Athletics

Creating a Safe and Positive Environment

Allegany County Public Schools is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all spectators. To help us achieve this goal, please review our expectations for all school-age children and attendees at indoor sporting events.

Join Us in Celebrating Our Community

We look forward to continuing to celebrate our entire community at our athletic events while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Event Guidelines:

For Elementary and Middle School Students:

• Must be accompanied by an adult for entry.
• Should remain seated in the bleachers except when visiting the restroom or concessions.

For All Students:

• Any ACPS student currently suspended from school may not attend events during their suspension period, regardless of age.
• Loitering or congregating in hallways and non-seating areas is not permitted—students will be asked to return to the bleachers.
• Re-entry is not permitted once you've entered the building without prior permission.
• Bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the gymnasium.

For All Attendees:

• Re-entry is not permitted once you've entered the building without prior permission.
• Loitering or congregating in hallways and non-seating areas is not permitted—students will be asked to return to the bleachers.
• Bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the gymnasium.

Setting a Positive Example

Parents, family members, and fans play a crucial role in modeling good sportsmanship and respectful behavior for our students. Your actions help create an environment where young people learn valuable lessons about respect, teamwork, and community values.

Enforcement

Failure to follow these expectations may result in removal from the event. Additionally, the privilege of attending future events on ACPS properties may be revoked.

Allegany High School, Fort Hill High School, and Mountain Ridge High School would like to thank the community for the tremendous support during our athletic events, especially home football games. These events become a celebration of our community and we look forward to everyone continuing to attend the games to support and celebrate our teams.

Allegany County Public Schools wants to ensure a safe and positive experience for all spectators at these events. Therefore, we are reminding parents and guardians of the expectations for all children under high school age.

During all outdoor sporting events, the following expectations are in effect:

• All elementary and middle school age children must be accompanied by an adult for entry and should be seated in the bleachers unless visiting the restroom or concessions.

• Loitering and congregating in non-seating areas is discouraged and offenders will be asked to return to the bleachers.

• Students are expected to wait appropriately in the concession stand line. They are not permitted to cut in line or create disturbances through disruptive behavior.

• Any ACPS student suspended from school, will not be permitted to attend any events, regardless of age.

• Once admitted into the event, spectators are not allowed to leave and re-enter without prior permission.

• There will be no admittance to the stadium after half-time.

• Backpacks are not allowed inside the stadium.

Please note: Failure to follow these expectations may result in the removal of both the student and their accompanying adult from the stadium. Behavior resulting in removal from the stadium WILL lead to the student being banned from future events on all Allegany County Public School properties.

We look forward to being able to continue to celebrate our entire community at our athletic events and be able to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone by adhering to the expectations listed above.

Interscholastic Athletics Participation Packet - Agreement Governing Participation in Athletics (PDF)

Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Physical Evaluation Form (PDF)

Verification of Minimum Weight - WRESTLING ONLY (PDF)
(MUST BE COMPLETED BY A LICENCED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND TURNED IN TO THEIR COACH ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 1ST AND PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST COMPETITION)

Parent - Student Athlete Information Packet

Concussion Information

• Concussion Protocol (PDF)

  ACPS Concussion/Probable Head Injury Protocol Packet

• MSDE Policies and Programs on Concussion UPDATED (PDF) 

Quick Facts on Concussions by Sport

• 2 out of 3 concussions in boys’ basketball result from a collision with another athlete.
• 1 out of 2 concussions in girls’ basketball result from a collision with another athlete.
• 91% of concussions in high school cheer leading happen during stunts.
• The average high school football player has 592 head impacts in 1 season.
• 63% of concussions in high school football are from tackling.
• 3 out of 4 concussions from heading in boys’ soccer happen when players collide.
• 1 in 2 concussions from heading in girls’ soccer happen when players collide.
• Nearly 40% of concussions in girls’ volleyball happen when diving for the ball.
• 1 out of 2 concussions in wrestling result from a takedown.

MPSSAA Heat & Hydration

• Heat Acclimatization Guidelines (PDF)