Eligibility Sports Season
For high school, a full-time student earns academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for the marking period which governs eligibility for that activity.
WINTER-based on 1st Quarter, and SPRING-based on 2nd Quarter grades.
Update-Athletics Participation
In an effort to ensure the safety and health of students while participating in school-sponsored winter athletics practices and competitions, HCPSS will require all student-athletes in grades 9–12 to provide proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing in order to participate. This requirement will begin with the start of winter athletics practices during the 2021–2022 school year.
Parents/guardians may provide proof of vaccination by one of the following ways:
Upload proof of vaccination documentation through HCPSS Connect
Email proof of vaccination documentation to the Athletics and Activities Manager (AAM) at their child’s school
Drop off a paper copy of proof of vaccination to the AAM at their child’s school
Proof of vaccination documentation may consist of a scan or image of the vaccine card that was provided by the health organization that administered the vaccine, or documentation received from ImmuNet - the State’s immunization information system.
Fully vaccinated students who wish to participate in winter athletics (including Allied Sports, and student team managers) and do not wish to undergo weekly testing should provide vaccine verification no later than Thursday, November 11, 2021. Otherwise, testing for all participating student-athletes who have not confirmed vaccine verification will begin on Friday, November 12, 2021 prior to the start of practice on Monday, November 15, 2021. Student-athletes will require parent permission to undergo the testing through the Maryland Department of Health contractor who will conduct the weekly testing for HCPSS. A permission form will be sent by your school’s AAM.
Additionally, all paid and volunteer coaches for winter athletics must provide proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing. Vaccine verification and testing will not be required for spectators.
Season Start Dates
Fall Sports Tryouts – Starting August 11, 2021, DEADLINE to REGISTER is Tuesday August 10, 2021
Winter Sports Tryouts – Starting November 15, 2021, DEADLINE to REGISTER is Sunday November 14, 2021.
Spring Sports Tryouts – Starting March 1, 2022 DEADLINE to REGISTER is February 28, 2022
Online Registration for Athletes (Winter Sports is now OPEN using Canvas Parent Portal).
Parents/guardians can complete required forms, download physicals and proof of residency, and more as part of the online registration process.
Please note-Do not use Cell Phones, Use Parent Portal, Allow Pop Ups, and Limit File Size (4MB) for all uploads.
Instructions for Sports Registration
Go to https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
Do not use your Mobile Phone;
Login to your HCPSS Connect Portal (Parents & Guardian MUST use the parental login. Using your students log in info. will not allow you to register); Once logged in, go to the menu on the left and click the bottom option More Options (Family File, Reports Cards, etc.). If you have more than one student make sure you have selected the student from the drop down menu at the top of the page.)
Click on Athletic Registration on the right hand side Menu, select the correct season Fall/Winter/Spring;
Complete all of the forms: Parent Authorization Form, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form, Concussion, please complete all additional documents…Do not skip or leave any boxes blank.
Upload the following forms: Physical Examination Form dated on/after November 15, 2020 for winter sports. Upload ALL pages of the Physical Examination Form. Older physicals will not be accepted.
Upload a RECENT Utility bill. Older Utility bills will not be accepted. Utility (BGE, Potomac Edison, Solar,...Water, Cable/Satellite are allowed) **No Cell Phone Bills will be accepted**
**Reminder Physicals for Athletics are different from those used to register to attend school. The Athletic Physical must include a statement that the athlete is cleared for athletic participation without restriction.
Please, make sure Physicals have all signatures (Parent/Guardian, Athlete, and Physician) before scanning and uploading. Fall 2021 physicals can be used for Winter 2021 and Spring 2022 season, Winter physicals can be used for Spring. Athletes will need a new physical for next school year, dated no earlier than April 1st of the previous school year.
**Returning Athletes-If a Student Athlete is returning from Fall to play Winter and/or Spring season and wants to use the fall physical, parent/guardians will need to click the checkbox (option to use physical on file dated...) and save. Otherwise, it’ll wait for a new one to be uploaded. Reminder, returning athletes will still need to complete permission information and upload a new utility bill.
Updated Physical Form link: https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/preparticipation-physical-evaluation-form.pdf
Updated Covid Information Form Link: https://www.hcpss.org/f/athletics/covid-info-signoff-form.pdf
Helpful How to Guide is available at http://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/hcpss-connect-guide-hs-athletic-registration.pdf
Winter 2021 Tryout Information-1st Day of Tryouts begins Monday November 15, 2021
Make sure all paperwork is complete or online submission complete. Reminder practices begin after tryouts are completed.
NO WALKUPS ARE ALLOWED. Contact your Coach, emails below
Girls Basketball- Rhonda Corkeron - rhonda_corkeron@hcpss.org
Boys Basketball- Deon Wingfield - deonne_wingfield@hcpss.org
Cheer- Emily Townsend - emily_townsend@hcpss.org
Wrestling- John Wallace - john_wallace@hcpss.org
Indoor Track- Darnerien McCants - darnerien_McCants@hcpss.org
Allied Bowling- Kristyn Neubauer - kristyn_neubauer@hcpss.org
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do we need to turn in all paperwork or complete online registration before an athlete is allowed to tryout? Yes
2. How long are tryouts? Student athletes are given 3 days from the scheduled start date for tryouts
3. When do practices begin after tryouts? Regular practices begin immediately after rosters are finalized at the end of tryout period.
4. How long is the Impact Test (Concussion Baseline) good for? The Impact test baseline is good for 2 years.
5. What is the roster size for _______ ? Each team roster is determined by the coaching staff.
6. How many courses do I need to be registered for my Senior year to be eligible to participate?
HCPSS requires "One on campus" course
7. Why do we have to begin on a particular date (i.e. August 11 for Fall, November 15 for Winter, and March 1 for Spring)?
The MPSSAA establishes start dates for all sports in MD
A member MPSSAA school (includes athletes) may not participate in a regularly scheduled game until at least 20 calendar days have elapsed after and including the first day of practice. Golf is the only exception.
This is why we are required to begin on August 11th so we have enough days (including the 3 Heat Acclimation days) of practice before the 1st play date which happens to be Friday September 3, 2021.
Issues could arise if we don't allow enough time for proper Heat Acclimation and/or preparation of athletes.
8. What is the link for the NCAA Eligibility Center? contact information? (For student athletes interested or planning to play in college)
http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/eligibility-center
For students and parents with eligibility questions:
877/262-1492 (toll free)
317/917-6222
Additional NCAA information can be found at http://www.hcpss.org/athletics/ncaa-participation/
At all Howard County athletic events, we strive to provide a pleasant and safe environment for all spectators and participants. We ask fans to refrain from:
Admission is a privilege to observe a contest, not a license to display insensitive or offensive behavior. Enjoy the event! Be a fan, not a fanatic!
Student athletic policy agreement form for new student athletes.
Sports Concussion Testing Program and Release of Information
Agreement for families that acknowledge HCPSS may administer pre-concussion baseline testing and post-concussion testing after a sports-related injury.
HCPSS Athletics Concussion Information Sheet
Overview of concussion signs and symptoms that can occur in student athletes.
Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Form
Physician forms for future student athletes to fill out prior to sport seasons.
COVID-19 AwarenessParent/Student-AthleteParticipationAcknowledgement Statements
Medication Procedure Information
Protocols for administration of student medication during school hours along with a medication administration history form for physicians.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information
Acknowledgement statement and guidelines for identifying and responding to a cardiac arrest scenario.