Woodlake Athletics

Woodlake Athletics Student Athlete Handbook

PHILOSOPHY

The athletic program is an integral part of the overall educational process at Woodlake High School. Through sports, students are taught the value of hard work, discipline, team building, role-playing, sportsmanship, and other values that help develop a child’s character. A large part of our self-esteem is derived through positive athletic experiences. At Woodlake High School, we will provide for every student athlete an environment in which students achieve not only athletic success but lay the foundation for success in life as well.

The Athletic Department seeks to hire highly qualified coaches, charging them with the unique opportunity to teach positive lifetime skills and values to all their athletes. In order to ensure that athletes are prepared for the commitment and personal sacrifice needed to be successful in athletics, coaches must help them develop and understand the roles that desire, dedication, and self-discipline play in reaching individual and team goals.

While striving for victory is the nature of athletic competition, it is only one criterion when determining a season’s success. Guiding a team to reach its maximum potential and an athlete to reach his/her maximum potential are the ultimate goals. Along with this comes emphasis on good sportsmanship, which includes being modest in victory and accepting in defeat.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Although we will compete hard, we will compete fairly and respectfully with our opponents. Coaches, athletes, students, and spectators must recognize that their conduct plays an important role in establishing the reputation of our school and that our positive actions can contribute directly to the success of our teams.

During home contests we serve as hosts to the visiting team, its students, and spectators. They are our guests, and they should be treated accordingly. As visitors, we are expected to act as invited guests. We will treat the home school’s facilities with care and respect.

Qualified, NFHS approved officials are assigned to all contests. They are the proper authorities to make decisions regarding the rules and their interpretations. These decisions should be accepted. Officials should be treated with respect at all times on and off the court or playing field. ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND TOBACCO

Not only does the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or steroids by athletes violate team training rules, it is illegal. Athletes are not to use alcohol, drugs, tobacco or steroids. Athletes determined to have used alcohol, drugs, or tobacco will be subject not only to Woodlake High School administrative suspensions but may be suspended from their teams as well. Athletes could be removed from a team for the remainder of a season and face an athletic eligibility board.

Student Eligibility

Eligibility: Week to Week based on current weighted GPA School Wide Academic Expectations: Students must attend after school content tutorials, if he/she falls below 2.0 Weighted GPA and or receives (1) or more F’s Weighted GPA-Students must maintain a 2.0 or greater Athletic Eligibility Contract-Parent and Student must sign and acknowledge the student athlete academic expectations. Student Eligibility Status- Overall semester grades of the previous term will determine a students eligibility status. That status will maintain for the first three weeks of the new term. Insurance- Student must provide a current copy of insurance or purchase the school insurance. Physical- Students must have an updated physical examine on file Community Service Hours-Sophmores-17, Juniors-34, Seniors-51 Code of Ethics-Must be reviewed and signed by the parent and student CIF Mandated Concussion Form - Debt Free (Clubs, Library Fees, Textbooks, Exams, Athletics, etc….)

No student may participate in any portion of the Woodlake Athletic Program unless all required forms have been turned in and an up-to-date physical examination report is on file with Athletic Director, or Secretary.

PARENT/COACH COMMUNICATION

Parenting and coaching are each difficult vocations. Understanding each other’s roles and following the proper channels of communication will enable parents and coaches to effectively work together to provide a meaningful experience for student athletes while they are participating in sports at Woodlake High School.

Coaches should communicate the following to parents:

1. Philosophy of the coach 2. Locations and times of practices and contests 3. Expectations of the players and the team 4. Team rules and repercussions for violations 5. Role of parents in terms of volunteer help, team meals, game day help, etc.

At the core of any good relationship is trust. It is important to understand there may be times when things do not go the way athletes and parents wish. There may be times when it is difficult for parents to understand how playing time is allotted, why people are playing certain positions, strategy, etc. It is imperative parents and athletes trust that our coaches are trying to do the right thing for the team and all individuals involved. It is important to understand that the coaches are the ones with the team on a daily basis in practice and competition and therefore will make judgment decisions based on what they feel is in the best interest of the team. Playing time, players’ positions, and strategy should be left to the discretion of the coach. However, if you have a concern to discuss with a coach, there is a process. The proper order of communication is as follows:

1. The coach for that particular sport. 2. Varsity head for that sport 3. Athletic Director 4. Vice Principal 5. Principal 6. Superintendent

If you are not satisfied with the meeting, go to the next person on the list. It is important not to confront a coach before or after a game or practice. These can be emotional times and not best for resolving conflicts. Please make an appointment to see the coach.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The athletic department requires that a student must be in school a full day in order to participate in a practice or game that same day. A full day’s excused absence may still entitle a student to participate. The principal, vice principal or athletic director will make this decision. Athletes are expected to be at practice every day. Any absences could result in diminished playing time, not out of punishment, but rather in fairness to those who have regularly attended practice. Repeated, unexcused absences could result in dismissal from the team.

PLAYING TIME

Teams will consist of members whose abilities vary considerably. While every effort will be made to provide playing time for all team members, we will not jeopardize our chances of winning in order to play everyone. Playing time can be reduced or taken away due to disciplinary issues, lack of practice participation, or injury. The coach should communicate clearly to the player, the player’s parents, and the athletic director prior to the next scheduled contest discipline issues that result in loss of playing time. TRIAL PERIOD

The official window of tryouts for all team sports is two weeks from the first official start date announced by the Varsity Coach. Students, who attempt to join a particular sport after the deadline of tryouts, will only be allowed to tryout at the discretion of the Head Varsity Coach. This does not apply to new enrollee students, who want to try out after the deadline.

Quitting a team is never a good option unless it is for health, family, or academic reasons. Athletes have a two-week trial period in which they can determine whether they truly want to participate. Athletes can leave a team anytime within the first two weeks without penalty once they have communicated this to the coach. Any reason for quitting will require a conference between the coach and student. The Athletic Director, parents and or guardian will be notified by the coach. An athlete who quits a sport or is removed from the team, due to disciplinary reasons, after the two week trial period, will not be allowed to participate in another sport until the season of the original sport is over. In addition, the following consequences will apply to the student athlete:

1st offense- 20% of total games suspension 2nd offense- one year suspension 3rd offense- banned from athletics

Participation

Athletics is voluntary. Participation is not required for graduation and thus, being on a sports team is a privilege, which must be earned and not a right. With that privilege come responsibilities to maintain the established standards of conduct of this district as defined in the Activity Code, Code of Ethics, and the CIF Code of Ethics both on and off the field.

Athletics as a Part of the Educational Program

Athletics are just one of many parts of the education program that is provided students. The reason students are in school is to learn and therefore academics will always come first. Maintaining academic eligibility is the student’s responsibility, not that of coaches or teachers. Eligibility can also be lost because of poor attendance or citizenship. Participating in athletics and being on a team may mean sacrifices. The commitment an athlete makes to his/her team and coach requires that choices be made and priorities kept.

Being a Part of the Team Athletes learn many skills to play their chosen sport but the most important skill that must be learned is teamwork. To be successful, every member of the team must work together to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Sacrifice, loyalty, common goals, working with others and sharing responsibility are all important components of teamwork. As these traits are worthwhile to participants in activities, they are even more important for personal and career happiness.

Coming Ready to Play

Athletes should come to practice on time, ready to listen and ready to learn. Athletes should be prepared physically and mentally for the season. This includes training in the preseason and taking care of your body and mind during the season.

Dedication

An athlete must be willing to dedicate himself/herself to sports. The athlete should be aware that nothing worthwhile is accomplished without hard work and a sincere desire to succeed. The athlete must also realize that he/she must work out of season as well as during the season and must be willing to sacrifice his/her own desires for the good of the team. Missing out of season practices/workout’s can result in dismissal from the team if you are a returning player at the J.V. or Varsity levels.

LOST or DAMAGED UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT

It is imperative that athletes turn in all equipment and uniforms they have been issued within one week of the end of the season. If students do not return their uniform within that week, they will be stuck with a bill even if they attempt to return it after the deadline. In many cases our coaches go from one season to the next, therefore, we must be able to complete inventory before the next season begins. Students will not be allowed to participate in the next sport until their uniform and equipment is returned and damaged items paid for.

Items lost or damaged will be billed to the parents. Since we order our uniforms in bulk, a single uniform or garment will be considerable higher in unit price. Not only may a single uniform be higher in price, the manufacturer may discontinue certain items making it impossible to match a single uniform with a team set. Please assist us in making sure all uniforms are returned and equipment is in the same condition as it was when issued.