Frequently Asked Questions about Modified Sports
- What are Modified Sports and who can participate?
Interscholastic competition in sports for students in 7th & 8th grade.
- What is the major emphasis of Modified Sports?
The emphasis of our Modified program is on participation, safety, sportsmanship, and teaching
fundamental skills to young athletes.
- What sports are offered and when?
Fall Sports Winter Sports Spring Sports
Boys Cross Country Boys Basketball Baseball
Girls Cross Country Girls Basketball Softball
Field Hockey Boys Indoor Track Boys Tennis
Football Girls Indoor Track Girls Lacrosse
Boys Soccer Wrestling Boys Lacrosse
Girls Soccer Boys Track & Field
Girls Tennis Girls Track & Field
Girls Volleyball
- What is the “cutting” policy in Modified Sports?
The ultimate goal for Modified Sports is to provide an opportunity for all student-athletes to
participate in athletics. However, not all sports can accommodate large numbers of
student-athletics which may limit team rosters for safety and program quality. If
student-athletes do not make the team roster, they may join another program that has
availability. Click on the following link to learn more about the Modified Sports Team Format.
- Is there a Code of Behavior for Modified Student-Athletes? Membership on an athletic team is a privilege, and all team members should strive to
perform to the best of their abilities as student-athletes and citizens in their community.
Unacceptable behavior can result in loss of participation privileges.
- What steps need to be taken in order to be able to participate in Modified Sports?
A. Student-Athletes should attend the Pre-season Interest & “Meet the Coaches” meeting.
B. Student-Athletes must register on FamilyID. Once registered, the Health Office and the
chief Medical Director must approve the student-athlete before participation is allowed.
- Please note that Student-athletes must register on FamilyID before the start of each sport season.
C. Student-Athletes must have a physical exam within the last 12 months on file in the
Health Office. If more than 12 months will pass between the last exam and before the
start of the sport season, the Health Office will require the student-athlete to have a new
physical exam. Preferably, this exam will be done by his/her private physician.
The Health Office must have all original forms on file.
- What is the commitment in Modified Sports?
Team practices are usually held 5 days a week. Practice sessions shall be limited to two hours
and will be at least 45 minutes in length. However, coaches understand and allow middle
school student-athletes to occasionally miss practices to pursue other interests. The other
commitments must be discussed prior to the season with the coach.
- Are there any rules or regulations governing how many practices the student-athletes
must attend before they are allowed to participate in a scrimmage and/or game?
Yes. Every sport has a State requirement for a minimum number of practices prior to being
permitted to participate in a scrimmage and/or game as mandated by the New York State
Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSSA). Regardless of whether the absence
from practice was excused or not, student-athletes who do not attend the required number of
practices will be ineligible for participation in the contest.
MODIFIED SPORTS STANDARDS CHART FOR INTERSCHOOL COMPETITION
- When do buses leave for games? Will it interfere with extra help/ AIS?
Buses usually leave at 3:30pm from the Cochran Gym Entrance Area on School Street.
Academics come first and students must attend their academic commitments at 2:45-3:15.
10. How do the student-athletes and parents know when practices are scheduled?
Here are a couple of ways to make you always aware of practice and game schedules:
- Reach out to your coaches directly. Coaches contacts can be found on the Hastings Athletics Website.
- Join the team’s SportsYou page. Coaches will share the SportsYou code with student-athletes. Parents should join as well.
- Go to the Hastings Athletic Website. It has everything you need to know there. It has the coaches staff directory, the Hastings weekly practice/game schedules, Athletic Game schedules, plus so much more. In general, practice is usually at 3:30pm everyday (excluding weekends) ending no later than 5:30pm. Practice times may change due to lack of space, weather, or unforeseen circumstances that may arise so it is important to follow above guidelines.
11. Hastings Athletics has a website full of important information?
Yes! Go to https://www.hohschools.org/departments/athletics/home-athletics
12. What are the coaches’ qualifications?
All coaches hold the proper NYS Coaching Certifications. Click on the following links to
learn more about the NYS Coaching Requirement:
https://nysphsaa.org/sports/2024/9/19/Certification.aspx
- Athletic Departments are always searching for qualified coaches. Coaches invest a lot of time, energy, and resources into trying to provide their student-athletes with the best possible program. It is not an easy job, and the pay is not equivalent to the time invested, so please respect your coaches at all times. Without coaches, there would be no athletics for the student-athletes!
13. Can my son/daughter be driven home from away games?
It is desired for the student-athlete to ride the bus home with the team. If necessary, a
student-athletes may leave the game with a parent/guardian with a signed permission slip.
Permission slips can be found on the Hastings Athletic Website. The permission slip must
be given to the coach prior to leaving the game.
- A student-athlete may only go home with his/her own parent/guardian and/or emergency contact.
14. What time should I expect my son/daughter to arrive back to the school after an
away game?
This all depends on what sport your son/daughter is participating in. As a general rule, the buses usually do not arrive back to the school before 6:30pm.
LET’S GO YELLOWJACKETS!!!