Palo Alto Athletic Department

Hello Vikings!

As the athletic season approaches it the start of season 2, there have been lots of questions about how athletics will work now and in the future. As changes are so frequent, the Paly Athletic Department decided that a weekly newsletter would be a perfect vehicle to communicate with students, parents, staff and fans. Thank you for joining us on this journey, as we return to school, competition and fun.

Sko Vikes//One Ship

To accommodate the restrictions around competition and maximize the opportunity for all students to play as many sports as they can for as long as they can, The Santa Clara Vally Athletic League adopted a shortened 3 Season sports calendar.

Season 1: 2/1 – 3/27

Season 2: 3/1 – 4/24*

Season 3: 4/5 – 5/28

To learn more about the season dates, you can visit Paly Sports to learn more.

*Football plays its last game Friday, 4/16.

**Girls Volleyball and Badminton have not resumed practice or competition. A change in start date is pending.

The SCVAL board of managers as agreed to allow up to four family members at each contest. The number of total fans allowed will be dependent upon facility space at each sports' respective venue. Coaches will distribute passes each of their students prior to the start of the season. Each pass is good to attend that sport at both home and away contests in the SCVAL.

While we will be able to provide some transportation, we are limited in the capacity and availability of buses for all of our teams. Additionally, we are not allowed to arrange parent carpools as in years past (CDPH guidelines). Instead, students must either: (1) drive only themselves or (2) family must drive only their child(ren) to and from the contest. Please communicate with your coach to know the transportation plan for your particular sport.

Starting this year, the collection of the participation donation moved from the Paly Sports Boosters to the Paly Athletic Department. All donations can be made at the Paly Web Store using the team donation link. You will need to use a laptop web browser to make the donation. The recommended donation for each student for each sport is $250.

The participation donation is used to all aspects of athletics. Support for transportation, web services, communication, training, video support, transportation, equipment and uniforms (and much more) come from the generosity of parent & guardian support.

To simplify the process, help programs meet their funding needs, and streamline the buying process, we budgeted the average cost per student at $185 based on historical data. Every dollar raised above that amount will go to the team. For example: if $225 is donated = $185 goes to the department and $40 goes to the team. Thus, each team carries equal responsibility in supporting the athletic department, and they know exactly what their funding looks like one year to the next. Its a Win-Win!

Yes! We have partnered with eTeam Sponsor to help each team meet their particular funding goals. Through the power of crowd funding (e.g. GoFundMe), teams have been able to reach out to those who want to support Paly sports, but don't know how? Now everyone can get in the game.

Like all fundraisers, participation is optional. If you do not want to share emails or phone numbers, we are more than happy to accept direct support from you or anyone who loves Paly sports. Just donate directly to the Paly Web Store in the same portal used for the participation donation. It is that easy.

If you are curious as to how this work, you can visit – and support – current fundraising campaigns, or you can contact our account representative, Logan Wolf at logan@eteamsponsor.com. We have raised over $30,000 to date. Sko Vikes!

Season 3 sports are set to begin April 5th. Yes, that is the first day of spring break. Yes, you should stick around because the season is only 8 weeks from start to finish, and competition begins Monday, April 19th.

Season 3 schedules have not been done, but we will release them as soon as they are available.

To receive a prep period for you physical education class, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. Have an "A" in PE
2. Made an official team roster
3. That sport has begun official season

Email: palyathleticdirector@gmail.com
Website: www.palysports.com
Location: 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 329-3886
Twitter: @palyathletics