Spring is here and the weather has been fairly cooperative with us for our sports schedules, however, we will probably have one last snow storm before we finish our sports for the year.  Most of our Spring teams are into the first half of  their season and we have had some exciting and challenging games.
 
The Boys Tennis team had a large turnout of players and they started the season with a few wins and then ran into some very stiff competition.  The Varsity Softball team have some young and talented players and have been competitive in all their games. The Baseball team only has 11 players and they also have a young team, but have a lot of potential and will be much stronger the latter part of the season.  The Boys and Girls Jr. High Soccer teams just played their first game a few days ago against the strong Williamsport H.S. combined Jr. High teams and although losing, they played extremely well, so there is a lot of potential for the rest of the season and also for the next 3 to 4 years.

In Track & Field, we have four athletes (Brittany & Brianna McLaughlin, Nathan Tempesco & Kristiana Winder) competing with South Williamsport and they have been doing extremely well, with Kristiana Winder coming in 1st place in almost every event in the Shot Put, Discus and Javelin.
 
Since this is the last Knightline for the current school year, we would like to thank and congratulate all our athletes that have represented our school.  We would also like to commend all the parents that have supported their son or daughter at all the athletic events and also for all the volunteer hours they put in at the concession stand and other areas that support the sports programs.
 
1.  CHEERLEADERS FUNDRAISER:  In order to raise money for their squad, the Neumann Cheerleaders will be conducting 3 car washes on Saturday 12 June, Saturday, 17 July and Saturday, 14 August  at the FNB Bank, starting around 11:00 AM in the Loyal Plaza.  So keep your car dirty until those dates and get it washed by our cheerleaders.  They may even do a cheer for you while they wash your car.
 
2.  COACHES NEEDED:  We are still in need of a Boys Jr. High Basketball Coach and also a Girls Varsity Tennis Coach.  If anybody is interested, please have them contact Mr. Lupacchino at 323-9953, ext 217.
 
3.  SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:  Since Dr. Keenan has just had some recent surgery, he may not be available to conduct the sports physicals for our athletes.  Therefore, parents should make arrangements to have the physicals conducted by their own physicians.  Physicals must be conducted on or after 1 June 2010 in order to cover the entire 2010/11 school year. The 4 part PIAA physical form is available at the athletic office in room 213. 
 
Any students that intend to participate in Boys & Girls Varsity Soccer, Girls Tennis, Co-Ed Golf and Jr. High Softball need to have their physicals completed before the start of the new school year as some of teams will start practicing and/or playing before the start of school.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Lupacchino at 323-9953, ext 217.
 
4.  PARENTS ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO DRIVE JR. HIGH SOCCER PLAYERS:  Due to the large turnout of Jr. High Girls and Boys soccer players, we are experiencing a problem with enough room on the bus that transports the sports teams.  Our bus only accommodates 32 individuals and with 15 players on the girls team and 12 on the boys, it only leaves room for 5 individuals.  We have 3 coaches each on the boys and girls team and therefore not enough room for all the players and coaches.  Plus what takes up a lot of room, is the players personal equipment, plus the team equipment.  Therefore for games in which we transport the teams with our bus to Sullivan County (22 April), Millville (29 April), Benton (8 May), Hughesville (12 May), we ask that some of the parents volunteer to car pool and be willing to take some players with them to the games. 
 
Please note that there will be no bus available to take the team to Jersey Shore on Monday, 10 May as another team will be playing a game at Benton and therefore the  parents will be responsible to get the players to the game.  Also there will be no bus available to take the teams to Montgomery on Thursday, 13 May.
 
5.  SPORTS AWARDS FOR PLAYERS DURING THE 2009-10 SCHOOL YEAR:  The Neumann Parents Athletic Association (NPAA), which sponsors the sports awards for the athletes, has just recently decided on a few changes to the awards recognition program for the athletes.
 
The awards will be in divided into two categories. 
 
A.  The Jr. High awards will be held on Sunday, 16 May 2010 at 2:00 PM in the school gym and snacks, beverages and Pizza will be provided for the athletes, coaches and parents.  The Coaches and Principal  will present the appropriate awards to the athletes.  There will be no cost for the Jr. High awards.
 
B.  For all the Varsity and JV sports teams, the awards will be held on Sunday, 23 May 2010 at 4:00 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall in Montoursville.  This will be a sit down dinner and seating is limited to approximately 250 individuals.  The Coaches and Principal will present the appropriate awards to the athletes.  There will be no cost to the athletes, however to insure each athlete is committed to attend and they have an accurate number, the athletes will be required to pay a $5.00 deposit when they pick up their ticket.  Upon arrival at the awards ceremony, they will be refunded their $5.00 deposit. If they do not attend the awards ceremony, no refund will be issued.
 
Parents that are attending the Varsity/JV awards ceremony will be required to pay $5.00, with no refund at the door.  Tickets for family members and athletes need to be picked up by 1 May 2010 and then after that date other individuals will be able to purchase tickets that desire to attend the ceremony.  Again, due to the limited seating, there will only be approximately 250 tickets available.
All tickets for the athletes and parents/family members must be obtained at the main school office. 

 
For the awards ceremony, other than obtaining their school recognition (school letter, pin or service bar) it was decided that each athlete "THAT ATTENDS THE AWARDS CEREMONY",  will be given a specially designed T-Shirt.  Also medals will be given for recognition to a few athletes from their coaches.  Again, in order to receive the T-Shirt, the athlete must attend their Jr. High awards ceremony in the gym or  the Varsity/JV awards at Our Lady of Lourdes. For any questions on this matter, please contact Mr. Kevin Way, President, Neumann Parent Athletic Association (NPAA),  cell phone 447-7000.
 
6.  BASKETBALL OPEN GYM:  There will be basketball open gym for boys and girls every Wednesday, starting on 12 May 2010.  For all current 6th & 7th graders, the practice time will be from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in the school gym.  For the 8th thru 12th graders, it will be from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. For any questions on the open gym, please contact Mr. Paul Petcavage at 419-5387 or Mr. Steve Sholder at 279-6978.
 
7. SENIORS - THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES:  We would like to recognize and commend all the seniors that have participated in our sports programs.  Many have played in two or more sports throughout the school year and certainly will be missed and hope that they have enjoyed and will remember their experiences here at Neumann.  As small as our school is, many outstanding athletes and exceptional individuals have passed through our doors and represented this institution in the highest tradition.
 
We thank the following Seniors for taking the time and effort to be involved in our athletic programs during their years at St. John Neumann. Many thanks and best wishes to:
 
Adam Bahr                              Jonathan Montgomery
Sean Bierly                             Conor Norris
Joseph Brenner                    Travis O'Neal
Allison Cheatle                       Tyler O'Neal      
Neil Forquer                             Alexander Pelletier
Deon Henderson                   Alexandra Rall
Lakeisha James                     Elizabeth Ratke
Samantha Labate                   Elaina Stone
Chris Liefeld
Katie Lisi                                 Kristiana Winder
Chelsea Martin                        Amber Wright
Lucas McNutt
 
8.  REFINISHING GYM FLOOR:  Due to the heavy use of the gym floor for PE classes and basketball, baseball, softball and soccer usage, we will again have the floor refinished and painted by the Clarkson Chemical Company.  We are hoping that they will be able to work on the floor within days after the end of the school year.  Once work is started on the floor, it will be approximately two or three weeks before it can be used again and it should be bright and shiny for basketball season.
 
9.  Since this is the last Knightline of the school year, we wish all our Neumann family an enjoyable and healthy summer and we sincerely thank all the parents, players, coaches and spectators that have devoted their time and efforts to our teams throughout the entire school year and even if your son or daughter is graduating this year, we hope you will continue to support the school and our entire sports programs.
 
See you at the games,
Frank Lupacchino
Athletic Director