ST. ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS AND ATHLETES INTRODUCTION
Being a parent is often challenging, being a parent of an athlete frequently complicates this effort and responsibility.
In your role as a parent, you obviously love and are concerned about your child's welfare. You want the best for him or her. But an athlete can have only one coach. Allowing the coach to instruct and guide the team is crucial in many respects.
Should you have any questions or concerns, do not approach the coach immediately at the conclusion of a contest. At this time, coaches have other responsibilities and it may be an emotional time. Call and make an appointment for a later time and approach this meeting in a calm, courteous and logical manner.
One of the responsibilities, which a coach has at the conclusion of a contest, is to have a brief meeting with his players. Athletes should not pause to talk to parents or friends immediately after games. These brief meetings are essential to the learning process involved in athletics.
Some parents may try to live through their child's efforts. Being positive and supportive is important, but adding pressure and unrealistic expectations can be extremely harmful. Allow your son or daughter to enjoy and grow from this valuable experience. In numerous national studies, it has been determined that most athletes participate for enjoyment and fun. Excessive pressure and expectations can alter this most fundamental reason for playing.
OFFICIALS
The assignor of that particular sport assigns all officials and neither team has control of which officials are assigned to games. Officials agree to and follow a code of ethics. They really do not care or have a vested interest in which team emerges as the victor. It is also important to understand that they are a very necessary part of the game. A contest can not be played without them.
So while you may not agree with all of their calls, please do not harass and taunt them. It is also important to remember that they are in charge of the contest and have complete authority to have unruly spectators removed. You also must know that any spectator removed from a game will be banned from any future contest involving St. Elizabeth High School.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Since athletics should be educational in nature, it is important that all parents demonstrate good sportsmanship and serve as role models for our athletes and students. Sportsmanship is an overt display of respect for the rules of sport and for all others, - players, coaches, officials and fans. It also involves a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, and integrity. This means: 1. There can be no vulgar or inappropriate language from fans or spectators; 2. Taunting or trash talking of our opponents and their cheerleaders can not be tolerated; 3. Spectators can not leave the bleachers or enter onto the court or field during a contest; 4. Fans should be supportive and positive. Cheering should be done for our team and not against our opponent.
PARTICIPATION
It is important to understand that participation on an athletic team is a privilege and not a right. Being on and maintaining one's membership on the team means accepting all the responsibilities of an athlete. However, unlike recreation or intramural teams, equal or guaranteed playing time does not exist. In an effort to win, a coach will use players best suited to the conditions or demands of the contest at that time.
CUTTING THE TEAM
While our ultimate goal is to promote the greatest athletic participation possible, it may be necessary in some sports to cut a squad. This may occur due to limitations of our facilities, regulations specific to some sports, travel restrictions, and other factors.
Every coach has the responsibility and authority for selecting his or her team. The criteria for selecting the team is developed by the coach. It is important to remember that there are no guarantees. Players from the previous year's JV team, for example, do not automatically make either the JV or varsity squad the following year. Having been a member of a team during the previous year or even being a senior does not ensure that an athlete will make the squad.
Parents should expect that every candidate is treated fairly and given every consideration. Coaches are sensitive to feelings of disappointment, will handle the task as positively as possible, and be available to answer athletes' questions.
While we understand that being cut is disappointing for many athletes and even for their parents, we unfortunately cannot keep everyone. Anyone cut from a team is welcome to try out again next season or try another sport. When parents and athletes understand and support the coach's decision, this difficult process becomes a less painful experience for all.
JV TEAMS
JV teams exist to provide those athletes unable to participate on the varsity squad an opportunity to develop skills and gain experience. While the athlete's age, size, or skill level may be the limiting factor in not making the varsity team, participation on a JV team may enhance the athlete's potential to make the varsity team in the future.
A caution, however, must also be given. Being a member of a JV team does not guarantee that an athlete will automatically move up the following year to the varsity team. The athletes best suited for varsity competition will make the team each year.
Striving to win is important in athletics, however, compiling a great record or winning a championship should not be the primary objective of a JV team. The development of athletes should be the ultimate purpose of a JV squad while at the same time acknowledging the value of winning, learning, and enjoying being a member of a team.
PRACTICE SESSIONS
Athletes will be given practice times on a weekly basis so that parents can plan for transportation. If a practice must be changed for some reason, athletes will be advised in enough time to make arrangements.
Once the season begins, the coaches are required to have one day a week without practice. This can be any day that the coach chooses. Only under special circumstances and with the permission of the athletic director will teams be permitted to practice and play contests 7 days a week.
If athletes are scheduled for late practices, Room #1 in the St. E center is available after school for athletes to study.
SCHEDULED GAMES
A complete schedule of games is given to athletes before the start of the season. Sometimes games are canceled or moved for reasons beyond our control. (ie, snow) Again, we will try to notify athletes as soon as we are aware of any changes or cancellations so they can call parents.
LOCKERS
Every athlete is issued a locker with a lock. All personal items should be kept in the locker while the athlete is performing. They should be kept locked at all times. St. Elizabeth High School will not be responsible for any stolen items if the locker was not locked.
TRANSPORTATION
St. Elizabeth High School will provide transportation to all after school contests. The school will also provide transportation to any contest that is a far distance from the school. This usually means out of the county or out of state. Athletes are required to use school provided transportation when it is provided. They may go home with a parent after the contest, however, they may only go with their parent. Athletes may not go home by any other means of transportation other than the school provided transportation or their parent.
On week nights and week-ends, athletes are responsible for getting their own transportation to and from games. Again, the exception would be if the game is a distance from the school.
CONCLUSION
The list of values gained in athletic participation is fairly extensive. Athletes learn teamwork, perseverance, goal setting and the value of a solid work ethic, just to name a few. If the various lessons are retained and used wisely, they can be of immense value throughout life.
As a parent you should: • be supportive of your child. Attend as many games as possible; • be supportive of the coach. You don't have to agree with every decision the coach makes, but h/she is doing the best of their ability; • remember that hard work, effort, determination and desire are the important ingredients. Wins will take care of themselves. Don't be obsessed with a team's record;. • be realistic about the athletic ability of your child. Not everyone is good enough to start, to move on to a college team, or get a scholarship. Don't allow our love for your child to control logic and reason. • be a positive role model. Sportsmanship is important and young people will follow your lead. Show respect for our opponents and officials, and exhibit class.
Athletic are not just important for athletes. They also can be important for parents, fans and the community if everything is kept in the right perspective!
All qualified students may try out for membership on sports teams and in extra-curricular activities. The school is committed to providing everyone a fair chance to participate. Unfortunately, not everyone that tries out can be accepted. The decision of the coach, in conjunction with the athletic director or the decision of the moderator, in consultation with the principal, is final. Ordinarily, the principal will not intervene in non-selection decisions, unless the decision is arbitrary and capricious. Parents are encouraged to help their children understand that not everyone will be selected.
ELIGIBILITY AND INSURANCE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
A student shall not be eligible to practice, scrimmage, or compete in an interscholastic contest unless he/she has been adequately examined by a licensed physician on or after June 1 and before beginning such athletic activity for the current year.
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY:
In order to be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, including practices, a student must pursue a regular course of study or its equivalent as approved by the local governing body and must be passing at least five (5) credits. Two (2) of those credits must be in the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies.
In the case of a student in the twelfth grade, he/she must be passing all courses necessary for graduation from high school in order to be eligible for participation.
A student whose work in any regular marking period does not meet the above standards shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics, including practices, for the next marking period.
A student forfeits or regains his/her eligibility, in accordance with the provisions of this rule, on the day report cards are issued
INSURANCE:
St. Elizabeth High School carries an excess insurance policy on all athletes except for the sport of football. All injuries should be reported to the Athletic Trainer as soon as possible so he can inform the parent of what action to take for coverage. Questions concerning insurance can be discussed by calling Mr. Thomas Beddow, the athletic trainer, at 302-656-3369 ex. 3046.
In the case of football, parents must show proof of insurance coverage before a student can participate.
Parents must understand that physical injury can occur in any sport, including paralysis, coma or death.
St. Elizabeth High School Athletic Department Policy On Hazing
St. Elizabeth high school will not tolerate hazing or initiation of student athletes in any form. Any student found in violation of this policy may face the following:
A. Dismissal from school;
B. Dismissal from the team;
C. Arrest and conviction;
D. All of the above.
06/2007 |