Lyme-Old Lyme
Athletics
2026-2027
Sports Information Meeting
Lyme-Old Lyme Athletic Department
Winter Break
April Break
Athletic Director: Hildie Heck
Phone: 860-434-1651 x1014
Email: heckh@region18.org
Athletic Admin Assistant: Jamie Snurkowski
Phone: 860-434-1651 x1032
Email: snurkowskij@region18.org
Athletic Trainer: Sammee Piette
Phone: 860-434-1651 x1116
Email: piettes@region18.org
High School Nurse: Melissa Seckla
Phone: 860-434-1651 x1004
Email: secklam@region18.org
Middle School Nurse: Brenda Barricklow
Phone: 860-434-1651 x1004
Email: barricklowb@region18.org
Athletics Philosophy
At Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools, we believe that athletics are an essential extension of the classroom, supporting the development of the whole student. Our education-based athletic program promotes personal growth, teamwork, self-expression, and social responsibility. Through well-organized and inclusive opportunities, we aim to foster physical, emotional, and moral development in all student-athletes. We are committed to meeting the needs of both individuals and teams, while reinforcing the core values of our educational mission.
Our Philosophy
We are a Educational Based Athletic Program
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The goal of education based athletics is that in addition to core academic subjects learned in the classroom, students experience additional education opportunities through their participation in sports.
Beyond the specific skills of a sport or activity, these individuals have the opportunity to learn important principles that can guide them the rest of their lives.
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Education-Based Athletics
Designed to facilitate growth among its participants, with other outcomes being secondary.
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Club-Based Sports
Designed to further competitive skill, with other outcomes being secondary.
Lyme-Old Lyme Athletic Department
Core Values & Goals
High School
Core Values
• Respect
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Responsibility
Middle School
Core Values
• Respect
• Ownership
• Advocacy
• Responsibility
• Safety
Athletic Department Goals
01
Support Student Growth
Encourage the academic, personal, and athletic development of all student-athletes by promoting teamwork, responsibility, and resilience.
02
Extend Learning Through Athletics
Provide programs that complement classroom learning, helping students build skills in communication, leadership, and problem-solving.
03
Foster a Positive and Inclusive Environment
Create a respectful culture where every student has equitable opportunities to participate, grow, and succeed.
04
Strive for Excellence and Competitive Success
Challenge student-athletes to reach their highest potential by promoting dedication, sportsmanship, and a commitment to excellence on and off the field.
05
Build Character and Community
Promote integrity, school pride, and strong connections among athletes, families, and the community.
Associations
The governing bodies and athletic conferences of our sports programs.
The governing body for interscholastic sports in Connecticut is the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) located in Cheshire, CT.
The CIAC regulates the athletic programs of local school districts and publishes a handbook for all member schools to follow.
They set minimal academic standards, define season dates, regulate game limits, and administer state tournaments.
The Shoreline Athletic Conference is the oldest standing league in the State of Connecticut, dating back to the 1930s.
Sanctioned by the Principals' Association of the Shoreline Conference, it operates under established bylaws.
The league sponsors end-of-season tournaments, all-league selections, scholar-athlete recognition, and student leadership events.
Other Associations
Affiliated organizations impacting High School Sports:
Program Offerings
Middle School athletic seasons and participation guidelines.
Fall
*Sept 1 – Nov 15
• Boys & Girls Cross Country
• Boys & Girls Soccer
• Girls Volleyball
• Girls Field Hockey (Co-op at Westbrook)
Winter
*Nov 30 – Feb 28
• Boys & Girls Basketball
Spring
*April 1 – June 15
• Boys & Girls Outdoor Track
• Baseball
• Softball
No weekend, holiday, or vacation practices/games
* Dates listed above are approximate start and end dates for each sports season.
Program Offerings
High School sports seasons, co-hosted teams, and cooperative athletic guidelines.
Sports Seasons
Fall (Aug 24 - Nov 22)
Winter (Nov 23 - March 21)
Spring (March 22 - June 14)
Co-op Sports
Fall (Aug 24 - Nov 22)
Winter (Nov 23 - March 21)
Cooperative Teams
How they work...
The CIAC Board of Control has the authority to approve cooperative athletic teams. Schools cannot just coop.
* Teams with exceptions to start date.
Sports Season Limitations
CIAC physical conditioning, practice scheduling, and attendance rules.
Practice Readiness
10-Day Conditioning Rule
Scheduling Limits
Rest & Holiday Policy
(Can still hold film or meeting on the 7th day)
School Attendance Requirement
Middle School Note
These guidelines are not a legal requirement for Middle School. However, we make every effort to follow the exact same standards as closely as possible.
Practice & Conditioning Guidelines
CIAC/league regulations on captains' practices, out-of-season programs, and vacation scheduling.
Captains’ Practice
Strictly Prohibited Policy
Out-of-Season Rules
Conditioning & Practice Limits
Vacation Stance
Shoreline Conference & CIAC
Athletic Requirements
Student-athletes cannot participate unless all of the following conditions are fully met.
1. FinalForms
Completed online registration is mandatory for all participating student-athletes prior to tryouts.
2. Sports Physicals
Must be determined physically fit through a pre-participation evaluation performed within the past 13 months.
*Important Update:
Starting July 1, 2027, a mandatory cardiac component is being added to all standard physical requirements.
3. School Obligations
No outstanding fees or materials on PowerSchool (including unreturned books, Chromebooks, or uniforms).
4. Academic Eligibility
All student-athletes must meet scholastic standards and be in good academic standing to participate.
5. Athletic Handbook
Both student-athletes and parent guardians must read, understand, and sign-off the handbook agreement in FinalForms.
Academics & Eligibility
Each student-athlete must meet the minimum academic requirements established by the CIAC to maintain eligibility.
High School Requirements
1. Credit Requirements: Must be passing a minimum of 5 credits during each marking period. For fall sports, upperclassmen (grades 10-12) must have earned at least 5 credits in the semester.
2. Incomplete Grades: Incompletes (I) do not count toward credits. All incomplete grades must be made up within 10 school days from the close of the semester grades to restore eligibility.
3. Good Standing Standard: Students must maintain good standing in both school and community. Ineligible if conduct or work habits make them undeserving to represent the school by not adhering to our core values.
4. Administrative Authority: The school administration reserves the right to declare any student ineligible if they fail to meet personal, academic, or citizenship responsibilities.
Being on a sports team is a privilege, not a right.
Middle School
Academic Removal:Students receiving one "F" or two "D"s on a report card or progress report cannot participate in athletic activities for a period of two weeks.
Reinstatement Policy: If the "F" grade is raised to passing by the end of the two weeks, the student is cleared to resume athletic play.
Persistent Deficiencies: Students who continue to carry two "D"s after the two-week period will remain ineligible until the release of the next official report card.
Registration Process
Online registration through FinalForms is secure, easy, and mandatory for athletic participation.
Green and Ready to Participate
Student-athletes must be fully cleared in FinalForms before participating.
*Students from co-op, magnet, or technical schools should use their own school-issued email addresses.
lete
Red = Parent action needed • Yellow = Student signature needed • Green = Complete
Required Forms & Agreements
Completing online registration fulfills the requirements for the following:
Stay Up to Date
Tour de Region 18 Athletics….
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ParentSquare
Official school district broadcasts, alerts, and primary family outreach.
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Follow official accounts for match photos, student highlights, and media.
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Athletic Newsletter
Monthly highlights, upcoming events, team recaps/achievements and general information .
Accident Insurance
Protection for Students
Ensure your child has adequate insurance coverage in the event of an unforeseen accident. Voluntary coverage options include:
Questions or Assistance?
Contact the Region 18 Business Office
Holly McCalla -
Lyme-Old Lyme Athletics
Athlete Expectations
Responsibility of Athletes
Accept Responsibility & Privilege: Represent school and community by showing teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline.
Conduct Responsibly: Maintain composure during adverse or emotional situations.
Demonstrate Respect: Value self, coach, teammates, opponents, officials, and spectators.
Win and Lose Graciously: Practice excellent sportsmanship at all times.
Cheer Positively: Support your team, never cheer against your opponent.
Congratulate Opponents: Show sincere respect following victory or defeat.
Refrain from Taunting: Maintain high standards of respect for all competitors.
Rules & Code of Conduct
■Handbook & Board Policies
Review and understand the Lyme-Old Lyme Athletic Handbook and Board of Education policies.
■Follow Procedures
Adhere strictly to all team, school, conference, and CIAC rules and procedures.
■Athletic Eligibility
Maintain eligibility requirements in accordance with CIAC and Region 18 standards.
■CIAC Rules
Fully understand and comply with all official CIAC Rules of Eligibility.
■Punctuality
Attend and arrive on time for all scheduled practices and athletic contests.
■Team Commitment
Remain dedicated, committed, and loyal to your team and teammates throughout the season.
■Authorized Travel
Travel to and from competitions using school transport unless prior approval is granted.
■Substance-Free Policy
Abstain from alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, vaping, steroids, or illegal/unprescribed substances (BOE Policy 6145.1).
■Health & Well-being
Prioritize adequate sleep, healthy nutrition, proper injury reporting, and physical recovery.
■Single-Sport Focus
Do not participate in the same sport outside of school (AAU, travel, rec) once the school season begins.
■Uniforms & Gear
Properly care for and return all school-provided athletic uniforms and equipment.
■Honor Code & Values
Uphold Lyme-Old Lyme Schools’ core values and beliefs in the Student and Athletic Handbooks.
■CIAC Class Act Standards
Demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship at all times under the Class Act framework.
Parent�Expectations
Supporting our Lyme-Old Lyme student-athletes together
Required Media
Parenting Your Student Athlete
Please take a few minutes to watch this important presentation video to better support your student-athlete this season.
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Handbook & Policies
Review and understand the Lyme-Old Lyme athletic handbook and board policies.
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Attend & Support
Support your Student-Athlete by attending games, cheering for them and their teammates (BRING SNACKS!!!)
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Promote Positivity
Encourage spectators and students to prevent negativity about coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials. Know the CIAC Class Act Standards!
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Rules of Eligibility
Understand and respect the CIAC Rules of Eligibility to keep our program compliant.
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Cheer For Us
CHEER FOR US, NOT AGAINST OPPONENTS, OFFICIALS, AND COACHES. Focus on positive support.
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Get Involved
Join the booster club and contribute to making this a memorable season for all student-athletes.
Communication of Athletic Concerns
CIAC CLASS ACT SPORTSMANSHIP STANDARDS
RESPECT • TEAMWORK • CHARACTER
EXPECTATIONS OF ALL SPECTATORS
(INCLUDING PARENTS)
• Dress appropriately
• Positive signs only: Must reference only the school supported, and be pre-approved by the athletic director.
• Outdoor noisemakers: No air horns/whistles. Others allowed only during "dead ball" situations with host AD approval.
• Indoor noisemakers: No noisemakers will be used.
• Cheer positively: Support your team, do not cheer negatively against opponents. "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
• Respect officials: Show respect for game officials and their decisions.
• National Anthem: Show respect during the playing of the National Anthem.
RESPONSIBILITY OF ATHLETES
• Accept responsibility & privilege: Represent school and community by learning and showing teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline.
• Conduct responsibly: Maintain composure during adverse or emotional situations.
• Demonstrate respect: Value self, coach, teammates, opponents, officials, spectators and facilities by conducting yourself as a positive role model.
• Win and lose graciously at all times.
• Cheer (post) for your team, not against your opponent.
• Congratulate opponents sincerely following victory or defeat.
• Refrain from taunting opponents.
Our Core Mission
We are an Educational Based Athletic Program
Be a Fan... Not a Fanatic!
Other Stuff...
Wildcat Boosters
Join the Wildcat Booster Club!
The Wildcat Booster Club provides important support and experiences for our student-athletes that are not covered by the department’s regular budget.
The Booster Club:
Every parent can make a difference! Attend a meeting, volunteer at concessions, help with an event, or share your ideas. Your time and support directly enhance the experience of our student-athletes.
Get Involved. Support Our Wildcats. Make an Impact.
Fundraiser *Things outside the district's budget
Many teams use fundraisers to augment their programs financially. Examples of what funds are used for:
PARENT EDUCATION & INCENTIVES
Free Online Courses to Support Your Student-Athlete
Positive Sport Parenting
Learn to be the best sports parent you can be
This course provides information and practical tools to help you foster positive experiences and create lasting memories for your child.
START COURSE: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/positive-sport-parenting
The Parent Seat
Parents play an influential role in the lives of their children, including their participation in sports. This course helps parents understand how their behavior in the stands, talks after games, and interaction with coaches makes all the difference in their children's experience. Learn how to have a positive impact and help create a memorable experience for everyone.
START COURSE: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/the-parent-seat
Wildcat “Be the Standard”
Hoodie Giveaway!
Complete both free online courses to receive an exclusive hoodie as a cozy reward for your commitment.
1
Take Both Courses
Complete both online courses shown above to qualify.
2
Bring Your Certificates
Print both completion certificates and bring them to any December game.
3
Get Your Hoodie
Claim your exclusive Wildcat Pride hoodie reward at the concessions stand.
Show Your Support & Spirit
Positive Parenting Builds a Better Sports Environment for Everyone!
Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to understand the work behind Wildcat Athletics.
Our hope is that you leave as an informed advocate, ready to support our department, help others understand why we do what we do, and keep our student-athletes at the center of every conversation.