2021 Early Fall Athletic Information

Parents and Athletes:

Please see information below for the Early Fall Athletic Season at Harding Academy. Some sports have more information than others due to scheduling differences. Questions on any aspects of the programs should be directed to the head coach of each sport. 

Led by Coach Emma Cribb, the Harding mountain bike team begins its 6th season this August. The team is for 5th grade through 8th grade boys and girls. Practices will be every Friday, 3:45 p.m. and Saturdays, beginning August 7th. Training is generally in and around Percy Warner Park. Participants need a mountain bike and beginners are welcome. Parent ride leaders & volunteers welcome and encouraged. Races are for 6th-8th graders only.

2021 Race Schedule (Saturday pre-rides before each event):

Sunday, 8/29 - Columbia, TN (Chickasaw Park)

Sunday, 9/12 - Memphis, TN (Shelby Farms)

Sunday, 9/26 - Morristown, TN (Panther Creek State Park)

Sunday, 10/10 - Gallatin, TN (Lock 4)

Sunday, 10/24 - Championship Race (Location Pending)

The race schedule is subject to change. Please contact Coach Cribb for more information: coachcribb@gmail.com, 917-744-6422.

We are excited to get back to playing football this year at Harding! Any experience level player is welcome and all equipment will be provided by Harding with the exception of football cleats and a mouthpiece. Below is the information for our summer camp and the start of practice.

Harding Summer Football Camp-all football players encouraged to attend. You can register online through the Harding Summer Programs link. Players will be dropped off and picked up at the HWY 70 Field. 

Pre-Season Parent Meeting:  Will be held virtually on Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00 PM. Please plan to join this important informational meeting via Google Meet at the following link: meet.google.com/ggb-juhu-vbx

The Schedule – See CompassNet ->7/8 Football for a complete list of dates and times for practices and games.  Check schedule and announcements periodically for updates.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. Head Coach Corby Lucas can be reached via email (lucasc@hardingacademy.us) or by phone at (615) 339-7064. 

Football is back at the fifth and sixth grade level as well! Any experience level player is welcome and all equipment will be provided by Harding with the exception of football cleats,  a mouthpiece, and a pair of white practice pants (integrated pants are suggested...these are pants with the pads sewn into them). Below is the information for our summer camp and the start of practice.

Harding Summer Football Camp-all football players encouraged to attend. You can register online through the Harding Summer Programs link. Players will be dropped off and picked up at the HWY 70 Field. 

The pre-season parent meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, August 5 at 7:00 PM. Please plan to join this important informational meeting via Google Meet at the following link: 

The Schedule – See CompassNet -> ⅚ Football  for a complete list of dates and times for practices and games.  Check schedule and announcements periodically for updates. 

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. Head Coach Rich Bowler can be reached via email at (rikheath@msn.com).  

 

Tryouts-August 2 & 3.  This will be a program wide practice allowing girls to work on a variety of different skills while being able to give feedback and allow the girls to make adjustments. Team building begins day one! Please wear a Harding shirt, gym shorts or black/navy spandex. Knee pads are encouraged, but not required. 

Team rosters will be posted on Compass Net the evening of Aug. 3. Each player will be placed on the team most appropriate for her demonstrated skill level. Practices will begin on Wednesday, August 4th from 3:30-5:00pm. 

-Parents/Players/Coaches Meeting, Varsity/JV- The parent meetings will take place on Wednesday, August 4th after practice at 5:30 pm.  Topics covered include introducing staff, core values, practice and game schedule, as well as important roles for which parents may volunteer (photographer, videographer, spirit committee, concessions, line judges, score chart flipper, scorebook keepers).  The success of our sports programs and the children participating depends on the partnership of parents and coaches. It is critical that at least one parent from each family attend this meeting. 

The Schedule – See CompassNet ->Volleyball for a complete list of dates and times for practices and matches.  Check schedule and announcements periodically for updates.  

Please contact Coach Corinne Cascioppo via email (corinnecyart@gmail.com) with any additional questions. 

 

Girls and Boys Cross-Country will officially begin practice on Monday, Aug. 9 from 3:15pm-4:45pm. For practices at school, we will meet at the picnic tables next to the playground on campus. The first week’s practice schedule will be as follows:

All interested participants should email Coach Embry with their intent to run on the cross-country team this fall. Drop off and pick up will be in the depot. Check the Cross-Country page on CompassNet for additional information. Please be sure to wear t-shirts or tank tops for running as well as appropriate running shoes. Also, runners will need to bring their own water bottle and watch to practice daily.

The Cross-Country parents’ meeting will be held Thursday, August 19th at 6:00PM via Google Meet. The meeting link is: meet.google.com/jid-jjdx-exv. 

Contact Coach Embry with any additional questions (embryj@hardingacademy.us).  

Harding will be offering a more competitive 5th grade option for cross-country once again this year that will be separate from the lower school cross-country program. Differences are listed below:

 

 

1. 2 practices/week beginning in late August/early September

2. 1 mile competition course

3. 3 race meets (Sundays on the Overbrook/St. Cecelia campus)

 

1. 3 practices per week beginning Thursday, Aug. 19...practices will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays subject to the meet schedule. 

2. 1.5 mile-2 mile competition course (depending on where we run)

3. 4-5 race meets (weekday meets)

 

Practices begin on the first day of school, Thursday, Aug. 19 and will go through the last week of September, culminating in an end of season conference championship meet at the USN River Campus. 

 

Contact Coach Jay Crouch with any additional questions (crouchj@hardingacademy.us). 

Football Cheerleading is open to 6th-8th grade girls. Practices will begin Thursday, August 12 from 3:15-4:30pm and will take place every day Monday-Friday until school begins. Pick-up and drop off will be at the depot. Jewelry must be removed before practice due to safety and please send a water bottle with your child to stay hydrated. A more detailed practice and game schedule will be provided at the parent meeting.

All football and/or basketball cheerleaders are HIGHLY encouraged to sign up for the middle school cheer camp July 26-30 from 12-3pm. Please email Coach Cunningham at cunninghama@hardingacademy.us if you are cheering and are NOT attending cheer camp in July.

Uniforms will be given out at summer camp or the first week of practice. Information on purchasing shoes, poms, and optional attire will be sent home during summer camp. On the first day of school, Cheerleaders will wear their uniforms to school and welcome new students to Harding as well as help walk kindergarteners to their classrooms. More information will be given at the parent meeting regarding the first day of school schedule.

Parent Meeting: August 16 at 7pm via Google Meet. Please check your email closer to this date for the Google Meet code and info. Cheerleaders are welcome to join the virtual meeting as well.

Please email Coach Cunningham at cunninghama@hardingacademy.us if you have any additional questions. 

Girls Varsity Tennis 

Girls Varsity Tennis Try-outs: Tuesday, August 10, Thursday, August 12 and Tuesday, Aug. 17 (Weather permitting), try-outs will be at the courts at Seven Hills.

 

Drop off and pick up will be at Seven Hills. Students trying out for the tennis team must provide their own racket and wear appropriate tennis shoes (not running shoes). A Harding t-shirt is permitted, along with shorts with pockets or tennis skirt. If the courts are wet, tryouts will be rescheduled for later in the week. 

Girls Varsity Pre-Season Parent Meeting: August 19 at 6:00PM via Google Meet. Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/zar-pxyq-jnr

Any questions related to the girls tennis program can be directed to Coach Carol Macpherson Caldwell (macphersonc@hardingacademy.org). 

Boys Varsity Tennis Try-outs:  Wednesday, August 11,  Friday, August 13, and Monday, Aug. 16 at Metro Parks Courts in front of Hillwood High school (weather permitting).

Drop off and pick up will be at Hillwood. Students trying out for the tennis team must provide their own racket and wear appropriate tennis shoes (not running shoes). A Harding t-shirt is permitted, along with shorts with pockets. If the courts are wet, tryouts will be rescheduled for later in the week. 

The pre-season parent meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00 PM. Please plan to join this important informational meeting. A Google Meet invite will be sent at a later date.  

Questions related to the boys program can be directed to Coach Josh Hall (jrefhall@gmail.com). 

More info will be posted on JV tennis as we clarify our coaching staff and structure for practices.