Team Tryouts

Grades 9-12 | Winter Sports 2022

Winter sports offered are basketball, dance, and swimming and diving. Tryouts and practices for basketball begin Monday, October 31. Tryouts and practices for swimming and diving and dance begin Monday, November 7. 

Every student trying out must have all medical documentation completed in Magnus Health. A current physical is required to play. Most physicals are valid for two years from the date of the examination unless the physician states that it is only valid for one year. Ninth graders must have a physical issued after January of the current year. To guarantee that the physical meets the MSHSAA requirements for student-athletes, please use either the MSHSAA Physical Evaluation form or the VDOH physical form found on Magnus Health. Please email Athletic Director Tim Deines at tdeines@vdoh.org if you have questions or need assistance. Students and parents should review all of the athletics information, especially the Parent’s Guide to Concussion, in the Co-Curricular section of the Student-Parent Handbook.

School attendance is mandatory for student-athletes.

• Students must be present at school by the end of the first period or they will not be eligible to play or practice that day. Individual circumstances will be handled by the Athletic Director and Dean of Students.
• Students participating in sports must be enrolled and pass a minimum 7/8 classes.

Excused absences include:

• Illness – An extended illness will require a doctor’s note.
• Physician/Dental Appointments – Students must submit a note to the coach from the physician's/dentist's office confirming the day and time of the visit.
• Family Emergency – Parents must communicate any emergency with coach/Athletic Director.
• College Visits – Students are allowed one (1) excused college visit during a season.
• School-sponsored Activities – Show Choir, Retreats, and other school-sponsored requirements.
• Academics – Academic excuses are allowed with confirmation/communication from a faculty member to the coach/Athletic Director.

Individual circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the coach, Athletic Director, and Principal. Athletes will be allowed two (2) unexcused absences during a season.

Selection of Teams:
Villa Duchesne wishes to provide a safe and positive experience for each of our students who wishes to participate in athletics. We encourage students to participate in sports, especially ninth graders. Depending on the amount of participation from the student body, size limitations may be imposed in some sports. When this occurs, coaches will evaluate students based on attitude, work ethic, skill, fitness, and the needs of the program to select the participants of a team. There is no guarantee that a student will make a team even if she made a team the previous year or that the student will move to the next level the following year. It is mandatory that all students trying out for a team are present the FIRST DAY so that we achieve the mandatory 14 days of practices required by MSHSAA prior to start of the season contests and everyone participates in the tryout process.

Holiday Breaks: Students are expected to be in attendance for any practices or contests during holiday breaks. Students who anticipate scheduling conflicts due to holiday travel should contact the head coach to communicate and ask for a tentative schedule.

If you have any questions regarding a sport, please contact the head coach.

Basketball – Number of teams and cuts will depend on student turnout. Tryouts begin Monday, October 31, from 3:15-4:30 pm in Kenefick Gymnasium and continue Tuesday through Friday from 3:15-5 pm. Practice times could change after teams have been set. Please bring basketball shoes, appropriate top and shorts, and water bottle. Head Coach: Tim Deines, tdeines@vdoh.org.

Dance – Dance is a club sport offered during the winter season. There is one team and cuts may be made depending on student turnout. Tryouts begin Monday, November 7, from 3:15-5:15 pm in the dance studio (lower level, west side of Kenefick gym). Head Coach: Stacey Buske, villasaintsations@gmail.com

Swimming and Diving – Number of teams and cuts will depend on student turnout. Tryouts begin Monday, November 7, from 3:30-5:30 pm in the pool located on the lower level of Kenefick Gym.  Please bring swimsuit, towel, goggles, and water bottle. Head Coach: Bill Tramel, billtramel@hotmail.com.

If you are a diver, please plan to attend tryouts in the Villa Fitness Center from 3:30 to 4:45 pm. Head Coach: Andy Balczo, a.j.balczo@gmail.com.

Go Saints!