RHINEBECK CENTRAL SCHOOL

STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK and

CODE OF CONDUCT

2007-2008

 

 

Dear Student Athletes and Parents:

 

Welcome to the interscholastic athletic program of the Rhinebeck Central School District!  Our athletic program has been designed to enhance the experience of our students.  Sports involvement provides student athletes with the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.  The personal characteristics of physical fitness, athletic skill, leadership, discipline, self esteem, loyalty, cooperation, motivation, sense of fair play and the development of long term friendships are promoted by participation in athletics.  The objective of the Rhinebeck athletic program is to complement the objectives and policies of the school in the development of well-rounded individuals who are capable of taking their place in today’s society.

 

To all athletes:

 

This handbook contains important information defining the expectations, rules, and regulations for all students involved in athletics.  To promote a clear understanding of the Rhinebeck athletic experience, each athlete is expected to thoroughly read the handbook.   After reading, the student athlete and a parent must sign and return the Athlete’s Pledge to the coach before the end of the first week of practice.

 

Please contact the Athletic Director’s Office if you have any questions regarding our program.

 

 

Have a great season!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Table of Contents                                                                                                       2

 

Introduction                                                                                                                3

 

Athlete’s Code of Conduct                                                                                        3

 

Eligibility                                                                                                                    3

 

Attendance                                                                                                                 4

 

Commitment                                                                                                               5

 

Conduct                                                                                                                      5

 

Care of Uniforms and Equipment                                                                              5

 

Transportation and Away Contests                                                                            5

 

Training                                                                                                                       6

 

Athlete’s Pledge                                                                                                         7         


 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

It is an honor to be selected as a team member and to represent Rhinebeck Central School District.  Only those students in good standing at Rhinebeck High School and Bulkeley Middle School may become a member of an athletic team.  Students must recognize that participation in the athletic program is a privilege, and that representing our district as an athlete presumes responsibility to yourself, your family, your teammates, your coaches, your school, and your community.

 

An athlete is expected to exhibit exemplary behavior in school, at home, at all contests, and in his or her personal life.  Behavior reflecting discredit to oneself or the athletic program could lead to suspension or dismissal from the team.  Every athlete is expected to adhere to the Athlete’s Code of Conduct.

 

ATHLETE’S CODE OF CONDUCT

 

I.  ELIGIBILITY: Athletes will agree to meet all eligibility requirements, to accurately provide the necessary eligibility information, and to work to maintain eligibility.

 

New York State eligibility means athletes must be:

 

1.  Full time students taking four academic courses and physical education.

 

2.  In grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 until his or her 19th birthday.  If the age of nineteen years is reached on or after July 1, the student may continue to participate during that school year in all sports.  Students may be eligible regardless of age or grade if they have been approved through the State Education Department’s Selection/Classification Program.  The 15 year old below the 9th grade needs only to meet the selection/classification maturity standards to be eligible at the high school level.

 

3.  Amateurs in the sport.  An amateur is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the pleasure of the activity and for the physical, mental, and social benefits derived from participation.  When competing in non New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) sponsored events, an athlete forfeits amateur status in a sport by: competing for money or other compensation (allowable travel, meals, and lodging expenses may be accepted); Receiving an award or prize of monetary value which has not been approved by NYSPHAA; capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value (scholarships to institutes of higher learning are specifically exempted); signing a professional playing contract in that sport.

 

           
Academic eligibility means that athletes must:

 

1.  Be mindful of their academic responsibilities.

 

2.  Be aware that students failing one or more subjects will be placed on an improvement contract, which will call for improved academic work, regular homework, attendance, and participation.  Students who do not meet the criteria of the contract will be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities.  Academic failure lists will be generated from progress reports and report cards.  Students on improvement contracts have two weeks to meet the criteria of the contract.  If, after two weeks, students have not improved in the class, they will be ineligible to participate in practices or contests until the next review indicates they are passing.

 

Citizenship eligibility means that athletes must:

 

1.Represent their school on and off the field and maintain a high behavioral standard.  To be a team member is a privilege.  Students may be suspended or dismissed at the coach’s discretion for citizenship reasons, including disorderly conduct at athletic events or practice, profanity, tardiness, truancy, insubordination, fighting, and other conduct that violates the student code of conduct applicable to all students.

 

II. ATTENDANCE:  Athletes shall maintain a good attendance record and will adhere to all attendance requirements established by the school and by the coach.

 

1.  School day attendance:  Any student absent from school for more than four of the day’s nine periods will not be eligible to participate in any extracurricular activity on that day or night.  Students absent from classes due to participation in a school sponsored activity or seniors on a college visitation can participate with the prior approval of the school administration.  Those students who choose to ignore the above will not be able to participate in the next function, game, trip, etc.  Students leaving school due to illness will also be ineligible for that day.  An absence from school on Friday will not affect participation in a Saturday or Sunday school sponsored event.

 

2.  Practice/contest attendance:  All athletes shall report to practices and contests at the time designated by their coach. 

 

III.  COMMITMENT:  Athletes shall make a firm commitment to teammates, their coach, their school, and themselves.

 

1.  Once a commitment to a school team has been made, a player must follow through.  It is unfair to teammates and coaches to leave a team in mid season.  It is also unfair to other aspiring players who have not earned a place on the team.

 

2.  Failure to attend practices will be interpreted as a lack of commitment. Athletes are responsible for talking with their coaches prior to missing a practice.

 

IV.  CONDUCT:  Athletes shall adhere to all rules and responsibilities as outlined by the school and the coach.  Athletes will understand that incidents of misconduct in or out of school will have a definite effect on participation on an athletic team.

 

1.  Appearance and dress:  The appearance and dress of all athletes for practices and competitive events will comply with those requirements established by the coach.

 

2.  Deportment and sportsmanship:  Athletes will exhibit respect for teachers, students, and property.  All athletes will display good sportsmanship at all times.  Inappropriate language, gestures, and actions will not be tolerated.  Athletes will be aware of and adhere to the sportsmanship policy outlined by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and receive the indicated disciplinary action:  “1.  Any member of a squad ruled out of a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct, including taunting, or for a flagrant foul shall not participate in that sport in the next previously scheduled contest with a member school or in NYSPHSAA tournament play.  In individual sports a multi-day contest is considered to be a contest.  The contest in which the athlete was disqualified must count in the total maximum number of contests permitted.  Disqualifications from one season carry over to the next season of participation.  2.  Any member of the squad who strikes, shoves, kicks or makes other physical contact with the intent to annoy, harass or intimidate an official shall be expelled from the game immediately and banned from further participation in all sports for a period of time to be determined by the section not to exceed one year from the date of the offense.  NOTE:  Member of the squad includes player, manager, score keepers, timers, statisticians”  (NYSPHAA Handbook, 2006-2008, 72).

 

V.  CARE OF UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:  Athletes accept responsibility for all equipment that is issued by the school.  Athletes agree to properly use all team equipment.

 

1.  Uniforms:  Athletes will not wear any part of their game uniforms at any time, other than the actual game, without the direct approval of the coach in conjunction with the athletic director.

 

2.  Equipment:  Athletes are expected to keep all equipment clean and in good repair.  All equipment must be returned clean and in good repair no later than one week after the last contest.  The athlete is financially responsible for all equipment issued.  Should the athlete fail to return issued items, the athlete must reimburse the district for the replacement cost.  The student will not be permitted to continue participation in the sports program until items are returned or reimbursement is made.

 

VI:  TRANSPORTATION AND AWAY CONTESTS:  Athletes will agree to follow the transportation policy established by the school.  Athletes will adhere to the additional requirements established by the coach and the athletic department.

 

1.  Transportation to and from practices:  Student athletes may ride with an adult other than a parent ONLY if permission is indicated on the Athletic Transportation form and the athlete has received the coach’s permission.  ALL DOCUMENTS OF PERMISSION MUST BE ON FILE WITH THE COACH.

 

2.  Travel to away contests:  It is expected that all athletes will travel to and from all “away games” on the team bus.  The school has the responsibility to return the athletes to the school district.  Only with a parent’s written permission may a student be released to the parent, another member of the immediate family, or an adult designated by that parent.

 

3.  Conduct:  Coaches are responsible for the supervision of the student athletes on the bus.  While riding the bus, athletes are to follow the school behavior policy and any additional requirements established by the coach.  No undue noise, shouting, or whistling inside or outside the windows is permitted.  No open food or beverages will be allowed on the bus without the consent of the coach and the bus driver.  Athletes are expected to clean up after themselves upon completion of a trip.  Any problems arising during a trip will be reported to the Athletic Director and submitted in writing to the principal.

 

VII:  TRAINING:  Athletes will understand that proper training is essential to performance.  Athletes will adhere to the training regimen established by the coaching staff.

 

1.  Physical conditioning:  Coaches will establish the physical conditioning requirements.

 

2.  Health habit:  Athletes are expected to follow a balanced, nutritional diet, and provide for adequate rest and sleep.  Athletes shall not abuse prescription drugs.  Any inhalers or other medications needed during practices or contests shall be kept by the trainer.  Athletes shall notify the trainer and the coach during the sports season of the use of prescription drugs.  Athletes shall not consume or use alcohol, tobacco, steroids, or other illegal drugs.  Athletes shall not buy, sell, give away, be in the presence of, or have in their possession any substance defined by law as illegal.

 

3.  Accidents and injuries:  Because many injuries can be more serious than they outwardly appear, athletes must report all injuries to the coach and trainer.  Athletes should notify the coach and trainer if they are planning to go, or have gone to see a doctor regarding the athletic injury.  An athlete will be transported to the hospital if hospital treatment is necessary in the opinion of the coach, first aid staff, and/or trainer.  The coach or trainer shall attempt to contact the parent of the athlete as soon as possible.  The athlete will be accompanied by a coach or responsible adult (in the absence of the parent).  This individual will remain with the athlete until the parent arrives, or treatment has begun.  Under no circumstances will the remainder of the team be left unsupervised.  If it is necessary for a bus driver or other uncertified individual to supervise the players, the contest or practice will cease.

ATHLETE’S PLEDGE

 

Each athlete must make a commitment to the athletic program to ensure success.  Please read the following and pledge your commitment to adhere to these standards.

 

  1. ELIGIBILITY:  I agree to meet all eligibility requirements, to honestly and accurately provide the necessary eligibility information, and to work to maintain my eligibility.

 

  1. ATTENDANCE:  I shall maintain a good attendance record and will adhere to all attendance requirements established by the school and coach.

 

  1. COMMITMENT:  I agree to make a firm commitment to my teammates, my coach, my school, and myself.

 

  1. CONDUCT:  I shall adhere to all the rules and responsibilities as outlined by the school and my coach.  I understand that incidents of misconduct in or out of school will have an effect on my participation on the athletic team.

 

  1. CARE OF UNIFORMS and EQUIPMENT:  I accept responsibility for all equipment that is issued to my by the school.  Further, I agree to properly use all team equipment.

 

  1. TRANSPORTATION and AWAY CONTESTS:  I agree to follow the transportation policy established by the school.  I will adhere to the additional requirements established by my coach and the athletic department.

 

  1. TRAINING:  I understand that proper training is essential to my performance. I agree to adhere to the training regimen established by the coaching staff.

 

  1. STUDENT HANDBOOK:  I shall adhere to all rules and responsibilities as outlined by the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.

 

By signing below, the student athlete indicates that he or she has received, read, and understood the Athletic Handbook.  Furthermore, the athlete promises to abide by its provisions.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________                ______________________________

      Athlete’s name (please print)                                Signature                                 date

 

 

 

_______________________________                ______________________________

      Parent’s name (please print)                                  Signature                                 date