Nov. 13, 2017 Athletics Sub Meeting

Agenda

Quincy School Committee
Athletics Subcommittee
Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Chair
Coddington Building
Monday, November 13, 2017
5:15 p.m.

  1. Introduction of New Directors of Athletics & Wellness - Dr. DeCristofaro

  2. Fall 2017 Athletics Update - Mrs. Clancy, Mr. Mahoney, Mr. Niamkey
    * High School
    * Middle School

  3. Ongoing Initiatives & Collaborations
    * CPR & AED
    * Substance Use Education & Prevention

Minutes

Quincy School Committee
Athletics Subcommittee Meeting  

A meeting of the Athletics Subcommittee was held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 5:15 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mayor Thomas Koch, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Kathryn Clancy, Mr. Kevin Mahoney, Mr. Jean-Jacques Niamkey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Robert Shaw, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; School Committee Member-Elect Anthony Andronico; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Dr. DeCristofaro introduced the new Athletic Directors, Jean-Jacques Niamkey for North Quincy High School and Kevin Mahoney Quincy High School. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked School Committee for expanding the positions to full time and noted that both of the new Athletic Directors had served as Assistant Athletic Directors, so are familiar faces to the students, parents, and school staffs.Mr. Niamkey and Mr. Mahoney thanked School Committee for the opportunity.

Assistant to the Business Director Kathryn Clancy presented an overview of Fall Athletics numbers: NQHS had 206 athletes, just under 17% students participation. At QHS, 293 athletes, around 19% participation. Gate fees and user fees are consistent with past years, as are Athletic equipment expenditures.

Mr. Bregoli suggested that entry fees be charged for additional athletic events, such as the QHS vs. NQHS soccer and volleyball events. He would like to see NQHS Girls Basketball games have an entrance fee, to be consistent with QHS.

Mr. Mahoney and Mr. Niamkey presented highlights for the Fall Athletics:

  • QNQ Cross-Country team finished 2nd at the Patriot League Championship

  • QHS Girls Volleyball competed in the Preliminary Round and Quarterfinals of the Division 1 Sectional MIAA tournament

  • NQHS Football qualified for the first round of the MIAA tournament

  • NQHS Girls Volleyball competed in the Preliminary Round, Quarterfinal, and Semifinals of the Division 1 Sectional MIAA tournament

  • Patriot League All Stars: representatives from each Fall Athletic team at each school were named

  • Team Sportsmanship Awards were received by QHS Boys & Girls Soccer, NQHS Girls Soccer and NQHS Boys Golf.

  • Planning underway for the Thanksgiving Day Football game and “Little Turkey Day” on November 18 (JV and Freshman games)

Registration is underway for Winter Athletics, tryouts begin November 27 at both schools. Coaches pre-season meetings are scheduled. Winter Athletics information nights will be held in early December once tryouts are completed.

Mayor Koch asked about trainers and both schools are staffed for the winter season.

Mayor Koch asked about the league placement, Mr. Niamkey said we are more competitive in some sports than others. Dr. DeCristofaro said that both high school principals are also involved in these discussions, there are quarterly MIAA meetings and league changes are discussed there.

Mr. Mahoney said that middle school participation is wide-spread, all five middle schools had a great turnout for Tennis and Cross-Country. Volleyball begins right after Thanksgiving and Wrestling will begin in January. Swimming begins in February and culminates in an All-City Meet in April.

Mr. Bregoli asked about Spring Athletics for Middle School. Right now, Spring Track & Field is the only option. Mr. Bregoli asked about adding Basketball and Soccer as options, exposing students to these sports may increase involvement at the high school level. Mr. Bregoli noted that there are expenses in adding these sports, specifically officiating, and perhaps high school students could be trained as officials. Mr. Mahoney said the high school Varsity volleyball players officiate at the Freshman and middle school games. Mayor Koch asked for information on the costs associated with expanding middle school offerings.

Mrs. Lebo is concerned that at the smaller middle schools, they will not be able to field teams with five sports.

Dr. DeCristofaro said that middle school golf is another unique sport that he’d like to explore. The South Shore YMCA is interested in sponsoring a basketball program, there are some logistics about timing to work out, but this could be a great opportunity.

Mrs. Hubley asked about the “early bird” sports, Central and Broad Meadows have intramural basketball and soccer. Some schools have flag football as a fall intramural sport.

Ms. Isola asked about Girls Golf, there is a co-op team for both high schools together in the spring.

Ms. Isola was concerned that expecting students to pay to attend games would decrease attendance. Mr. Niamkey said that the admission cost for students is usually nominal, $1 or $2.

Mr. Mahoney said that CPR/AED training was offered this past weekend to coaches who needed to be certified or re-certified. All Winter Athletics coaches hired to date have completed the training, additional training will be provided by Brewster Ambulance as needed.

Ms. Isola made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.