FAQ's about POP Athletic Program

These are "frequently asked questions" about POP's athletic program. You are also welcome to email our athletic director.

Q. When does each sport begin?

A. Fall sports registration will take place in May. Football and cross country will have workouts in the summer. Volleyball and Flag Football begin practices in August.

Winter sports registration takes place in mid-October. Practices begin immediately after Thanksgiving break.

Spring sports registration takes place in late February. Practices begin early March.

Q. How long is each season?

A. Fall sports, with the exception of football and cross-country, run from August to November. Typically, football and CC conditioning begin over the summer. 

Winter sports run from November to March.

Spring sports run from late February to May.

Q. When are practices?

A. Practices for most sports are two days a week after school. Practice times and days vary depending on coach availability and facility space.

Q. What is the cost for sports? What does that pay for? 

A. The fees to play sports for POP vary depending on the sport. Fees are typically between 100-250$. Fees cover DPL team registrations, officials, uniform rotation, and facilities. 

Q. Who coaches the sports?

A. All of our teams are coached by volunteer parents or members of our community. Each coach must complete and pass our Safe Environment course and attend the required Play Like a Champion workshop before they are allowed to coach. If there is more than one person who would like to coach a particular sport, an application process is in place.

Q. Is a doctor’s physical required?

A. Yes, all participants need a physical within the last year to practice. Those must be completed before practices begin. Forms can be found on the Form Link.

Q. Do all players make a team or are there cuts?

A. We are a no-cut school, as supported by the DPL.  If your son or daughter signs up for a sport, they will get to play regardless of ability. We do hold try-outs for team placement only for girls volleyball and boys and girls basketball.

Q. If my child has never played the sport, can they sign up?

A. Absolutely, all students are encouraged to participate in our sports program to build skill, character and be involved in the school community. Athletes compete in appropriate divisions for their skill level within the DPL League.

Q. My child participates in a club sport and other activities, can they still participate in POP Athletics?

A. Yes, we encourage all athletes to play for POP as the school sports environment is often different than club sports. Coaches are willing to work with conflicts and help each athlete to be able to do numerous sports. Be realistic, however, about how much your child can handle at any one time. They need homework time, social time and sleep!

Q. When does cheerleading and pep squad cheer?

The 5th-8th grade cheerleading club cheers at half time of the JV and Varsity football games. Pep Squad cheers at designated football, volleyball and basketball games. 5th-8th grade cheerleading is offered in the fall only. Pep Squad is year round.

Q. We need new uniforms, and I noticed another POP team. just received new uniforms. What is POP's policy about this? 

A. The school purchases new uniforms on a three year cycle. Inquire where your team is on that cycle. (In some cases, generous donors purchase uniforms for a team. which accelerates that cycle, but the school itself is committed to every 3 years).

Q. How are coaches chosen? 

A. We are blessed with excellent parents who give their time unselfishly to our kids. In the end, we want coaches who advance the mission of the school!  Since we are a preK through 8th school, we develop histories with coaches and receive a lot of feedback on them, in addition to our own observations.  So coaches who have handled children well in the past are highly valued. Work schedules matter--how flexible is a coach in terms of practice and game times? Is a coach willing to attend DPL training? That's required. In the event two highly qualified coaches want to coach the same team, the A.D. will ask each coach to fill out an application for the position, interview them and then decide. . 

Q. I am concerned about the way the coach is handling my child. What should I do? 

A. We recommend the following. First, never approach that coach immediately after a game. It is likely that neither you nor the coach is at your best given the emotions involved.  Instead, email the coach and ask if there's a time you can talk with him or her a few days later. We suggest face to face--the more "human" the meeting, the better! In that meeting, be kind, be factual, but also be open to what the coach is saying. Please remember, these are volunteer coaches who are doing their best for their team and school. If it's an issue of playing time, the coach cannot compare your child with others. Instead, ask what your child can improve upon to make him or her more valuable to the team. If you have taken these steps and cannot seem to be able to resolve the matter with the coach, you are welcome to contact the athletic director, Cheryl Ballard, to discuss.