Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT SPORTS ARE OFFERED AND WHEN ARE THEIR SEASONS & PRACTICE TIMES?
All MISD middle schools offer football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, tennis, and track & field.
Fall Semester
Football (August – November)
Fall & Spring Semesters
Basketball (October – February)
Spring Semester
Tennis (February – April)
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE IN THE ATHLETIC PERIOD IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPORT?
Yes! A student must be in the athletic period in order to compete in any sport.
HOW MANY SPORTS CAN ONE ATHLETE PARTICIPATE IN PER YEAR?
An athlete can participate in as many schools sports as they can handle. If a sport coincides with another sport, then both head coaches will work out a schedule so the athlete can participate in both, if possible.
WILL MY CHILD HAVE TO TRY OUT FOR A TEAM OR WILL HE/SHE AUTOMATICALLY BE ON A TEAM IF THEY ARE IN ATHLETICS?
IF MY CHILD DOES NOT MAKE A TEAM, WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING DURING THE ATHLETIC PERIOD?
Athletes who are not involved in a sport will participate in our Performance Course program during the class period. Performance Course is designed to increase speed, quickness, agility, and strength regardless of the athlete's sport of interest. Student athletes must participate in at least one sport per year.
WHO PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION FOR MY CHILD IF THEY HAVE BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES?
Parents are responsible for making arrangements to transport their child. Coaches will make every effort to have your child out of practice on time; therefore, it will be greatly appreciated if parents are on time picking athletes up.
WHAT NIGHTS ARE THE GAMES ON?
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO RIDE TO AND FROM THE GAMES ON THE BUS?
All athletes will ride to the games on the team bus. Transportation after the games, back to the school, will only be provided for out of town events. Parents are responsible for pick up at all McKinney middle school locations.
CAN AN ATHLETE PARTICIPATE IN A SCHOOL SPORT AND AN OUTSIDE LEAGUE SPORT AT THE SAME TIME?
Yes. However, if there is a conflict in the schedules (practices or games), then the school sport is the first priority. If any athlete misses a practice/games for an outside league practice/game then the athlete will be suspended for the next athletic event.
CAN MY DAUGHTER BE A CHEERLEADER OR ON THE DRILL TEAM AND BE IN ATHLETICS?
Yes.
WHO PAYS FOR THE ATHLETIC UNIFORM?
The school provides game uniforms and sweats for the athletes. Parents are responsible for providing appropriate shoes, and purchasing the Faubion athletic practice uniform. Each athlete is required to purchase an athletic practice uniform. These can be ordered through the FMS Athletic Booster Club. All equipment is provided by the school; however, in tennis, it will be necessary for your athlete to own a racquet in order to try out and compete. Some sport specific accessories may be necessary for each sport, i.e. volleyball knee pads.
CAN MY SON WEAR HIS OWN HELMET OR SHOULDER PADS TO PRACTICE AND GAMES?
MISD does a great job in purchasing the best shoulder pads and helmets for our young men. All helmets or shoulder pads, other than what is issued by MISD, must be approved by the MISD athletic department prior to its use within our facilities.
ARE LOCKERS PROVIDED IN THE ATHLETIC DRESSING ROOMS FOR MY ATHLETE TO STORE THEIR EQUIPMENT?
Yes. A personal combination is provided for each locker.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A PARENT?
We hope that you will take an active role as an Athletic Booster Club participant and be involved in watching your child compete at his/her games. The most important thing that we expect from you is to encourage your athlete and team, and be supportive of the coaching staff. We do require that parents, with a child in-season, help work the concession stand at least once per season.
WHAT PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED FOR MY CHILD TO BE IN ATHLETICS?
Each year, every athlete must have a physical on file dated after April 1st. You must also electronically sign all documents on RankOne pertaining to the athletic program. Athletes are not allowed to dress out or participate in any practice until the physical and all paperwork has been completed and on file. Therefore, they could easily miss the opportunity to try out for a sport. Students will also be removed from the athletic program if paperwork is not completed in a timely manner.
HOW DOES MY CHILD EARN A GRADE IN ATHLETICS?
Athletes are graded upon their participation and for dressing out in the proper workout attire. Athletes will earn a possible 20 points a day for a total of 100 per week.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SICK?
If an athlete is going to miss a practice and/or game they are required to contact their coach prior to missing. This can be done through a phone call or an email. Any in-season athlete that misses practice will be required to "make-up" practice before they are allowed to participate in a game. A parent note asking for their child to be excused because of illness or injury is good for 2 days only. After 2 days, a doctor's note will be required or the athlete's absence and/or lack of participation will be unexcused.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD HAS TO USE OR CARRY AN INHALER?
This should be noted on the physical when we receive it. The athlete/parent should also communicate this information with their child's coach. We will work with the parents in deciding the best way to ensure the inhaler is available to their child at all times during the athletic period/event.
WHO ARE THE COACHES FOR EACH OF THE SPORTS?
7th Football
Penny Larsen
Constantin Gentea
Jeremy Callaway
Justin Ballou
8th Football
Danny Denton
Zach Wiggins
Ricky Carter
7th Boys Basketball
Justin Ballou
Constantin Gentea
8th Boys Basketball
Jeremy Callaway
Zach Wiggins
Boys Track & Field
Danny Denton
Penny Larsen
Ricky Carter
Justin Ballou
Boys/Girls Tennis
Constantine Gentea
7th Volleyball
Janie Green
Avery Harty
8th Volleyball
Amber Burgess
Erin Riley
7th Girls Basketball
Stormie Ballew
Avery Harty
8th Girls Basketball
Erin Riley
Ariel Perez
Boys/Girls Cross Country
Ariel Perez
Tina Marshell
Girls Track & Field
Amber Burgess
Janie Green
Stormie Ballew
All MISD middle schools offer football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, tennis, and track & field.
Fall Semester
Football (August – November)
- 6:30-8:15 am
- 7th Grade: 6:30-8:15 am
- 8th Grade: 3:00-5:15pm
- 7:15-8:15 am
Fall & Spring Semesters
Basketball (October – February)
- 7th Grade: 6:45-8:15 am
- 8th Grade: 3:00-5:15 pm
Spring Semester
Tennis (February – April)
- 7:15-8:15 am
- 4:00-5:15 pm
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE IN THE ATHLETIC PERIOD IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPORT?
Yes! A student must be in the athletic period in order to compete in any sport.
HOW MANY SPORTS CAN ONE ATHLETE PARTICIPATE IN PER YEAR?
An athlete can participate in as many schools sports as they can handle. If a sport coincides with another sport, then both head coaches will work out a schedule so the athlete can participate in both, if possible.
WILL MY CHILD HAVE TO TRY OUT FOR A TEAM OR WILL HE/SHE AUTOMATICALLY BE ON A TEAM IF THEY ARE IN ATHLETICS?
- Football - No cuts
- Volleyball - 3 teams with a max of 32 players. There will be cuts depending on the number trying out.
- Cross Country - No cuts, but each week there will be a run off for the top spots to compete at the meets.
- Basketball - 3 teams with a max of 32 players. There will be cuts depending on the number trying out.
- Tennis - There will be a total of 26 spots available (13 total from each gender with any combination of 7th and 8th graders). There will be cuts depending on the number trying out.
- Track - No cuts, but the athletes will have to qualify for spots to compete each week.
IF MY CHILD DOES NOT MAKE A TEAM, WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING DURING THE ATHLETIC PERIOD?
Athletes who are not involved in a sport will participate in our Performance Course program during the class period. Performance Course is designed to increase speed, quickness, agility, and strength regardless of the athlete's sport of interest. Student athletes must participate in at least one sport per year.
WHO PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION FOR MY CHILD IF THEY HAVE BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES?
Parents are responsible for making arrangements to transport their child. Coaches will make every effort to have your child out of practice on time; therefore, it will be greatly appreciated if parents are on time picking athletes up.
WHAT NIGHTS ARE THE GAMES ON?
- Football - Tuesdays
- Volleyball - Thursdays
- Cross Country - Mondays
- Boys Basketball - Mondays (If the Monday falls after a holiday or is a holiday, then the game will be played on a Tuesday or Wednesday)
- Girls Basketball - Thursdays
- Tennis - Tuesdays
- Track - Thursdays
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO RIDE TO AND FROM THE GAMES ON THE BUS?
All athletes will ride to the games on the team bus. Transportation after the games, back to the school, will only be provided for out of town events. Parents are responsible for pick up at all McKinney middle school locations.
CAN AN ATHLETE PARTICIPATE IN A SCHOOL SPORT AND AN OUTSIDE LEAGUE SPORT AT THE SAME TIME?
Yes. However, if there is a conflict in the schedules (practices or games), then the school sport is the first priority. If any athlete misses a practice/games for an outside league practice/game then the athlete will be suspended for the next athletic event.
CAN MY DAUGHTER BE A CHEERLEADER OR ON THE DRILL TEAM AND BE IN ATHLETICS?
Yes.
WHO PAYS FOR THE ATHLETIC UNIFORM?
The school provides game uniforms and sweats for the athletes. Parents are responsible for providing appropriate shoes, and purchasing the Faubion athletic practice uniform. Each athlete is required to purchase an athletic practice uniform. These can be ordered through the FMS Athletic Booster Club. All equipment is provided by the school; however, in tennis, it will be necessary for your athlete to own a racquet in order to try out and compete. Some sport specific accessories may be necessary for each sport, i.e. volleyball knee pads.
CAN MY SON WEAR HIS OWN HELMET OR SHOULDER PADS TO PRACTICE AND GAMES?
MISD does a great job in purchasing the best shoulder pads and helmets for our young men. All helmets or shoulder pads, other than what is issued by MISD, must be approved by the MISD athletic department prior to its use within our facilities.
ARE LOCKERS PROVIDED IN THE ATHLETIC DRESSING ROOMS FOR MY ATHLETE TO STORE THEIR EQUIPMENT?
Yes. A personal combination is provided for each locker.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A PARENT?
We hope that you will take an active role as an Athletic Booster Club participant and be involved in watching your child compete at his/her games. The most important thing that we expect from you is to encourage your athlete and team, and be supportive of the coaching staff. We do require that parents, with a child in-season, help work the concession stand at least once per season.
WHAT PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED FOR MY CHILD TO BE IN ATHLETICS?
Each year, every athlete must have a physical on file dated after April 1st. You must also electronically sign all documents on RankOne pertaining to the athletic program. Athletes are not allowed to dress out or participate in any practice until the physical and all paperwork has been completed and on file. Therefore, they could easily miss the opportunity to try out for a sport. Students will also be removed from the athletic program if paperwork is not completed in a timely manner.
HOW DOES MY CHILD EARN A GRADE IN ATHLETICS?
Athletes are graded upon their participation and for dressing out in the proper workout attire. Athletes will earn a possible 20 points a day for a total of 100 per week.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SICK?
If an athlete is going to miss a practice and/or game they are required to contact their coach prior to missing. This can be done through a phone call or an email. Any in-season athlete that misses practice will be required to "make-up" practice before they are allowed to participate in a game. A parent note asking for their child to be excused because of illness or injury is good for 2 days only. After 2 days, a doctor's note will be required or the athlete's absence and/or lack of participation will be unexcused.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD HAS TO USE OR CARRY AN INHALER?
This should be noted on the physical when we receive it. The athlete/parent should also communicate this information with their child's coach. We will work with the parents in deciding the best way to ensure the inhaler is available to their child at all times during the athletic period/event.
WHO ARE THE COACHES FOR EACH OF THE SPORTS?
7th Football
Penny Larsen
Constantin Gentea
Jeremy Callaway
Justin Ballou
8th Football
Danny Denton
Zach Wiggins
Ricky Carter
7th Boys Basketball
Justin Ballou
Constantin Gentea
8th Boys Basketball
Jeremy Callaway
Zach Wiggins
Boys Track & Field
Danny Denton
Penny Larsen
Ricky Carter
Justin Ballou
Boys/Girls Tennis
Constantine Gentea
7th Volleyball
Janie Green
Avery Harty
8th Volleyball
Amber Burgess
Erin Riley
7th Girls Basketball
Stormie Ballew
Avery Harty
8th Girls Basketball
Erin Riley
Ariel Perez
Boys/Girls Cross Country
Ariel Perez
Tina Marshell
Girls Track & Field
Amber Burgess
Janie Green
Stormie Ballew