IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
COACHING STAFF:
- Head Coach, Hardy Kalisher – 16th Season – hardy.kalisher@bvsd.com
- Kyle Nothstein – JV Coach, 2nd Season – kyle.nothstein@bvsd.com
- Jackson McCabe – Freshmen/Sophomore Team Coach – BHS Soccer Alumnus and 1st Season jackson.mccabe@bvsd.com
- Bruce Pelz – Former BHS player and Assistant Coach – 5th Year
- Aidan Longhurst – Former BHS Soccer Captain and Assistant Coach – 1st Year
HOME GAME LOCATIONS: At Boulder we have two fields, Recht Stadium and the Grass Field (Freshmen/Sophomore games only).
BHS Team Overview:
Missing practices, not giving maximum effort at practices, size of teams, depth of talent, academic and student-code of conduct issues can all impact playing time.
Freshmen/Sophomore (aka C-Team) –The standard of skill for this team increases each season and is typically at the level of most school’s Junior Varsity teams. Like our other two teams, F/S consistently competes at the top of the Front Range League. Each year our varsity team includes student-athletes that began their journey through high school soccer on the F/S team. To reach the varsity level takes a very high level of dedication, skill and athletic development. For many of our student-athletes, that begins with the F/S team. The expectation is that each athlete will play so long as they meet the standard of commitment to the program.
Junior Varsity – Our JV team is usually one of the top JV teams in the state and would be competitive in many varsity leagues. The JV team consists of student-athletes that are developing towards varsity level but may need time to gain more experience, mature physically or wait for the opportunity as players graduate from the varsity team. JV players may not play in every game but will play throughout the season.
Varsity – The varsity team is the pinnacle of BHS Boys Soccer experience. The varsity team has the highest expectation for game day success, commitment and dedication to the team and program. The varsity team competes in the most competitive and difficult league in Colorado high school soccer. Typically 14-16 players receive the vast majority of playing time but every student has an important and valued role on the team. Consistent game day success is not possible unless each player brings a championship team mentality to practice, warm up, on the field, from the sidelines, before and after each game and in the locker room.
EXPECTATIONS, PROTOCOLS & RULES
Our most important rule is “Do not hurt the team or program.” This means following the BVSD Code of Conduct and academic requirements to participate. With this “Do not hurt the team” lens the students typically do a great job making decisions. Every week we revisit this rule. The students also do a good job holding each other accountable.
– All practices and games are mandatory. Student-athletes must manage their schedule appropriately. Parents can help their son be successful in the program by scheduling appointments, travel, family time and events around soccer practices and games. We all appreciate the commitment parents also make to the program.
– Student-athletes who miss practices will jeopardize their position on the team and in the program. Student-athletes will not be excused from practices or games for appointments, family dinner plans, college student siblings in town, etc. Part of being a successful student-athlete is managing academic success and athletic participation.
– Academic Eligibility Expectations for this Spring Season: The Athletic Director checks student-athlete academic eligibility each week of the season. We encourage students to be proactive and confirm that their teachers have updated their grades to be current by Friday morning of each week during the season.
During the season, students with 1 or more “F’s” are ruled ineligible to participate. Students who are ineligible during the season are prohibited from suiting up and participating in games until cleared by the Athletic Director. If a student is ineligible for one week of the season then the student may not play in games but can practice. They may not suit up in uniform for games. If a student is ineligible for a second week during the season, then they may not attend practices or games. If they are ineligible for a third week during the season then the student is suspended from participating for the rest of the season and must return their uniform to their team coach. We take the student-athlete part of the expectation very seriously. Boulder High soccer practices are “fun” and student-athletes earn the right to participate by maintaining academic eligibility.
– Practice and Game Changes. There will be changes. Even in a non-COVID year changes can happen on the day of a game or practice. Each student-athlete is responsible for staying informed about any practice or game time/location changes that inevitably occur during the season. Coaches may communicate with players at practice and the players will be responsible to remember. Not all changes make it into TeamSnap.
TEAM SOCIALS, DINNERS, ETC.
Because of COVID all in person social events are canceled.
BUSES *** THERE WILL NOW BE BUSES FOR ALL AWAY GAMES ***
- Student-athletes are expected to travel on the bus when it is provided. The bus ride is an important part of high school sports and plays a big role in team bonding. Win or lose the students experience the ride to and from a game together. Everyone has to learn how to juggle personal schedules and academics demands while playing high school sports.
- Student-athletes are excused for the bus 15 minute before departure time. If a student-athlete leaves earlier they will have an unexcused absence from class.
FOOD AND WATER: NEW FOR COVID
We will not provide any food or beverages during this COVID season. Players must bring their own snacks and meals. They will get hungry before and after games so please pack your own snacks and meals on game day. Per COVID rules and for the safety of the bus drivers, there is no eating on the bus. We will eat before getting back on the bus. Bring your own water or sports drink (we recommend electrolyte enhanced drinks on practice and game day in addition to water). Students can fill their water bottles up at specific locations in the school.
PRACTICE AND GAME KITS
Students will loaned 2 training bids for practice. They may not share these bids. Bibs must be returned washed at the end of the season.
Players are loaned game jerseys and shorts. They can keep the socks at the end of the season but must return a washed game jersey and shorts. Missing jerseys and shorts will be billed to the students account.
PARENT AND STUDENT COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS
High School is a time for the student to learn how to communicate directly with coaches. I encourage parents to support the following communication guidelines to help empower their sons to be confident communicators on and off the field. Soccer is an extension of the classroom and your sons will likely spend more time with their coaches during the season than any other teacher in the school. That said, we do want to meet the parents of the students. We love the community feel of the Boulder Soccer program. Please find a time to say hello and introduce yourself to the coaches as your son participates in high school athletics. In the future we hope to return to having social events to help build our community. The Boulder Soccer program is unique at BHS in that all our coaches live and work or were even raised in Boulder. We love to run into BHS soccer families on Pearl St, at restaurants, at grocery stores, and other sporting events. Don’t be surprised if we say “Namaste” at the same yoga studios or pass each other hiking on the same local trails. Boulder is a wonderful and small community and we are proud to share it with you.
The coaches strive to get to know each student as more than soccer players and honor their other talents, interests, and ambitions that go well beyond the soccer field. The relationships that student-athletes make with their coaches can be some of the most positive. As head coach, I’m blessed to maintain a coaching staff of many former BHS soccer players over the years as well as maintaining other relationships with our BHS Soccer alumni that last well beyond graduation.
Student-athletes should talk to their coach directly about all things soccer:
1) Playing time and role on the team
2) Positions
3) Tactical questions
4) Team placement, tryout results
5) Schedules concerns
6) Academics
7) Health issues
8) College soccer
9) Off-season training and other soccer opportunities
10) Post season evaluations
11) Expectations for next year
12) Summer soccer and development
Parents are encouraged to let coaches know about:
1) Physical and mental health issues that students may hide from the coach.
2) College soccer planning advice (it’s an uncharted territory for many parents)
GRIEVANCES AND CONCERNS:
– Please, no email conversations. Let’s talk in person or on the phone. Please contact coaches in advance to schedule a face-to-face meeting or phone calls. After practices and games are the worst time to catch a moment of the coach’s time to have thoughtful conversation. Emotions can be high and that’s not a good time for a constructive conversation. I always recommend a 24 hour cool down period. Coaches will be focused on their teams and players after a practice or game. Please honor that time for coaches and players.
– The following steps of escalation for grievance and concerns are supported by the BHS administration:
1) Student-athlete speaks with the respective Team Coach.
(2) If unresolved, student-athlete speaks with Head Coach, Hardy Kalisher
(3) If unresolved, parent and student-athlete speaks with Head Coach, Hardy Kalisher
(3). If unresolved, then parent and student-athlete speaks with Athletic Director
(4) If unresolved, then parent and student-athlete speaks with the BHS Principal
FUNDRAISERS – The primary fundraiser is the preseason camp program. Additional fundraisers may be added. Families are also invited to make supporting contributions to the soccer program as we have limited budgets. Donations can be made through the Boulder High School website or mailed to “Boys Soccer”. Anonymous donations are accepted.
COMMUNITY SERVICE – Normally student-athletes will be asked to do community service during the season but with COVID this will be delayed and revisited in the Fall.
END OF THE SEASON HONORS – An all teams end of the season awards and recognition night will conclude the fall season. All student-athletes and parents are encouraged to attend. It will likely be done online this year.
STAY INFORMED AND SUPPORT THE PROGRAM – The Boulder High Facebook and Instagram page is a great way to stay current on BHS soccer. We love to celebrate our students and alumni through these pages. We also encourage you to follow the varsity team in the Daily Camera and BocoPreps. Join the social media pages, invite your family and let the boys know how proud you are of them!
Instagram: @boulder_high_boys_soccer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoulderSoccer/
MORE COVID SPECIFIC UPDATES:
Each/school has their own COVID protocols for games.
Game Benches
Recht Field: Players will be on the North Side and there will be no Benches. Each player must bring their own chair. Chairs will be socially distant during games (6’). If players bring a blanket or jacket they may not share them during games.
Grass Field: Players from both teams will be on the south side of the field. Spectators will be on the northside. Each player must bring their own chair or sit on the grass/stand. Chairs will be socially distant during games (6’). If players bring a blanket or jacket they may not share them during games.
Other BVSD Fields: Players should bring a chair. Don’t expect a bench.
Outside of BVSD: Some schools will allow benches, others may not. Coaches will check before each game and communicate to the players.
Attending Games:
Each spectator must be on the guest list. We will have 3 guests per player for home games and 2 per away games unless otherwise noted by the opposing host school. Guests must sign up in advance via the sign up sheet sent out to you through TeamSnap. Some away games may not have limits to the number of guests and others may not allow any spectators (rumor is Adams 12 district may not allow spectators). We will do our best to confirm protocols before each game.
Quarantining:
BHS has a COVID response team. Coaches will be informed about players who are told to quarantine. Coaches will support those expectations. Please help us prevent quarantining by following public health guidelines. Let’s all do our best.
WHAT IS “LA FAMILIA”?
You will see it on T-shirts and spoken about by BHS students, coaches, administrators, the press and can even read about in a book.
Take a look at this video to learn more about the history behind the “La Familia” moniker of the boys soccer program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXQX2vGd_s
Thank you for reading this far and we look forward to a special season this spring!