Physical Education and Athletics

The physical education and athletics program (PE/A) at Northfield Mount Hermon is an integral part of the total educational process. The curriculum is dedicated to offering each student, regardless of ability, the opportunity to experience meaningful growth, accomplishment, and success at his or her own skill level. Through both competitive and noncompetitive learning experiences, the program seeks to develop in each student:

health and the ability to create a personal physical fitness program;
desire to establish a lifelong pattern of daily physical exercise;
knowledge and appreciation of the human body;
skillful and effective movement;
self-confidence and positive social interaction;
activities to enhance creative use of leisure time;
opportunity to participate as a member of an athletic team.

Ninth- and tenth-grade students participate in at least one athletic activity each year. Any term that a ninth or tenth grader is not in an athletic activity, he or she will take a physical education class.

Juniors, seniors, and postgraduate students participate in one athletic activity and take two physical education classes in the other two terms or participate in two athletic activities with no physical education class required in the third term. The course to select for the term off from PE is PEC701 for the fall, PEC702 for the winter, or PEC703 for the spring.

Athletic activity is defined as an interscholastic team sport or participation in the NMH Outdoor Team or Dance Companies. In addition, students may fulfill their athletic activity requirement for the year by enrolling in ATM 400 Music Concentration or in ATT 400 Theater Immersion. PE classes can include dance classes and managing a sport.

Managing a sports team counts as a physical education class for one term, but only after the first term of enrollment at NMH. Ninth-graders are not eligible to manage a team unless they have participated on a team earlier in the year. Students who want to manage a second term in the same year also must take a physical education course that term.

Junior, senior, and postgraduate students are allowed one semester of exemption from physical education each year to pursue, with the approval of the department or program involved, a significant program in the arts. Students are not eligible for this exemption during their first semester at NMH, if they are studying abroad (not senior seminars) during the year in question, or if they earned less than “satisfactory” in PE the preceding semester.

There is a one-time $75 fee for NMH athletic travel attire.

Student Class Dress

Appropriate gym shorts, T-shirt, socks, and sneakers are required for all physical education classes. Some equipment may be purchased at the bookstore. In cold weather, warm-up suits, sweatshirts, or heavy sweaters may be added for outdoor activities.
Outdoor clothes, socks, and sneakers are required for outdoor courses.
One-piece nylon or Lycra tank suits are required for all swimming activities. A bathing cap is required for any student whose hair comes below the level of the earlobes or is long in front.
For safety reasons, jewelry (including earrings) should not be worn in class. For the same reason, long hair should be tied back.

Physical Education
Some physical education classes are offered every term, whereas others are offered “in season” or based on facilities, staffing, and student interest.

Physical Education Opportunities
Interscholastic Athletics (See below)

Related Info

Athletics
Positions on varsity teams are open to all students on a tryout basis. Athletes selected for a team may not change their PE/A assignment from a team activity to a physical education class except during the two-week period beginning with the first day of tryouts. Athletes are allowed to change assignments after the two-week period only for verified medical or psychological reasons.
Eligibility for membership on teams is based on the following policies: 1. All students are eligible for varsity teams.
2. Postgraduates and seniors are not eligible for junior-level teams.
3. Seniors are eligible for junior varsity teams with the approval of the athletic director, who will consult with the coach prior to making a decision.
4. The following sports limit the number of postgraduates on the team: boys varsity soccer, varsity football, boys varsity ice hockey, boys varsity basketball, varsity baseball, and boys varsity lacrosse.

Coeducational Athletics
Winter Term
ATC 294 Varsity and Junior Varsity Alpine Skiing
*students charged for season ski pass to Berkshire East
ATC 295 Varsity and Junior Varsity Nordic Skiing
ATC 134 Junior Varsity Swimming

Spring Term
ATC 237 Junior Varsity Golf

Girls Athletics
Fall Term
ATG 245 Varsity and JV Cross-Country
ATG 643 Varsity Field Hockey
ATG 633 Junior Varsity Field Hockey
ATG 623 Thirds Field Hockey
ATG 611 Varsity Fall Crew
ATG 647 Varsity Soccer
ATG 637 Junior Varsity Soccer
ATG 627 Thirds Soccer
ATG 649 Varsity Volleyball
ATG 639 Junior Varsity Volleyball

Winter Term
ATG 642 Varsity Basketball
ATG 632 Junior Varsity Basketball
ATG 622 Thirds Basketball
ATG 645 Varsity Ice Hockey*
ATG 635 Junior Varsity Ice Hockey*
ATC 294 Varsity and Junior Varsity Alpine Skiing
*students charged for season ski pass to Berkshire East
ATC 295 Varsity and Junior Varsity Nordic Skiing
ATG 144 Varsity Swimming
ATC 134 Junior Varsity Swimming
*Skate sharpening fee of $3 per time.

Spring Term
ATG 243 Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Thirds Crew
ATC 237 Junior Varsity Golf
ATG 646 Varsity Lacrosse
ATG 636 Junior Varsity Lacrosse
ATG 648 Varsity Softball
ATG 638 Junior Varsity Softball
ATG 296 Varsity Tennis
ATG 286 Junior Varsity Tennis
ATG 297 Varsity and Junior Varsity Track and Field
ATG 610 Ultimate Frisbee
ATG 146 Varsity Water Polo--

Boys Athletics
Fall Term
ATB 244 Varsity Cross-Country
ATB 234 Junior Varsity Cross-Country
ATB 644 Varsity Football
ATB 634 Junior Varsity Football
ATB 611 Varsity Fall Crew
ATB 647 Varsity Soccer
ATB 637 Junior Varsity Soccer
ATB 617 Thirds Soccer
ATB 146 Varsity Water Polo

Winter Term
ATB 642 Varsity Basketball
ATB 632 Junior Varsity Basketball
ATB 612 Thirds Basketball
ATB 645 Varsity Ice Hockey*
ATB 635 Junior Varsity Ice Hockey*
ATC 294 Varsity and Junior Varsity Alpine Skiing
*students charged for season ski pass to Berkshire East
ATC 295 Varsity and Junior Varsity Nordic Skiing
ATB 144 Varsity Swimming
ATC 134 Junior Varsity Swimming
ATB 298 Varsity and Junior Varsity Wrestling
*Skate sharpening fee of $3 per time. Spring Term

Spring Term
ATB 243 Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Thirds Crew
ATB 247 Varsity Golf
*$250 Crumpin Fox membership fee
ATB 641 Varsity Baseball
ATB 631 Junior Varsity Baseball
ATC 247 Varsity Golf
ATC 237 Junior Varsity Golf
ATB 646 Varsity Lacrosse
ATB 636 Junior Varsity Lacrosse
ATB 626 Thirds Lacrosse
ATB 296 Varsity Tennis
ATB 286 Junior Varsity Tennis
ATB 297 Varsity and Junior Varsity Track and Field
ATB 610 Ultimate Frisbee
ATB 649 Varsity Volleyball
ATB 639 Junior Varsity Volleyball

PEC 101 Physical Education

The physical education classes are fitness-based and focus on learning and practicing lifelong activities. Each term, students are given the option of several different classes from which to choose in the PE period assigned on their schedule. These options may include, but are not limited to, the following: aquatic activities, aerobics, badminton and beginning tennis, fencing, floor hockey, golf, ice skating, indoor soccer, intermediate/advanced badminton, intermediate/advanced tennis, soccer, softball, Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, yoga, basketball, personal fitness, strength training, and biking and canoeing.

PEC 214 Recreational Skiing (Winter term)

Credit:

Does not earn cocurricular credit.

Prerequisite:

None.

Fees:

Approximately $800.

Registration for this course, open to all levels of skiers, is limited. The fee covers transportation, lift ticket, and three lessons. Class meets Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. Students must provide their own equipment. Rentals are available. Dryland activities when mountain is closed.

PEC 224 Recreational Snowboarding (Winter term)

Credit:

Does not earn cocurricular credit.

Prerequisite:

None.

Fees:

Approximately $800.

Registration for this course, open to all levels of boarders, is limited. The fee covers transportation, lift ticket, and three lessons. Class meets Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. Students must provide their own equipment. Rentals are available. Dryland activities when mountain is closed.

PEC 304 Recreational Bicycling

Prerequisite:

Liability waiver, approved bicycle, and permission of the instructor.

Recreational bicycling is available to students of all cycling experience levels: novice, intermediate or advanced. Students are encouraged to provide their own bicycles, but the school has some bicycles to loan to students who do not have one (repairs, maintenance, and tuning will be the responsibility of the borrower). Riding techniques, bicycle design, maintenance, emergency repairs, and developing a pre-ride, safety-check system are among the topics of instruction. Stamina and strength will be developed during the term to promote safe riding and healthy physical exercise. Programming sites will include established bicycle trails such as the Norwottuck Rail Trail and rural roads in the vicinity of the school campus. Major roads such as Routes 10 and 63 may need to be traversed for access purposes. The class will meet three times a week for 90 minutes at a time. This class satisfies the PE/A course requirement for the term.

PEC 312 Winter in the Outdoors (WITOD)

Prerequisite:

Liability waiver and approved clothing and footwear.

This class promotes enjoyment and safety in winter environments using recreational activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, map and compass reading, camping, and snow-shelter building. WITOD caters to students from all levels of outdoor experience: novice, intermediate, and experienced. Programming sites include Northfield Mountain in Massachusetts, Grafton Pond in Vermont, and Pisgah State Park in New Hampshire. The class meets twice a week; one class is four hours and the other is one hour. One Saturday day trip is also required, giving students an opportunity to extend their skiing or snowshoeing skills.

PEC 324 Mountain Biking

Prerequisite:

Liability waiver, approved mountain bike, and permission of the instructor.

This class is open to students of all ability levels: novice, intermediate, or advanced. Biking techniques, bicycle maintenance, and emergency repairs are among the topics of instruction. Stamina and strength will be developed during the term to promote safe but strenuous rides. Students are encouraged to supply their own bicycles, but the school has bicycles available to students who do not own one (repairs, maintenance, and tuning will be the responsibility of the borrower). Programming sites utilized are on the Northfield Ridge in east Northfield, on Satan’s Kingdom at west Northfield, and on approved biking trails at Northfield Mountain. The class meets twice a week; one class is three hours and the other two hours. A Saturday day trip may be required to give students an experience of a competitive event. The class satisfies the PE/A course requirement for the term.

PEC 940 PE Independent Study

Prerequisite:

Application process.

The PE independent study option is designed to give a limited number of students an opportunity to pursue a special interest in an activity that is not offered in the NMH curriculum, or to continue work in a pursuit in which their achievement and experience place them above the level that is offered within the curriculum. Forms for requesting an independent study in PE are available in the gym office and are due in the PE office a week prior to the end of the preceding semester. This option is not available to students during their first semester at NMH or to students in an international studies program.