Athletics Handbook
ATHLETIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Major Goals
To teach the athlete
values that will make them more productive in adult life.
To develop and formulate the best team possible and in the process
have each athlete reach full potential in their sport.
Other Specific Objectives
To develop the
athlete's quickness, strength, speed, agility, and endurance.
To learn teamwork; making sacrifices for the betterment of the
team.
To learn sportsmanship in victory as well as defeat.
To enjoy the camaraderie of team sport.
To develop desirable personal health habits
To bring out positive leadership qualities.
To learn that true desire gives an athlete the strength to overcome
obstacles.
To realize that often limits to potential are self-imposed.
To experience dedication, commitment and hard work.
To gain confidence.
To obtain the ability to withstand pressure.
To develop personal and team pride.
To develop a sense of worth and self esteem.
To gain maturity.
To learn to be punctual and organized.
To develop courage and aggressiveness and learn to play with
pain.
To learn to be self-disciplined and be mentally tough.
To learn that to be a winner you must be consistent.
To learn that that enthusiasm inspires yourself and others to excel
and hustle.
To develop a positive attitude.
To learn that honesty, sincerity, loyalty, and caring are all
characteristics of a winner.
POLICIES
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Athletes represent Mt. Pleasant's finest and they should
compete to the best of their ability in every event in which they
participate. The Athletes' competitiveness, attitude, conduct, and
appearance in the athletic competition will contribute greatly to
school pride. The athlete must be responsible in use of school
athletic facilities, equipment, and uniforms. The athletes are
accountable for any equipment checked out to them. With proper care
of school property we can save ourselves financial expense. When we
compete against other schools, whether home or away, we not only
represent ourselves and our school, we represent the town of Mt.
Pleasant.
ACADEMICS
In the area of academics, a good athlete becomes a good student.
The character and competitiveness of the athlete should carry over
into the classroom. The athletes must plan their schedule so that
they give sufficient time and energy to their studies to ensure
acceptable grades. In addition to maintaining good scholarship, an
athlete should give respectful attention to classroom activities
and show respect for other students and faculty at all times. The
athletes can be positive leaders at school as well as in athletic
competition. The athlete must meet the UIL academic guidelines to
be eligible for competition. The athlete must pass all classes to
be eligible unless other wise specified by the UIL or TEA. The
coaches will counsel and tutor the athlete when needed. The
athletes will be solely responsible for their grades. The coach,
teacher, principal, counselor, and fellow students will not be
blamed for any shortcomings.
TRAINING
The athletes must keep their body in top condition to compete at
the maximum of their potential. Medical research clearly
substantiates the fact that the misuse of tobacco, alcohol, and
drugs produce harmful effects on the human body. The use of these
has proven detrimental to conditioning. Social pressure is
sometimes hard to resist. When students have a strong interest to
participate in athletics, their desire to use these substances is
greatly reduced. If one squad member breaks the rules, the whole
team can be branded as non-trainers. The user of these jeopardizes
team morale, team reputation, and team success. The involvement
with these will result in disciplinary action with possible
suspension or dismissal.
ATTENDANCE
The athletes should know when their workouts and games are
scheduled and should make every effort to avoid conflicts with the
understanding the athletes should have an opportunity for a broad
range of experiences. Coaches involved should be notified
immediately when a conflict does arise. The athletes must
understand the relative importance of each activity to themselves
as well as the effect missing would have on team members. The
athletes must be in attendance for at least half of the school day
in which they participate in an athletic event. The athlete or
parent should notify the head coach before missing a practice or
game. Missing a game or practice without good reason is
inexcusable. Be on time. If an athlete decides to quit, he/she
should talk it over with the head coach of that sport, hand in all
equipment, and the coach should report the situation to the
Athletic Director. An athlete may be allowed to return with
disciplinary action.
UNIFORM
The athletes are responsible for their equipment. The loss of any
is the athlete's financial obligation. Proper athletic attire
should be worn in workouts and games. Any unnecessary item that
does not serve a purpose or draws attention may not be
worn.
GENERAL
MISCONDUCT
Profanity, disrespect, and disruptive behavior are examples of
conduct that is not acceptable. Good citizenship is expected.
Stealing from teammates will not be tolerated.
SCHOOL
POLICIES
Athletes will be expected to abide by the student handbook and Mt.
Pleasant ISD Policies.
DISCIPLINE
The athlete will be disciplined when breaking rules or policies.
The discipline will depend on the severity or the recurrence of the
violation. The coach will use fair and consistent judgment in
selecting appropriate discipline measures. Types of discipline will
include:
Conference with
coach
Extra running
Tiger Reminder - running and pushups
Corporal punishment
Probation
Suspension from games
Suspension for the remainder of the season
Removal of athletic privileges
TRANSPORTATION
The athlete must ride to and from out-of-town contests in
transportation provided by the Athletic Department. If the parents
wish to transport their athlete for a special reason, they should
inform the coach in charge by requesting permission in writing
prior to leaving for event.
RECRUITING
In the event athletes should be contacted personally by college
recruiters, they must immediately inform their coach and Athletic
Director.
INJURY
It is important that the athlete and parents know that it is very
possible for an athlete to become injured while participating in
athletics. Proper training will help prevent some injuries, but of
course some injuries are unavoidable. The catastrophic injury can
happen in athletics. Paralysis and death have occurred as a result
of participating in athletics, but are rare occurrences. Most
injuries that occur are only minor. All injuries should be reported
to the coach as soon as possible.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
Meet all eligibility
requirements of the UIL
Satisfy all rules and policies of the Mt. Pleasant ISD
Have permission from the coach of that particular sport.
Have passed a current physical exam which is on file and have
completed a yearly medical athletic history form.
Understand and abide by athletic policies.
Participate in annual drug tests.
CRITERIA FOR LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION
Attitude (respect,
maturity, loyalty, interest, coachable)
Ability (ability, speed, quickness, technique)
Condition (endurance, muscle development)
Dependability (reliability, attendance, punctuality,
consistency)
Desire (will to win, work ethic, dedication, commitment)
INSURANCE
A supplementary insurance is provided by the school district for
high school and middle school athletes. It insures the athletes
while participating in school athletic activities. It most often
will not cover the total cost of a doctor's bill. Athletes are
advised to have other insurance.
ATHLETIC
SCHEDULING
Students who sign up for athletics should be involved in a sport.
The athlete should expect to experience strength training and
conditioning along with their sport. Athletes not able to schedule
the athletic period due to scheduling conflicts may check with the
Athletic Director about coming to athletics after school. Special
permission for credit may be given for those who cannot schedule
the athletic period.
GRADING
SYSTEM
Athletics will receive P.E. credit. The athletic grade will be
based on the athletes participation in striving for specific
objectives as observed by the coach and coaches.
ATHLETIC LETTERING POLICY
FOOTBALL - BASKETBALL - BASEBALL - VOLLEYBALL - SOCCER
The athlete completes
the season on the varsity team as member in good standing. The
athlete is on the varsity because of his/her ability to compete on
the varsity level and makes substantial contributions to the
varsity effort for a major part of the season.
TRACK
The athlete must
participate in at lease 2/3 of the scheduled track meets including
the district track meet each year. The first year track athlete
must place at least third in district or score at least 10 points
in varsity meets on the season. The second year track athlete while
participating in at least 2/3 of the track meets for 2 years must
place fourth or better in district or score at least 5 points on
the season. For the third or fourth year track athlete to letter
he/she must have participated in at least 2/3 of the track meets
for 3 or 4 years respectively.
TENNIS
The athlete must
participate in at least 2/3 of the matches or tournaments each
year. In the first and second year of participation the athlete
must finish at least fourth in district. For the third or fourth
year tennis athlete, he/she must have participated in 2/3 of the
matches for 3 or 4 years respectively.
GOLF
The first or second
year athlete must have participated in at least 2/3 of the
tournaments or matches each year and shoot at least a (boys) 95 or
(girls) 110 in the district tournament. The third or fourth year
golfer must have participated in at least 2/3 of the tournaments
for the 3 or 4 years respectively.
CROSS COUNTRY
The first or second
year athlete must place in the top quarter in at least 3/4 of the
meets. The third or fourth year participant must have participated
3 or 4 years respectively in 3/4 of the meets.
POWER LIFTING
The first year athlete must have participated in a majority of the
invitational meets and earn 15 points in invitational meets or
qualify and participate in the regional meet. The second year
athlete must have participated in a majority of the invitational
meets and earn 10 points in invitational meets or qualify and
participate in the regional meet. The third or fourth year
participant must have participated in a majority of the
meets.
ALL SPORTS
The athlete must
maintain a good attitude and athletic image in gaining respect of
coaches and teammates. It may be possible for a coach to letter an
athlete in a special situation such as an injury or illness where
had this not happened he/she probably would have lettered.
MANAGERS
Manager letters will
be made upon recommendation of the coach.
