Fall Sport Athletic Updates #2

On Monday, our high school football, volleyball, cross country, and sideline cheer teams all had their first practice. I can tell that our athletes and coaches are excited for another sport season. As spectators, I hope you are as eager as I am to see them competing and working together as Bulldogs this Fall!

Some information in this newsletter is repeated from the first update, but there is some new information included as well. Read through and enjoy!

Go Dawgs,

Kristi Walker

Athletic Director

Save the dates for the parent/athlete meetings this year. We hope that each athlete is represented by a parent or guardian at this meeting.

High school = TONIGHT, August 9 at 6:30pm in the MS/HS cafeteria.

Middle school = August 23 at 6:00pm in the HS gym.

During these meetings, we will provide an overview of the expectations and guidelines that all athletes and their families need to follow to ensure a successful and enjoyable sports season. Additionally, we will introduce you to Big Teams, an excellent resource that will help you stay updated on schedules, practices, and other important information throughout the season. At the end of the general meeting, individual sports coaches will conduct separate sessions for more focused discussion. This will allow parents to address specific questions and concerns related to their child's sports program.

We believe that these meetings will be instrumental in fostering a positive and supportive athletic community. Your active participation will contribute to the success of our students on and off the field.

The Johnnie Pike 5K will be held this Saturday, August 12th at Morenci High School at 9am. This event honors the life of 2007 Morenci graduate, Johnnie Pike. Johnnie and his girlfriend Chelsey were tragically killed in a house fire in 2008. Johnnie is on the top 10 list of all time best Morenci Cross Country runners. He loved running, cheering on teammates and coaching. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Morenci High School Cross Country funds.

You can still register online or at the event on Saturday morning!

Registration 5k = $25
1 mile walk/run registration = $15

The first day for middle school sports is Monday, August 21.

All Morenci Area Middle School students are welcome to participate. Each participant must have a physical on file dated on or after 4/15/23. No sign up is needed, just show up on the 1st day of practices with a physical & ready to go!

Practice times on Monday, August 21:

Football = 3:30-5:30pm meet at the HS Activities Entrance

Coaches for grades 7 & 8 = Will Ables (willtables@gmail.com) & Todd Gilpin (todd_co64@yahoo.com)

Cross Country = 6-7pm meet at the tree by the baseball field

Coach for grades 6-8 = Michelle Reincke (mreincke@morencibulldogs.org)

Volleyball = 3-5pm in the middle school gym

8th grade coach = Taylor Schisler (taylorschisler@gmail.com)

7th grade coach = Erin Ekins (erinroseolson@msn.com)

Sideline Cheer = 6:30-8:30pm in the MS/HS cafeteria.

Coach for grades 6-8 = Robyn Taylor (rtaylor@morencibulldogs.org)

All middle school and high school students must have an up to date MHSAA physical form on file with the school before participating in athletics. The physical must be dated on or after April 15, 2023. Be sure to make sure ALL signatures are complete on the form by both the student and the parent/guardian.

To download a physical form, click here. Select "Forms" at the top of the page and you will find a "Physical Exam Form" for you to download and print. There are also copies available in the MS/HS Office.

All athletic paperwork will be completed on Big Teams Student Central again this year. Athletes & families who do not have the proper paperwork completed will not be allowed to compete for their sport until all paperwork is completed by both the student and parent.

The Morenci Athletic Boosters meetings are open to all middle school and high school parents/guardians. The next meeting is on August 15 at 6:00 pm in the MS/HS cafeteria. Come join!

The Athletic Department will have a tent at the Back to School Bash in Morenci on Wednesday, August 16 from 6-8pm. Come introduce yourself and ask any questions that you may have about Morenci Athletics. You may also purchase athletic passes for the season, pick up copies of physicals, or get help with your Big Teams account.

The Morenci Athletic Boosters will also have a tent at the downtown bash where you can learn more information!

Exciting news! The Morenci Volleyball program will be hosting their first ever grass volleyball tournament this month!!

When: Sunday, August 20 at 9am

Where: Morenci High School practice football field

Who: 4v4 adult (18+) co-ed. Rosters may have more than 4 people. Teams must have at least one female and one male on the court at all times

Cost: $120/team; all proceeds go toward the Morenci Volleyball program

To register: Have your team captain complete the google form linked here. More details are included on the registration form. Space is limited, so sign up NOW!!!

The Morenci Athletic Department will be hosting the second annual High School Fall Sports Meet the Team Night on Tuesday, August 22, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on the Henry Geisler Football Field.

The event is not just for high school students but also for the youth in the community. From 6:00-7:00 p.m., the football, volleyball, and cross country teams will be present, along with cheerleaders and marching band members. Young attendees will have the opportunity to meet and play alongside their favorite high school athletes and band members. Each team will have various activities and competitions set up for the youth to participate in. Prizes will also be available for them to win.

The event promises to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with the Morenci community, support the high school athletes and band members, and have an exciting time. Go Bulldogs!

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the high school gym.

Get your sports pass for all home events throughout the year! Passes are good for both middle school and high school events for the 2023-24 school year. Passes are not accepted at any post-season tournaments or special events held at the school.

Family pass = $150/family (immediate household)

Adult pass = $60

Senior Citizen pass = $10 (age 62 and older)

Student pass = $20 (Morenci Area School district students)

Passes can be purchased in the MS/HS office via cash or check (made out to Morenci Athletics).

*NEW* TCC SENIOR CITIZEN PASS

Adults age 62 and older are able to purchase a Tri-County Conference Senior Citizen pass this year for $25. This pass will be good at all home and away TCC games for the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons at middle school and high school events. TCC teams include Whiteford, Erie-Mason, Sand Creek, Britton-Deerfield, Summerfield, Lenawee Christian, and Morenci. Seniors will be charged $5 at the door if they do not have the pass. This is a change the entire league has taken for the 2023-24 school year.

Passes will be available for purchase in the MS/HS office and at the gate of any TCC game.

The athletic department is looking for adult or student workers to help with a variety of game day jobs throughout the Fall season. We are in search of people to help take tickets, announce, move chains, operate scoreboards, etc. at the middle school and high school level. If you are willing to volunteer, please reach out to Kristi Walker (kwalker@morencibulldogs.org).

We have been working on updating our MAS Athletic Website throughout the summer to make information easier to find when you most need it. Check out the new site here!

Athletic Director: Kristi Walker

Email: kwalker@morencibulldogs.org

Athletic Secretary: Darci Lemmon

Email: dlemmon@morencibulldogs.org

Website: https://www.facebook.com/morencibulldogs/
Location: 304 Page Street, Morenci, MI, USA
Phone: 5174587506