Grades 9-12 | Winter Sports 2024-25

Winter sports offered include Basketball, Dance, and Swimming and Diving. 

Every student trying out must have all medical documentation completed in Magnus Health. A current physical is required to play. Most physicals are valid for two years from the date of the examination unless the physician states that it is only valid for one year. Incoming ninth graders must have a physical issued after January of the current school year. To guarantee that the physical meets the MSHSAA requirements for student-athletes, students in grades 9-12 should use the MSHSAA (preferred) or Villa physical form. Please email Tim Deines, Athletic Director, at tdeines@villa1929.org with questions regarding medical information. Students and parents should review all of the athletics information, especially the Parent’s Guide to Concussion, in the Co-Curricular section of the Student-Parent Handbook.

School attendance is mandatory for student-athletes.

Any absences can negatively impact a team, individuals need to commit to attending all practices and games and make the team their priority.  Please look over the athletics schedule carefully before planning or committing to other appointments or events.

• Students must be present at school by the end of the first period or they will not be eligible to play or practice that day.  Individual circumstances will be handled by the Athletic Director and Dean of Students.

• Students participating in sports must be enrolled and pass a minimum 7/8 classes.

Excused absences include:

• Illness – An extended illness will require a doctor’s note.

• Physician/Dental Appointments – Students must submit a note to the coach from the physician’s/dentist’s office confirming the day and time of the visit.

• Family Emergency – Parents must communicate any emergencies with coach/Athletic Director. 

• College Visits – Students are allowed one (1) excused college visit during a season.

• School-sponsored Activities – Show Choir, Retreats, and other school-sponsored requirements.

• Academics – Academic excuses are allowed with confirmation/communication from a faculty member to the coach/Athletic Director.

• If a student is involved in a club sport, per MSHSAA rules, the high school sport takes priority over club activity. Students must communicate with coach/Athletic Director for permission to miss high school sport for club activity.

Individual circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the coach, Athletic Director, and Principal. Athletes will be allowed two (2) unexcused absences during a season. Excessive absences could result in removal from a team.

Holiday Breaks:
Students are expected to be in attendance for any practices or contests during holiday breaks. If you believe there will be scheduling conflicts due to holiday travel, please contact the coach directly to communicate and ask for a tentative schedule.

Selection of Teams:
Villa Duchesne wishes to provide a safe and positive experience for each student who wishes to participate in athletics. We encourage students to participate in sports, especially ninth graders. The number of students participating affects how many teams we can field. Depending on the amount of participation from the student body, size limitations may be imposed in some sports. When this occurs, coaches will evaluate students based on attitude, work ethic, skill, fitness, and the needs of the program to select the participants of a team. There is no guarantee that a student will make a team even if she made a team the previous year or that the student will move to the next level the following year.  No-cut sports for fall include cross country. All students trying out for a team are required to be present beginning the FIRST DAY so that we achieve the mandatory 14 days of practices required by MSHSAA prior to the start of the season contests and everyone participates in the tryout process. If you have any questions regarding a sport, please contact the head coach.

Basketball – Tryouts begin on Monday, November 4, from 3:30-5:30 pm in Kenefick Gym and run through Friday. Number of teams and cuts will depend on student turnout. Practice times could change after teams have been set. Please bring basketball shoes, appropriate top and shorts, and water bottle. Head Coach: Kevin Youngblood, kevin.youngblood@sbcglobal.net

Dance – Dance is a club sport. Tryouts begin on Monday, November 11, from 3:15-5:15 pm in the dance studio (lower level, west side of Kenefick gym). There is one team, and cuts may be made depending on student turnout. Head Coach: Stacey Buske, villasaintsations@gmail.com

Swimming and Diving - Tryouts begin on Monday, November 11, from 3:30-5:30 in the pool located on the lower level of Kenefick Gym. The number of teams and cuts will depend on student turnout. Please bring a swimsuit, towel, goggles, and water bottle. Head Coach: Cheryl McCrary, mccrarycheryl@att.net

If you are planning on diving, please email Mr. Deines at tdeines@villa1929.org. Dive practices will be held at John Burroughs.  The practice schedule is TBD. Dive Coach: Andy Balczo, a.j.balczo@gmail.com.

 

Go Saints!