Athletic Information

MISSION STATEMENT

Morton Junior High School is committed to providing meaningful opportunities to all students. We believe that through athletics, students can learn valuable life lessons that carry over into all aspects of their lives. We believe hard work, dedication, teamwork, and school spirit are all components that not only make for successful teams but also for successful individuals. It is our goal that our students succeed in life and we believe athletic participation provides an avenue to learn these many important skills necessary to succeed.

 

TRY-OUTS

Full try-out schedules are released approximately one month prior to the start of the season.    


SCHEDULES

Available on the MJHS homepage (8to18.com/mortonjhs/) are game schedules.  Any changes will be reflected on these schedules.  

 

SCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY

Students are to have passing grades in all subjects in which they receive a grade.  A failing grade in any subject will result in a student being placed on the ineligibility list for one week.  Ineligible students may practice with the team but may not play.  The ineligibility period runs from Monday to Sunday.  After four consecutive weeks of ineligibility, a student will be dismissed from that team.  This pertains to all extra-curricular, non-graded activities and athletics.

 

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
Students are required to attend all days of try-outs and practices.  The lengths of try-outs vary from two to five days depending on the sport.  Practices occur daily either before school, after school, or in the evenings and on Saturdays.      

 
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Athletes must be registered online. Visit il.8to18.com/mortonjhs to complete the online registration process.  The only document students need to turn into the office in the sports physical.  Athletes will not be allowed to try-out/practice/participate without registering and turning in their physical.     

  • Upon registering, parents will have the ability to download the official IESA/IHSA physical form that is valid for 395 days (13 months). 
  • Athletes must pay the District #709 Activity fee prior to their first contest.  This can be done at Registration in early August, paid online through e-Funds, or paid by check in the office.  This fee is assessed once per year (regardless of number of sports/activities one participates).
  • If for some reason a student-athlete is unable to get a physical in time for the start of practice, the student is expected to attend the practice or try-out and watch until the physical is obtained.

 
IESA MEMBERSHIP
MJHS is a member of the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA).  Through this membership we participate in a state series at the conclusion of each season consisting of a regional tournament, sectional, and state tournament.
           

The IESA provides the leadership to ensure a wholesome, equitable setting so students in their member schools can enjoy the many positive benefits of participation in interscholastic activities.  This Association supports the values of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.  Further information such as season calendars, Regional/Sectional/State Tournament information, MJHS’s state final history, by-laws, and other important information can be found at iesa.org. 

           

For future try-out dates, see www.iesa.org for full standardized calendars for each sport.  We adhere to the IESA’s “first day of practice” for all sports.  Two usual exceptions to this include volleyball (one week later due to girls’ basketball) and track (one-two weeks later due to volleyball). 

 

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

·   Participation Awards – Each student athlete is awarded a chenille letter, pin, and certificate upon completion of his or her first season.  After all subsequent seasons, student athletes receive a pin and certificate only.

·    Platinum Potter Award – Awarded annually to any 8th Grade student athlete who has participated in a minimum of six sports during his/her junior high career.  Awardees are recognized at the end of year Awards Night.    

·    #1 Potter Fan Award – Awarded annually to the student(s) who best exemplifies the Junior Potter spirit of sportsmanship, school pride, and enthusiasm.  Winners are announced at the end of year Awards Night.    

·   IESA Scholar Attitude Award – Each IESA member school is allowed to nominate one student for this award.  The IESA selects one winner from each division and is recognized at a spring luncheon.  

·   All Sportsmanship Team – Each sport nominates one student-athlete that embodies sportsmanship at the highest level.  The team is announced at the end of the year Awards Night.   


General Information
- Athletics Homepage
- Parent/Coach Communication
- Suggestions for Sports Parents


Links
- Season Calendars
- IESA Homepage

- IESA Handbook and By-Laws
- MJHS IESA All-Time Records