Parents and students, including current eighth graders, who hope to play Fall sports at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) attended a Fall Athletics Night in May to hear from Athletic Director Chris Van Vliet, and speak to team coaches. After welcoming remarks and a presentation by Van Vliet about the philosophy, mission and information about key upcoming dates, students and parents went to breakout sessions throughout the school to meet and speak with coaches. There were coaches representing Football, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Field Hockey, Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis, Girls volleyball, Fall Cheerleading, Gymnastics and Competition Cheer.
“I was very pleased with our fall athletics night,” said Van Vliet. “We had a nice turnout, and the feedback I received was all positive. My hope is that our fall athletes are now more informed about our athletic department and the important items that need to be completed before practice begins, as well as the expectations of our coaches in each of our fall programs.”
The WHRHS Athletic Department has two athletic trainers, Terry Marcazo and Michelle Armonda. There are 33 head coaches and 92 coaches in all. Van Vliet said the WHRHS athletic philosophy is: “To provide a competitive athletic environment that strives to maximize the development of our student-athletes in the areas of personal growth, positive team experiences, and individual responsibility. The athletic department supports an atmosphere that embraces school spirit, honors tradition, and helps to develop productive members of society.
Academic eligibility is extended to all freshman athletes for teams that compete during their first Fall and Winter season, Van Vliet said. To be academically eligible to compete during the Spring season, freshman athletes must have completed 15 credits during their first semester at WHRHS. For sophomores, juniors and seniors, students must have completed 30 credits from the previous school year to be eligible to compete during the Fall and Winter Seasons. For the Spring Season, they must have 15 credits at the end of the first semester.
Students interested in participating in fall sports will faced key deadlines for forms and physicals even before the end of school in June, Van Vliet said. First day for all Fall sports is Monday, Aug. 15th, except for Football, which starts Wednesday, Aug. 10. More information can be found on the department web site at www.whrhs.org.
(above, l-r) Assistant Coach of Boys and Girls Cross Country Cara Yuknis, Head Girls Cross Country Coach Gena Pinto, incoming freshman Alyssa Blocker of Stirling, incoming freshman Reecie Kirchofer of Green Brook Township, sophomore Robert Fippinger of Warren Township, and Head Boys Cross Country Coach Dominic Tasco. Photo by WHRHS.
