FAQ

Basic Office Information

What is the SAC office address?
Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park
4560 Centennial LaneEllicott City, MD 21042

What are SAC’s office hours?
Click here to view SAC’s office hours

What is the best way to contact the SAC office?
The best way to contact the SAC office is through email: asksac@sac-hc.org

What is the SAC office telephone number?
(410) 203-9590

Where can I find information on possible field closures?
All field closures will be posted to the “Field Status” section of our Homepage

What is the main form of communication at SAC?
Almost all direct communications from SAC will be sent via email from our registration database. Please make sure your registered email address is updated at all times. All indirect communications and/or announcements will be posted to our website.

What is SAC’s policy on Contributions to SAC and Solicitations by Volunteers, Players, and Parents?
All fundraising methods employed by Soccer Association of Columbia must be in keeping with the principles for which the Club stands and consistent with its obligations under law. Coaches, volunteers, parents, and players acting in any capacity for the Club may only solicit contributions (financial or otherwise) for the Club and Club authorized purposes with the prior approval of the Club’s Executive Director. Coaches, volunteers, parents, and players acting in any capacity for the Club may solicit contributions (financial or otherwise) for any other organization or purpose if the solicitation is approved in advance by the Club’s Executive Director. Descriptions of affiliation with the Club or use of the Club’s logo or name in connection with any solicitations must be approved in advance by the Club’s Executive Director and shall be done in accordance with the permission granted.

What is SAC’s Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)?
SAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN #52-1125437

Basic Program Information

Where can I find upcoming Program dates and times?

Programs:
Junior Tots – Click Here
Junior Academy – Click Here
Recreation – Click Here
Travel – Schedules will be determined by which ever league your team participates in. Please check with the appropriate league for this information:
CMSSL
EDP

National Academy League
MLS Next

Girls Academy League

Camps:
Holiday Clinics – Click Here
Summer Camps – Click Here
Spring Break Camps – Click Here

Technical Training:
Junior Technical Training – Click Here
Rec Technical Training – Click Here
Rec Plus Technical Training – Click Here
Travel Technical Training – Information will come from the Head Coach and/or Manager

Can my child play in a different age group?
Generally, for soccer development SAC recommends playing with your appropriate age group. However, SAC realizes there may be instances where a player has advanced skills and should be moved to a higher age group. For Junior Academy (formerly Clinic), Recreation & Select, moving up an age group requires permission from the appropriate Age Group Coordinator and the Technical Director. For Travel, a player needs only to tryout and be picked for a team in a higher age group. Players are NOT allowed to play for a lower age group.

Does SAC offer discounts for families with multiple participants?
Families with three (3) or more children participating in SAC’s Junior Academy, Recreation and Select Fall/Spring programs may qualify for a family rate. Please contact Christine at registrar@sac-hc.org PRIOR to making payment for your players’ registration to have your fees discounted. Requests submitted AFTER payment has been processed will receive the discount as a credit on account to be used for future SAC program registrations. Requests must be made prior to the first game of the season. Retroactive discounts will not be provided.

What is SAC’s refund policy?
Click here to view our Refund Policy

How do I register?
All club registration is done through our SportsConnect registration system. New users will need to create an account and add their players to the account before registration is possible. Existing users can simply sign on to their existing accounts to view the available programs. 

Will I be notified prior to the start of a Technical Training or Juniors session?
No, simply attend your first session’s assigned location and time. If there is a change in location, date or time you will be notified.

What equipment will my player need?
All players must purchase shin guards, a water bottle, and a soccer ball (Size #3 U8 and under, Size #4 U9-U12 and a Size #5 U13 and up). Soccer appropriate cleats are required for ages U7-U18 and are highly recommended at U5 & U6.

What is the policy for wearing of eyewear, cast, and jewelry?
Eyewear – SAC disallows the wearing of eyewear not approved for contact sports. Players who are visually impaired must wear sports-related eyewear secured with a sports strap or safety goggles.
Casts – Recreational/Junior Academy players wearing a cast are not permitted to participate in practices or games. If a Travel player is wearing a cast, participation is determined by the league and is at the referee’s discretion.
Jewelry – Players may not wear watches, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings or any personal decoration that may harm themselves or another player. Starter posts for earrings must be removed prior to play and cannot be taped or covered by a Band Aid.

Team Formation

How are players placed on teams?
For the Rec & Junior Academy Programs, players are placed on a team according to their date of birth. SAC also makes every attempt to place players by school district and by coach request.

Can I make a special request for team placement?
When registering your player, you will be given the option to make a special request. While SAC cannot guarantee these requests, every attempt will be made to honor them.

When will I be notified of team placement?
Players will be contacted by their assigned coach by the end of August for Fall play and end of March for Spring play.

What should I do if I have not heard from my coach within the suggested time-frame?
If you have not heard from your coach within our suggested time-frame, please contact the SAC office immediately.

Uniform Distribution

What is the uniform distribution process?

Junior Academy – Coaches will distribute jersey and socks at first session.

Recreation – Coaches will distribute jersey, shorts and socks at first practice session.

Travel – See team manager for uniform purchase instructions.

Game Scheduling

League Schedules – Game Times & Locations

Junior Academy – sessions are on Saturday mornings located at Board of Education fields. U5 runs from 11:00-12:00pm and U6 runs from 9:00-10:00am.

Recreation – game schedules are generally available at the end of August for the Fall season and the third week of March for the Spring season. U7’s and U8’s will play on Board of Education fields on Saturdays. U9’s and above could play at any of the following locations: Covenant Park, Howard Community College, Recreation and Parks fields, and Board of Education fields. Game days could be Friday night, Saturday, or Sunday depending on the age group.

Travel – game schedules will be posted on the assigned league’s website. Please check with the appropriate league for this information.

Practice time and location?

Junior Academy – does not practice during the week

Rec/Select/Travel – coaches will select the day, time, and location of practice.

Make Up Game/Session Policy
SAC will make every available effort to make up any officially cancelled games or sessions within the range of each program’s posted season dates. In doing so, games or sessions may be required to be played on non-traditional days, including Sundays, weekdays, and doubleheaders, and/or at non-traditional times. Should the weather or some other unavoidable circumstance limit our ability to make up a game or session within the range of a program’s posted season dates in any way, no refunds or other adjustments will be made.

Refereeing

How can I become a referee?
SAC is not a referee licensing organization but utilizes services of referees. Click here to view MD referee information.