Girls and Boys Track and Field 

Thursday, March 9 - Team Meeting; FCMS Cafe; 2:50- 3:10pm

Tuesday, March 21 - 1st practice of the year 

Our Fort Couch USC track and field program is open to all athletes from all kinds of prior athletic backgrounds.  Athletes geared at improving speed can take part in running events such as 100m hurdles, 1600m and 800m run, 100m - 200m and 400m dash, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.  Athletes looking for more technical events may choose to learn field events such as the triple jump, long jump, or high jump.  And lastly, the athlete looking to show off their strength could throw the shot put or discus.  We will have all of these events available for both boys and girls in 7th and 8th grade.  All track practices will take place at the USCHS stadium track immediately after school. Busing is provided to the track and parent pickup is in the High School lot at 5:00.  

Head Coach: Greg Calvetti - gcalvetti@uscsd.k12.pa.us 

Equipment:  All track participants will need to have running shoes, solid black shorts and a water bottle. A USC track jersey will be provided for meets; however, this uniform must be returned at the end of the season.  

~  New Users to Healthy Roster- make sure to have your athlete registered before March 21, 2023. See Instructions Below.

~  Returning 2022-23 athletes to Healthy Roster- you must complete Section 8 before March 21, 2023. See Instructions Below. 

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year.  

 

Girls Fast Pitch Softball 

Thursday, March 9 - Team Meeting; FCMS Room 110; 2:50- 3:10pm

Thursday, March 16 - 1st team practice @ Boyce MS; 3:45- 5:00

Friday, March 17 - 2nd team practice; Boyce MS; 3:45- 5:00

Take your softball game to the next level and join our 7th and 8th grade girls softball team!  Our 16 game schedule will have you competing against teams from all around the South Hills area.  Practices and games will be played at the former varsity field over at Boyce MS and when inclement weather "strikes" this Spring, our FC team will have access to the Boyce gym for practice.  Busing will be available to transport our FC students over to Boyce each day. Go Lady Panthers!      

Head Coach: Garrett Beard -gbeard@uscsd.k12.pa.us 

Assistant Coach: Jessica Robinson- jrobinson@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Equipment:  Each softball participant will need to have a glove, cleats, a helmet (preferred), a softball bat (preferred), and a water bottle. A USC softball uniform will be provided for games; however, this uniform must be returned at the end of the season.  

~  New Users to Healthy Roster- make sure to have your athlete registered before March 15, 2023. See Instructions Below.

~  Returning 2022-23 athletes to Healthy Roster- you must complete Section 8 before March 15, 2023. See Instructions Below.

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year.  

 

Healthy Roster Instructions for New Users 

If you are a new user to Healthy Roster, please email the following information to our USC Athletic Trainers (listed below), so they can set-up your account information.

• Student’s name

• Student’s DOB

• Student’s graduation year

• Student’s sports for the school year

• Guardian’s name

• Guardian’s email address

USC Athletic Trainer: Kelsey Wallace: kwallace@uscsd.k12.pa.us

USC Athletic Trainer: Brittney Halbig: bhalbig@uscsd.k12.pa.us

USC Athletic Trainer: Robert Smith: rsmith02@uscsd.k12.pa.us

 

Healthy Roster for Athletes Competing in a Second or Third Season  

Any student-athlete that will be returning this winter or spring season to play a second or third sport is required to complete SECTION 8.  See steps below.

1. Go to the Documents tab within your child's Health Roster account.

2. Go to Upload a New Document and click the icon.

3. Select Document Type using the pull down arrow and select PIAA CIPPE- Section 8.

4.  Fill out the fields and then click "Review and Sign" to review the completed document.

• Section 8 CIPPE Form (Re-certification)

 

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Wednesday, October 26 - Coaches meeting with all interested wrestlers during period 8; LGI 2:45- 3:10

 

 

Head Coach:  Corey DelMastro- cdelmastro@uscsd.k12.pa.us / Zoltan Toth- ftcouchpanther@gmail.com  

Equipment:  All wrestlers will need to have the proper wrestling shoes, practice clothing, and water bottle.   A USC uniform will be provided for matches; however, this uniform must be returned at the end of the season.

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Nov. 17, 2022. Healthy Roster   

~  Returning athletes from the fall season must update their Healthy Roster account by completing Section 8 and uploading it onto your account before Nov. 17, 2022.

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

Monday, October 17 - Coaches meeting with all interested basketball players during period 8; LGI 2:45- 3:10

Monday, October 24 - Travel Team Tryout; Day 1 of 2 - 3:30-5pm @ FCMS Gym

Tuesday, October 25 - Travel Team Tryout; Day 2 of 2 - 3:30-5pm @ FCMS Gym

Wednesday, October 26 - No Practice

Thursday, October 27 - 1st Team Practice @ Boyce MS; 3:30 daily bus transportation from FC to Boyce; 3:45- 5:00pm

Friday, October 28 -  Practice @ Boyce MS MS; 3:30 - 5:00pm

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Oct 23, 2022. Healthy Roster   

~  Returning athletes from the fall season must update their Healthy Roster account by completing Section 8 and uploading it onto your account before Oct. 23, 2022.

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

 

 

 

Important notes regarding the start of the fall season:

~  Signing your child up for a team is done exclusively through HEALTHY ROSTER.  

~  Please make sure to have your student-athlete registered in Healthy Roster before your team's deadline that is indicated below. Click Healthy Roster for more information.

~  The annual middle school sports fee of $50 for the 20022-23 school year can now be paid online. Click the link below.

https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  

 

 

Boys Football (7th and 8th grade teams)

Wednesday, August 17 (4:00- 6:00pm): Heat Acclimation Practice #1   

Thursday, August 18 (4:00- 6:00pm): Heat Acclimation Practice #2   

Friday, August 19 (4:00- 6:00pm): Heat Acclimation Practice #3 & Equipment Distribution   

Monday, August 22 (4:00-6:00pm): 1st full pad practice will begin

USC football has a great tradition of excellence over the years with multiple WPIAL and PIAA championships and our Ft Couch middle school football program is where it all begins.  So join in on the winning ways and learn from our team of experienced coaches.  Due to the high registration for 8th grade, Ft Couch will have two 8th grade teams during the 2022 fall season.  7th grade will compete with one team.  

8th grade Head Coach: Rick Murphy - murphjr77@gmail.com

7th grade Head Coach:  Jared Nicholson - jnicholson@uscsd.k12.pa.us 

Equipment: all football equipment (excluding cleats) is issued by USCSD and every USCSD helmet is reconditioned and certified for the current school year.  If you plan on using your own helmet, you must get it certified for the upcoming 2022 season.  Century Sports of Peters Twp can certify your own personal helmet, but you must call Century Sports to schedule a drop off.     

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Aug 15, 2022. Healthy Roster   

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

   

Girls Travel Volleyball (7th and 8th grade team)

Wednesday, August 24: Coaches informational meeting during Period 8 (2:47- 3:10) in the FC Gymnasium

Friday, August 26 (3:30-5:00pm):  TRYOUT Day #1 (FCMS)

Monday, August 29 (3:30-5:00pm): TRYOUT Day #2 (FCMS) note: teams will be determined 

Tuesday, August 30 (3:45-5:15pm): 1st team practice @ Ft Couch

Wednesday, Aug 31 (3:45-5:15pm): Practice @ Ft Couch (practice/game will move from FCMS to BoyceMS)

Thursday, September 1 (3:45-5:15pm): Practice @ Boyce   

Note: daily transportation will be provided to Boyce MS for practice and home events.

Friday, September 2 (3:45-5:15pm): Practice @ Boyce 

USC girls volleyball is one of Ft Couch's most popular sports to play during the Fall season.  In years past, we have had over 100 girls come into the program to learn the basic skills and, for the majority of them it's their first time playing competitive volleyball.  This year we plan to develop a new travel volleyball team that will be hand-picked by our USC varsity coaches.  The teams will compete on an 18-game schedule that travels to play teams all around the South Hills.  There will be two separate teams, one 7th and one 8th grade team that will be decided during try-outs. All players that do not make this travel team will be encouraged to play in the VolleyBallers intramural program- see details below. 

8th grade Head Coach: Karen Martini - kmartini@uscsd.k12.pa.us

7th grade Head Coach:  Noah Mickey - nodmicke@gmail.com

Equipment:   All volleyball participants should have tennis shoes, black volleyball shorts and knee pads. A USC game jersey will be provided for each player and must be returned at the end of the season.

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Aug 30, 2022. Healthy Roster 

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

 

Girls "VolleyBallers" Intramural Program 

Wednesday, August 24: Coaches informational meeting during Period 8 (2:47- 3:10) in the FC Gymnasium

Thursday, September 1: 1st Evaluation Practice @ FCMS (3:30-5pm)

Friday, September 2: 2nd Evaluation Practice @ FCMS (3:30-5pm)

Tuesday, September 6: The eight VolleyBaller teams will be posted on Canvas by 7:00pm; Season begins on 9/14

Wednesday, September 7: No Practice- Teacher Meetings After School

Thursday, September 8: Team Practice for team COBRA, CHAOS, DYNAMITE, DIAMONDS

Friday, September 9: Team Practice for team SPIKES, STARS, WILDCATS, WARRIORS 

USC girls "VolleyBaller" intramural program will play exclusively in the Ft Couch gymnasium.  The teams will be organized by the athletic department and our team of coaches will run a regular-season schedule through the months of September and October.  The VolleyBallers intramural season will conclude with a tournament to decide who is the 2022 VolleyBallers Champion.  Each student will be assigned to a team and compete or practice 3-4 days per week from approximately 3:30-5:30 each day.  No weekend commitment.

Coach: Jennifer Cramer - jcramer@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Coach: Abbey Digregorio - adigregorio@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Coach: Jane Schlichting - jschlichting@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Coach: Samatha Wilhelm - samwilhelm13@hotmail.com

Equipment:   All volleyball participants should have tennis shoes, black volleyball shorts and knee pads. A USC game jersey will be provided for each player and must be returned at the end of the season.

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Sep 1, 2022. Healthy Roster 

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

 

Co-Ed Cross Country

Wednesday, August 24: Coaches informational meeting during Period 8 (2:47- 3:10) in the FC Cafateria

Monday, August 29: Ft. Couch (3:25-4:45)

Tuesday, August 30: Ft. Couch (3:25-4:45)

Wednesday, August  31: Gilfillan Trail (3:25-4:45)

Thursday, September 1: Gilfillan Trail (3:25-4:45)

Click here to view the parents' informational handout guide

Head Coach Steve Levine has been helping Ft Couch runners for over 25 years and has been one of our winningest MS coaches of all time.  His experience and love for the sport plays a big part in making cross-country an enjoyable experience for roughly 80 boys and girls each Fall.  Along with most practices, each cross-country home meet will be held on the 1.95 mile CC course at Gilfillan trail in the heart of USC.  Students will practice 2 days at Ft Couch and 2 days per week over at the Gilfillian trail.  USC busses will commute the students to the trail and parents will be required to pickup at Gilfillan.  Come join in on the fun and compete against eight schools from across the South Hills who will run for top honors. 

Head Coach: Steve Levine -  slevine@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Equipment:   All cross-country participants should have running shoes and black running shorts. A USC game jersey will be provided for each player, but must be returned at the end of the season.

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Aug 29, 2022. Healthy Roster 

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

 

Co-Ed Swimming

Wednesday, August 24: Coaches informational meeting during Period 8 (2:47- 3:10) in the LGI

Tuesday, August 30 (3:45-5:00pm): 1st practice at the HS swimming pool

Wednesday 8/31 - Friday 9/2: No Practice

Tuesday, September 6 (3:45-5:00pm): Practice at USCHS

Wednesday, September 7 (3:45-5:00pm): Practice at USCHS

Note: daily transportation will be provided to the high school swimming pool for practice and swim meets.

Click here to view a message from head coach, Alex Hardwick 

Practice and compete at USC's newest and finest competitive high school swimming pool in Western PA.  This new facility will give our Ft Couch swimmers a chance to experience swimming at its best.  Plus, each participant will individually learn from our elite coaches and gain experience while taking part in a fun and healthy team sport. During swim meets, race and set yourself apart in your favourite events such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, as well as the individual medley.  

Head Coach: Alex Hardwick -  coachalex@peaqpgh.org

Equipment:   All swimmers will need to have their own goggles and a black swimsuit.  A USC swim warm-up jacket will be provided for each athlete, but this jacket must be returned at the end of the season. 

~  Make sure to have your athlete registered in Healthy Roster before Aug 29, 2022. Healthy Roster 

~  The Fort Couch Athletic Registration Fee of $50 can now be paid online: https://webinfo.uscsd.k12.pa.us/middle-school-athletic-registration/  Please note: This is a one-time athletic $50 fee for the entire 2022-2023 school year and allows your athlete to play in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.  

 

Healthy Roster Instructions for New Users 

If you are a new user to Healthy Roster, please email the following information to our USC Athletic Trainers (listed below), so they can set-up your account information.

• Student’s name

• Student’s DOB

• Student’s graduation year

• Student’s sports for the school year

• Guardian’s name

• Guardian’s email address

USC Athletic Trainer: Brittney Halbig: brittney.halbig@ahn.org

USC Athletic Trainer: Robert Smith: Robert.SMITH@ahn.org

USC Athletic Trainer: Kelsey Wallace: Kelsey.Wallace@ahn.org