The GCSD athletic program is founded on the principle that the playing field is an extension of the classroom and the athletic experience contributes to the growth of mind and body.
The cornerstones of the Dutchmen tradition were laid generations ago by some of the community’s most respected student-athletes, many of whom continue to be involved in the athletic program as supportive parents and sports boosters. While the names change from year to year, the principles they embodied remain the same – dedication and desire, cooperation and compassion, and the importance of working collectively toward a common goal. These are just some of the ideas that echo across the Guilderland playing fields and gymnasiums.
2023-24 Dutchmen of the Week
Each week, we highlight two student-athletes (Modified, Mod 9, Frosh, JV or Varsity level) for athletic accomplishments.
- The athlete should have made a significant impact to a contest within the nomination time frame, which is the week prior to selection; or
- The athlete must have shown excellent leadership, sportsmanship, noticeable improvement/effort, community service and/or other notable trait(s).
Congratulations to Eryn Tynan (Varsity Track & Field) and Natalie Dodge (Modified Lacrosse) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of April 15.
Eryn Tynan (Varsity Outdoor Track & Field)
Eryn had an outstanding weekend at the Niskayuna Invitational. She led off the Distance Medley Relay on Friday night with a blazing 1200 meters. She handed off in first place helping her relay team set a meet record with a time that is currently ranked NYS #1. She then won the 3000 meter race in a time of 10:18.85. She also was on the winning 4×8 relay team that is also the fastest time in NYS this year. She finished the weekend by leading off in the 4×4 that placed 3rd at the meet. What a weekend!
Natalie Dodge (Modified Lacrosse)
Natalie Dodge is a strong vocal leader on the middie line for modified girls lacrosse. She contributed six of the eleven goals in the win over Niskayuna on Friday. Natalie has been responsible for forcing multiple turnovers that have led to Guilderland goals so far this season.
Congratulations to Alyssa Griffin (Varsity Softball) and Jake Pensabene (JV Baseball) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of April 8.
Alyssa Griffin (Varsity Softball)
Alyssa has been named a team captain for the 2024 season. She has a presence on and off the field. Her teammates look up to her and other teams dread her coming to the plate. Alyssa helped guide her team to its first win of the season over Albany, going one for three with a home run and three RBIs at the plate. Nicely done, Alyssa!
Jake Pensabene (JV Baseball)
Jake has demonstrated tremendous leadership thus far into the JV baseball season, both on the field and in practice. He has been leading by example in practice, and has been spotted helping teammates improve during drills and batting practice. Against Troy, he collected two hits including his first home run of the season, tallying 6 RBIs in his team’s first win of the season. The following game against Shaker, Jake collected another three hits and an RBI in a very competitive game. He has become a true asset to the team and will no doubt continue to be a leader for his team.
Important Athletics Updates and Dates
Athletics Updates
GHS field hockey team wins Section II crown
Guilderland High School field hockey had a season for the record books! The team finished with 14 wins and 5 losses and had many “firsts” in program history, including:
- most wins in a season
- most goals, assists and points in a season
- a win at the field hockey national tournament for the first time
- earning the #1 overall seed in the Section 2 Class A tournament for the first time
The Lady Dutch won the Section 2 Class A title by beating Saratoga 2 -1. This is the second sectional title in program history and the second since 2019. Although the team fell to Mamaroneck in the regionals, it was a special season and we are so proud. Congratulations to GHS field hockey on an amazing season!
GHS boys soccer team wins Section II title
Guilderland boys soccer has had an outstanding season. The team boasts a record of 13 wins, three losses and three ties. They have only given up seven goals all season, highlighted by seven consecutive games without giving up a goal. The Dutchmen defeated Niskayuna by a score of 5-0 on Monday to capture a Class AA Sectional Title, their first sectional championship since 2013! The sectional championship was the third for Guilderland Head Coach Mike Kinnally. They are not quite done yet. They will play in the regional final on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2:30 p.m. against CBA Syracuse at Fayetteville-Manlius high school. Congratulations and good luck to the Guilderland Dutchmen boys soccer team!
Athletics Dates
Wednesday, June 14: Senior Sports Awards in GHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m., by invitation only
Friday, July 21: Grade 9-12 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Friday, July 28: Grade 7-8 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Saturday, August 19: Varsity football start date
Monday, August 21: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman fall sports
Thursday, August 24: Modified football start date
Monday, August 28: First day of Modified fall sports
Friday, October 13: Grade 9-12 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Friday, October 20: Grade 7-8 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, November 13: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman winter sports
Monday, November 20: First day of Modified winter sports
Monday, February 12: Grade 9-12 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, February 26: Grade 7-8 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, March 11: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman spring sports
Monday, March 25: First day of Modified spring sports
Sports Sign-up Requirements
Students interested in playing school sports are required to sign-up in the school health office. Students will be given a sports packet to be completed and returned (in person, by mail, or by fax (High School) 518-861-5151 or (Middle School) 518-456-3747 before being cleared by the nursing staff prior to participating in tryouts for a particular sport. Additional sports packets will be available in the health office.
The sports sign-up packet includes three forms:
- Athletic Form which includes emergency contact information
- Required NYS School Health Examination Form (Completed by private physician or school physician)**
- Health History Update (This form cannot be completed earlier than 30 days prior to the start of the season.)
**If our nurse has a valid physical on file (within the last calendar year), the NYS School Health Examination Form is not required. It is only required if we do not have a valid physical on file.
You can find the forms here and download and print.
All three forms must be handed in before your try-out/practice starts. Students who do not follow this process and have not been approved by the health office will be considered ineligible for sports until they are cleared by nursing staff or our athletic trainer.
- Grade 7 & 8 Students- Should drop off completed forms to FMS Nurse Beth Ford
- Grade 9-12 Students- Should drop off completed forms to GHS Nurse Amanda Vogel