Athletics - HEARTS for Jesus Christ

What does the HEARTS athletic program offer?

HEARTS offers a competitive, Christ-centered sports program for homeschooled students, which currently includes cross country, girls volleyball, soccer, and basketball. We offer sports for junior high through high school, depending on interest, staffing, and gym availability. Participating on a HEARTS sports team is one way in which we encourage and challenge our students to honor God in all things while growing in their walk with Jesus through athletics.

How do I register my student for a HEARTS sport?

In order to participate in a HEARTS sport, your family must be a HEARTS member, either Full or Basic. Please see our About page for more information about membership level cost and benefits. If you are interested in joining HEARTS and would like more information please fill out our Interested Family Sign Up.

To register for a sport, you will need to contact that sport's coach or manager so you can receive all the up-to-date registration information and costs for that sport. See that sport’s info section for more details.

All sports forms will be available online once you are a HEARTS member and are to be completed before the season begins, including a current physical exam.

Sports Payment Policy: All sports fees must be paid in full prior to the first official game/meet of the season. This includes a $200 deposit for Full membership or a $100 fee for Basic. Your child will not be able to participate if there is an outstanding sports balance on your account. Please see each sport’s information page for the specific costs for that sport.

How can I help?

We are always seeking godly moms and dads to lead our sports teams: coaches, managers, and willing volunteers. If you have experience with coaching and feel God’s calling you in this way, please email our Athletic Directors at athletics@heartsforjesuschrist.org.

Each family is required to volunteer their time throughout the sports season. We cannot run a program without parent involvement. Depending on the sport and the needs, positions include: working admissions and concessions, participating in HEARTS fundraisers such as bake sales, coordinating Senior Night, taking team photos, keeping statistics, running the scoreboard, making announcements, assisting with set-up, and helping with the banquet.

What teams are offered and what is the level of participation?

HEARTS Cross Country includes boys and girls on a 7th-8th grade team and 9th-12th grade team. 7th-8th run a two mile race. High school team members run a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) race. Both teams practice together and encourage each other throughout the season.

Each team needs at least 5 runners to have a team, but 7 is the ideal number. If we don't have enough for a team, runners compete individually in the open races. Since there is no minimum or maximum number, everyone on the team participates in all meets.

When does the season start and end?

Our first official practice is the beginning of August and the last meet of the season is the middle of October. Near the end of October is an optional State Championship meet.
A group of runners try to run through the fall and spring as their schedules permit.
The team meets for practice 4 times a week, either mornings or evenings. The runners are expected to run on their own as well, averaging 5 days a week of running.
Middle school and high school teams typically have 8-9 meets a season.
There will be a season kick-off meeting and an end-of-season awards banquet.

Where are the practices and meets?

Practices are typically held in Cuyahoga and Lorain County. We attempt to find locations that are central to the team members, typically running at local parks. The meets are in the greater Cleveland area and typically include many schools. Some of the bigger races have over 100 runners competing.

How much will cross country cost?

Costs are typically $150 for middle school and $175 for high school + the cost of a uniform. These fees are in addition to your HEARTS membership fee (Basic - $100 or Full - $1200).

What should I do if my child is interested in cross country?

Send an email to crosscountry@heartsforjesuschrist.org.
If you are interested in joining HEARTS and would like more information please fill out our Interested Family Sign Up.
Once you have notified Katey, look for emails and other announcements that will get you ready for the season.
There will be forms to complete online, one of which requires a current physical. Your child will not be eligible to participate until all the forms have been received.

When does the season start and end?

Official practices begin in August and end in October
There are optional conditioning opportunities and open gyms beginning in June
The first scrimmage is typically in August and this year, the varsity season ends with the regional (NACA) tournament There will be a season kick-off meeting at the start of the season and a fall banquet in October

Where are the practices and games?

Presently we are trying to schedule practices and home games at T3 Performance (1965 Recreation Ln., Avon). The away games are in the greater Cleveland area.

How much will it cost?

For HEARTS members, cost typically run $350 for middle school and $500 for the JV and Varsity team, plus the cost of uniforms and tournaments. Tournament and uniform fees depend on the number of players. This past year the JV and Varsity team travelled to a tournament in Cincinnati. As always, we attempt to keep costs down and raise needed funds in other ways through parent initiated fundraising activities.
You must be a HEARTS member to participate in our sports programs. Membership options include a basic membership ($100), which covers all sports, social and testing for a school year, or full membership which includes Friday classes and access to all HEARTS programs.
There is a new payment policy that has been put in place, all membership and volleyball fees must be paid prior to the first game of the season. Your child will not be able to play if there is an outstanding balance.

What teams are available and how many participate?

The available teams depend on the number of interested families. Our goal is to have a girls Middle School team, a Junior Varsity and a Varsity team. Your child will participate in all practices, team effort and work ethic will determine playing time.

What teams are offered and what is the level of participation?

Middle School Boys grades 5-8
Middle School Girls grades 5-8
High School Boys JV & Varsity teams grades 9-12
High School Girls grades 9-12

Teams offered are based on the number of players who register. Your child will participate in all practices, but the amount of playing time your athlete will have in games is not guaranteed. Skill level, effort, work ethic, and attitude will all factor into playing time at the coaching staff's discretion.

When does the season start and end?

Practices begin by the first week of November with games beginning mid-November. The season ends near the end of February. Varsity participates in a NCSAA weekend tournament at the beginning of March, usually in Mount Vernon, OH. The season culminates in an Awards Night dinner.

Where are the practices and games?

High school practices and home games are held at the old Keystone High School in LaGrange which is now the LaGrange Administration Building. The away games can span north into the Greater Cleveland area, west into Lorain County, and as far south as Mansfield. There are typically around 25 games for our varsity teams and 20 games for our middle school teams.

How much will basketball cost?

The basketball fee is $375 for high school/$300 for middle school. Tournament fees for high school varsity teams are in addition to this cost (around $200). HEARTS owns our basketball uniforms so there is no fee for the jerseys. High school players will get a shooting shirt/warm-up shirt that is theirs to keep. The cost of that shirt is around $20. These fees are in addition to your HEARTS membership fee (Basic - $100 or Full - $1200).

What should I do if my child is interested in playing basketball?

Send an email to the HEARTS Basketball Manager at basketball@heartsforjesuschrist.org.
If you are interested in joining HEARTS and would like more information please fill out our Interested Family Sign Up.
Once you have notified Sarah, look for emails and other announcements that will get you ready for the season.
There will be forms to complete online, one of which requires a current physical. Your child will not be eligible to participate until all the forms have been received.