I. FOREWORD

This handbook has been prepared for the benefit of Miami Trace student athletes and their parents in an effort to maintain uniformity in general policy matters. Each student athlete is expected to become familiar with its contents.

II. ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT

Extracurricular activities offer opportunities for student athletes to learn the values of teamwork, individual and group responsibility, physical strength and endurance, competition, and a sense of school and community. Extracurricular activities provide the opportunity to reinforce the lessons of the classroom and leads to consistent attendance, academic achievement, and aspirations to continue the educational process beyond high school. The Miami Trace Athletic Department believes that student athletes participating in extracurricular activities have a positive influence on members of the school community at large.

III. ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT

Students who accept the privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics must accept the responsibility of good sportsmanship and citizenship. A denial of participation from any athletic may be used for a student who does not accept this responsibility.All athletes are subject to the rules and regulations set forth by the Miami Trace Local Board of Education and the Ohio High School Athletic Association concerning conduct at school or extracurricular activities. The principal or assistant principal may remove an individual from a team for violation of these rules. It is understood that in addition to the statements below, students will be dealt with according to the Student/Parent handbook.Any student athlete who commits a felony while his/her sport is in season will result in dismissal from the team immediately and forfeiture of all rights as a team member.Improper conduct by any student athlete will not be tolerated. Any action by a student athlete that results in a negative reflection upon the school, team, or community may lead to a denial of participation in athletics. The principal, athletic director, and head coach will review these instances.

A due process hearing(appeal) can be granted to any athlete who has been denied participation, suspended, or dismissed. An appeal hearing may be requested by any athlete who has been denied participation, suspended, or dismissed from a team. The appeal should be made directly to the superintendent of the Miami Trace School District.

IV. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Miami Trace High School is a member high school of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. In order for a student athlete to participate in the extracurricular programs offered by Miami Trace High School, the student must meet the minimum academic standards set forth by the OHSAA as well as the local academic standards set forth by the Miami Trace Local Board of Education. In order to be eligible a student in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 must have been enrolled in school the immediate preceding grading period(nine weeks) and have received passing grades during that grading period in subjects that earn a minimum of five credits per year toward graduation, excluding physical education. The eligibility or ineligibility of a student continues until the start of the next grading period at which time the immediately preceding grading period grades become applicable. A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of 5 of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. In addition to the OHSAA requirements for eligibility, Miami Trace requires that students must maintain at least a 1.5 cumulative grade point average. The first calculations of a student’s cumulative grade point average with occur in January of his/her freshmen year. A student who falls below the 1.5 cumulative GPA at the end of the semester will be ineligible for the following nine week grading period. At the conclusion of the grading period he/she may regain eligibility if his/her quarterly GPA meets or exceeds 1.50. Summer school grades may not be used to substitute for failing grades from the last grading period of the regular school year. Tutoring or examinations to complete the preceding grading period requirements is permissible provided that privilege is accorded to every student and the inability to complete required work on time is due to illness or accident verified by a physician.

Eligibility Review:

  1. A student athlete must pass a minimum of 5 courses in the preceding grading period. For fall sports the previous spring’s 4th Nine Weeks grades are used.
  2. Maintain a minimum of a 1.5 cumulative G.P.A.

V. MIAMI TRACE ATHLETIC DRUG /ALCOHOL POLICY

1.Miami Trace / Athletic Drug / Alcohol Policy

The Board of Education recognizes the interscholastic athletic program is an integral part of the entire educational experience. Through participation in interscholastic athletics, students are provided an opportunity for education and character building experiences.

The Board also realizes that an athlete who is involved with drugs or alcohol places himself/herself at a heightened risk of physical harm by participating in the District’s athletic program.

The athlete assumes responsibility for regulating his/her personal life in ways that will make him/her a worthy representative of his/her school. Drug/Alcohol use or abuse by student athletes is a major detriment to this goal.

The Board believes a drug testing program will encourage students who want to participate in interscholastic athletics to remain drug free.

Interscholastic athletes in grades 9-12 at Miami Trace must participate in a drug testing program. Prior to the drug testing of an athlete, the athlete and/or his/her parent, guardian, or custodian must sign a form consenting to the drug testing. Random testing of the athletes may be conducted on a weekly basis throughout the season. Reasonable suspicion by the Athletic Director or a coach is also a reason for testing.

Positive Results and Violations

Whenever a student athlete’s test indicates a positive result, the Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FMCH) laboratory will confirm the result with a retest by sending it to another lab of their choice. If the second test is positive the result will be forwarded to the athletic director, principal, or designee. The FCMH lab will also notify the parent/guardian/custodian and will determine, based on the input of the parents, whether the positive results are a result of a prescription positive or the presence of illegal substances.

The parent will have the discretion to request a vial be sent to any independent lab selected by the parent/custodian/guardian at their own cost, but must select a lab and notify the FCMH lab within twenty four (24) hours from notification of a positive test.

The results of the independent lab will be sent to the FCMH lab who will take the result into consideration before presenting a positive result to the school and the parent/guardian/custodian. The FCMH lab will report the substance for which the student athlete tested positive to the athletic director, principal, or designee.

All negative test results shall be returned to the athletic director, principal, or designee so that the parent/guardian/custodian can be notified and a record can be kept of those tested.

A positive test will result in disqualification from the random testing program. That student athlete will then be tested each time testing is completed. The student athlete will be denied participation in athletic contests for 30% of the athletic season in which the positive test occurred. If less than 30% of contests remain the denial of participation will carry over into the next sports season in which that student athlete participates. S/He will be referred to Fayette Recovery for a full screening and additional counseling will be given to those who qualify. Proof of participation must be provided. For the second offense, the student athlete will be denied participation from all athletic activity for sixty (60) days. S/He also must enter a rehabilitation program. The program must be completed or treatment must be ongoing before h/she can return to athletics. Again, proof of participation must be provided. For any additional offenses, the athlete must continue a treatment program and s/he will lose athletic eligibility for one (1) calendar year.

If participating student athlete refuses to submit to a drug test authorized under this policy, such student shall not be eligible to participate in the athletic program for that sport for the rest of the season.

Any student athlete caught tampering with a urine sample in any manner shall be treated as if it were a refusal to submit to a drug test.

Disclosure of positive test results will be limited to the athlete, the athlete’s parents, guardians, the Athletic Director or designee, the athlete’s coach, the Superintendent and the School District’s legal counsel.

2. Athletic Tobacco Policy

1)First Offense:

A. 5 days denial of participation from games or events. The student may still be allowed to attend and participate in all practices but will not be able to participated in any games or other athletic activities.

B. A drug/alcohol assessment will be recommended at the expense of the student during the five day period.

2)Second Offense:

A. 30 days denial of participation from games or events. The student may still be allowed to attend and participate in all practices but will not be able to participate in any games or athletic activities.

B. A drug-alcohol assessment and counseling sessions will be administered at the expense of the student during the 30 day period.

3)Third Offense:

  1. 60 days denial of participation from all practices and games. The student during this 60 day period will not be able to attend any athletic activities pertaining to Miami Trace.

4) Fourth Offense:

A. The student will be denied participation from all athletic activities at Miami Trace for one year from the date of incident.

*All denials of participation that occur during or at the end of a season will carry over into the next season that the athlete participates in. The time frame is the last team event that takes place in that season and the official starting date of the next season.

VI. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Physical Exams and Emergency Medical Authorizations

A. Pre-participation physical forms (also referred to as “physicals”) for athletic participants in grades 9-12 shall be signed by a medical examiner, the participant, and by a parent/guardian. These forms must be on file in the Athletic Office before any student athlete may participate in practice and/or contests. These forms require the medical examiner to certify the individual’s physical fitness no less than once a calendar year (OHSAA by-law ref: 3-4-1).The official OHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form must be used for this purpose and all pages must be completed in full, It is recommended that students arrange for their physical exams in the summer or at least one month in advance of the season. This will prevent any problems participation in try-outs or practices on scheduled sports season starting dates.

B. All extracurricular coaches/advisors are required to keep an approved MTLSD Emergency Medical Authorization form on hand for all participants under their supervision. Participants are to return their “EMA” containing all requested information and valid signatures prior to any extracurricular participation.

2. Student Insurance

A. The MTLSD requires that all student athletes who choose to participate in extracurricular activities (athletics) show proof of insurance. The Board of Education requires that students participating in interscholastic school athletics to be covered by some type of accident insurance. This insurance may be the accident policy which has been approved by the Board or a similar policy type acquired by the student or his/her parents.

3. Care of Facilities

The Miami Trace Athletic Department in conjunction with the MTLSD Board of Education take great pride in the facilities that we are able to offer to our athletic programs. Administrators, Coaches, Advisors, Student Athletes, and the community at large should all take pride in the athletic facilities on our campus. Each party should be respectful and prideful in his/her treatment of the facilities made available to them.

  1. The neatness and cleanliness of locker rooms, weight rooms, hallways, and other team facilities is

the joint responsibility of participants, coaches, advisors, and appropriate school personnel. All

spike or cleated shoes must be put on and taken off outside of the school building and field houses.

B. Improper behavior, horseplay, vandalism, roughhousing, harassment, hazing/bullying of others and

improper care of equipment are examples of activities related to locker rooms and team areas for

which disciplinary action would be appropriate, up to and including a denial of participation.

Incidents are to be reported to a staff member immediately.

C. Participants are responsible for all school equipment issued to them and for all their own personal

equipment. If your school issued equipment is damaged or you are having any problems at all, notify

your coach/advisor immediately. Do NOT use damaged or faulty equipment.

D. Equipment rooms, staff offices, training rooms, and weight facilities are to be entered only after

receiving permission from a coach/advisor. Students are not to be in areas at any time without

supervision by appropriate school personnel.

E. Team personnel only are permitted in locker room and meeting areas. All others (including family,

friends, and media) must wait outside these areas for participants and coaches/advisors.

4. Failure to Complete a Season

In the event that an athlete fails to complete a season in which they officially started, without appropriate dismissal by the head coach and/or Athletic Director will result in the following consequences:

  1. The athlete may not engage in any formal or informal athletic participation on Miami Trace school grounds until the season which they removed themselves from has completed in its entirety.
  2. The athlete must attend a meeting with the head coach, during which time they are released by the head coach to participate in the following sports season.
  3. In the event that the subsequent athletic season sports hold tryouts during the current athletic season, the athlete may try out for that sport team, so long as they have met with and received permission to do so from the head coach of the team that they failed to meet their obligations with. However, the athlete may not attend voluntary or mandatory practices until the current athletic season has concluded.

5. Communication Guide

It is the goal of the Athletic Department to create an environment in which our athletes’ extracurricular experiences will be as rewarding as possible. Maintaining open lines of communication between coaches, athletes, and parents is essential in creating this type of environment. It is inevitable in any organization that concerns or questions will arise. The coaches/advisors and administration will make a concerted effort to address questions, concerns, and complaints appropriately. Issues that reach the administrative level will be investigated fully and fairly. However in fairness to coaches/advisors anonymous complaints will not be addressed.

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations, but maintaining open lines of communication can make both jobs easier. Communication is a two way street. By trying to understand the reasons for each other’s actions, we can create a more positive environment for our athletes.

Communications Parent)s)/Guardians Should Expect From the Coach

  • Expectations the coach has for members of the team, including your child
  • Locations, dates, and times of practices and contests
  • Team requirements- fees, special equipment, eligibility, attendance, off season programs
  • Procedures to follow if your child is injured
  • Athletic policy and any additional rules and regulations of the team
  • Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation

Communication the Coach Expects From the Parent(s)/Guardian

  • Express concerns directly to the coach first and at the appropriate time. If after a contest, a 24 hour will be in place.
  • Notify the coach of any schedule conflicts well in advance
  • Notify the coach of any special needs of the athlete
  • Express specific concerns in regard to a coach’s expectations

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with a Coach

  • The treatment of your child mentally and physically
  • Ways to help your child improve
  • Concerns about your child’s behavior

Inappropriate Areas to Discuss with a Coach

  • Playing Time
  • Play Calling
  • Position Assignment
  • Team Strategy
  • Any matter concerning other athletes

Procedure to Follow if a Parent Has a Concern With a Coach

  • Contact the coach to set up an appointment
  • If the coach can not be reached after a reasonable number of attempts, contact the Athletic Director
  • Do Not attempt to confront a coach before, during, or after a contest or practice session. These can be emotional times for all parties involved and do not promote resolution.
  • If the meeting with the Coach does not provide a satisfactory result what is the next step? Although total agreement may never be reached the parent may contact the Athletic Director to arrange a meeting to discuss the situation. Then the appropriate next step will be determined, However both parties may agree to disagree and there may not be a next step.

Chain of Command

With few exceptions, the chain of command should be followed in dealing with problems, complaints, or questions. The chain of command is as follows:

1. Assistant Coach 2. Head Coach 3. Athletic Director 4. Principal/Assistant Principal