As the spring sports season approaches for athletes, some may find that their grades are not ready the season.

March 4, 2016, will be the official eligibility regain date, given by CHSAA,  for all athletes who were previously ineligible.

The springs sports offered at Smoky Hill include: boy’s swimming, baseball, boy’s and girl’s lacrosse, girl’s soccer, girl’s tennis, and boy’s and girl’s track and field. For all of these athletes, the official season starts on February 29. However, for those who failed two or more classes in the previous semester, March 4 may predetermine their season.

The following rules apply to these individuals:

• If a student failed two or more classes in the previous semester/academic period, they have the chance to redeem eligibility on March 4
• In order to do this, the student must be passing all classes, meaning that their grades must be above 60%
• After the redemption of eligibility, it is up to the athletic director to to check students’ grades on a weekly, bi weekly, or monthly basis.
• After the March 4 regain date, a student’s eligibility may be revoked on a weekly, bi weekly, or monthly basis if they are failing two or more classes

John Thompson, Smoky Hill’s new athletic director, explained that he wants all students to be eligible for their sports.

“As coaches and teachers, we want to see you guys succeed, but we can’t do it for you,” Thompson said.

While most students remain academically eligible during the season, there are some who do not. For them, it is an opportunity to correct their previous mistakes, and still actively compete with their team.

“It is nothing personal, it is just business,” Thompson said.