NORWICH – Norwich’s athletic director reported increased participation, high academic achievement and the impact of the building project in an update to the school board last week.
At the Norwich City School board of education meeting on Oct. 21, Athletic Director Steve Griffin gave board members a status update on the fall athletic season.
According to Griffin, a total of 323 student athletes participated in the nine athletic programs fielded this fall. He broke this total down into 155 girls competing as a part of 11 teams, and 168 boys on seven teams.
“Last year I set a goal to improve communication lines,” said Griffin. He reported that, in an effort to increase participation in the athletic offerings, sign-ups had been conducted during the lunch period starting last May.
Once those sign-ups were completed, sports physicals were scheduled. To further open the lines of communication, Griffin said, he himself made reminder phone calls to each student household before practices began on Aug. 18.
“The building project created a challenge,” said Griffin, but students and coaches responded well and without complaint.
Because team locker rooms were not ready for the early part of the season, swimmers wore their suits under their clothes to practice and football players changed in shifts.
“Our JV and Varsity volleyball teams faced the largest challenge,” explained Griffin. Not only did these teams face a lack of practice space, but their season schedule was changed as well.
“The parents, coaches and team members took thing in stride,” he said, commending their patience and flexibility.
The athletic director contacted the YMCA, Unadilla Valley and Oxford for assistance in finding practice space for the teams. “Being the good neighbors they are, they opened their doors and set up gymnasiums for us,” he said.
Opposing teams were also cooperative, said Griffin. Home and away matches were flip flopped to allow the first half of the season to be played on the road.
According to Griffin, the upgraded facilities, especially the turf field and press box at Ulrich Stadium, have gotten rave reviews. “Parent comments have all been positive,” he said.
“We’ve had increased communication with the music program,” reported the athletic director, detailing how the marching band used the field to practice their competitive field show.
This fall’s student athletes have been successful in the classrooms as well as on the new field.
“Our coaches have been diligent in upholding the academic eligibility policy,” said Griffin. “We put the academic standard ahead of the athletic standard.”
In accordance with athletic department policy, each student athlete must have an Academic Success Form completed each week. Coaches and students are accountable in this process. So far this season, students have been performing very well academically.
“Eight of the 9 teams have qualified for scholar athlete awards, which means maintaining a 90 or higher average as a team,” reported Griffin. This is not a reflection on the ninth team, the athletic director clarified. The data for the final team had not been calculated as of the Oct. 21 meeting.
After commending Griffin on the progress he has made particularly in increasing participation in the athletic program, board member Joe Stagliano asked what more the board could do to assist the athletic director in his efforts.
“Is there anything the board can do to better support you?” asked board member Joe Stagliano.
“I have been supported 100 percent,” Griffin replied.
A plan to add additional teams to Norwich’s roster are in the work, reported Griffin. He will be meeting with Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan later this month to explore these options.