Meridian Athletics

 

Updated 11/23/2020 Meridian has been using the information provided by the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) to guide our decisions for Athletics. As of 11/19/20, WCCHD reported that the County is in the Red / Uncontrolled Community Spread phase, which is characterized by very high community transmission. Due to the fact that athletics are an extracurricular activity, Meridian has suspended indoor sports, with the potential for cancellation, until further notice. We are still hopeful that our outdoor Spring Sports will operate as planned, which means that our Fall and Winter Sports seasons will need to conclude by the scheduled end date. We will update the participants of our Fall Sports with the expected implications to the remainder of their season by Friday, November 27th. For Basketball, Meridian is still hoping to offer a condensed season that would begin after Winter Break. Registration has been extended to January 6th for this reason. You can find more information about the updated, condensed season here.  Plans for Meridian Athletics might change prior to the start of the sport's season or during the season if we receive recommendations from the local Health District or the State to further limit athletic activities.

 

 

20-21 Athletics Plan 

September 28, 2020

Updated with WilCo Gating Criteria on November 12, 2020

Plans are subject to change.

 

This year’s athletic opportunities must be different than they have been in the past. We have given much thought to our goal of balancing the requirement for safety for all our students and staff with the physical and mental health of our student athletes. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides very little guidance for non-UIL activities; Meridian is a non-UIL school. The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is developing guidance, and we intend to follow it to the extent allowed by the TEA for school re-opening, athletics, and extracurriculars.

 

The WCCHD has developed a “Gating Criteria” chart as a guide to indicate what kinds of school, athletics, and extracurricular activities can take place safely under the changing levels of virus activity. These criteria can be viewed here.

 

There are four phases in the criteria - Red / Uncontrolled Community Spread, which is characterized by very high community transmission; Orange / High Community Spread, with high/substantial community transmission; Yellow / Moderate Community Spread; and Green / Minimal Community Spread. We will use the information provided by the WCCHD to guide our decisions for athletics and extracurricular activities and to the extent allowed by the State of Texas, re-opening our campus to students. 

Transmission Levels

• Red: Uncontrolled Community Spread
• Meridian might offer only virtual extracurriculars or suspend the start of a sport's season until the Yellow stage is achieved.
• Orange: High Community Spread
• Meridian might offer only virtual extracurriculars or suspend the start of a sport's season until the Yellow stage is achieved.
• Yellow: Moderate Community Spread
• Meridian will offer both virtual extracurriculars, indoor practice/conditioning, and outdoor competitions - either on or off campus as described on each sport's webpage just before the start of the season.
• Green: Minimal Community Spread
• Meridian will offer both virtual extracurriculars and all athletic activities as described on each sport's webpage just before the start of the season. Indoor spectators will be limited.

 

We would like to provide some degree of certainty, not only for our families, but for the coaches and staff we must hire to carry out these activities. This requires commitment on the part of our parents for fees, our coaches for time, and our staff for availability.

 

In order to maximize health, fun, and the potential for success, we have examined each activity separately and evaluated these aspects:

• Can physical distancing be maintained at the level recommended for the phase of transmission?
• Can we find coaches who are able to maintain flexibility for potential changes?
• Can student athletes still experience skill building, team comradery, the thrill of competition, and fun? 
• Is there an adequate balance of value to our students with the fees charged to cover expenses?

All guidance and decisions are subject to change as local and regional health situations evolve over the course of the year.  

 

Start dates will be determined by the Transmission Levels described above. The start date could affect whether or not the sport will have intramural or interscholastic competitions. Once a sport starts, which is designated by the first practice, it will more than likely continue even upon re-entering Orange / High Spread or the Red / Uncontrolled Phase, unless the State mandates otherwise.

• To best plan around COVID-19, the following sports might have two seasons this year - Fall and Spring:
  • Cross Country
  • Dance
  • Tennis
• These sports will have intramural competitions only:
  • Fall Dance
  • Fall Swimming
  • Fall Tennis
  • Volleyball
• Fall Cross Country could have two interscholastic competitions.
• Due to lack of interest in Spring Swimming, only Fall Swimming will be offered this year. Fall Swimming will have intramural competitions only.  
• These sports may continue to be competitive within TCSAAL (Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League). Participation and start dates will be determined by the Transmission Levels described above as these defined seasons approach.
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Spring Tennis
  • Baseball

 

The following applies to all Meridian Athletics offerings:

• On-Campus vs. Distance Learning: Students do not have to be on-campus learners to participate in Meridian Athletics. Students can change from on-campus to distance learning and vice versa during their sport's seasons without affecting their eligibility.
• Physical Eligibility: In order to participate in Meridian athletics or programs that include Meridian coaches and/or Meridian facilities, student athletes must have a valid physical form cleared by a physician on file with the Athletics Department before participating.
  • Physical Forms
    • Students must have a valid physical form on file with the Athletics Department prior to participating. Check the expiration date of your physical form here. If your name is not listed, it is because we do not have a physical form on file for you.
    • Download a blank physical form here.
    • Learn more about physical eligibility and physical forms here.
• Academic Eligibility: Students must be academically eligible to participate in interscholastic or intramural competitions.
• Lettering: Lettering is possible for students who participate in sports that are competing in interscholastic competitions at the Varsity level. 

 

 

Please select a sport below to see the 2020-2021 Athletics Plan as it pertains to that sport:

 

 

Baseball	Basketball	Cross Country
'
Dance	Soccer	Swimming
Fall Tennis	Spring Tennis	Volleyball