Requirements

There are several requirements of our student-athletes, as well as parents, prior to participation. Below is an outline of these items. Please refer to this page throughout the academic year and especially prior to each sports season to ensure all of the necessary requirements are completed in order to compete. Failure to complete these items means you will not be able to participate in any sports-related activity, including, but not limited to, practices and games. These requirements are within the guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and Gilmour Academy.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Gilmour Academy Athletic Department.

Checklist of Requirements to Participate

For your reference, here is a list of items each student-athlete in Grades 6-12 must complete each season prior to participation in any athletic activity, including but not limited to, practices and games.

• Get a physical from family physician (valid for 13 months from exam date).

• Maintain all student medical forms and athletic participation forms in Final Forms Account (contact finalforms@gilmour.org with questions).See Final Forms Account section below for more information.

• Review yearly OHSAA Preseason PowerPoint presentation (Grades 9-12 only). See OHSAA Preseason PowerPoint section below for more information.

• Attend preseason Player/Parent Meeting(s). See dates below in Preseason Meetings section.

Final Forms Account

All families at Gilmour have a Final Forms account that was created upon enrollment to the school. Final Forms is a schoolwide online database that allows easy submission of your child’s medical history, emergency contact information, forms required for school and athletics, and much more. For instructions and to access your Final Forms account, please click here.

From your Final Forms account, you will be able to:

• fill out forms necessary for school and athletics electronically

• access forms to fill out online, print, then take to your physician for completion at your child's physical exam

• update important contact information 

• update important medical history for your child

For all forms that require a physical signature from a doctor, please fax those forms to our secure medical line at: (440) 226-8334 or bring a hard copy to the Athletic Office.. Both the athletic department and school nurses will have access to this information so there is no need to drop it off anywhere else on campus or submit duplicate copies. We strongly discourage emailing any medical documentation as this is not HIPPA compliant.

Preseason Player/Parent Meetings

At the start of each sports season, parents and student-athletes are required to attend a meeting outlining the expectations, responsibilities and commitments associated with the privilege of representing Gilmour Academy and the OHSAA in interscholastic athletics.  Attendees will review the school's eligibility requirements, athletic policies and procedures, code of conduct, and the expectations and requirements specific to their team. 

See below for a list of upcoming meeting dates and locations: 

Upper School Fall Sports 2026 Meeting - TBA

Middle School Fall Sports 2026 Meeting - TBA

Sport-Specific Questions Grades 6-12 (e.g. summer workouts, start dates, etc.) 

For any sport-specific questions, please email the head coach of the appropriate sport. These questions may include, but are not limited to, topics such as season start dates, summer workout schedules and offseason training opportunities.

2026-27 OHSAA Preseason PowerPoint

All student-athletes and parents are responsible for reviewing the OHSAA Preseason Presentation.

Policies

Athletic Team Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements 

Participation on any athletic team representing Gilmour Academy is limited to students who are fully enrolled and attending Gilmour Academy in Grades 6 through postgraduate.

This policy applies to:

• all OHSAA-sponsored athletic teams for boys and girls

• boys and girls 19U Tier 1, 18U Tier 1, 16U Tier 1 and prep ice hockey teams representing Gilmour Academy

• all preseason, in season and postseason activities including but not limited to:

  • tryouts, practices and training sessions

  • scrimmages, exhibitions and showcases

  • league and non-league contests

  • district, state, or national tournaments and playoff events

Athletics are an important extension of the Gilmour experience. Our programs are designed to support the development of the whole person through competition, teamwork, discipline, leadership and community. By limiting participation to enrolled students, we strengthen the connection between athletics and the academic, spiritual and student life experiences that define a Gilmour education.

Gilmour Academy Roster Management Policy

In keeping with Gilmour Academy’s Holy Cross mission and call to educate the whole child, the Athletic Roster Management Policy is designed to foster a balanced, developmental and competitive athletic environment for all students, recognizing that participation in athletics at every level should enhance personal growth, team unity and sportsmanship.

1. Roster Selection and Team Composition
   In cases where the number of students interested in trying out for a varsity sport significantly exceeds the roster size mandated for tournament play by the OHSAA — potentially impacting practice effectiveness, player development, team dynamics or safety — coaches will prioritize building a varsity team that is optimally positioned for competitive success. This selection will be based on each student-athlete's skill and potential contribution, regardless of grade level.

2. Alternative Team Opportunities for Non-Varsity Athletes
   Student-athletes who do not make the varsity roster may be selected by the coach to continue developing their skills on the junior varsity team, where they will have additional opportunities to grow as student-athletes and contribute to their teams.

3. Commitment to Team Participation
   All student-athletes, regardless of team level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity), are required to attend all mandatory team events, including practices, strength training sessions, and team meetings, to maintain their status as rostered players. After three unexcused missed mandatory events, the student essentially cuts themself and is no longer a member of the team. This commitment ensures cohesion and a consistent training environment for all participants.

4. Mandatory Player Evaluations
   Prior to the start of a season, for sports in which players need to be placed on a team, coaches will evaluate players throughout preseason practices, unless approved in advance by the Athletic Director.

5. Communication and Feedback for Athletes
   Coaches are expected to communicate to players which team they have been placed on and to meet with athletes who do not make the varsity roster following the evaluation process. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the coach’s evaluation, reasons for the roster decision, and to explore other ways for the athlete to stay engaged with the sport, if desired.

6. End-of-Season Review for Development
   To support each athlete’s growth, coaches will provide a written review at the end of each season, highlighting individual strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback will serve as a foundation for each athlete’s continued personal and athletic development.

By upholding these guidelines, Gilmour Academy seeks to create an athletic program that promotes excellence, resilience, and sportsmanship, alongside our commitment to personal and spiritual growth.