Happy summer!

First, congratulations to all seniors and good luck in your future endeavors!  We are so sad that our winter season was cut short and we couldn’t have a spring season.  At the end of the year, we usually acknowledge our senior athletes at the spring sports awards; unfortunately, we weren’t able to send them off properly; however, we did prepare a slideshow that recaps the year in athletics.  Approximately 11:00 minutes in, our seniors tell us their plans for next year.

CLICK HERE:

Athletics Slideshow & Senior Send-Off

Second, I know a lot of questions come up over the summer, especially for our incoming 9th graders.  I’m sure there are even more questions with respect to COVID-19.  Throughout the summer, I will periodically access, and respond to, email, texts, and voicemail. Should you need immediate assistance, please contact Janet Kozin in the athletic office at jkozin@eosmith.org or 860-487-0877 x4964.  In the meantime, below, please find some helpful and important information:

Participation in Fall Sports & Important Dates:
IMPORTANT UPDATE as of July 6th – The the Connecticut Association of Interscholastic Sports (CIAC) has permitted a two-month extension for the required physicals for fall athletes.  Rather than an athlete required to have a physical within 13 months, it has been extended to 15 months. I hope this is helpful for you.  As a reminder, an athlete cannot participate in practices or tryouts without a recent physical, and clearance from our health office.  No exceptions.  We want to give you ample time to contact your primary care physician to schedule an appointment.

For the purpose of clarity, a physical is valid if it’s dated within the previous 15 months and will remain valid for the completion of the current athletic season.  For example, if a physical is dated November 15th, 2019, it will be valid until February 15th, 2021, therefore, an athlete will be eligible for the fall season and the start of the winter season, but will become ineligible to participate during the winter season.

Health Office Hours for Athletic Clearance:
Please submit physical verification and other requisite paper work to the Health Office.  All paperwork can be found on our website – Click on the “FORMS” folder found here: https://www.eosmith.org/athletics/resources)

Wednesday, August 12th - 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – FOOTBALL ONLY
Thursday, August 13th - 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – FOOTBALL ONLY
Friday, August 14th - 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – FOOTBALL ONLY
Monday, August 24th – Friday, August 28th – All fall sports

Impact Testing:
This is required for new students, incoming 9th graders, and 11th graders.  We will send more information about how this will be administered by the school at a later date.

Tentative Start to Season
Monday, August 17th – Football conditioning
Saturday, August 22nd – Football contact practices begin
Thursday, August 27th – All fall sports - tryouts/practices begin

E.O. Smith is one of the few schools in the state offering our athletes a free strength and conditioning program.  This program is organized through trained and licensed experts and in consultation with our coaches.  Strength and conditioning is paramount to performing at high levels and preventing injuries.  We highly encourage all athletes to participate, especially considering the need to reintegrate physical activity for the athletes who have not engaged in rigorous or contact since March.
  
Beginning Monday, July 6th, Athletic Trainers Sarah Acerbo and Jake Ober will offer 20 hours per week of virtual strength and conditioning.  Until further notice, in-person strength and conditioning sessions with coaches are NOT permitted, and our facility and fields continue to be closed.  When the E.O. Smith Athletic Resocialization Committee determines it is safe and manageable to return to in-person training sessions we will transition to face-to-face sessions, as well as continue to offer some virtual options.  Training sessions are FREE for all current E.O. Smith athletes, including incoming 9^th graders.  The goal is to tailor programs specific to the individual needs of each athlete and create training groups based on athletes' needs.  For example, if there is a group of boys and girls soccer and field hockey athletes who are assessed and flagged/determined to be susceptible to ACL tears, that would be an integral part of their conditioning regiment.  Likewise, cross country runners may need increased core strength and lower extremity mobility...etc.

Below, please also find other pertinent information regarding participation in athletics this fall.  I have also attached our Athletics Brochure.

 Go Panthers!

Dan Uriano