Thunderbird Parents/Student-Athletes:
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are quickly approaching the beginning of the school year and our fall sports seasons. GFW offers a number of opportunities for involvement in athletics, clubs and fine arts. The first step in taking advantage of these opportunities is to get yourself registered. Take a few minutes to read all of the information included in this letter.
Participate!
We highly recommend that our students participate in GFW activities. Participation in activities at GFW has many benefits. Students who participate in activities learn about time management, setting goals and teamwork. Participants will build self-esteem while exploring diverse interests and making a contribution to our school. We encourage your participation on our athletic teams and in our many activities.
Athletic/Activity Offerings:
Feel free to contact the coaches with any questions you may have with regards to their programs. You may also contact Activities Director Rich Busse at richard.busse@gfwschools.org
Fall Sports
Cross Country - Head Coach Tara Rettmann
Football - Head Coach Pat Hentges - JH Coach Taylor Hopp
Volleyball - Head Coach Imia Mages - JH Coach Chris Wortz
Bowling - Sarah Dalgleish
Trap/Skeet - Brian Magnusson
Winter Sports
Danceline
Basketball
Wrestling
Spring Sports
Baseball
Clay Target
Golf
Softball
Track & Field
Activities
Band
Choir
FFA
Jazz Band
Knowledge Bowl
Pop Choir
Student Council
Theater
One Act Play
Click here for Athletic Team Registration
Qualifying Sports Physical
The sports registration site will allow you to see your physical date after you have completed the registration process. Your date will be uploaded by GFW HS staff once we receive your registration and physical form. Physicals are good for 3 years from the date of the physical. Anyone participating for the first time (ex: 7th grader) is required to get a sports qualifying physical. You can turn a copy of the physical into your coach/office personnel or upload a copy and email it to Rich Busse richard.busse@gfwschools.org or Jennifer Haas jennifer.haas@gfwschools.org.
Eligibility
Students must maintain eligibility to participate. Student-athletes must follow GFW’s academic eligibility requirements as well as the MSHSL eligibility requirements. Details can be found in the GFW Student Handbook and on the MSHSL Eligibility Brochure respectively.
Fees
Participation fees for ‘24-’25 are outlined below. Club activities such as Bowling and Shooting Sports (Trap/Skeet) set and collect their own participation fees.
JH Sports - $75
HS Sports - $115
Sports Indiv. Max - $350
Sports Family Max - $575
Play/Musical/OAP/HS Knowledge Bowl - $75
JH Knowledge Bowl - $30
Jazz Band/Pop Choir (per semester) - $30
Fine Arts/Activities Indiv. Max - $180
Fine Arts/Activities Family max - $360
Impact Testing/Concussion Management
GFW contracts with Allina Health Care Systems in New Ulm. They provide GFW athletic training services to care for the health and well-being of GFW athletes. Concussion management and return-to-play protocol fall under the direction of the assigned Certified Athletic Trainer. Refer to MSHSL Playing Rules Related to Concussion and Concussed Athletes for detailed information related to concussed athletes. GFW uses “Impact Testing” as a way to monitor athletes who suffer concussions. Testing will be scheduled with each athlete at the beginning of each season.
Schedules
Schedules are set for the 24-25 school year. Schedules may be impacted by weather, and other unforeseen circumstances. Your best source for up-to-date schedules and related changes is the calendar on the school website. Click here for access to the activities calendar. A direct link is also available on the activities registration page. To receive instant updates and changes you can register with “Notify Me”... This is an option found under the activities calendar on the right hand side of the page. You can also follow the GFW’s schedules by downloading the GFW Public Schools app, found in the app store.
Communication
Communication is important to the success of our teams/clubs/organizations. Once you have registered for your sport/activity, you should expect communication, in the form of an email, from your coach/advisor related to program specific information.
School Attendance Requirements
An unexcused absence prohibits you from participating in extracurricular activities for that particular day. Refer to the Activities Handbook for more detailed information.
Travel
Participants are required to use provided school district transportation. Refer to the Activities Handbook for additional information on transportation exceptions.