Revised –August 2015
LIPAN ISD ATHLETIC CODE
All athletes have a responsibility to play to win, play fairly, give their best, follow all training rules, and exhibit good conduct at all times in a manner that is a credit to their school. The fact that they have chosen to participate in interscholastic athletics is indicative that they consider the rewards, privileges, and pleasures which they will receive from this participation to be worth the price they must pay in meeting their responsibilities, following the rules, and meeting the demands which are made upon them as student-athletes. The privilege of representing the Athletic Program causes many things to be expected of them by their principals, coaches, teachers, parents, community, and most of all by their teammates and classmates. Athletes, as well as coaches, are always on display and are judged by the company they keep.
Participation in the athletic program and/or UIL contests is not a right but a privilege. No student is required to take part in the contests or activities. Therefore, it is important that all students taking part in the program understand and conform to the rules therein and that the coaches of the sport or activities have every right to remove these privileges.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
Lipan ISD Athletic Department does not condone the use of alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal substances at any time (during the school year or in the summer). Neither do we condone the attendance at events, parties, or gatherings where alcohol, tobacco products, and/or any illegal substances are being served to young people under the legal age limit. Alcohol, tobacco products, and illegal substances pose a danger to the health and safety of all student athletes. This abuse damages the reputation of all students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Therefore, it is the intent of this policy to prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and any illegal substances with our athletes.
Athletes who violate this section of the athletic code shall be subject to disciplinary action depending of the nature of the offense. Accusations will be investigated by the coaches, at which time the athlete in question will meet with the coaching staff. District disciplinary options include all options in the student code of conduct and/or additional consequences given by the coaching staff.
1.) 1st offense 10 hours community service
2.) 2nd offense 20 hours community service & a 2 game suspension
3.) 3rd offense out of athletics for one calendar year
· Offenses are cumulative during the school career of a student athlete
ATHLETIC FORMS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION
Each student must have the following documents on file:
1.) Physical Form: must be completed prior to Junior High athletic participation and again prior to first and third years of High School athletic participation. The form will be kept on file in the athletic office.
2.) Medical History Form: Must be completed annually by the parent (guardian) and student in order for the student to participate in athletic activities. The form will be kept on file in the athletic office.
3.) Acknowledgement of Athletic Policies: Upon entering junior high or at the time a student tries out for an athletic team, he/she will be presented with the athletic
handbook containing all information, rules, and procedures in athletics. Each parent or guardian shall read all enclosed material and certify that they understand the athletic rules and policies of the school district. This must be completed annually by the parent (guardian) and student in order for the student to participate in athletic activities. The signed document will be filed in the athletic office.
4.) Parent and student agreement/Acknowledgement of Rules form
5.) Parent/student Anabolic steroid use agreement form
6.) Sudden Cardiac Awareness form
7.) Concussion Acknowledgment form
ATHLETIC PERIOD AND AFTER-SCHOOL PRACTICES:
1.) Athletes must notify the coach if they must miss a class/practice session. This is the responsibility of the athlete or their parents, not friends. Very few reasons will prove to be acceptable to the coaches. Excessive absences or failure to report absences may result in dismissal from the team/programs.
2.) Athletes must be on time. Tardiness to an athletic class is as inexcusable as it is to any other class. They need to be dressed and ready for practice by the tardy bell everyday.
3.) Athletes will maintain neat and clean locker spaces. They will be proud of their dressing room facilities and will keep them neat.
AWARD POLICY
1.) An athlete will receive 1 jacket (not to exceed the UIL limit on cost) at the time they meet all letter requirements and they complete the season.
2.) Athletes will receive only one jacket during the 4 competitive years of High School.
BEHAVIOR AT ATHLETIC CONTESTS
Any student, parent, or spectator that causes a disruption before, during, or after an athletic contest may be barred from attending future athletic contests at home and away games.
CARE OF EQUIPMENT
1.) All equipment issued by the school is school property and should be treated with respect. Each athlete is responsible for equipment issued to him or her.
2.) All equipment should be returned at the end of each sport. Any person who decides to quit a sport before the season is over should return their equipment at that time.
3.) The athlete to whom it was issued must pay for any equipment that is not returned. Any person who has school equipment not issued to them in their possession on or off the school campus will be suspected of theft. He/she will be punished according to the rules set for stealing.
CONDUCT
1.) On the court, an athlete must never use profanity or resort to illegal tactics. Both winning and losing are a part of the game, and one must be a good loser as well as a gracious winner.
2.) Total respect to officials is an absolute must. The coach will do discussion of calls made by officials. Any behavior contrary to the above mentioned or any other act, which is not conducive to good sportsmanship, may result in removal from the team or other consequences.
3.) If any athlete is caught stealing, coaches may give punitive consequences in addition to consequences given by the office. Reimbursement of the stolen goods will be required. The incident will also be reported to the proper authorities.
4.) Athletes will be expected to behave in an appropriate manner at all home and away games.
5.) Any act of disrespect by an athlete to his/her teacher, coach, member of the school administration, or staff will be handled on an individual basis as deemed appropriate by the coach or the particular sport that the athlete is involved in at the time. Punishment may call for expulsion from all athletic activities for a calendar year from date of incident. The incident may be reported to the proper authorities.
CONFERENCES WITH COACHES:
As your child becomes involved in inter-scholastic athletics, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand there may be times when things do not go the way your child wishes. These are the times discussion with the coach is encouraged.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with a coach:
1.) The mental and physical treatment of your child.
2.) What your child needs to do to improve.
3.) Concerns about your child’s behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your child is not playing as much as you hope. Coaches have to make decisions based on what they believe is in the best interest of all students participating. As you can see from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach.
Issues NOT appropriate for discussion with your child’s coach:
1.) How much playing time each athlete is getting
2.) Team strategy
3.) Play calling
4.) Any situation that deals with other student-athletes
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and parent. These are not discouraged, as it is important for each party to have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure is suggested to help promote resolution to the issue.
1.) Call the coach to set up an appointment.
2.) If the coach cannot be reached, call the athletic director and ask him to set up a meeting with the coach for you.
3.) Do not confront the coach before, during or after a practice or contest. These can be emotional times for both the parent and coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution of the situation, but often escalate it.
DRESS CODE
When practicing, playing, or traveling to contests, students should follow dress code standards set in the student handbook. Wearing of the athletic uniform is an exception to the dress code if worn appropriately and at the coaches’ direction. Coaches can always make the dress code stricter. Modesty and safety are the overriding factors when considering dress for a school event.
Athletes shall follow additional requests of the coach for game day attire or team travel attire. Athletes who habitually violate dress and grooming standards may be subject to disciplinary action including suspension and dismissal from the Lipan Athletic program.
ELIGIBILITY
1.) An athlete is ineligible if after the first six-week grading period he/she has a grade lower than 70. A suspension continues for at least three weeks and is not removed during the school year until the athlete is passing all subjects. A suspension does not last beyond the end of the school year.
2.) Until the suspension is removed or the school year ends, a school district shall review the grades of a student at the end of each three-week period following the date on which the suspension began.
3.) An athlete suspended may practice with other students, but may not participate in competition.
4.) Ineligible athletes shall not travel with the school to a contest, sit with them, or wear uniforms during the contest.
5.) If an athlete is suspended from school for any reason, he/she will be ineligible during that period of suspension. Suspension starts whenever the student is not allowed to attend classes and ends at the end of the school day on the last day of suspension. For example, if a student is suspended Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of a week, they are not allowed to participate Monday morning through Wednesday during the school day. A second suspension may result in total expulsion from all activities for the remainder of the school year.
6.) Any student assigned to DAEP may be suspended from the sport in which they are currently participating, and may be dismissed from the athletic program the remainder of the school year.
7.) If an athlete is dismissed from the athletic program for disciplinary reasons he/she may return to the athletic program at the end of one calendar year from the date of
dismissal. (Ex: dismissed Jan. 30, 2005, return Jan. 30, 2006.) Athletes that return will not be guaranteed a spot on a particular team because of classification.
GIFTS
UIL has strict requirements regarding gifts being given to student athletes. Before anyone gives a gift of any kind to a student athlete, they should contact the athletic director. A student given a gift may be suspended from playing for one year by UIL. Student athletes should not accept any gift given to them without checking with the coach or athletic director. It is the student athlete’s responsibility to know what the UIL rule is on this issue.
LETTER JACKETS
Basketball Softball & Baseball: Only those athletes that participate on a varsity team will be awarded a letter jacket.
Tennis: Only those athletes that place in the top four at district on varsity will be awarded a letter jacket. They can qualify individually or as part of a team.
Golf: Only those athletes that qualify for regional or place in the top 15 at District will be awarded a letter jacket. They can qualify individually or as part of a team.
Cross Country: Only those athletes that qualify for regional or place in the top 15 at District will be awarded a letter jacket. They can qualify individually or as part of a team.
Track and Field: Athletes placing in the top four at the district meet or the top six at the area meet will earn a letter in track and field.
If at the end of two years of participation in the same sport a student has not qualified with the above standards, that student will be awarded a letter jacket.
1.) If an athlete fails and does not finish the season, they will not earn a letter.
2.) Each team member will be expected to attend every practice and game. Absences should be discussed with your coach.
3.) If an athlete fails and does not finish the season, they will not earn a letter.
4.) If an injury occurs before the season is completed it will be up to the discretion of the coaches as to who will letter.
PARTICIPATION
1.) Each team member will be expected to attend every practice and game. Absences should be discussed with your coach.
2.) Quitting a team sport is a very serious decision. It affects many different people. This decision should not be made by an athlete or accepted by a coach in the heat of the moment. Since this decision affects the player, their teammates, coaches, and the parents involved a cooling off period of 1 calendar days is required. Upon notification of intention to quit, the student will have a consultation with the coach involved.