Student Life: Athletic Department Handbook, Conduct Agreement
TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK
The Trinity Episcopal School athletic handbook is part philosophy, part policy and part practicality. The athletic department’s philosophy and policies are built on our School’s vision:
Trinity Episcopal School is called to inspire young lives by creating outstanding scholars who are grounded in a firm spiritual foundation and an enduring commitment to the richness of diversity.
Athletic Philosophy
The athletic program at Trinity Episcopal School challenges students to pursue athletic excellence, while honoring each one as an individual with unique potential. Students who participate in athletics at Trinity are given support and guidance as they develop and refine their athletic skill, improve their physical fitness and build confidence in their individual abilities, while identifying themselves as part of a team. As faculty, families and coaches collaboratively influence the lives of Trinity Episcopal School student-athletes, they encourage and model good sportsmanship, civility and grace while fostering an atmosphere of support, wholesome competition and delight in the sport. Participation in athletics at Trinity Episcopal School is a privilege. Students who wish to participate must adhere to the Honor Code, exhibit appropriate behavior in class and at practice, and work to achieve a balance that allows for success in the classroom as well as in the game.
Athletics in Middle School
General: The Middle School athletic program at Trinity Episcopal School strives to support the School’s mission of developing the whole person. Thoughtfully designed and directed athletic experiences will contribute to the development of self-discipline, character, respect and confidence, and thus equip students with tools needed for success in adult life.
Purpose: The purpose of this program is to develop skills, sportsmanship and behaviors that are part of a healthy, active life. Trinity Episcopal School does not conduct skill-based cuts for its athletic teams because participation is the key emphasis at this level. Still, skill, effort and attendance in practice, as well as attitude and conduct, will influence playing time. The coaches are to make every effort to get each student-athlete into each game, or to develop a rotation of players for different games that will ensure quality playing time in as many games as possible.
Goals:
1. To teach the fundamentals, techniques and rules of each sport in a progressive and planned sequence
2. To develop an understanding of the requirements for enjoying a healthy lifestyle
3. To develop sportsmanship and ethical behavior in athletes, coaches and spectators, and to live by the TES Honor Code in all endeavors
4. To help students maintain a sense of balance between athletics, rigorous academics, faith development and additional extracurricular opportunities
5.To develop and maintain good relationships between sports teams and the student body, faculty, administration and community
6. To help students reach individual athletic potential
7. To discourage any behavior that negatively affects fellowship among team members or competing schools, sportsmanship, or good mental or physical health
8. To help student-athletes learn the importance of teamwork
Sportsmanship/Code of Conduct
General:
Sportsmanship is that quality which allows us to be considerate, fair, noble and respectful. This quality must always be present in the conduct of the players, spectators, coaches and school officials.
In addition to providing exercise and competition, athletics provide an outlet through which the virtues of courage, grace, persistence and discipline can be taught. Trinity Episcopal School supports athletics as essential to the spiritual, social, emotional as well as the physical well-being of young people.
Coaches are the pivotal forces around which student-athletes will experience the positive side of competitive athletics.
Athletic competition at Trinity Episcopal School is guided by the following ideals:
Participants:
Coaches:
Spectators:
Expectations for Coaches
Toward the Student-Athlete:
Toward Fellow Coaches:
Toward the School:
Toward the Facilities:
Job Descriptions
Athletic Director
Reports to: the Head of School and works closely with division heads on issues of personnel and specific team policies
Supervises: coaching staff, Middle and Lower School coordinators, athletic maintenance, Athletic Council and booster club
Job Goals: to administer an adequate number and variety of sports to meet the needs of the School; to provide support and representation for the entire athletic department; to promote the mission of TES
Responsibilities:
1. Act as a department chair for athletics
2. Assist the Head of School in the interview process and the hiring of all coaches and athletic department personnel
3. Supervise and evaluate coaches at all levels
4. Share responsibility for the safety and administration of athletic facilities
5. Attend administrative staff meetings and faculty meetings as much as possible
6. Create, maintain and manage the athletic budget
7. Oversee the gate money and officials' pay at all home events
8. Strive to be visible and available to coaches and athletes during practice sessions and home events
9. Promote professionalism among coaches
10. Ensure equity for boys, girls and multi-age athletes
11. Foster positive TES community relations
12. Keep an open line of communication with all staff members, faculty, students and parents.
13. Coordinate transportation needs of all sports
14. Take responsibility for the maintenance, development and implementation of the policies and procedures outlined in this manual
15. Oversee scheduling and athletic facility use
16. Schedule security for home events when necessary
17. Keep an accurate calendar of events and coordinate with school calendar
18. Oversee production of game day programs
19. Schedule, plan and organize the Middle School athletic awards program
20. Order awards for fall, winter and spring programs
21. Update all state plaques annually
22. Attend meetings related to district play and athletic association matters
23. Supervise all matters of eligibility and athletic association forms
24. Track grades of all athletes who are in danger of becoming ineligible
25. Coach at the discretion of the Head of School
26. Teach at least one elective class per trimester
27. Assume responsibility for personal professional development
28. Foster good parent and booster relations
29. Schedule all conference games
Evaluation: annually by the Head of School
Head Coaches
Reports to: Athletic Director
Supervises: student athletes and team assigned to him/her
Job Goals: to provide student instruction that will lead to the formation of the values of sportsmanship, pride in accomplishment, acceptable social behavior, self-discipline and self-confidence; to instruct students in the fundamental skill, strategy and physical training necessary for them to realize a degree of team and individual success; to observe and promote the School’s mission and the policies and procedures found in this manual
Responsibilities:
1. Serve as a coordinator for his/her sport, including responsibilities for budget, purchase of equipment and maintenance
2. Seek professional development for coaching staff
3. Evaluate the assistant coaches in his/her sport
4. Schedule practices and non-conference games and provide calendar to athletes
5. Aid in facility development
6. Coordinate transportation needs with Athletic Director
7. Set seasonal goals and communicate them to staff and Athletic Director
8. Have knowledge of all athletic policies and be responsible for their implementation
9. Have knowledge of all existing school, state, league and sport regulations, and follow them consistently
10. Supervise all athletes under your care
11. Plan, schedule, document and run a regular, organized program of practice
12. Notify the Athletic Director of any changes or additions in practice or game schedule in order to maintain an accurate calendar and facility use chart
13. Provide updates on changes in events on a daily basis for the athletic calendar (i.e., weather-related changes or delays)
14. Secure officials for all home events for assigned sport and contracts where required
15. Attend coaches meetings
16. Attend faculty meetings whenever possible
17. Help establish the fundamental philosophy, skills and techniques to be taught by staff; hold staff meetings to ensure awareness of the overall program
18. Encourage clinics when appropriate to strengthen Middle School programs
19. Maintain necessary forms, records and paperwork, as required by the Athletic Director
20. Oversee the safety and general conditions of the equipment and facility in the sport
21. Oversee the facility set up for home events; this includes requesting funds for start up cash in gate boxes and payment for officials
22. Maintain team records, statistics and requirements for lettering (if applicable)
23. Provide written training rules, lettering policy and any other regulations of the sport to those participating; provide a copy of said guidelines to the Athletic Director.
24. Be aware of students’ grades and conduct in class
25. Keep accurate records of inventory
26. Hold a parent meeting (i.e., Tip off Dinner) during the preseason period to outline expectations, policies and procedures of the program
27. Develop and maintain positive parental support; keep them informed of your practice, travel, game and summer schedules
28. Present information to Advancement and Communications staff in a timely manner
29. Provide information for the game day program as needed
30. Promote the sport within the School and community
31. Analyze season effectiveness and evaluate all assistants within two weeks of the conclusion of the sports season
32. Secure all doors, lights, windows and locks before leaving the building
33. Attend the awards program for your sport and present awards to recipients; the Athletic Director must approve all individual awards
34. Perform such other duties that are consistent with the nature of the position and are requested by the Athletic Director
Evaluation: by the Athletic Director within two weeks of the final playing date
Assistant Coaches
Reports to: Head Coach
Supervises: student-athletes and team assigned to him/her in accordance with the head coach
Job Goals: to carry out aims and objectives of the athletic program as outlined by the head coach, and the policies and procedures of this handbook; to instruct the student-athlete in individual and team fundamentals, strategy and physical training
Responsibilities:
1. Know the athletic policies and be responsible for their implementation
2. Know the existing state, league and sport rules and regulations
3. Follow the head coach’s directions in carrying out practice plan
4. Attend coaches meetings and professional development opportunities
5. Oversee the safety conditions of the equipment and sport facilities
6. Recommend to the head coach budgetary needs for the program
7. Check general cleanliness and maintenance of facilities after team use
8. Work within the basic framework and philosophy of the head coach of that sport
9. Assist the head coach in all aspects of the program
Evaluation: by the head coach within two weeks of the final playing date
Athletic Council
Purpose: to have a forum for discussion of issues related to the success of our athletic program; to provide feedback to the Athletic Director and support to our athletic program
The Athletic Council is made up of parent volunteers, coaches and the Athletic Director. The parent volunteers are team/sport-specific and appointed by the Athletic Director and will serve a one-year term (August to May). The Council should represent the needs and concerns of the department. The athletic department can reevaluate its needs at the end of each school year and add or delete at that time.
Council Goals:
1. Awards
2. Facility Use and Maintenance
3. Policy
4. School Relations
Medical Procedures and Safety Issues
Trinity Episcopal School will be responsible for providing the following safety items at every home game:
Trinity Episcopal School will have a volunteer run the scoreboard, keep the official book and serve as line judges.
Trinity Episcopal School will take the following precautions to reduce the risk of contracting blood-borne infections:
Trinity Episcopal School will make every effort to have coaches trained in First Aid/CPR. In addition to the coach, Trinity will have a representative trained in First Aid/CPR at every home contest.
Emergency numbers shall be posted by every telephone, and the gym office shall remain unlocked during all practices and home games. The gym office telephone is the most convenient telephone to use in case a medical emergency occurs in the gym. Adults shall follow all First Aid/CPR recommendations concerning when to call for help. The Athletic Director will make each coach aware of this recommended procedure.
Academic Policy
We are members of the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association and are governed by the policies of their handbook in addition to the following school policy:
Academic Eligibility: While we value the place and life lessons that athletics holds, academics comes first and foremost. We have shared with our Middle School student-athletes an expression often heard from coaches – “you’ve got to pay to play.” The cost for playing on a school team is good, competent, worthy classroom work. We want our students to understand that academic studies trump sports.
If your child is one of our student-athletes and s/he arrives home with grades (core and elective classes) that average 80 percent or lower, and/or s/he has an “F” for one or more of his/her mid-term grades, it seems to us that s/he needs to be off of a sports team (as well as IM, TV, phones, overnights, mall crawling, etc.) in order to concentrate on his/her classroom work. Until his/her grades average a “C” or higher and s/he is passing all of his/her subjects, playing on a Trinity team is an opportunity s/he can ill afford. If your child arrives with grades such as these and s/he wants to play for the Wildcats, s/he may appeal to the Head of School to participate on a team pending the next grading period.
School Absence
1. A student who is absent all or part of a school day is not permitted to represent the School in any extracurricular activity on that day without clearance from the appropriate division head or Dean of Student Life. Permission usually will not be given if more than an hour is missed.
2. Coaches are responsible for making sure their athletes are aware of this rule. School-sponsored field trips are not considered an absence. Students must seek permission from the division head in advance if they have a need to miss school on a practice or game day. This avoids misunderstandings.
Practices
1. Practices should be organized as such to provide maximum teaching in a minimum amount of time.
2. Practices should be properly supervised at all times. All sports must follow the dates set by the SPAA calendar regarding limits on practice dates.
Practice sessions must adhere to the following limits:
1. All sports are limited to two-hour practice sessions.
2. Vacation/holiday practices should be avoided if possible, but are at the discretion of each individual coach, so long as s/he has outlined prior to the season exactly what is expected of his/her athletes. Otherwise, unscheduled holiday practices are voluntary.
3. Faculty and division meetings are held regularly throughout the school year. It is very important that the athletic department be represented at these meetings. A representative from each in-season sport should be present whenever possible and all out-of-season coaches should be present.
4. In the event that a practice is cancelled or rescheduled, the Athletic Director must be notified as soon as possible and the front desk must be updated.
5. Morning practices should be rare and approved by the Athletic Director. They may not begin before 6:30am and should end no later than 7:30am. Morning practices during holidays are at the discretion of the individual coaches.
6. Spring practice must be approved by the Athletic Director, Head of School and Dean of Student Life and is limited to fall sports that will not conduct a sport-specific summer program.
7. Summer practices for all sports must be cleared in advance with both the Athletic Director, Head of School and Dean of Student Life.
Scheduling
1. Scheduling of practices and non-conference games is to be done by the head coach and approved by the Athletic Director.
2. Schedules must adhere to SPAA guidelines and be approved by the Athletic Director, Head of School and Dean of Student Life.
3. If possible, practices and games should not cause students to miss class.
4. If an event is scheduled at a location that requires an absence from school or an overnight stay, the Athletic Director, Head of School and Dean of Student Life must approve the event.
5. Additional consent forms, both for the School and the SPAA, are needed for any travel and competition that is out of state.
6. The head coach must request officials through the appropriate sport assignment secretary.
7. Game security, when necessary, should be scheduled through the Athletic Director’s office.
8. Parent volunteers should manage gates where necessary. Each sport liaison is responsible for assigning gate workers.
9. Admission to home games for all TES students and faculty is free with the exception of tournaments and playoff games. Booster Club passes are honored with the same exceptions.
10. Visitor admission prices are in accordance with their league policies.
11. The head coach must make arrangements through the Athletic Director for a cash box for the gate at home games.
12. Concessions should be manned by parent volunteers. The sport liaison should oversee the concession stand assignments, as well as the gate workers.
13. Supervision and crowd control at the various athletic events is the responsibility of the administration, the Athletic Director and coaches.
Playoffs
1. Playoffs expenses must be approved by the Athletic Director.
2. The Head of School, Dean of Student Life and the Athletic Director must approve dismissal from school and any other special arrangements.
Sport to Sport Policies
1. The TES athletic department encourages participation in a variety of sports. Coaches need to work together and support one another’s programs. An athlete must complete one sport season before beginning another sport season. Seasons are defined as fall, winter and spring. For example: A student participating in soccer must complete the fall season, including any postseason play, before s/he may participate in a winter season game or practice, such as basketball.
2. In some situations, an athlete may be able to participate in two sports that occupy the same season. This must be worked out between the coaches and the Athletic Director. It is recommended that the athlete name one sport as his/her primary sport prior at the start of the season. Then if a conflict arises, the decision of where to play has already been made.
3. Students are not permitted to begin a season in one sport and quit when another sport season begins. However, consideration is given to the athlete who begins a sport and realizes early on that the experience is not beneficial to him/her. Therefore, athletes who leave a team prior to the first league game may switch to another sport of their choice. If the athlete leaves the team after the first league game, s/he cannot practice or play with another team until the completion of the regular season of the team s/he left. The Athletic Director will enforce this policy.
Conduct Agreement
To be read and signed by student-athletes and their parents at the beginning of a season.
A firm and fair policy of enforcement is necessary to uphold the regulations and standards of the athletic department. The community, school administrators and the coaching staff feel strongly that high standards of conduct and citizenship are essential to maintaining a sound program of athletics. The welfare of the student is our major consideration and transcends any other consideration. Parents’ positive support of our athletes, coaches, polices and events are imperative to our success.
Participation in athletics is a privilege. Any conduct that results in dishonor to the athlete, the team or the School will not be tolerated. Acts of unacceptable conduct, such as, but not limited to, theft, vandalism, disrespect or violation of law, tarnish the reputation of everyone associated with the athletic program and are unacceptable. The use or possession of any tobacco product, alcohol, illegal drug or controlled substance is prohibited.
Participation in TES athletics requires the following:
Due to the serious nature of this code, the athlete charged with violation must appear before a committee appointed by the athletic department. This committee will be comprised of the supervising coach, the Athletic Director and a member of the Athletic Council. Penalties will be determined according to the seriousness of the offense using the guidelines listed below. Additional school and Honor Council directives may be taken into consideration.
Violations are cumulative during a student-athlete’s participation in athletics at TES.
First Violation:
During the suspension period, the student-athlete will continue to participate in all team activities and attend but not dress for events, unless a school suspension is in place that prohibits attendance to extracurricular activities.
Second Violation:
During the suspension period, the athlete will continue to participate in all team activities and attend but not dress for events, unless a school suspension is in place that prohibits attendance to extracurricular activities.
Third Violation:
The student athlete found in a third violation shall be denied athletic participation for the remainder of his/her TES career. After one calendar year from the determination of guilt, an appeal can be made to the athletic department for reinstatement, contingent on substantiated rehabilitation.
I have read and understand the guidelines listed. I agree to the terms and conditions, and will adhere to the Conduct Agreement for Trinity Episcopal School.
Student Athlete ______________________________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________________________
Coach _____________________________________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________________________
Parent _____________________________________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________________________
Athletic Director _____________________________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________________________
Facilities
Scheduling
1. All facilities are scheduled and/or assigned through the Athletic Director’s office.
2. In the event a practice/game time or date is changed, added or deleted, it must go through the Athletic Director’s office. This is the only way to keep an accurate calendar of events in the athletic department and avoid conflicts.
Preparation
1. Each head coach is responsible for the set-up of his/her sporting events.
2. Any special needs or requests should be submitted to the Athletic Director in writing.
3. The maintenance department is available for specific needs. One may request services by e-mailing the Facilities Director. If there are problems fulfilling a facilities need, please contact the Athletic Director.
Food and Drink
1. Please keep all food and drink off the playing surfaces.
2. Notify the Facilities Director of any special cleaning needs and s/he will contact our cleaning service.
Security/Supervision
1. All coaches are responsible for locking and securing any facility used during their practice sessions or games.
2. All facilities should be supervised during use.
3. Any off-campus group who uses a TES facility must hire a member of the TES faculty/staff to be present during the activity.
Equipment
1. Remember that all equipment is the property of TES.
2. Treat equipment with respect.
3. Clean and store equipment properly after each use.
4. Report any misuse to the Athletic Director.
5. Service and repair needs should be reported to the Athletic Director immediately!!
Grounds Maintenance Procedures
1. Direct your requests and needs to the facility director.
2. It is recommended that coaches outline their area’s needs with the athletic and facilities directors early in the school year, prior to the start of the season.
Finances
Budget Procedure
1. Head coaches are asked to prepare a zero-based budget each spring for the upcoming year.
2. Head coaches should keep an accurate record of expenditures throughout the school year. See the Athletic Director for a recommended format for record keeping.
Purchasing
The Head of School must approve all purchases. Coaches/parents may submit, in writing, suggested items for purchase to the Athletic Director. If the Athletic Director becomes convinced that these items are indeed a wise purchase, s/he shall obtain final approval from the Head of School. The Athletic Director will respond promptly to all suggestions.
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