Frequently Asked Quastions
How do I know if my athlete is NCAA eligible?
The best resource for NCAA questions is the NCAA Eligibility Center Website. There, you will find plenty of links with information on NCAA eligibility, an NCAA guide for college-bound athletes, and more. You can also visit www.nfhs.org for their free course on NCAA Eligibility.
After using the provided resources, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our NCAA guidance counselors at Golden Valley High School (Ms. B. Ortiz ).
My son/daughter is interested in team sports. What should I do next?
If your student is in the 8th grade, be sure to attend our Future Grizzlies Athletics Meet the Coaches Night in May. There, you will receive information on our Summer Sports Camps, Athletic Clearance, and you will be able to speak to all of our head coaches.
If your student is already attending Golden Valley High School, you should be sure to contact the head coach of the sport your student is interested in joining to get more information regarding tryouts, Summer Camps, and more.
My athlete wants to be on two different sports teams. Is this possible?
Yes, many of our students at Golden Valley High School are two and even three sport athletes. We encourage multi-sport athletes to pursue their goals and participate on multiple teams. We encourage open communication when sharing athletes.
When do practices begin and end?
The coaches will arrange practice times to meet CIF guidelines and when facilities and coaching staff are available. Make sure to attend parent information meetings for each program or contact the team coach for specific practice dates and times.
Will my son/daughter receive course credit for their sport?
Yes, each team sport at Golden Valley High School is a course and is part of the regular school day. Students receive 2.5 credits and a grade for each quarter of participation. Grades are based on full participation and teamwork. The school district requires two years of Physical Education for graduation. Golden Valley High School’s Team Sports meet this requirement.
What is the time commitment for an athletic team sport?
Most students are scheduled for one period of athletics. In addition, the student is required to practice before or after school with the team and to attend all scheduled events during the team’s competitive season, including competitions held during the weekend or on a school holiday. The coach will provide practice times and the team’s calendar of events during a pre-season meeting.
Can an athlete participate in club sports in high school?
Participation on outside teams during the school year can jeopardize a student’s high school eligibility and their high school teams’ eligibility. Seasons of sports can vary by CIF Section. You should speak with the Athletic Director to see what CIF allows.
Who should I contact if I have a problem regarding my athlete’s playing time?
Generally speaking, coaches do not discuss playing time with parents. All coaches are open to discussing playing time, but we ask that the athlete initiate the conversation at an appropriate time/setting. The Athletic Director, Assistant Principals, Principal and District Personnel will not be involved in issues related to playing time. Playing time is only determined by our coaches, and the best way to address a concern is by having an athlete open the discussion.
Who should I contact if I have a problem regarding issues other than playing time?
If you would like to discuss an issue unrelated to an athlete’s playing time, we recommend starting with your athlete’s coach, then working your way up the “Athletic Chain-of-Command”:
Head Coach of Program > Athletic Director overseeing sport > Assistant Principal overseeing athletics > Principal
While we realize that some matters may require immediate attention from those in higher positions of authority, contacting school personnel in the order listed above will help us address the issue in a timely manner and keep all relevant parties in the loop. If an issue can be resolved by the Head Coach or Athletic Director, but a parent chooses to start by sending an email to the Principal, it may actually take longer to resolve as the parent waits for the email to be addressed by the proper personnel.
What is “Athletic Clearance?”
In order to participate in our athletic programs, all students must complete online Athletic Clearance forms on a yearly basis. Athletic Clearance is a two-step process designed to insure that all athletes are healthy for participation and that both parents and athletes understand the inherent risks that accompany athletic competition. For more information, and steps on how to obtain Athletic Clearance, please visit our Athletic Clearance page. Link to Athletic Clearance
I got a physical for my athlete before the start of his/her season. Do I need another one before Summer Camp begins?
Athletic physicals are good for one calendar year from the date given. If an athlete's physical is set to empire during their season, you must obtain a new physical prior to it expiring.
My athlete has a doctor’s appointment to get their physical, but it is 3 days after camp or practice starts. Can my student still participate?
No, students cannot participate until the Athletic Director’s office receives their physical and clears them for athletic participation. The athlete may sit and watch the practices however will not be allowed to participate until they have a current physical.
My doctor provides their own paperwork for athletic physicals. Do I still need to submit the district forms?
The Athletic Director’s Office kindly requests that the district forms be used to complete the athletic physical. However, if your physician insists on using their own paperwork, or you forgot to bring our forms to the appointment, we will accept other physical forms. In order for the forms to be valid for Athletic Clearance, the doctor should indicate the athlete is physically fit for athletic participation and sign and date the form. A physical without the doctor/office signature/stamp will not be accepted.
What is the Academic Eligibility Requirement for high school sports?
Athletes must pass a minimum of 4 classes and maintain 2.0 grade point average or higher. The student’s grade point average on each Quarter Grade Report determines athletic eligibility.
I am transferring my athlete to/from Golden Valley High School. Are they eligible to play this year?
There are a variety of reasons why an athlete may transfer from one high school to another, and there are different rules that determine athletic eligibility depending on each reason.
In all cases of transferring to/from Golden Valley High School, it is best to contact the Athletic Director to see if there are any rules impacting athletic eligibility.
Any student athlete who transfers between high schools is subject to the CIF transfer policy. All transfer athletes are considered ineligible and must request review of eligibility by the new school's principal or designee to determine eligibility for competition. Please allow at least 20 school days to process transfer paperwork.
Every application must be true, accurate, complete, fcorrect and/or not false or fraudulent (CIF bylaw 202). Violation of CIF 202 can make a student ineligible for up to two years.
Primary considerations in evaluating transfer applications are:
- Valid change of residence
- Undue influence/prior contact before transferring to the new school
- Academic eligibility
- Discipline status
- Other eligibility issues
Why do your Summer Camp Programs cost money?
Athletic Summer Camp Programs take place outside the normal operating school year and, therefore, are not included in the spectrum of public school enrollment. While it is beneficial for athletes to participate in our Summer Camp Programs to increase their athletic practice and skill level, please note that participation is not mandatory. An athlete can still try-out and make a team without participating in a program’s summer camp.
Can I pay for Summer Camp in person with Cash or Check?
Summer camps can be paid online (Link to ASB Webpage) and/or you may pay with cash or check in our ASB office.
What are Summer Sports Camps?
Summer is a good time to try out a sport, develop athletic skills and practice the specific conditioning exercises needed for optimum performance as you prepare for the team tryouts. Summer Camps are offered by most sports. List of Summer Camps and prices can be found by navigating to our Summer Camp page. At our Future Centurion Athlete Night held in May, coaches will be available after this meeting to answer your questions about summer camp.
I got a physical for my athlete before the start of his/her season. Do I need another one before Summer Camp begins?
The Athletic Director’s Office kindly requests that all physicals be completed prior to Summer Camp participation in the months of May, June, and July. This helps us keep track of valid physicals and speeds up the process of Athletic Clearance. If an athlete received a physical in a different month, it is valid for one year from the date of the physical, and the athlete is still eligible for clearance. However, if this is the case, we ask that you please contact the Athletic Director’s office to inform them of the physical date. This way, we can make a special note in the student’s record and ensure that the athlete remains cleared for athletic participation.
If my family will be on vacation and my athlete will miss a few days of the summer camp, can he still participate in the camp?
Yes, absolutely. But we suggest making sure to inform the coaches in advance, so they do not think the athlete is no longer interested in the camp.
Can my athlete participate in more than one summer camp sport?
Yes, if their sport summer camp dates overlap, email both coaches to arrange a schedule that will work for your athlete.
Will there be a pre-season meeting for my son/daughter’s team?
Yes, each head coach will hold a parent meeting. This is an important meeting that all parents should attend. The teams’ coaches will provide specific information related to their sport, information about the athletic program, expectations for students and parents, team policies, practice schedules, and will answer questions. The date and time will be announced when the team roster is finalized.