District Cuts Eight Junior Varsity Teams

The 2010-2011 sports line up has lost eight of its younger Junior Varsity 2 teams and four coaches, saving the district $99,433, according to the adopted budget. 

Jeremy Thode, director of athletics, said these teams were primarily made up of students in grades 9 and 10. Students from these teams will tryout for the next level of junior varsity teams, traditionally made up of students in grades 10 and 11. 

The teams cut include boys and girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys wrestling, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball. 

Every year, students interested in playing on district teams are required to try out for sports teams  at Commack high school. Students try out within the first week of school and Thode said the teams will accomodate as many students as possible on the junior varsity team to make up for the lack of JV2 teams. 

Thode said Lynn McConnell, the district athletic trainer, is an hourly employee of the district in her trainer capacity and the 2010-2011 budget also reduced her hours of availability for this role. According to the revised budget, McConnell's reduction saved the district $2,935. 

The availability of an athletic trainer means that McConnell will be used when needed, however may not be sent to all away games, Thode said. The home team in any Section XI game has an athletic trainer available and it is a luxury to have two, he said.