ATHLETICS

DearWrestling Parents:

The wrestling coaching staff at UGM would like to congratulate your student-athlete on becoming a part of a solid winning tradition at Union Grove. In order to keep the wrestlingprogram running as smoothly as possible we have organized our team rules and philosophy into written form. We want everyone to know the expectations up front in order to avoid any possible problems or miscommunications.

In our wrestling program we strive to teach the basic fundamentals needed to excel at the middle and high school level and to mimic as much of the Union Grove High School wrestling program as possible. Our mission of UGM athletics is to focus on teaching good sportsmanship and ethics as well as the need for discipline and leadership on and off the mat. The following rules and expectations need to be followed and reviewed by each player and parent.

  • Playing time is not guaranteed. We will make every attempt to get each child as much playing time as possible, however, playing time is earned at practice by showing progression of skill and knowledge of the given sport.
  • Classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Notification of misconduct from teachers will be addressed after practice.
  • Be on time and prepared for practice every day. Missed practice will result in decreased playing time and chronic absences will result in dismissal from the team. If you are going to be absent from practice, it is YOUR responsibility to notify one of the coaches before the end of the day. Notify a coach if you are checking out. Do not send message via another student. Three unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the team.
  • Please be mindful of practice end times. Make arrangements to pick your child up no later than fifteen minutes after the scheduled end time. Chronic tardiness in picking your child up will result in your child’s dismissal from the team. Please make alternate arrangements for pickup if necessary.
  • Parents are welcome at practices but must stay out of the practice area and away from the athletes during instruction. Unless it is an emergency, please refrain from communication with all athletes.
  • Certain clothing/spirit pack items will be made mandatory for the team as part of their uniform. Other items may be offered as optional items. We are using online ordering programs through various vendors, which will allow for you to purchase all clothing/spirit pack items via credit card online. See the head coach if an alternate method of purchasing is required. If required, the payment must be made IN FULL at the time of ordering.
  • Transportation Policy

Transportation for all athletes will be provided TO the game/competition by the school via school bus. This will be considered a drop off only and transportation BACK from the event is the sole responsibility of the parent(s) of the student-athlete. Athletes that leave with their parents will need to sign out at the completion of the competition with the head coach.

Office Referral/OSS/Hearing Policy

The first office referral that occurs during a season will result in punishment at the coach’s discretion.

A second office referral that occurs during a season will result in a mandatory one game suspension.

A third office referral that occurs during a season will result in the player’s removal from the team.

(There is no distinction between a referral that leads to ISS vs OSS, as it is dependent on the disciplinary step that the athlete is on during a given semester. This allows for the most possible chances for an athlete to correct his/her behavior while on a team)

**Any offense that is punishable by automatic OSSduring a season will result in a mandatory one game suspension. ANY SECOND OFFENSE during the season will result in removal from the team.

*Pending hearing rule: If a student is pending a hearing, they are suspended from the team until results from the hearing have been determined. Further athletic disciplinary action may follow due to results of hearing.

  • Academic Athletic Probation

Each team will have a “7th period” class set up in the AD’s Infinite Campus class list. The AD will check each team’s academic progress every two weeks throughout the season. (fall sports first check will take place by Labor Day). If an athlete is found to be ineligible during season based off our eligibility rules, he/she will be placed on academic probation. They will be assigned to a teacher for tutoring to take place during the morning before school, IF, or after school. The student will be given a two week window to improve the grade to passing. At this point, the grades will be rechecked. If the student is still failing, they will be put on athletic probation. Athletic probation works like this: Failing ONE class=able to practice, not able to play. Failing TWO OR MORE=no practice nor play until grades return to passing. Athletic probation will be rechecked on a WEEKLY basis.

  • Hazing and Bullying

At various colleges, high schools, middle schools, and at every level of sports, there has occasionally existed a “tradition” called “hazing.” Hazing began as an informal type of “initiation rite.” UnionGroveMiddle School will consider ANY type of hazing, initiation, etc., to be expressly outlawed. Coaches, the Athletic Director, and UGMS Administrators will determine if an incident is “hazing.” If so determined, these officials will consider it a serious disciplinary infraction equivalent to “coercion’, “threat”, “intimidation”, and even “assault”, as defined in the Student Handbook. Penalties outlined in the Student Handbook dealing with such activities as this shall be applied to any such cases of “hazing” or attempted “hazing” that may occur.

Bullying is defined by the Act as “overt, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications transmitted; physical act committed; or any other behaviors committed by student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student.” The bullying rule must apply when a student is on school grounds immediately before or during school hours, immediately after school hours or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off school grounds at a school activity, function or event; traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or using property or equipment provided by the school. The use of social media as a medium for bullying or hazing does apply towards this rule and will not be tolerated at any time.

  • Henry County Schools Code of Conduct

Participation in middle school athletics is a privilege which carries with it varying degrees of commitment, responsibility, sacrifice, and honor. Since competition is a privilege and not a right, those who choose to participate will be expected to follow the Code of Conduct established by the UGMS administration and Henry County Public Schools. There may also be other rules that are specific to each sport offered at UnionGroveMiddle School. Athletes represent their school their student body, and their community. It is the athlete’s duty to conduct himself/herself in a manner that is becoming of the athlete, his or her family, Union Grove Middle School, and the Henry County community.

By signing below, I am stating that I have received, read, and agree to abide by the parent/athlete contract as explained to me at the parent meeting on November 18th, 2016.

Parent Name (printed)______

Athlete Name (printed)______

Parent Signature:______Date:______

Athlete Signature:______Date:______