ATHLETIC HANDBOOK
In addition to being under regular school
supervision, all athletic functions are carried out according to the rules of
the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). A complete set of these rules is available in
booklet form from the Principal for interested parties.
Participation in the athletic program at St. Wendelin Junior High/High School by a student athlete (boy or girl) is an important part of the young man or young woman’s career in school. Athletics are unique, since success in team sports is based on cooperation, loyalty, discipline, and a close relationship between player and coach. To benefit completely and contribute extensively, a player must be willing to make personal sacrifices for the betterment of the team.
Although a coach at St. Wendelin is always interested and concerned in the academic and athletic progress of each student-athlete, he or she must at times place the welfare of the entire team before the personal interests of a single student-athlete.
Physical Examinations and Parental Approval
All candidates for St. Wendelin Junior High/High School athletic teams, including cheerleading, MUST have physical examinations and parental approval BEFORE they are permitted to engage in pre-season and mandatory practice or weight room use. Physical examinations are good for 1 year (date-to-date). Coaches will issue physical exam cards and see that they are turned in BEFORE a student starts practice. A student must have a physical examination each school year, and one physical examination will suffice for all sports. During the school year and over the summer, physical forms are to be turned in to the athletic director or put in his mailbox.
Athletic Release/Transfer Policy
All athletic releases/transfers are to be requested through the office of the Athletic Director.
Codes of Conduct and Appearance
This shall be formulated by each athletic squad with meetings set between the coaching staff, athletes and parents at the beginning of the season. The rules shall be adhered to and are enforceable by the coach.
The athletic department believes that by abiding by the following rules our athletes will create a positive self-image, gain peer acceptance, learn self-control and self-discipline, and establish a positive set of values for future involvement in society. Each coach will see that each athlete on the squad receives a set of rules before the athlete’s season starts so there are no misunderstandings on anyone’s part.
1. Every athlete must follow the rules established by his or her coach and the rules of the athletic department.
2. Smoking, consumption of unauthorized drugs or alcohol, or undesirable conduct will not be tolerated on any athletic squad.
3. A student participating in athletics must dress in a manner that reflects a gentleman/lady in the eyes of his/her coach.
4. An athlete represents more than himself/herself. Because he/she represents the team, our school, and the community, his/her appearance must reflect this responsibility. Good health standards are to be maintained in the locker rooms and in the use of equipment. It is clearly understood that all coaches will enforce grooming rules as are necessary for their particular sport.
5. Every athlete will meet the rules and regulations of St. Wendelin High School and the OHSAA.
6. All discipline problems will be handled by the coach and, when necessary, a meeting with the parents will be scheduled. In very serious problems of discipline, a decision will be reached by the coach, Athletic Director and Principal after a thorough investigation.
7. If a denial of privilege of participation is recommended to the Athletic Director by the coach, the notice will be made by the coach. This may be appealed to the Athletic Director.
8. Every student must turn in an Athletic Participation Contract signed by the student and his/her parents or guardian. This contract must be on file with the coach before the first practice or event.
9. All students and parents must read and sign the OSHAA, warning of injury, and proof of insurance forms before the start of pre-season activities.
These must be returned to the Athletic Director.
Sports Contract
Athletic Participation Contract for the 2006-2007 school year.
I, , having the desire to participate in athletics for St. Wendelin Junior High/High School, promise to follow the training rules and expectations listed below. I will conduct myself in a manner that is a credit to myself, my family, my team, and my school. I realize that I am the one responsible for following the rules. I realize that my parents, my teammates, or any member of the St. Wendelin community, may report any violations of this contract. Failure to live up to this contract will result in possible consequences ranging from running sprints to dismissal from the team. A conference with parent(s) will be required for serious offenses.
Moreover:
A. I will abstain from illegally consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages.
B. I will abstain from the use or possession of tobacco in any form.
C. I will abstain from all illegal use or possession of drugs, including “look alike” drugs.
D. I will abide by all curfews given by the coach.
Any athlete breaking rules A, B, and/or C, mentioned above, will serve the following consequences:
First Offense: Athlete will be suspended from athletic participation for 20% of their current season. The 20 % suspension must be served continuously from the time the consequences are assigned until the entire suspension has been served. In the event a suspension is assigned at the end of a season, the suspension will immediately continue in to the athletes next athletic season. (Example: If the offense occurs before the last football game, the athlete misses the last game which fulfills 10% of the suspension. He must now miss the first two basketball games to fulfill the other 10% penalty.)
Time served towards a suspension only counts for a season satisfactorily completed and approved by St. Wendelin administration.
First offense suspension may be reduced by one competition if student is honest about the infraction when first confronted or if student voluntarily admits to a personal violation of the abuse policy to St. Wendelin administration.
The athlete will be required to attend a substance abuse intervention class at their own cost. Both the class and the date of the intervention must be pre-approved by the St. Wendelin administration before the student may return to participation. Proof of completion of the class must be presented to St. Wendelin administration.
Student must meet with a parish priest or minister in order to resume competition.
Student must attend all practices during suspension.
Student must attend games during suspension, not in uniform but attired as the coach mandates.
Student forfeits all post season awards and honors except his/her varsity letter. This includes but is not limited to all-star games, booster awards and MVP awards.
When determining the number of contests that the athlete will be suspended: .5 or above will be rounded up, below .5 will be rounded down.
In order to return to competition, the athlete and parents/guardians, will be required to sign a contract stating that they understand the consequences of a second offense.
Second Offense: Athlete will be suspended from all athletic participation for one full calendar year from the point of discovery of the infraction.
Athlete must complete a full physical and psychological assessment program, at their own expense, that is approved by the St. Wendelin administration. Appointment for program must be set within 10 business days and approved by St. Wendelin administration.
Student must submit all findings and information from the assessment to the St. Wendelin administration.
Student must follow all recommendations made by the assessment.
Student must meet with parish priest or minister.
Futhermore, I will expect my teammates to uphold this contract and will confront a teammate if I become aware of any violations. I will not use violations of teammates to excuse my own violation.
I realize that the breaking of this contract for drug and/or alcohol violations will be considered to fall into one of two categories:
1. Athlete does not care enough about him/herself or the team to control him/herself.
2. Athlete has a problem that requires professional evaluation and possible treatment.
I am serious about the commitment I am making to myself and to my teammates. I realize that these rules and expectations are in my best interest and that of the team.
Signature of Team Member Date
Parent or Guardian: I, the parent/guardian of the above student, support this contract and will take an active role in helping my son/daughter meet the terms of this contract.
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
State Athletic Eligibility
OHSAA Bylaw 4-4-1 states that in order to be eligible in grades 9-12, a student must be currently enrolled and must have been enrolled in school the immediately preceding grading period. During the preceding grading period, the student must have received passing grades in a minimum of five one-credit courses or the equivalent, which count toward graduation.
Bylaw 4-4-3 states that a student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed 75% of those subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled.
In order to be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities at St. Wendelin High School, the student/athlete must recognize that academics must be of primary importance. Please refer to “Academic Eligibility and Extra-curricular Activities” for more information.
Academic Eligibility and Extra-curricular Activities
To be eligible, a student-athlete must be currently enrolled in school and have received five passing grades in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or the equivalent, in the immediately preceding grading period. A student must also have at least a 1.0 grade point average. If a student at mid-term or even earlier is receiving 2 F’s they must attend a study table and may not be eligible to play but may dress and practice until grade requirements are met. Students will be given a 2 week period to raise their grade before they are denied participation from play. Student athletes who fail a class must also participate in an academic intervention program on a regular basis even though they are technically eligible for athletics or will be denied participation in their sport. They must have a teacher’s signature to confirm their grade before they can be released from study tables.
Grades 7-8: To be eligible, a student-athlete must be currently enrolled in a member school and have received passing grades in 75% of subjects in which enrolled in the immediately preceding grading period. A student must also have a 1.0 grade point average. Junior high students will follow the policies stated in paragraph 1.
Student athletes must follow all other eligibility guidelines established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
For quarter grades: Ineligibility will begin, and eligibility will be reinstated, on the fifth school day of the following quarter. EXCEPTION I: Eligibility or ineligibility for the first quarter begins with the start of the fall sports season. EXCEPTION II: All incoming freshmen are eligible to participate in all fall sports.
For eligibility clarification purposes:
To be eligible, a student-athlete must be currently enrolled in school and have received five passing grades in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or the equivalent, in the immediately preceding grading period. A student must also have at least a 1.0 grade point average. However, if a student at the end of a quarter, at mid-term or even earlier is receiving 2 F’s, they must attend a study table and may not be eligible to play but may dress and practice until grade requirements are met. Students will be given a 2 week period to raise their grade before they are denied participation from play. Student athletes who fail a class must also participate in an academic intervention program on a regular basis even though they are technically eligible for athletics or will be denied participation in their sport. They must have a teacher’s signature to confirm their grade before they can be released from study tables after the 2 week period.
Students Released to Attend State Tournaments
Squad (team) members that wish to attend the State tournament for their own sport must request family vacation to be excused from school. The school rules for granting a family vacation must be followed. The family vacation forms can be obtained from the office and must be completed at least one week prior to the release date.
**Absences of one day or less require a note from parents in advance of absence, no family vacation form is needed.
If student athletes travel with coaches, coaches undertake the responsibility for supervision. It is further understood that student athletes are required to observe all school rules. Students must secure written parental permission and an Emergency Medical Form that must be in the coach’s possession.
Athletes Dropping Out or Changing Squads
A student will not be permitted to quit an athletic squad without a conference with the head coach. The coach should know WHY the student is dropping the sport. Arrangements must be made to turn equipment in and have the student’s name removed from the squad roster. Any and all awards will be forfeited.
If a student drops out of one sport, he/she is not permitted to participate in another sport until his/her season ends, unless he/she has the approval of both coaches concerned, as well as approval of the Athletic Director. This may be appealed to the Principal.
Supervision of Activities
No St. Wendelin student or athlete is to be
in the school building after 4:00
p.m., unless he/she is under the supervision of a coach or teacher. This rule also applies to weekends, school vacations,
and days when school is not in session.
Student Attendance in School
Any student that participates in an athletic contest or practice must be in school no less than ½ day (must attend afternoon classes). At no time will it be a practice to sleep in on the day of a contest, nor will it be acceptable to miss the day after a contest. It will be up to the coaches and attendance office to monitor this situation and to be certain that the school philosophy is being followed.
Cheerleading Regulations
It is important that the cheerleading squads develop standards to aid in establishing team traditions, which may be followed by succeeding groups. Therefore, cheerleaders are expected to follow the same rules and regulations as established for the student athlete, along with those stated below:
1. ANY personal conduct, which is a reflection contrary to the code of conduct established by the school, will result in the dismissal from the cheerleading squad.
2. In all cases, academic, personal, and social, the decision of dismissal rests with the cheerleader advisor and the Athletic Director.
NOTE: A complete set of cheerleader regulations will be distributed to all those who try out for cheerleading, and will be redistributed to those making the squads at the beginning of each cheerleader season.