Lapeer Middle School

Athletics

​

“Leading the Way”

​

​

Fall Sports

2025-2026

​

​

​

​

​

Welcome!��We are proud you have chosen to become a student athlete for Lapeer Community Schools! ��We are looking forward to a successful season!

• ​

​

• General Athletic Information
• Middle School Vision, Clearance Process, and Eligibility Requirements
• Expectations for Student Athletes & Parents

Tonight’s Agenda

Athletic Department

Rich Cross

Associate Principal - Zemmer Campus

Middle School Athletic Director

richard.cross@lapeerschools.org

810.538.2348 x.222348

​

Megan Parks

Associate Principal - Rolland-Warner Campus

megan.parks@lapeerschools.org

810.538.2335 x.222335

​

​

�Athletic Department

Paula Hall

Athletics/Attendance - Zemmer Campus

paula.hall@lapeerschools.org

810.667.2413 x.223402

​

Susana Escamilla

Athletics/Attendance - Rolland-Warner Campus

susana.escamilla@lapeerschools.org

810.538.2334 x223302

​

What’s New?

• 7th & 8th realignment >>> Zemmer
• Everyone in the same place
• New Attendance & Athletics Secretary
• Welcome Paula Hall!
• New Weight Room @ Zemmer
• See photos next page
• New gym floor @ Zemmer
• Facilities upgrades across the district
• $5 admission for all MS Athletic Events
• A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS!!!

​

�

The Middle School Vision

​

• The success of our Middle School Sports program is not determined solely by wins and losses. Middle School Athletics is meant to be an introduction to educational athletics. 

​

• While we do work towards winning and being competitive in all sports and at all levels, our main goals at the Middle School level are:
• Keep as many athletes as possible in an effort to grow our programs, while still accounting for safety and participation.   
• Teach student athletes to love the game. 
• Develop the basic skills of student athletes as they relate to their sport.
• Teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership skills.
• Guarantee playing time to every student athlete. However, this does not mean equal playing time. Attitude and effort determines the amount of playing time each athlete earns.
• Encourage student athletes to be as involved as possible in sports and school organizations.
• Teach student athletes that academics come first, and how to prioritize academics, athletics, and other activities they are involved in.
• LEAD THE WAY!
• COMPETE!
• HAVE FUN! PLAY HARD! LISTEN TO YOUR COACHES!

​

Clearance Process

• Before beginning practice/tryouts every student athlete must complete the athletic clearance process. 

​

• To complete this process student athletes must have the following completely filled out and signed:
• MHSAA Physical (on/after April 15, 2025)
• Athletic Code of Conduct Acknowledgement
• Medical/Emergency Contact Card
• Athletes will also have their eligibility/discipline checked

​

• 6th Graders turn their forms in to the Rolland-Warner Office, 7th & 8th Graders turn them into the Zemmer Office.

​

• When they complete that process, they will get a color coded bracelet which they MUST wear to practice in order to participate. Coaches WILL NOT collect paperwork at practice.

​

​

Expectations For Student Athletes

Attendance

• Athletes must be in school a full day in order to practice or compete that day

​

• Only exceptions – Doctor/dentist appointments and funerals which have been pre-arranged at least one day in advance through the athletic director via phone call/voicemail OR E-mail

​

• Athletes must maintain good attendance on a regular basis to continue to be a part of the team, at practice skills are taught and one must be present to learn those skills in order to safely compete.

​

• Excessive absences and/or tardies will affect the student's play time.
• More than 9 absences or 6 tardies per semester may cause the loss of playing time.

Eligibility

• Lapeer Community Schools requires that students pass at least 5 of 6 classes, and also must carry a current GPA of 2.0 or higher, to be considered eligible each semester/week.
• Weekly eligibility checks are done for every athlete beginning Thursday, September 11th. Eligibility checks will then be conducted on every subsequent Thursday to determine eligibility for the following week.
• Athletes who had D’s or F’s in the prior term will begin the season on academic probation. Athletes that have 2 or more F's during the previous semester are not permitted to try out.
• 2 F's during an eligibility check, multiple weeks of GPA below 2.0, or 1 F with a GPA below 2.0 will result in the student athlete being ineligible for the following week.                                    

Code of Conduct

• We expect our athletes to be leaders and role models within the school, on the field, and in the community
• Please read the Student Athletic Code Handbook (p.2-3)
• Conduct Unbecoming of an Athlete
• (Fighting, alcohol/drugs/tobacco, harassment, hazing, etc.)
• 365 Days a year for the duration of middle/high school athletic career
• Penalties for conduct violations
• 1^st violation – up to 25% of the season
• 2^nd violation – up to one calendar year
• 3^rd violation – up to the duration of their middle school career

Information For Parents

Where can you see schedules? Game results? Information?

https://www.lapeerschools.org/

o/lightningathletics

​

​

​

​

​

Pay to Participate Fee

Payment is Due before athlete may play in a game

​

​

​

​

​

Free and Reduced Lunch & Free and Reduced Athletics are two separate forms.  Both are available in the main office.

​

​

Athletic Booster Club

​

• We have a Middle School committee within the Lapeer Lightning Athletic Boosters! 

​

•  Welcoming volunteers

​

•  Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the LHS Cafeteria – Let us know if you are interested in attending!

​

• President - Missy Olejniczak

​

​

​

​

​

​

We need you to get involved!

​

​

For Athletes And Parents

Limited Team Membership

• In all sports except football, during the junior high/middle school season (from a student’s first participation in a contest or scrimmage until the last day of competition for that student), a member of the school team in that sport may participate in a maximum of two (2) events not sponsored by his or her school in that sport while not representing his or her school. An event held on not more than three (3) consecutive calendar days is considered a single event

Sportsmanship

• We expect outstanding sportsmanship from our coaches, athletes, and parents at all times.

​

• Cheer for Lapeer, not against the opponent.

​

• The officials make the game possible… we are to treat them with respect.

​

• Win with class, lose with class

​

• LEAD THE WAY!

​

Sportsmanship

• BE POSITIVE – Your attitude is contagious

​

• BE GOOD SPORTS – Sportsmanship is a learned behavior; whether learned as negative or positive

​

• BE PUNCTUAL – Before and after practices or games be sure to drop off and pick up your students on time, every coach has a family that is waiting for them.

​

• Use the 24 Hour Rule – Contact Coach after 24 Hours 

​

​

​

Line of Communication

• Player speaks with coach
• Parent and player speak with coach
• Player speaks to athletic director
• Parent and player speak to athletic director
• Please wait until at least 24 hours after a game to approach coaches about any concerns

Transportation

• When district transportation is provided, athletes must ride the bus to the game

​

• Parents may sign their athlete out at the game and take their own child home, however, athletes are strongly encouraged to ride the bus to and from games

​

• With written consent and prior arrangement, parents may allow a district approved volunteer to drive their child home from an away contest. This may not be done at the competition and at no time may a driver who is not approved through the district drive a child who is not his/her own from an away contest.

Volunteer Drivers

• Complete Volunteer Driver Form at Zemmer or RW

​

• Submit form to Central Office with photocopy of the following:
• Driver’s License
• Proof of Insurance
• Vehicle Registration

​

• Upon notification that the application has been approved, parents may drive other children home with written permission from the parents of the unrelated child and prior arrangement with the coach.

​

​

Volunteers

• We welcome volunteers!  Talk to your coach for volunteer opportunities (such as uniform handouts/collections, team dinners, or team communication directors) 

​

• All volunteers working directly with students must be registered through the district. Forms are available in any school office.

​

• Need volunteers to help the Lightning Athletic Boosters!

​

​

Volunteers

• 7th/8th Football Concessions Stand and Chain Gang volunteers are needed!

​

​

​

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

• We are going to do our best to take care of your child(ren).

​

• Athletic Trainers to manage in season sports injuries. 

​

• SWAY testing for concussions.
• SWAY is replacing ImPACT
• AED/CPR certification for all coaches.  We have AEDs and portable AEDs.

​

• Coach Advancement Program for all coaches with training in First Aid.

​

• Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

Injury Protocol

• A student who seeks care from a doctor cannot participate again until he/she has a written signed permission by the doctor (MD/DO/PA/NP). 

​

​

• The student, if experienced a concussion or concussion symptoms, will also follow our concussion protocol.

​

​

SWAY Concussion Testing

• All athletes will have an up-to-date baseline (pre-concussion) cognitive exam 

​

• If a student sustains a blow and is determined to have a possible concussion, he/she must be assessed by a doctor (MD/DO/PA/NP).  During the process of receiving medical clearance for activity, the athlete will complete the SWAY test again (perhaps multiple times).  There should be a minimal gap between the athlete’s baseline score and the post concussion score before an athlete will begin the physical progression of multiple, daily steps leading to full participation.

​

• SWAY Testing will take place before the season starts for any athlete who needs it, and will be announced to players by coaches. 6th grade student athletes and 8^th grade student athletes that completed SWAY testing last year DO NOT need SWAY testing!

​

​

Concussion Education

• http://www.lapeerschools.org/about_lcs/athletics
• The following concussion program has been established for use with all Lapeer Community Schools athletes. The concussion program contains three components:

• baseline testing of athletes

• assessment of injury

• return to play procedures

• The purpose of the LCS concussion program is to provide specific procedures to manage concussions in accordance with current medical standards and research and to be in compliance with the policies and procedures of the following organizations:

1. Lapeer Community Schools

2. Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)

3. ATI Physical Therapy Sports Medicine

• The concussion program is managed by the certified athletic trainer (ATI), who serves as the Lapeer Community Schools Athletic Department “Designated Healthcare Professional.”

​

AEDs

• RW Locations:
•  Outside gymnasium
•  Main hall outside main office
•  Coaches office
• CFI Campus Locations:
•  Cafeteria by north gym doors
•  Main hall outside main office
•  Trainer carries portable unit
• Zemmer Locations
•  Outside Cafeteria Doors
•  Main hall outside of main office

​

• Portable AED Units on hand at all athletic events

Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

General Information

Punch Cards

​

• Punch cards may be purchased for $25.  Good for $50 worth of admission to any Lapeer Community Schools athletic contest

​

• Never expire

​

• Buy 5 punch cards at the same time and get the 6^th one free
• Equals $300 in admissions dollars for $125
• Available for purchase in the Athletic Office and at the ticket booths/tables at events

​

Lapeer Community Schools student admittance is free with Student ID; Elementary must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian and middle school students are recommended to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Practices - Date/Time/Location

Follow Lightning Athletics

• Lightning Athletics Website

​

• Lightning Athletics Facebook

​

• Zemmer Facebook

​

Zemmer Campus Swag

Open through Sunday, September 14th at 11:59 p.m.

​

https://toolsportusa.chipply.com/zemmercampus25/?action=viewall

​

​

Fall 2025-2026 Coaches