INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION AND ORGANIZATION
The Athletic Director administers St. John’s interscholastic athletic program.  The Athletic Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of sports programs, and reports to the Principal.

In the past, St. John was a member of both the North Suburban Lutheran Athletic Association (NSLAA) and the small school league (NSLAL).  In 2008, the two leagues were merged with divisions into one league called the NSLAA.  Each sport is divided into a certain number of divisions depending upon the sport.  The schools that are in the league are: Our Shepherd, Birmingham; St. John, Fraser; St. Peter, Macomb; St. Luke, Clinton Township; Trinity, Utica; St. Peter, Eastpointe; St. Thomas, Eastpointe; Immanuel, Macomb; Peace, Warren; Trinity, Clinton Township; and Peace, Shelby Township.  We also occasionally play against St. Stephen, Waterford; Warren Woods Christian; Merritt Academy, as well as other schools.

Our league references the guidelines of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and strives to adhere to the guidelines whenever possible.

OBJECTIVES
• To understand how the use of our physical skills can be a form of worship
• To practice Christian ethics and sportsmanship
• To provide important social events for both students and parents
• To provide students self-improvement techniques, correct physical skills training, physical conditioning, commitment to team concepts, establishment of priorities and goal attainment
• To provide an additional avenue for creating school spirit
• To use staff coaches whenever possible, due to their expertise in child development and synodical training.  Other adult / parent coaches will be used when needed, with the approval of the athletic director

SCOPE
The St. John interscholastic athletic program is available to all 5th – 8th grade students.  League rules allow for 4th grade participation in Cross Country (fall) and Track (spring), which are full-level Varsity sports.  The degree to which children are challenged in sports varies from the 5th to 8th grades.  Research shows that “burn out” from athletic competition is a growing problem, particularly as children are competing at an earlier age.  We hope to prevent students from giving up sports as they move on to high school or college.  Accordingly, a child is able to participate in only one St. John sport during any given season.  (For example ~ a student may not participate in both soccer and cross country at St. John during the fall.) 

However, we want to make sure that we are able to field all of our teams, so we trust our parents' judgment in deciding what an appropriate time commitment is for their individual child.  As a result, we do allow students to participate on two different teams in the same sport during the same season.  (For example ~ a student may participate on the St. John soccer team and a RARA soccer team during the same season.)

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Students must maintain a C (72% or higher) GPA, with no failing grades in the following core subjects:  Science, Social Studies, Math, English, Reading/Literature, Spelling, Religion/Memory, and Academic Enrichment.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
All students participating in interscholastic sports must have written permission from their parents, as well as a physical examination by a doctor before participating.

FALL SPORTS
5th & 6th Grade Girls Volleyball
7th & 8th Grade Girls Volleyball
4th through 8th Grade Co Ed Cross Country
5th through 8th Grade Boys Soccer

WINTER SPORTS
5th & 6th Grade Girls Basketball
7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball
5th & 6th Grade Girls Cheerleading
7th & 8th Grade Girls Cheerleading
5th & 6th Grade Boys Basketball
7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball

SPRING SPORTS
6th through 8th Grade Girls Softball
4th through 8th Grade Co Ed Track