Fall Athletics 2021

Dear Parents and Student-Athletes,

I hope you have been able to enjoy summer and are getting ready for the school year to begin. I, along with the entire Bernard Zell faculty, staff and administration, look forward to welcoming you back. While I am thrilled that athletics is beginning to look “normal” again, I want to be sure that you pay close attention to what our programs will look like this fall and understand that as guidelines change, we may need to shift, adapt or adjust our plans on the fly. In addition to this, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility as things are continuously changing. We are and will continue to closely monitor the most up-to-date guidelines from the IHSA, IDPH, and CDPH. 

Below you will see some information that you may find helpful when planning for the fall athletic season, which is quickly approaching. You will find our 2021 Fall Practice Schedule, a little about each program, some important reminders pertaining to pre-season meetings, as well as health and medical updates concerning eligibility. Game schedules are almost complete, and will be distributed once they are finalized. These have proved very tricky this particular season, as our competitors are currently working through their protocols and are still unsure if they'll be able to fill teams or not. 

MANDATORY health forms: Magnus Health Suite + BZConnect

The Magnus Health Suite is our health-form information system which is located under the Resource section of BZ Connect. There are three (3) required forms for participation.

• COVID-19 Waiver

Very similar to what you filled out in the spring. Please be sure this form is completed and turned in electronically through BZConnect.

• Concussion Policy

We will continue to follow the Illinois State mandated concussion policy and protocol set for all Illinois State Interscholastic Athletics programs. This form should be signed and returned through Magnus. 

• Sports Physicals

Please ensure that your child’s sports physical form is uploaded to the Magnus Health Suite. You may use the IL State Child Health Form (make sure the doctor checked the box towards the bottom that gives the child eligibility in interscholastic athletics) or the IESA form. If you use the health form, be sure to upload it to both of the required places within Magnus (school and athletics). Also, please be sure to electronically sign the medical release form. 

ALL student-athletes must have a current physical, the concussion form and the COVID-19 waiver in order to participate this fall. 

Reminders:
Start of the Season

• On Monday, August 30, there will be a mandatory meeting for all student-athletes interested in participating in fall athletics this year. This meeting will take place right after school in the blue gym and should conclude by 4:30 p.m. Student-athletes playing in the winter or spring (but not the fall) need not attend. If you cannot attend today, please be sure to check in with Mr. Sheahan on Monday, August 30.

• The official practice season for fall will begin on the second day of school, Tuesday, August 31.

Fall 2021 Opportunities:
Girls Volleyball:

• 6th Grade: Intramurals 

  • This season will focus on building fundamentals, becoming part of a team, learning rules and gameplay, as well as participating in scrimmages and intra-squad games. There will be no travel for 6th grade girls volleyball. There will be three practices per week, ending with a live-stream scrimmage for parents to attend or watch live.

• 7th Grade: JV Volleyball

  • This team will build on their growth from the spring and compete in the CAMS league as per usual. They will have four practices per week with 10-12 games plus a postseason tournament. Fans are welcome to attend home games only. 

• 8th Grade: Varsity Volleyball 

  • Similar to 7th grade, this team too will build on their growth from the spring and compete in the varsity level of the CAMS league. They have four practices per week with 10-12 games plus a postseason tournament. Fans are welcome to attend home games only.

Soccer

• 6th Grade Soccer:

  • This will be an introduction to soccer, with three practices per week and between 4-6 games. This team will host games on the Field of Dreams in addition to traveling off campus for matches. At this time, fans are welcome to attend (masked) outdoor games both on and off campus. 

• 7th Grade Soccer:

  • Similar to 6th grade, this team will practice three times per week and play in between 6-8 games. The 7th graders will host games as well as travel. At this time, fans are welcome to attend (masked) outdoor games both on and off campus.

• 8th Grade Soccer

  • For the first time ever, a Bernard Zell soccer team will compete in the CAMS League (the league we are in for volleyball and basketball). This season will include four practices per week, in addition to games against CAMS Schools (City Day, NNM, Waldorf, Catherine Cook, Ancona, Lycee) as well as Parker, Latin, and Lab. There will be a postseason tournament for our 8th grade team. 

Preparing for Day One

Fall student-athletes should be prepared to practice at their scheduled time on Tuesday, August 31. Volleyball players should have knee pads, athletic clothing, extra masks and a water bottle. In addition to bringing a water bottle and extra masks, soccer players are required to have shin guards, soccer socks and soccer cleats for all practices and games. Turf cleats are acceptable, however tennis/gym/running shoes are not acceptable for soccer, as we will be playing games off campus this season. Student-athletes will not be permitted to practice without shin guards. 

BZ Connect + Google Calendars

Schedules will be uploaded to BZ Connect in the coming weeks. Once rosters are finalized near the end of the first week of school, student-athletes will be added to their respective teams. All updates this year will be through BZ Connect. Please look for weekly emails on Fridays during the season coming from the Athletic Department. All game schedules can be found on the “Athletics” calendar as well. 

2021 FALL Practice Schedule

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the upcoming fall season, and please be on the lookout for my second communication, coming out just before school begins. We look forward to another successful year of Bernard Zell athletics!

Warmly,

Kyle Sheahan
Director of Athletics and Physical Education