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Athletics

Fall Tryout Dates

Tryouts Overview and What to Bring

Starting tryout dates for next fall's Upper School athletics season are now available. Please note:

  • The tryout information listed below is for the first week of tryouts and preseason only. Attendance at ALL tryout dates is a requirement to be considered for a fall team. Most team tryouts will last between three and five days.
  • Practices will continue after tryouts are completed and will continue through the start of classes (individual coaches will provide specifics).
  • Students who play on interscholastic teams will be asked to provide certain personal equipment (e.g., shoes, gloves, sticks, etc.).
  • Students are encouraged to bring lunch if required. Lunch will not be available in the dining hall.
  • All students must bring a refillable water bottle to practices.

Requirements to Play

To participate in a fall sport, the following tasks must be completed by Monday, August 3.

Students who do not meet the health requirements below will not be allowed to attend school or participate in extracurricular activities, tryouts, athletic practices, or games.

You can easily view the status of all health forms and the activity waiver by visiting your Manage Records page. If you have any questions about your child's physical or other health records, please contact the Infirmary at infirmary@mcdonogh.org or 443-544-7015.

Physical Exam

All students PK–12 are required to have a physical examination completed by a physician and a health report completed by their parents or guardians each year. The physical examination form must be submitted before the season/preseason begins. Students must also submit their immunization records along with the physical examination form.

Learn More and Update Your Records

Athletic Agreement and Release of Liability

Families with students in grades 7–12 are required to complete the Athletic Agreement and Release of Liability each year. All parents and/or legal guardians in all of a child's households must electronically sign the document.

Neurocognitive Baseline Assessment

All students in grades 7–12 are required to complete an annual online neurocognitive baseline assessment through XLNTbrain before the start of each school year. Please complete this assessment by Monday, August 3.

Service Hours

During Upper School, students must complete 40 hours of community service. Seniors in the Class of 2027 may not begin fall sports unless they have met this requirement.

Learn More About Service Opportunities

Fall 2026 Dates and Details

Varsity Football (Boys)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 10–15 and August 17–21 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (4:00 to 6:00 p.m., beginning the week of August 24).

Contact

JV Football (Boys)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 17–21 from 8:00 to 3:30 p.m. (4:00 to 6:00 p.m., beginning the week of August 24).

Contact

Varsity and JV Field Hockey (Girls)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 17–19 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Please bring a field hockey stick, mouth guard, shin guards, pinny, and a defensive corner mask (if you have one).

Contact

Varsity and JV Cross Country (Boys)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 20–21 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., August 24–28 from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m., and August 31 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Regular practice beginning September 1, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
  • For information on summer running, please contact the coach.

Contact

Varsity and JV Cross Country (Girls)

Dates and Times

  • August 17–21 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
  • For information on summer running, please contact the coach.

Contact

Varsity (Boys) and JV (Coed) Water Polo

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 12–14 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
  • Pre–season continues: August 17–31 with morning skill 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and afternoon conditioning from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Please bring a swimsuit, goggles, a towel, a t–shirt, shorts, a water bottle, and athletic shoes.

Contact

Varsity and JV Soccer (Girls)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 15, 17, and 18 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Individual meetings in the Edward St. John Student Center: August 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Contact

Varsity and JV Tennis (Girls)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 18–21 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Contact

Varsity Cheerleading (Coed)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 17–19 from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.
  • Please wear black shorts, a black shirt, hair in a neat high ponytail (bow optional), and cheer shoes/athletic shoes.

Contact

Varsity, JV, and Fresh/Soph Soccer (Boys)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts for Varsity: August 12–14 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Tryouts for JV: August 17–20 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Tryouts for Fresh/Soph: August 24–27 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Contact

Varsity and JV Volleyball (Girls)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts: August 17–21 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
  • Please bring a towel and volleyball shoes or other indoor court shoes (not running shoes). Knee pads are recommended but not required.
  • Please bring running shoes on August 17 for a mile run on the track.

Contact

Varsity and JV Equestrian (Coed)

Dates and Times

  • Tryouts for all candidates will take place the first week of school: August 31–September 3 (email equestrian@mcdonogh.org if you have a conflict).
  • All candidates must have a black helmet, britches with a belt, half-chaps, paddock boots or tall boots, a hairnet, and a fitted shirt.
  • Parents of anyone interested in participating in the fall, winter, or spring Equestrian Program are expected to attend a meeting with the Equestrian Team. A notice will go out in early August for these meetings.
  • Fees will apply for all Varsity and JV riders. An updated price sheet will be sent out by July.

Contact