MPC Athletics

Though MPCS was established in 1976, expansion to the high school grades did not occur until 1986. In that year, Mount Paran Christian was able to join the Georgia High School Athletic Association (GHSA) and establish a JV and varsity sports program. The inaugural season began with only three sports: baseball, basketball, and tennis. In 1987, the athletics booster club was established and ultimately named Eagle Backers to support all sports. Though relatively young, the MPC athletics program has grown and has accomplished major milestones in a short time. 

• 2004: Sports added to GHSA competition by this year: competition cheer, cross country, equestrian, golf, track and field, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling
• 2006: Middle school football begins
• 2007: Football Founders Club raises startup funds for varsity football program
• 2008: Varsity football begins
• 2009: Installation of lights on athletic stadium field thanks to donors
• 2011: Boys lacrosse begins with the girls team added in 2015
• 2012: Cheer wins first State Championship title in school history; Installation of turf on stadium field
• 2013: Construction of the Knox Athletic Performance Center; Blue & Black Bash pre-game tailgates established as a school-wide tradition
• 2014: Football State Championship
• 2015: Construction of Catherine Steele Sewell Stadium
• 2016: Fishing team established in high school, then middle school
• 2021: Jordan Field for multi-sport use constructed; Baseball field renovation
• 2022: MPC Sports Academy established, offering clinics, training, and mini-leagues for lower school athletes
• 2023: Addition of competitive dance, esports (upon demand), and flag football to sports lineup

MPC Athletics Record Boards

The purpose of the athletic program at Mount Paran Christian School is to provide students a setting to glorify God through the development and exercise of personal character, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and athletic ability. We have an established tradition of competition where success is not measured by comparison to others but by the standard of excellence we expect of ourselves. We celebrate selfless action, sincere encouragement, intelligent play, and intense preparation. Our focus is in our willingness to prepare to win, not in the winning itself. Athletics at Mount Paran Christian School is an exciting and joyful experience for participants, families and fans.

Fall Sports (August to mid-October)

• Middle school Cheerleading (girls) * + ~
• Varsity Cheerleading (girls) * + ~ 
• JV Cheerleading (girls) + 
• Middle school Cross Country (boys/girls) 
• Varsity Cross Country (boys/girls) 
• High school Dance (girls)
• Middle school Fishing
• Varsity Fishing
• Middle school Football 5th/6th (boys)
• Middle school Football 7th/8th (boys)
• Varsity Football (boys)
• Middle school Fast-Pitch Softball (girls) 
• Varsity Fast-Pitch Softball (girls) ~
• Middle school Volleyball A (girls)
• Middle school Volleyball B (girls)
• Varsity and JV Volleyball (girls) ~

Winter Sports (mid-October to mid-February) 

• Middle school Basketball 6th (boys)
• Middle school Basketball 7th (boys)
• Middle school Basketball 8th (boys)
• Middle school Basketball A (girls)
• Middle school Basketball B (girls)
• JV Basketball (boys/girls)
• Varsity Basketball (boys/girls)
• Middle school Cheerleading (girls) + ~ 
• Varsity Cheerleading (girls) + ~ 
• Middle school Swimming (boys/girls) 
• Varsity Swimming (boys/girls) 
• Middle school Tennis (boys/girls)
• Middle school Wrestling (boys)
• Varsity Wrestling (boys)

Spring Sports (February to April/May)

• Middle school Baseball A (boys)
• Middle school Baseball B (boys)
• Varsity and JV Baseball (boys) 
• Middle school Golf (boys/girls)
• Varsity Golf (boys/girls)
• Middle school Lacrosse (boys)
• Varsity Lacrosse (boys)
• Middle school Soccer (boys/girls)
• Varsity and JV Soccer (boys/girls) 
• Varsity Tennis (boys/girls)
• Middle school Track and Field (boys/girls) 
• Varsity Track and Field (boys/girls)

<sup>* Competition format
+ Sideline format
~ Tryouts held in spring.</sup>

Mount Paran Christian School middle school and high school students are eligible to participate in all sports. Fifth grade students are allowed to participate in no-cut sports (cross country, football, swimming, wrestling, and track and field). Football and cheer is offered to the community for grades 3 and 4.

Yes.

Selected no-cut sports are also offered in fifth grade.

Fifth-grade no-cut sport offering include:

• cross country
• swimming
• track and field
• wrestling
• “C” team volleyball
• fifth and sixth grade football (for boys)
• fifth and sixth grade sideline cheer (for girls)

While these teams are considered “no cut,” there is sometimes a minimum ability requirement or expectation of understanding in order for the student to participate safely. Additionally, if middle school numbers are very low in a cut sport, the athletics department will occasionally open tryouts the fifth-graders. We recommend parents keep fifth-grade athletes in recreation or club sports until they can try out for middle school teams. 

Because of the number of students interested in MPC athletics, most of our teams have a formal tryout at the beginning of the season (typically a 2-3 day event). Cross country (fall), football (fall), swimming (winter), wrestling (winter), and track and field (spring) are no-cut sports, which means that any student meeting eligibility requirements may participate in these sports. However, these teams require the same level of commitment to practices and competitions.

For both middle and high school athletes, a 2.0 grade point average is required. In addition, high school students who transfer to MPC any time after the first day of their freshman year must meet GHSA eligibility requirements. Please contact the athletic office for more information.

Athletic Fee: $100 one-time fee per school year for each student athlete, no matter how many sports are played.

Player-Pack Fee: Competition uniforms are owned by the athletic department, and must be returned at the end of the season. Player pack items are consumables, such as practice gear, hoodies, equipment bags, etc., which are used during the season, and then retained by the athlete for his or her personal use. This does not include varsity uniforms that are returnable. Team meal fees are added in if needed. Middle school fees can range on average from $50-$250+ depending on the sport. High school fees can range from $150-750+ or more for some equipment or tournament-heavy sports. 

GHSA Physical Form: Before participating in a sport at MPC, every student athlete is required to have a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Physical Form on file in the athletic office. Some physicians prefer to provide their own physical form, but these are not recognized by GHSA, nor are they as comprehensive in evaluating fitness for athletic competition. The form is valid for one calendar year.

Athletic Participation Consent Form (Parent): This form is to be completed once each school year for each student athlete.

Athletic Participation Consent Form (Student 18+): This form is also required for student-athletes who are or will be 18 for that season.

Form links are located on this page.

MPC provides bus transportation for student-athletes to away competitions. Athletes must travel under the school’s supervision and must return with the team to the school campus. The only circumstance in which the requirement to return with the team to the school campus will be waived is when the student is released into the supervision of a custodial parent, legal guardian, or adult authorized by advance written notification from a custodial parent or legal guardian to the coach or staff representative.

Such written notification authorizing release to a noncustodial adult must include:

• the noncustodial adult’s name
• the activity date
• the parent or guardian’s signature
• the parent or guardian’s legible name

High school student athletes are not allowed to drive to/from athletic competitions.

Although it is not common, some student athletes are able to participate as dual-sport athletes in the same season, participating in both a team sport and individual sport, such as track or cross country. Students who wish to compete on more than one team during a season must obtain permission from the coaches of those sports, and follow the guidelines set forth in the Athletic Handbook, Section 2.7, which is available on the school website portal (choose Athletics on the handbook home page, then “Athletic Policies” on the left side-bar). The team sport always takes priority over the individual sport if competitions are scheduled at the same time.

Obtain a GHSA physical for your rising fifth through twelfth-grade student and turn it in to the athletic office. This will ensure that your student is eligible to try out for any sport during the next school year.

Also, encourage your student to stay active and fit, participating in activities he/she already enjoys, such as playing on a recreation team, taking lessons, and going to sports summer camps. MPC offers summer workouts for middle and high school athletes as part of the annual athletic fee. Please inquire with your coach or athletics news for schedules.

TCPics is the approved sports photographer for MPC athletics. Team, individual portraits, and game action shots can be found online for ordering under "school" and "Mount Paran Christian School."

TCPics Online