Any student who is failing a course will be ineligible.
Students may become eligible by submitting an signed grade check form after pulling up their score in the class which they are failing.
Students who are deemed ineligible are required to miss at least one athletic competition.

15. Eligibility Continued…
Students with misbehavior at school may not be eligible for participating in games as determined by the coach and athletic director.
Students who serve ISS during the school day will not be allowed to participate in any GAMES that day.
Students must attend at least 3 class periods in order to participate practice or games. If a student is out ill they may not return for athletic competition.

16. Transportation You may only transport YOUR student.
Busses depart from SMS before dismissal
Team must travel to athletic events together
Parents may pick up at the away location but must sign out the student

17. How Can You Help? Coordinate snacks for games Carpool for practices
Support a positive team culture
Be a good example of sportsmanship
Cheer for our players without coaching
Stay positive about coaches and players and officials
Address concerns with coaches first
Please wait 24 hours before discussing concerns with the coach.
Do not approach coaches at or immediately after an athletic competition

18. Help students succeed in sports and in life
BE A DUAL GOAL PARENT
Encourage your child to give maximum effort
Use sports as a learning experience
Help your child get past mistakes
Be an example- respect the rules, opponents, officials, teammates, and self
Encourage your student to self-advocate for their athletic and academic needs.

19. Athletic Recognition Pep assemblies Team pictures
Morning announcements
Quarterly athletic banquet
MVP
Most Improved
Spartan Strong
Participation

20. We are always looking for sponsors
Encourage friends and family to donate to Sossaman Middle School
Community partnerships
Community Donations
Business sponsors- banner

21. Fundraising Individual teams can raise money for their program
Using tax credit donations can save your family $200 - $400 a year
We can’t charge admission at our events but we can run concession tables at home games
Please contact me for more information.

22. SMS Athletic Boosters
The Spartans have a highly successful booster organization which promote school spirit and pride
The PTSO can help raise money to support transportation costs, replace or upgrade equipment, provide grants, organizing raffles, selling concessions, or seeking out sponsors takes a team.

23. It costs about $40,000 to run our program annually.
Participation fees can be paid using tax credit donations
Tax credits can be $200 individually or $400 per family
Any tax donation monies paid will be reimbursed by the state at the end of the tax year.
$100 individual athlete participation fees go towards:
Coach salaries
Transportation
Officials
Equipment
Conference Dues
Facility maintenance and upgrades

24. Communication Follow us on Twitter
@sossamansports
@SMS_Spartans
Information and Forms can be found on our website
District forms and documents
Constant Contact
Directions for signing up can be found on our website.
Constant contact updates
Notice of changes to athletic information will sent automatically to you.

25. Brandon Keeling - Athletic Director
Angie Marqueling– Administrative Assistant