QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ATHLETICS & WELLNESS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of
the Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023
at 6:00 pm in the Coddington Building.
Present were Subcommittee Members Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and
Mrs. Tina Cahill, Chair. Also present
were School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Superintendent
Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms.
Julie Graham, Mr. Kevin Mahoney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Larry
Taglieri, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Quincy Public
Schools Athletic Director Kevin Mahoney presented a review of Fall 2022
Athletics (Cross Country, Football, Boys Golf, Soccer, Girls Volleyball). At Quincy High School, over 250
student-athletes competed, 13 Patriot League All-Stars. The Girls Volleyball team competed in the
first round of the MIAA playoffs; 1 student qualified for the Cross-Country
State Championship Meet. At North Quincy
High School, there were over 260 student-athletes, 13 Patriot League All-Stars,
1 Fisher Division MVP/Boston Globe
All-Scholastic. The Girls Volleyball
team won the Patriot League Fisher Division title and competed in the first two
rounds of the MIAA playoffs. 1 student qualified
for the Cross-Country State Championship Meet.
For Winter
2023 (Basketball, Hockey, Indoor Track, Swimming, Skiing, and Wrestling),
Quincy High School had 187 student-athletes, 11 Patriot League All-Stars, 2
Fisher Division MVPs, and qualifiers for the State Swimming, Indoor Track, and
Wrestling meets. The Girls Basketball
team competed in the first two rounds of the MIAA tournament. Quincy High School had a slight decrease in
participation, with lower numbers for Boys Hockey. Going forward, we may be looking at combined
team with North Quincy High School as the numbers in youth hockey are low. North Quincy High School saw an increase in
participation with 206 student-athletes, especially for indoor track and skiing
(1st year as a Varsity sport).
15 Patriot League All-Stars, 1 Fisher Division MVP 1 Patriot League MVP,
and qualifiers for the State Swimming, Indoor Track, and Alpine Ski meets. Boys Basketball and Hockey both qualified for
the MIAA Tournament, with 1st round games Thursday and Friday
(Basketball)
Mr. Gutro
asked about the timeline for moving to a Co-op Boys Hockey team. Mr. Mahoney said that the middle school youth
hockey numbers are very low. The first
step would be to request a waiver from the other schools in the Patriot League.
Mr. Bregoli
asked about the Co-Op teams that currently exist: Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country, Indoor Track,
Outdoor Track, Girls Hockey, Sailing (Co-Ed), Swimming, Wrestling, Boys
Lacrosse. Mr. Mahoney said that Outdoor
Track may split to have individual school teams due to numbers.
Mr. Bregoli
asked about budget issues, Mr. Mahoney said it was more on the supply chain
side. Product was not available to fill
orders, football helmets were a nationwide shortage. Mr. Bregoli asked the process for approving
apparel purchases be added to a future School Committee agenda.
Mrs. Lebo
asked how many coaches are QPS employees, Mr. Mahoney said the majority are
either at high school or middle school educators. Mrs. Lebo asked about supervision of coaches,
and would like a review of the orientation for coaches at an upcoming meeting.
Mrs. Cahill
asked if the participation rates are consistent across the league. Mr. Mahoney said the teams that are currently
co-op are consistent within Patriot League and the state.
Mrs. Cahill
asked how Grade 8 students learn about Athletics opportunity, the Grade 8 Open
House in the fall and the June fly up days are opportunities for students and
parents to receive information.
Mrs. Cahill
asked about monitoring the high school locker rooms; Mr. Mahoney said that the
coaches are responsible before and after practice and home games. Mr. Mahoney said that security guards will be
more of a presence in the area for the time after school until the coaches arrive.
Mr. Gutro
asked if the Girls Hockey team has Grade 8 students playing on waivers and Mr.
Mahoney confirmed. Mr. Mahoney said this
could be considered for Boys Hockey.
Mr. Mahoney
continued with a preview of Spring 2023 Athletics (Baseball, Softball, Outdoor
Track, Girls Golf, Boys & Girls Lacrosse, Sailing). The season begins March 20, registration is
underway.
For Middle
Schools, Mr. Mahoney reviewed that in the fall, Tennis and Cross Country are
offered. For the winter, Volleyball and
Wrestling are completed; Swimming is underway and will finish in early
April. In the spring, Outdoor Track is
involved. Nominal fees are charged for
each of these. Mrs. Hubley asked to
review the fees in Budget & Finance Subcommittee.
Mr. Bregoli
asked about the stipends for the middle school coaches, Mr. Mahoney said the
stipends range from $500 to $2300 depending on the level of student
participation. These stipends are
contractual.
Mr. Mahoney
addressed the issue of helmets for Girls Lacrosse, the MIAA does not recommend
this as equipment for girls. (Boys wear
helmets as part of required equipment.)
Mr. Mahoney said the rules are different from Boys and Girls Lacrosse,
there are penalties for contact in the Girls game.
Mrs. Hubley
asked if a parent wanted the student to wear a helmet, would it be allowed. Mr.
Mahoney said that he would research further with the MIAA.
Mrs. Lebo
made a motion to adjourn the Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee meeting at 6:45
pm. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on
a voice vote, the ayes have it.