Unadilla Valley will merge with Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton for most winter sports this season, starting with modified basketball. Over the summer, the two districts agreed to collaborate on interscholastic athletics throughout the school year to ensure we are providing the best range of opportunities possible for students from both schools.
With modified basketball starting next Monday, athletics officials from UV and G-MU will meet with families from both schools at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, after the modified teams first practice after school that day. The meeting will be in-person in the auditorium at Unadilla Valley and zoomed at G-MU at the same time. A link will be provided for G-MU families. With the number of players we expect for modified basketball for both boys and girls and for both schools, we anticipate having separate 7th and 8th grade teams.
A similar meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7 for JV and varsity sports. That season will not start for another few weeks. We are currently planning to move forward with separate UV and G-MU varsity teams while planning to merge for both boys and girls JV and modified basketball teams. Please know that all of this is based on final player registration numbers. Bowling, modified volleyball and indoor track are still being looked at and it is expected that UV, G-MU and Unatego will cooperate on wrestling.
We appreciate the flexibility and patience of families from both school districts as we move forward.
Around our region and elsewhere in the state, smaller schools in rural areas struggle to field sports teams due to lack of player interest. In some cases, student-athletes have not been able to participate in their sport because there was no team in their home district and no merger arrangement with a neighboring district.
Interscholastic athletics provide an opportunity for students to learn teamwork, self-confidence and self-discipline, as well as the importance of hard work and fair play.
While the commitment to collaborate on interscholastic athletics is in place, the two districts will continue to work together on logistics to help make the winter sports season a success. As updated information becomes available, it will be communicated to you through the district office, the athletics department or individual coaches.
We wish all of our student-athletes from both districts the best of luck as they head into the winter sports season.