Questions? Answers!

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• Q. How do I sign up my child for a sport?

  Students sign up for fall sports in the previous spring when the selct classes for the next academic year. Students sign up for winter sports in the fall, and for spring sports in the winter. Team sign-up takes place during the school’s course selection day or by emailing the Director of Athletics.

• Q. When do seasons start?

  • Seasons vary by sport, but generally, Upper School fall sports start two weeks prior to the start of school in August, and Middle School fall sports usually start one week after the start of school in September.
  • Winter sports for the Upper School generally start the first or second week of November. The Middle School usually starts the third week of November.
  • Sping Sports for both Middle and Upper School generally begin the first or second week of March.

• Q. Is there a participation fee to play?

  There is no participation fee required to play on a Hackley team. There may be fees associated with the purchase of uniforms, travel costs, and meals, but this will vary by division and team.

• Q. Are there tryouts for every team?

  Hackley School believes that every student should have the opportunity to play on an athletic team and therefore if the facilities allow it, no cuts are made. For those sports that play on courts, i.e. Tennis, Squash and Basketball, cuts have been made if the enrollment is higher than what our facilities can provide.

• Q. Can my child change their selection of sports?

  Yes, students may switch sports up until the end of the second week of practice.

   

• Q. Where can I find specific information related to one team?

  All teams have a Team Page on the Hackley Online website, which has all information related to that team, including a game schedule, directions to away games, coach information, win/loss record, and contact information for coaches.

• Q. What are typical practice times and expectations?

  Middle School teams (Grades 7-8) typically practice right after school from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Upper School teams typically practice from 3:30 to 6:00 PM.
  
  

  Generally, Middle School teams practice/play 4 times a week and Upper School teams practice/play 5-6 times a week. Players are expected to be at all practices and games. Reasonable accommodations can be made with prior communication with the coach.
  
  Expectations increase as students move from the Middle School to the Upper School, including practices and competitions during holidays or school vacations.

• Q. Do teams practice over school holiday periods?

  Middle School teams do not have practices over school holidays. Upper School teams do have practices during most holiday periods.

• Q. Can students play on a team and perform in a play in the same season?

  Generally not; the time commitment for athletic practice and games and the time commitment for play rehearsals would likely preclude a student from doing both.
  
  There may be the possibility of a student playing on a team and participating on the crew of a production during the season (i.e. building sets, running lights, helping with costumes), but this is dependent on both the sport and the production. Contact your student's coach and the faculty member directing the production for more information.

• Q. Can a student play two different sports the same season?

  Yes, It is possible but the time commitment to play on two different teams is very demanding.

• Q. When are game schedules available?

  Upper School game schedules are usually available a month before the season starts, if not earlier. Middle School game schedules are not available until the season starts, usually one week in advance of the first game.

• Q. Where can I find the most accurate game schedule?

  The most up-to-date game schedules will be on the Team Page on the HOL website. Parents and students can sign-up for Team notifications to get an email or text alert when there is a schedule change.

• Q. When is the athletic trainer available to student-athletes?

  The school's Certified Athletic Trainer is available to student-athletes starting at 2:00 PM Monday-Friday and prior to weekend competitions for for injury assessment, acute care (i.e. taping, bandaging, ice), injury prevention, rehabilitation, and guidelines for return to play.

• Q. When will we be notified if there is a cancellation due to weather?

  When weather is an issue, a decision about cancellation will be made by 1:00 PM. Cancellations will be posted inside the school and an email notification will be sent to all team parents. Parents can also sign up to be notified by email or text whenever there is a schedule change for their student's team.

• Q. Is there a formal concussion protocol?

  Yes, Hackley uses ImPACT Testing (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), an innovative concussion management program for athletes or individuals who are at risk for a concussion. ImPACT involves an online exam that athletes take prior to the athletic season. This baseline test is done on the Hackley campus, administered by the athletic trainer. All costs for the baseline testing are covered by Hackley.

• Q. What is the school's "return to play" policy?

  If an athlete is seen by a physician for an injury or illness that keeps them out of practices/games, they MUST have a signed doctor's' note explaining they are fully cleared to return to play before they are allowed to resume participation. Only the School Nurse can give clearance and all notes must go to her before returning to practice.