McQuaid Jesuit is proud to offer its students a wide of range of options for athletic involvement, including opportunities for those students in the 7th and 8th grade. We encourage the majority of our students at the junior high level to compete at the modified level, but we also recognize that there are student-athletes with the ability and skill to play at the junior varsity and varsity level. In order for seventh and eighth graders to compete interscholastically at the high school level, they must pass the Athletic Placement Process as mandated by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. It is very important to note that successful completion of the Athletic Placement Process simply allows the student-athlete to try out for the high school team and does not guarantee him a spot on the final roster.
The Athletic Placement Process utilizes the President’s Physical Fitness Test, and student-athletes will need to meet the 85th percentile level for their age in 4 out of 5 test components. This fitness test is designed to assess your son’s speed, agility, flexibility, upper body strength, and aerobic conditioning. Athletes will be given as many opportunities to pass specific parts of the test, so long as they are close enough to achieving the required score.
Parents are cautioned that even though your son may be physically ready, it does not mean that he will be emotionally or socially ready to handle the stress of high school competition or the social interaction with older athletes. While coaches place a high priority on assimilating all students into the team structure, this does not necessarily mean younger student-athletes are comfortable in this environment. If you or your son has any reservations about competing at the high school level, then it is highly recommended that he remain at the modified level.
The purpose of this statewide program is to determine the level of physical fitness students have when compared to those older athletes your son will be competing against. If your son is seeking to be a member of a junior varsity or varsity high school team, he will need to complete every one of the steps outlined below. Please note, this program is designed for the exceptional athlete, the specific talent and conditioning level required will be well above the level of average athletes of a similar age.
The following steps must be completed in order for a 7th or 8th grader to try out at the high school level:
1. Parent/Guardian Permission: All students who are to be evaluated must first obtain written parent/guardian permission. CLICK HERE for permission form.
2. Sports Clearance: A completed Interval Health History forms (Sports Triplicate) and a current Physical Exam must be submitted to the Nurses' Office as well as their approval to participate in sports for the upcoming season.
3. Administrative Approval: The athletic director will assess the physical, emotional, social, and academic readiness of the student-athlete. Emphasis will be placed on the impact the increased demands of participation in high school sports will place on the student’s academic performance as well as the likelihood that he will play in at least 50% of the games.
4. Medical Clearance: One of our nurses will determine the student-athlete’s physical maturity level and if it is appropriate for the student to compete at the higher level. A nurse will compare the physical size of the student in relation to that of the students against whom the student will compete as well as the Tanner Scale when making this decision.
5. Sport Skill Evaluation: The varsity coach for that particular sport will need to complete an evaluation of the student-athlete.
6. Physical Fitness Testing: The student-athlete will need to meet the 85th percentile level for their age in 4 out of 5 test components of the President’s Physical Fitness Test. Please contact the athletic director’s office to schedule this test once steps 1-5 have been completed.
7. Qualification Determination: The results of the three evaluations (medical, sport skill, and physical fitness) will be evaluated by the athletic director for final approval. Only students who have successfully completed all aspects of the Athletic Placement Process will be allowed to participate in high school tryouts.
**For 2021 FALL SPORTS, the deadline for approval is TBD**
