Athletics Department
Lady Lion Secondary Athletics
August 31, 2020
Welcome Back!!!
It's great to be able to get back to the fields, courts, and courses again. We already have one varsity match in, and as we begin September, every day is full of high school and middle school athletic contests.
As we navigate through often changing guidelines and mandates, we are asking three things of the AASD Athletic community; patience, respect and be proud.
Please be patient with the current mandates that school sponsored secondary athletics need to follow. Spectators are still not permitted inside of any contest venue. We will soon be releasing a schedule for streaming as many contests as we can via TV and radio broadcasts.
Please respect the mandates set before us. Our coaches, administration and event staff must enforce the no spectator mandate. Though we may not be happy with these mandates, I urge all of us to act with respect to the coaching and event staff.
Be proud of our student athletes and teams. They have followed every mandate since June 22. They have worked with more intensity than I have ever seen during the summer, and, although our student athletes have had to social distance since March, I've never seen a group of athletes become closer.
Enjoy and cheer on our fall athletes and always be #AltoonaProud.
Phil Riccio, M. Ed., CAA
AASD Athletic Director
The Altoona School District's Department of Athletics (Grades 7-12), strives to provide an environment that will compliment and enrich the overall quality of all students educational experiences. The emphasis of the program is to provide opportunities that encourage the pursuit of lifetime activities, a sense of commitment and teamwork, and the development of personal character while maintaining an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among its student athletes and athletic department staff.
The Athletics' program purpose is to provide competitive experiences that are consistent with the mission of the Altoona School District and which contribute to the growth and development of student athletes, as well as, integrate members of the Altoona Athletic Family (students, faculty, staff, administration) through participation in a broad based program that includes PIAA Interscholastic sports, intramurals, club sports and recreational activities. The athletic program has a firm belief that all participants are students first and athletes second as is reflected by the District's athletic eligibility policy. As a member, in good standing, of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, we are committed to the values inherent in PIAA high school athletics philosophy and place preserving the integrity of the programs as the highest priority.
Philosophy
The Athletic Department strives to achieve the same standards of excellence in its athletic program as exist within the District's academic programs. The Athletic Department recognizes a multiple commitment to serve the District, student athletes, alumni and friends. Further, it embraces the concept that the student athlete is first and foremost a student possessing individual rights, academic abilities, personal interests and ambitions comparable to those of other members of the student body.
Athletic Office
Summer Hours: 7:30am-3:30pm
1415 Sixth Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone (814) 946-8289
Fax (814) 946-8578
| Phil Riccio Athletic Director priccio@aasdcat.com |
Nanette Cummings Athletic Office ncummings@aasdcat.com |
Tammy Smith
AAJHS Athletic Office
814-381-7510
|