D-S Athletic Director Talks Sports With Incoming Freshmen

Last night parents and future freshmen athletes at the Dover-Sherborn Regional High School met in the school’s gym to speak with Athletic Director Heath Rollins about the athletic program at the high school.

Looking out at the gym bleachers Rollins said he could remember when this year’s graduating seniors were there moving up from eighth grade. “I feel like Peter Pan,” he said, “I never get older, but everyone else graduates.” 

Rollins told the students and parents that he holds an open door policy, “Don’t ever hesitate to contact us,” he said.

Rollins advised that the students take part in the school’s summer Breakfast Club. “It’s a great way for kids to train in a healthy environment.”

The Breakfast Club runs from June 27 to August 11, Mondays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

He added that last year they only played five games where the teams had a smaller roster than Dover-Sherborn. So, he explained, “We need to keep our students in good shape.”

“Enrollment is up, it will be a little harder to make some of the teams,” Rollins said.

There are five non-cut teams: Cross-Country, Football, Downhill Skiing, Nordic Skiing, and Track.

There are freshmen-level sports, junior varsity, and varsity, but all levels are open to freshmen. Rollins said that once an athlete commits to a team, save academics, the team is their priority.

“One of my biggest pet peeves,” he said is, “students taunting other students.”

“We’ll also be talking to parents about that,” he said.

There are also rules and expectations for parents of athletes. “Be positive,” Rollins said. He said that coaches don’t often get a lot of positive feedback.

He asked that the parents respect the officials, coaches and students, especially during the games.

Rollins introduced Jennifer Jordan, Dover-Sherborn Booster’s president. “My job would be so much harder without the Booster,” he said.

Jordan described the Booster’s role in the athletic community. She said they were volunteer advocates of the athletics program and over the past seven years have raised over $600,000. Most recently, she said, they have, “funded a comprehensive program,” to study the entire campus.

She told those in attendance to be prepared for their on Sept. 18. In the past, she said there have been 250 competitors, 100 volunteers and over 600 in attendance.