Athletic Policies - Bryn Mawr School

Middle School Athletics

Interscholastic sports in the Middle School foster teamwork, responsibility and school spirit while also introducing the demands of training and competition.

In Middle School, all 7th and 8th graders join two "squads" each year, with at least one team sport like soccer, field hockey, or basketball. Squads meet during the school day during seventh period. We welcome all levels of experience to participate and grow, and every student selected for a team gets meaningful playing time, provided they attend practices and bring a positive attitude. We do make necessary exceptions with the positions of goalie, pitcher and catcher, as these positions require very specific training demands, experience and skills. Sixth graders aren't required to play but can try out for select sports when space is available.

Middle School teams meet Tuesdays-Fridays from 2:40 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Teams practice and play on campus unless otherwise noted. Games take place after school hours and, on average, teams have 8-10 competitions per season. It is expected that athletes will attend all practices and games during the season. Exceptions are the badminton and track teams, which do not compete after school, and Dance Company, which holds its performance at the end of the fall season. For Middle School, transportation is provided to all practices and competitions. In squash, the team practices and plays off-campus at Roland Park Racquet Club; therefore, the team size is limited.

2025-26 Squad Dates

Fall: Aug. 29 - Oct. 24, 2025Winter: Nov. 4 - Feb. 6, 2026Spring: Feb. 17 - April 30, 2026

Bryn Mawr School

Upper School Athletics

Bryn Mawr's Upper School offers 15 varsity sports. Ninth and tenth graders are required to participate in one season of athletics, while eleventh and twelfth graders participate in two seasons.

Levels of Participation

Varsity: Varsity teams are for skilled and dedicated athletes who love high-level competition. With a focus on fitness, skill development, teamwork, and personal growth, varsity players often train year-round. Playing time is earned and not guaranteed.
Junior Varsity: Junior Varsity teams build strong foundations in skills, strategies and sportsmanship while emphasizing teamwork and fitness. Players gain experience and grow their game, with a focus on participation whenever possible. While JV teams often develop future varsity players, advancement to varsity is not guaranteed.

2025-26 Season Dates

Fall sports begin on August 18, 2025
Winter sports begin on November 3, 2025
Spring sports begin on February 17, 2026

In order to participate on a team, a student must be present for all sessions of the try-out period. Please email Coach Veprek or Coach Wolf with any scheduling or questions regarding tryout absences.

Upper School Policies

For more information on specific policies, please expand the sections below.

Practice Times and Transportation

Most Upper School teams practice from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. on weekdays, with the exceptions of ice hockey and swimming, which practice 5:45 a.m. to 7 a.m. For all sports, occasional weekend invitational or holiday practices may also be scheduled by coaches.

Transportation is provided for all practices and competitions that take place during the week. Transportation is not provided for practices that take place before the school day begins, late in the evening, or on weekends.

Off-Campus Practice Times and Transportation

Ice Hockey
Practices start at 5:45 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Ice Skating Rink (located off Northern Parkway). Typically, ice hockey practices in the morning five days a week. Home games take place at Mt. Pleasant Ice Skating Rink as well.

Parents are responsible for transporting their daughters to and from morning practices. Transportation is provided to and from games that take place after school during the week.

Soccer
Practices and games for varsity soccer take place at the Coppermine Norris Field from 3:45 - 5:45 p.m. Transportation is provided to and from all games and practices during the week. JV practices and competes on campus.

Softball
Practices and games for varsity softball take place at the Coppermine Norris field from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Transportation is provided to and from all games and practices during the week.

Squash
The Upper School squash teams (both varsity and JV) practice at the Coppermine Racquet and Fitness Club from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Transportation is provided from Bryn Mawr and back to school.

Swimming
The swim team practices at 5:45 a.m. at Gilman.
Parents are responsible for transporting their daughters to and from morning practices. Transportation is provided to and from meets that take place after school during the week.

Athletic Trainer

Addressing a Concern

Bryn Mawr encourages students to advocate for themselves and address any issues with the appropriate individual, whether that is a teacher, advisor, coach or teammate. When dealing with an athletic issue, athletes should talk with the coach directly, especially regarding concerns about playing time. If the issue cannot be resolved, or if it pertains to the health and well-being of a student, a meeting can be set-up with the coach, parent, AD and student-athlete.

Quitting

Alcohol Use Policy

A Bryn Mawr student-athlete represents her team, the Athletic Department, and The Bryn Mawr School. A student-athlete's behavior at any time should not reflect negatively on herself or her school. If at any time there is evidence that a Bryn Mawr student-athlete is using and/or dispensing illegal drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, or abusing prescription drugs, she will face appropriate consequences as determined by the athletic director and the coach. The violation will be reported to the appropriate division director, Dean of Students, and the Head of School.

Hazing

Uniforms

Athletes have the privilege of wearing team uniforms on game days and team uniforms are provided by the school for the season. For hygienic reasons, students are responsible for purchasing part or all of their uniform for certain sports such as volleyball, track and swimming. Additional equipment (racquets, sticks, footwear, etc.) is the responsibility of the athlete. Students who need assistance with team equipment should speak to Mrs. Veprek or Mrs. Jackson, Senior Director of Enrollment, for assistance.

All Upper School athletes are required to purchase an athletics warm-up. This warm-up is the same for all US sports and can be worn as part of the sports uniform on game days. No other warm-up is permitted to be worn for travel for games or competitions. Families needing financial assistance to purchase the warm-up can contact Mrs. Jackson, Senior Director of Enrollment, for assistance.

Dr. Martinez or Coach Wolf will notify students of their team's uniform distribution and collection dates. If a player is not present for the distribution, they must contact Dr. Martinez or Coach Wolf to schedule a time to pick up their uniform.

Collection days for uniforms are based on a one day return policy. If a player does not return the uniform on the assigned day, she will receive detention unless she is absent from school. A player is responsible for any lost or damaged uniform and will be charged accordingly.

Team Clothing Orders

Aside from Bryn Mawr’s official athletics warm-up, families are not required to purchase any additional gear. Occasionally, a family or group opts to purchase additional team gear or swag, either to be kept by the athletes or collected and redistributed the next season. To clarify, all additional items are optional and athletes/families should not be expected to purchase anything.

If your family is interested in purchasing extra team gear, kindly touch base with Athletic Director, Tina Veprek before proceeding to ensure you are following Bryn Mawr’s brand guidelines and department policies.

Bryn Mawr School

Bryn Mawr Athletics Emergency Action Plan