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.
2024-25 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 Tyler Witazek (Varsity Basketball) and Colin Davis (Varsity Indoor Track & Field) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of Jan. 27.
Tyler Witazek (Varsity Basketball)
Junior forward and leading scorer of the boys’ varsity basketball team, Tyler played a pivotal role in guiding the Dutchmen to three straight victories recently. Over the three-game stretch, he averaged an impressive 18 points and six rebounds per game. His standout performance came against Whitesboro, where he delivered a season-high 28 points. Beyond his scoring ability, Tyler continues to develop into a well-rounded leader. His contributions extend beyond points, as he continues to grow in rebounding, defense, and facilitating opportunities for his teammates. Dutchmen basketball is excited to see Tyler’s continued growth both on and off the court.
Colin Davis (Varsity Indoor Track & Field)
Colin Davis has had a stand out sophomore season as part of the Boys Distance Squad on the Indoor Track & Field team. He had an outstanding performance in the 1000m at the Purple Champions Invitational at The Armory in NYC on Saturday, racing to a PR of 2:43.55, which is the 2nd fastest time ever run by a Guilderland sophomore in the 1000m. With only an hour rest, he returned to race to a PR of 1:33 in the 600m. Colin’s exceptional racing performances are a direct result of his positive attitude and high-level of motivation to do the work during practices.
Congratulations to Frank Kelly (Varsity Basketball) and Elliana Famodu (Varsity Wrestling) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of Jan. 13.
Frank Kelly (Varsity Basketball)
Frank Kelly, Guilderland’s 6’9″ senior center, dominated the paint and led the Dutchmen to a gritty 2-point victory over Burnt Hills recently. Leveraging his size and skill, Frank delivered an impressive stat line of 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. This season, Frank has demonstrated significant growth on the court, improving with each game. His commanding presence in the paint positions the Dutchmen as a formidable contender as they gear up for the second half of the season.
Elliana Famodu (Varsity Wrestling)
Elliana and her team competed in the Devils and Dames Wrestling Scramble at Columbia High School recently. Elliana won all 5 matches on the day, en route to earning tournament champion in her weight class. Way to go, Elliana!
Important Athletics Updates and Dates
Athletics Updates
GHS girls track and field team wins NYSPHSAA/Federation Team title
The Guilderland High School girls outdoor track and field team won the team championship on Saturday, June 8, at the two-day NYSPHSAA/Federation Track and Field Championships held at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. This was a historic win for GHS track and field, as it was the first Federation team title for the program.
The 4×100 relay team of Parker Steele, Tatum Cramer, Kendall Barnhart and Saida Assabahi is the first Guilderland girls’ track relay team to win a NYSPHSAA Championship, finishing with a time of just over 48 seconds. Overall, the GHS team had a total of 15 top ten finishes at the meet, making 13 trips to the awards podium.
- Parker Steele (14.27) second place finish in the Division 1 100 hurdles
- Parker Steele (14.20) second place finish in the Federation 100 hurdles
- Kendall Barnhart (1:01.80) second place finish in the Federation 400 hurdles
- Tatum Cramer (19-6.50) second place finish in the Federation long jump
- Steele, Cramer, Barnhart and Saida Assabahi (48.17) second place finish in the Division 1 400 relay team
- Barnhart (1:02.34) third place finish in the Division 1 400 hurdles
- Cramer (18-7.25) third place finish in the Division 1 long jump
- Isabella Lagios, Assabahi, Lauren Burnash and Barnhart (3:57.03) third place finish in the Division 1 1600 relay team
The Federation title is added to a long list of achievements for the Guilderland girls’ track and field program which includes a gold medal at the 2023 New Balance Nationals and back-to-back Section 2 championships.
On Tuesday, June 11, the team and Head Coach Chris Scanlan were honored with a parade at GHS. The student body and staff lined the hallways to applaud and cheer for the athletes and coaches, as they processed throughout the building.
Congratulations to the GHS girls’ outdoor track and field team, their coaches and families on this historic and outstanding accomplishment!
Athletics Dates
Monday, July 29: Grade 9-12 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Aug. 5: Grade 7-8 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Aug. 19: Varsity & JV football start date
Monday, Aug. 26: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman fall sports
Thursday, Aug. 29: Modified football start date
Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of Modified fall sports
Monday, Oct. 21: Grade 9-12 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Oct. 28: Grade 7-8 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Nov. 18: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman winter sports
Monday, Nov. 25: First day of Modified winter sports
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025: Grade 9-12 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Mar. 3: Grade 7-8 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Mar. 17: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman spring sports
Monday, Mar. 31: First day of Modified spring sports
Thursday, June 12: Senior Sports Awards in GHS Auditorium, 7 p.m., by invitation only
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