MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Ionia Middle School offers nine school sponsored sports programs to its students, as well as, non-school sponsored sports through our Junior Bulldogs Program.  General information about seasonal sports at IMS is outlined below.  For specific event schedules select the season and sport on the menu bar at the top of the page.

 

Fall Sports:

(Runs from the end of August to the end of October)

7th grade Girls’ Volleyball

8th grade Girls’ Volleyball

Boys’ & Girls’ Cross Country (6th-8th grade)

 

Winter 1 Sports:

(Runs from end of October to Christmas Break)

7th grade Boys’ Basketball

8th grade Boys’ Basketball

7th and 8th grade Dance

Winter II Sports:

(Runs from the beginning of January to the beginning of March)

Wrestling (6th-8th boys and girls)

7th grade Girls’ Basketball

8th grade Girls’ Basketball

 

Spring Sports:

(Runs from the end of March to the end of May)

 Boys’ and Girls’ Track (6th-8th grade)

 

Junior Bulldog Sports Programs

Youth Football-  Fall (Register through Ionia Parks and Recreation)

Sideline Cheer- Fall (Register through Varsity Cheer Coach Kelly Senters)

Youth Volleyball- Fall (Register through Varsity Volleyball Coach Heidi Wenzel)

Youth Swimming- Winter (Register through Varsity Swim Coaches Bill Thompson and Amy Fuller)

Youth Wrestling- Winter (Register through Varsity Wrestling Coach Luke Smalley)

Youth Basketball Boys and Girls- Winter (Register through Varsity Coaches Scott Swinehart and Laurie Hoppough)

Youth Baseball- Spring (Contact ioniatravelbaseball@gmail.com Tryouts will take place in the fall)  

Youth Softball- Spring (Registration through Varsity Softball Coach Jim Batista)

Youth Soccer Girls- Spring (Register through Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Ben Wolford)

***The above Junior Bulldog Sports programs are not school sponsored, but are run in cooperation with the Ionia Athletic Department, High School Varsity Coaches, Youth Sports Organizations, and the Ionia Parks and Recreation Department (Coaches Directory).

2024-25 Sports Registration

Online registration is open now and can be completed at any time

In Person Registration Will Begin on July 31st

All Ionia Middle School athletes are required to complete the 2024-25 IMS Sports Registration before they can tryout/participate in any sport.  Registration can be completed online or in person in the Student Services Office. 

Sports Physicals

2024-25 Sports Physicals Information

Ionia Middle School requires all students to have a current physical (completed on or after April 15th) on file in the Athletic Director's office before they can tryout/participate.  Physicals must be on the MHSAA form and completely filled out or students will not be allowed to tryout/participate.  This policy is to comply with MHSAA regulations regarding student eligibility.

MHSAA PHYSICAL EXAMINATION POLICY Students must have on file, in the school’s office, a physician’s statement for the current school year (on or after April 15), certifying that he/she is physically able to compete in athletic practices and contests. An assumption of risk and consent to participation signed by the student and parent or guardian as well as consent to disclosure of information otherwise protected by FERPA and HIPAA must also be on file prior to participation.

Athletic Code

The Ionia Middle School Athletic Code is established under the authority of the Ionia Board of Education.  The purpose of the Athletic Code is to establish standards of academic performance and behavior for students involved in interscholastic athletic programs and the penalties for failure to meet the standards. The privilege of being permitted to participate in the Ionia Middle School Athletic Program is subject to compliance with these standards. Ionia Middle School interscholastic athletic programs are affiliated with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). 

Link: IMS Athletic Code

Coaches Contact Information

Please contact coaches directly for more information about a specific sport or to answer any questions you may have (Coaches Directory). 

Ionia Athletics at a Glance

“Building Leaders for Life” 

 

Attendance: All athletes must be in school the full day on the day of a contest unless prior arrangements are made through the athletic director. Some examples of prior arrangements that will be approved: doctor or dentist appointments, funerals, college visits. Confirmation of appointment may be requested. 

Transportation: Students are expected to ride the bus to and from all athletics events Ionia Public Schools provides transportation to.  Saturday transportation has been eliminated for athletics. It is the responsibility of the parents to arrange for their student-athletes to get to a contest on those days.  

Weather: If school is cancelled due to inclement weather all games will be cancelled at the Middle School.  However, non-mandatory practices may still occur on days when school has been cancelled. It will be up to the parent to decide if they feel it is safe for their student to attend.  Parents who make the decision to not allow their student to attend will be supported by the coach and administration. 

Extra-Curricular Conflicts: If there is a conflict with multiple school activities on the same day, the student may choose which event to attend without consequences provided the student communicates the conflict to the coach/advisor immediately. 

Academics: School comes first. If a student needs help in a class or must make up a test they will be allowed to do so without consequences. 

Athletic Code: Students must follow the Athletic Code to maintain the privilege of participating in the Ionia Athletic program.

Eligibility: MHSAA rules require a student to passing 66% of their classes.  We will have weekly academic eligibility checks to ensure we are meeting this standard.

Communication Procedures: Parent to coach communication shall occur before contacting the athletic director unless you have an extenuating circumstance. 

Schedules: Updated schedules can be found on www.ioniaathletics.org or by going to the Ionia Public Schools webpage quick links and selecting IMS Athletics Schedule 

Cancellations: Parents and students are encouraged to sign up for “eNotify” on the school webpage and for “Get Alerts” at www.ioniaathletics.org to get updates on schedule changes, cancellations, scores, and much more.

Athletic Department 

Athletic Director: Andrew Barr  Email- abarr@ioniaschools.org  Phone 616-841-4004

Athletic Secretary: Wendi Gross  Email- wgross@ioniaschools.org   Phone 616-841-4010

 

Follow Ionia Athletics:

Web Page: www.ioniaathletics.org

facebook: “Ionia Bulldogs Athletic Page” 

twitter: @IoniaAthletics