Athletics
Discovery Middle School is a proud member of the BIG 11 CONFERENCE
PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS
The following paperwork is required to participate in athletics at Discovery Middle School.
*IHSAA Physical (completed on the IHSAA form) pages 3 (IHSAA Physical) and 5 (Consent Form) only
- Required annually and MUST be dated on or after April 1st, 2026. (required a new physical every year)
- All forms must be completely filled out.
- Uploaded onto Register My Athlete (IHSAA Physical and Consent forms MUST be filled out completely and uploaded.)
*Aktivate (Register My Athlete) at www.registermyathlete.com
- Opens up for the new school year on June 1st, 2026
- Parents must go online to register their child for each sport their child is interested in participating in.
- All sections must be completed. (Electronic signatures and upload IHSAA Physical and Consent form)
- Status of Not Complete: Athletes can not participate in practices and events. (Items need to be completed)
- Status of Ready for Tryouts: Athletes can participate in practices and events, but still need to pay the transportation fee.
- Status of Complete: Athletes can participate in practices and events.
*Transportation Fee ($10.00 Per Sport)
- Payment is required once you make the team and before the first contest.
- Payment can be made online while registering or submitted to the Main Office. (Please mark the envelope with your child’s name, grade and team with checks payable to Discovery Middle School.)
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate in the athletic programs at Discovery Middle School Students must be passing 5 out of 6 classes or 3 out of 3 if halftime. Grades will be checked at Progress Reports and End of Grading Period. If not met, students will sit out of competitions for 1 week, grades will be checked again. This will be done twice after the original date, after which your child will be removed from the team.
Athletic Start Dates and Coaches Contact information for 2026-2027 Season
Athletic Director: Scott Vandygriff
7th and 8th grade Fall cheer squad try-outs were in May of 2026 and that team’s roster is final.
| Sport | Start Date | Time | Location | Coach | Coach Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Grade Football | August 3 | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Outside South Field | Coach Schrader | jschrader@phm.k12.in.us |
| 8th Grade Football | August 3 | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Outside South Field | Coach Hedrick | jhedrick@phm.k12.in.us |
| 7th Grade Girls Volleyball (Tryouts) | August 3 | 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Main Gym | Coach Freel | nfreel@phm.k12.in.us |
| 8th Grade Girls Volleyball (Tryouts) | August 3 | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Main Gym | Coach Piotrowski | kpiotrowski@phm.k12.in.us |
| Cross Country (Grades 6–8) | August 12 | 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Outside Basketball Courts | Coach O’Malley | pomalley@phm.k12.in.us |
| Girls Winter Cheerleading (Grades 7–8, Tryouts) | TBD | 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | Aux Gym | Coach Morrett | mmorrett1@phm.k12.in.us |
| 7th Grade Boys Basketball (Tryouts) | October 12 | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Main Gym | Coach Arter | tarter@phm.k12.in.us |
| 8th Grade Boys Basketball (Tryouts) | October 12 | 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | Main Gym | Coach Sowders | csowders@phm.k12.in.us |
| Girls Wrestling (Grades 6–8) | October 12 | 4:00 PM – 5:45 PM | Aux Gym | Coach Vandygriff | svandygriff@phm.k12.in.us |
| 7th Grade Girls Basketball (Tryouts) | December 14 | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Main Gym | Coach Arter | tarter@phm.k12.in.us |
| 8th Grade Girls Basketball (Tryouts) | December 14 | 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | Main Gym | Coach Sowders | csowders@phm.k12.in.us |
| Boys Wrestling (Grades 6–8) | December 14 | 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | Aux Gym | Coach Harper | charper@phm.k12.in.us |
| Boys Track and Field (Grades 7–8) | March 22 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Main Gym | Coach Sowders | csowders@phm.k12.in.us |
| Girls Track and Field (Grades 7–8) | March 22 | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Main Gym | Coach Metcalf | dmetcalf@phm.k12.in.us |
| Girls Fall Cheerleading (Grades 7–8, Tryouts) | TBD (Typically May) | 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM | Aux Gym | Coach Morrett | mmorrett1@phm.k12.in.us |
Participation
Athletes must have 8 practices in before they are allowed to participate in an athletic event. Athletes must be at school ½ day to participate in practices and events. (3 of 6 Periods)
Ticket Information
Ticket for regular season events:
Adults $5, and Seniors & K-12 Students: $3
Tickets will be purchased at the event gate
(cash only, no bills bigger than $20, and exact change preferred.)
Event Schedules
Click Here for Event Schedules (These are tentative and subject to change throughout the year.)
Discovery Athletic Entrances
ALL Indoor events will enter through Door E. Doors will not open until 30 minutes before the event is scheduled to start. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
Buses may park by Door E and then move to bus parking areas.
ALL football and track and field events: spectators entrance is different from team entrance. Buses may drop off near the team entrance, then move to the bus parking area.
ALL cross country events: spectators entrance is the walk way between the school and the football field. Buses may drop off near the walkway entrance, then move to the bus parking area.
*Remember we end school at 4PM and buses dismiss at 4:10 PM. The parking lot near Horizon is used for car riders right after school. Arriving before 4:15 PM could cause headaches for bus drivers.
♥️AEDs are located in the Concession Stand by the football field and outside the main gym, by the locker room hallway through door E.
Kingsmen Futures (lifting program and speed training)
Registration Opens in September and closes quickly. Limited spots available.
FOLLOW @PennStrength on X for Up to Date Information.
Contact mcates@phm.k12.in.us with any questions
WHO: Any Middle School Athlete, 6-8th grade enrolled at Schmucker, Grissom, or Discovery and registers in September. Limited number of students
WHAT: FUTURES Lifting Program (FREE to Penn Student Athletes)
WHEN: Mondays and Wednesdays Starting TBD for 2026-2027 from 7:30am to 8:15am
WHERE: Penn High School Weight Room. Enter Through Door G
WHO: Any Middle School Athlete, 6-8th grade enrolled at Schmucker, Grissom, or Discovery
WHAT: FUTURES Speed Training (FREE to Penn Student Athletes)
WHEN: Fridays Starting TBD for 2026-2027 from 7:30am to 8:15am
WHERE: Penn High School Thacker Fieldhouse
Buses will transport students back to Discovery for the regular school day.
One PENN, One TEAM, One GOAL
Click Here for Kingsmen Athletics Summer Camps