Athletics Schedules

Academic Requirements

Students in grades 9 to 12 participating in interscholastic sports or other after-school activities must maintain passing grades in 4 major subjects. 

Athletic Program

The Department of Wellness-Physical Education and Health offers opportunities for athletic participation to all members of the school.

There is an extensive program of activity in the physical education class and for those so inclined, competition and development are available on the varsity, junior varsity, freshman, and intramural levels.

As a member of the Berkshire League since 1984, we have captured league championships in girls’ and boys’ basketball, golf, girls’ tennis and soccer and state championships in girls’ softball, boys’ basketball, boys’ soccer, and girls’ volleyball.

Basketball (Freshmen boys, Junior Varsity, Varsity boys and girls)
Baseball (Freshmen, Junior Varsity, Varsity)
Cheerleading
Crew (boys and girls)
Cross Country (boys and girls)
Field Hockey (Junior Varsity, Varsity)
Football (Freshman, Junior Varsity, Varsity)
Golf (Varsity)
Lacrosse (boys)
Soccer (Junior Varsity, Varsity boys and girls)
Softball (Junior Varsity, Varsity)
Swimming (coed)
Tennis (boys and girls)
Track (boys and girls)
Volleyball (Junior Varsity, Varsity boys and girls) 

School Athletic Code

  1.   All students planning to participate in interscholastic sports must have passed a physical examination, within the past year, prior to participation in any practice or sport.  Physical examinations are acceptable for one calendar year.

  2.   All coaches should have a player examined by a physician before he/she can return to active competition after an injury requiring medical attention has occurred.

  3.   If, for any reason, students have to miss an academic class due to interscholastic competition, they must obtain assignments prior to leaving.

  4.   Managers of athletic teams shall follow the standard eligibility rules.

  5.   All student athletes must be on time and attend the entire day of school to be eligible to participate in a practice or contest on that day.  Extenuating reasons may allow exceptions to this rule if documentation exists and is presented to the athletic director prior to the practice or contest.

  6.   Students arriving late to school on a game day must have a note from the Director of Athletics before they can play.

  7.   All students who are members of athletic teams representing the school will go and return to school by the players’ bus unless an immediate member of the family wishes to drive them home.  The Director of Athletics must approve any exceptions.

  8.   A pupil shall not participate in or represent his or her school in more than one sport after the date of the first contest in that sport season, nor may that pupil represent more than one school during a season unless the pupil satisfies the conditions of Eligibility Rule II.C.

  9.All students will be responsible for all equipment issued to them.

 Athletes Right to Due Process

There may come a time when, because of special personal circumstances, an athlete either commits an act, or fails to perform a duty, which results in his/her being declared ineligible to compete in a high school sport.  In some cases, exceptions to the eligibility rules can be granted.  All athletes have the right to the due process procedures listed below in seeking to have their eligibility restored.

Step 1:  The athlete should first discuss the matter with the appropriate coach or athletic director.  If it is felt that the circumstances of the case warrant a request for an exception to the rule, the high school principal should also be informed.

Step 2:  The high school principal then requests in writing to the CIAC Eligibility Committee that the matter be examined and an exception granted.  Address of the Committee:  30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410.

Step 3:  The CIAC Eligibility Committee will examine the facts of the case at its next regular meeting.  It the situation is such that the matter must be resolved before the next regular meeting, an emergency meeting will be called.  The Committee has the right to require that medical reports and/or other relevant documentation be provided.

Step 4:  If the Eligibility Committee decides that the circumstances of the case merit an exception, it will be granted and the athlete’s eligibility must be restored subject to the approval of the Board of Control.  If, in the judgment of the Committee, no exception is warranted, it will be denied and the student’s ineligibility will continue in force for the period required in the regulations.  In no case of denial of an exception is the decision of the Committee communicated to the CIAC Board of Control, so that should the athlete decide to take his case further in the procedure of due process, no information concerning the case will have been made available to the next higher authority in the due process procedure.  This protects the athlete’s right to a full, unprejudiced hearing.

Step 5:  In the case where a request for an exception is denied by the Committee, the athlete has the right, through the high school principal, to request that an appeal of the committee’s decision be made to the CIAC Board of Control.  The principal then initiates such request, addressed to the Executive Director, CIAC, 30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410.  This request must be made within fourteen (14) days of the ruling of the Eligibility Committee.

Step 6:  The CIAC Board of Control will hold a full hearing on the matter in a timely fashion.  At that time, the athlete, his/her parents, representatives of the school and any other person the athlete feels may help to present his/her case may appear and present evidence before the CIAC Board.  The Board has the right to require presentation of medical reports or other relevant documentation.

Step 7:  The CIAC Board of Control will, after a full hearing and proper consideration of the facts of the case, render its decision, either to grant the requested exception or to uphold the ruling of the Eligibility Committee.  If the exception is granted, the athlete’s eligibility is restored immediately and retroactively.  If it is denied, the student’s ineligibility remains in force for the period required in the regulations.

In all matters of athletic eligibility, the decision of the CIAC Board of Control is final and binding on all parties.

Rules and Regulations for the Control of Interscholastic Sports

The athletic program is an important and integral part of the total school program and is open to participation by all students enrolled at Lewis S. Mills High School.  Athletics serve as a base for the development of positive self-image for all participants, encourage individual and group excellence, dedication, and commitment in working toward team goals, contribute to the participant’s growth in physical fitness and skills, foster mental alertness, emotional maturity, and social interaction.

While the high school athletic program serves as an arena for student athletes to display their talents, student athletes must, in turn, be willing to assume certain responsibilities.

In addition to the regular Rules and Regulations for students in Lewis S. Mills High School, as stated in this handbook, athletic program participants are also governed by the Connecticut Interscholastic Conference policies (C.I.A.C.) and Lewis Mills High School’s athletic policies as follows: 

Athletic Smoking, Drinking, and Substance Abuse Policy

·          No student athlete will be permitted to use or possess, tobacco (smoke, chew, or snuff), steroids, alcohol or illicit drugs on or off school grounds.

·          No student may be knowingly in the presence of those who are in possession of, using, transmitting, or under the influence any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind on or off campus.

·          It is understood that action taken against a student athlete will be taken only if the athlete is seen using or using or possessing tobacco, steroids, alcohol or illicit drugs or is seen in the presence of others that are using or are under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.   This student athlete must have been seen by a member of our coaching staff, school nurse, faculty, or administration before action can be taken. Action will also be taken if the student athlete is determined by police to have used or was in the presence of someone who had or had used these substances.

·          It is further understood that action may be taken against the athlete only if the coach, faculty member or administrator confronts the individual involved at the time he/she is observed breaking the above training rule.  In no case will action be taken against a student athlete not confronted immediately.  Also, no action will be taken on information received by anyone other than a coach, faculty member, administrator, or athlete involved unless the athlete has been arrested and convicted.

·          Any athlete that breaks the above training rules will receive a minimum of a two game suspension.  The second time this offense occurs, the athlete will be suspended from participation in the sport for the remainder of the school year.

·          Any athlete who is determined to be selling steroids, illicit drugs, or alcohol on or off school grounds will be suspended from all teams for the remainder of the school year.

·          All athletes are subject to the school policies, which means that if you are serving an in school or out of school suspension, you cannot attend practices or games.   When your suspension is over and you are waiting for your two game suspension to be completed, you may attend practice, but only at the discretion of the coach. 

Berkshire LEAGUE Rules for Spectator Decorum at Athletic Events 

Spectators and participants in athletic contests must:

·          Be courteous toward the opposing players, coaches and students.  These people are the guests of the school.

·          Maintain their composure and positive personal decorum throughout the contest.

·          Show respect for the property of the school in which the contest occurs.

·          Show respect for the referees.

·          Create a playing environment that allows participants to perform without any serious distractions.

·          Allow opposing cheerleaders to complete their cheers and show courtesy toward them.

Spectators and participants must not:

·          Throw any object.

·          Harass a participant for any reason.

·          Use profanity.

·          Undertake to distract a player taking a penalty try.

·          Use any noisemakers.

Guidelines Regarding Student Conduct at Indoor Games 

·          Children of elementary school age must be accompanied by an adult or older brother/sister of high school age.

·          Students must be seated in the stands at all times.  No standing allowed.

·          Students who have been drinking will be removed from the building, suspended, and restricted from further after-school activities for a specified time period.

·          Students on suspension or whose after-school activities have been restricted are not allowed to attend games.

·          Students are expected to have rides for home by the conclusion of the game.

·          Students who are unruly will be removed from the building.  Students throwing objects on the floor will be removed from the building.

·          Students are not allowed in any other area of the building including the auxiliary gymnasium and locker rooms.

·          Noisemakers, sirens, and confetti are forbidden from all games.  Signs may be posed on the walls of the gymnasium with prior approval of the Athletic Director.

·          All students must purchase a ticket or show evidence of a season pass.

·          Once students leave the building and go to the parking lot, they may not reenter the building. 

A complete copy of the Rules of eligibility and control for boys and girls high school athletics in Connecticut (Article IX -  CIAC By-laws) As Adopted by the Connecticut interscholastic athletic conference, Inc. is available in the main office or from the athletic director. 

Mr. Jay Pelchar
Athletic Director
Email: pelcharj@region10ct.org