HERITAGE
CHRISTIAN
ACADEMY
ATHLETIC HANDBOOK HERITAGE
Christian Academy
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
Athletic Director- Tammie Wolt
913-782-3262
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Heritage Christian Academy athletic programs strive to provide a setting for our student -‐
athletes to develop and display Christ-‐like character in all situations. PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Heritage Christian purposes to help meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of young people through the provision of a variety of athletic programs. Well-‐organized and managed athletic programs convey many Biblical principles taught by the Lord Jesus. Unity, others first, stewardship, commitment, self-‐control and respect for authority are only a few principles that characterize individuals who are working together to build a team that honors the Lord Jesus. Those who are involved with a desire and commitment to honor the Lord will immeasurably gain from the opportunities provided through specific athletic programs. ATHLETIC GOALS AND COMMENTS The process and programs provided for achieving our purposes are filled with many unique opportunities. The Heritage Christian athletic program strives to help provide athletes, coaches, parents and fans with four distinct opportunities: (1) The opportunity to disciple each other toward greater perfection in Christ. (2) The opportunity to develop skills in areas of physical and athletic competency. (3) The opportunity to use the talents and time God has given as a witness to others. (4) The opportunity to support and enjoy the collective efforts of teams that focus on honoring the Lord Jesus. It is God who desires to take all these components and weave them together in ways that honor His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He uses the athlete’s desire to compete, the fan’s supportive enthusiasm and our response to the rules of the game as opportunities for us to witness to an unbelieving world and, on occasion, even to fellow believers. How we respond to the circumstances inherent in the challenge before us at any given time is of great interest to God. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, set the standard: ”Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner
worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” (Phil. 1:27).
TABLE OF CONTENTS Sportsmanship ....................................................... 1 Conflict Resolution ................................................ 2 Eligibility .................................................................. 3 Competition Divisions ......................................... 5 Annually Required Documents…………………..5 Scheduling ................................................................ 6 Inclement Weather ............................................... 6 Dress Code………………………………………………….6 Uniforms………………………………………………….…6 Transportation ....................................................... 7 Awards ...................................................................... 7 I. SPORTSMANSHIP Athletes, coaches, fans, and parents at Heritage Christian Academy are expected to exhibit Christ-‐like behavior before, during and after athletic contests. This includes attitudes toward our own team members, coaches, opposing teams, fans, and officials. We believe all should be diligent in preparation, relentless in effort, disciplined by nature, respectful in actions, self-‐controlled with words, humble in spirit, and aggressive in the pursuit of excellence without regard to the score, opponent, time, or official. As Christian athletes display these characteristics: teams are successful, players are motivated, fans are supportive and enthusiastic, parents are proud, perspective athletes want to participate, and hopefully non-‐believers are drawn to Christ. Parent-‐ Coach and Player-‐Coach Relationships: The player-‐coach relationship is perhaps the most critical relationship in athletics. It is imperative that the player respects and trusts the coach and his/her direction. Heritage Christian Academy requires our coaches to maintain a high level of personal integrity and to show evidence of a deep care for both the players’ physical and spiritual growth. As a parent you can have a pronounced effect on this important relationship. While you may not agree with a coach, how and when you express your feelings can have a distinct effect upon your child and their experience. When you express a negative opinion in the presence of your child, remember that he or she will return to practice and will then have to interact with this coach. When you model support and encouragement for the coach and his leadership you help build a stronger team. Please remember that receiving technical or strategic instruction at home may interfere and conflict with the instructional process at practice sessions and games. This may ultimately impede your player’s progress and affect his or her playing time or even the securing of a starting position The Parent-‐Player Relationship: In numerous national studies, it has been determined that most athletes participate for enjoyment or fun. Being positive and supportive is important, but adding pressure and unrealistic expectations can be extremely harmful. Allow your son or daughter to enjoy and grow from this valuable experience. Relationship With Officials: The home school does not choose the officials; a scheduler assigns officials. So while you may not agree with all of their calls, please do not harass and taunt them. Remember that they are in charge of the contest and have complete authority to have unruly spectators removed. In many sports, a team will see the same official several times during a season. Coaches along with the Athletic Director work hard to establish a good rapport with officials; this relationship can easily be damaged by spectators. Spectator-‐Cheerleader Relationship: Cheerleaders infuse spirit into the fans/spectators and lead them in selected cheers. Fans who leave the stands to direct cheers may often cause or lead to confrontations with the opponents. The emotion and atmosphere at athletic contests can be very exciting and the cheerleaders need to be allowed to direct and control this aspect of the event. 4 Expectations for Spectator Behavior • Appreciate, cheer and applaud players for their efforts, commitment and sportsmanlike behavior • Accept the decisions of officials • Support the coaches of both teams in their endeavor to follow their game plan and coach a competitive game. Maintain composure when things seem to go against your team • Focus attention on positive aspects of competition • No vulgar or inappropriate language, taunting, trash talking or interference of any portion of the event from spectators will be tolerated. • Spectators should never enter onto the court or field during a contest. If they do they may be asked to leave the event. • Do not yell at an opponent during a foul shot or as a player attempts to serve. • Encourage only sportsmanlike conduct, reflecting class, dignity and respect at all times. II. CONFLICT RESOLUTION When expressing an occasional concern with a coach, please refer to and use the following guidelines: • Always approach the person with whom you have conflict first. • Never approach a coach immediately after a contest. Call the following day and make an appointment time that is convenient for both you and the coach to meet. • Raise your concern in a calm and civil manner. Raising your voice, being rude or using abusive language is totally unacceptable. • Once you have stated your question or concern, listen to the explanation. Listening receptively may really help you to understand another’s perspective and lead to equitable resolution. • While you may not agree with all decisions of a coach, how and when you express your feelings can have a distinct effect upon your child. If you express a negative opinion in the presence of your child, you need to remember that he or she will return to practice the next day and may carry with him or her your emotional turmoil, even if you were just venting. • Always express you concerns directly to the coach, not to other parents. If you are unable to resolve your concern with the coach, please contact the Athletic Director to arrange a meeting between all parties involved. III. ELIGIBILITY AND BEHAVIOR Enrollment Status – An athlete must be a full-‐time student in order to be eligible to participate in the HCA athletic program. A full-‐time student is defined to be a 5 student enrolled in at least 5 credit classes or the equivalent. Age– Any student, who reaches nineteen on or before September 1, shall be ineligible for interscholastic activities. Any student, who reaches nineteen after September 1, shall be eligible for the remainder of that school year. Any student who reaches sixteen for the ninth grade after September 1 shall be eligible for Jr. High interscholastic activities for the remainder of that school year. Grade-‐ For each sport offered, athlete’s grade must correspond to the level in which the athlete competes. Jr. High team members must be enrolled in the 7th -‐8th grade level, High School Team members must be enrolled in the 9th -‐12th grade level. Academic-‐ KSHSAA requires that a student must have passed five full credits in the previous semester in order to be eligible in the current semester. In addition, Heritage Christian Academy has established eligibility criteria for the current semester as defined as maintaining a passing grade (64%) in all courses. Eligibility is determined on a weekly basis beginning with the 3rd week of each semester and is the cumulative score for that semester. Students deemed ineligible will be notified on Friday and be ineligible for the following week, Monday-‐ Saturday. Attendance– Except in the case of a family emergency, an athlete is expected to be in attendance a game day. If an athlete does not attend at least one of the following requirements they will not be eligible to compete that day. 1. His/her entire morning class schedule or 2. His/her afternoon schedule starting with 4th period Behavioral– Athletes at Heritage Christian Academy are expected to display an attitude of Christ-‐likeness before, during and after athletic contests. This includes attitudes toward our own team members, coaches, opposing teams, fans, and officials. Coaches and the Athletic Director, or the HCA administration, reserve the right to suspend a player from participation in practice and games if in their judgment the player is not displaying attitude or behavior that reflects HCA’s standards as defined in this handbook. Any athlete serving more than one suspension for unsportsmanlike behavior in a season will be ineligible to letter in that sport. In severe displays of poor attitude and unsportsmanlike conduct, the coaches, Athletic Director and administration reserve the right to call for an athlete’s removal from the team. Expectations for Team Behavior • Attendance at all practices and games • Endeavor to give your best in all practices, games and schoolwork • Support both coaches and team members with a positive and encouraging attitude. 6 •
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Physical and/or verbal abuse aimed at an opponent, official, coach, teammate or a fellow student will result in immediate discipline by the coach, and possibly, the administration. Taunting and/or inappropriate language directed toward an opponent or teammate is not "part of the game", and is inconsistent with the mission of Heritage Christian Academy. Maintain composure when things seem to go against your team Accept the decisions of officials Do not yell at an opponent during a foul shot or as a player attempts to serve. Engage in sportsmanlike conduct, exhibiting class, dignity and respect at all times. Team members should congratulate opponents after a game with a customary handshake and kind word. Any conflict with coaches or team members should be handled in accordance with the Conflict Resolution Guidelines given in this hand book Unsportsmanlike penalties -‐ Any athlete receiving a penalty for un-‐sportsmanship like conduct (technical in basketball or a yellow card unsporting behavior) may be suspended for the remainder of that game. The HCA Athletic Director will determine if an additional game suspension is warranted. All citations for un-‐sportsman like conduct must be reported by the head coach to the Athletic Director within 24 hours or before the next game, whichever comes first. (NOTE: By KSHSAA rules, a red card in soccer carries an automatic ejection from the game and an additional one-‐game suspension.) Any student deemed ineligible for any reason will be expected to attend all practices, but will not suit up or travel with the team for games. They should be dressed and on the bench or sideline for any home games. 7 IV. COMPETITION DIVISIONS Junior High (Grades 7 & 8) – Playing Time – Players will play during a contest, but the length of their participation may vary from game to game and is entirely at the discretion of the coach. o Cuts – There are no cuts at this level. A and B teams are formed based on ability. o Soccer is available for grades 6th-‐8th o Basketball is available for grades 7th-‐ 8th only o Cross Country and Track are available for grades 6th-‐ 8th Senior High (Grades 9-‐12) – o Playing Time – Playing time is not guaranteed and is entirely at the discretion of the coach. o Tryouts – In the event of sufficient interest, tryouts will be held to evaluate players prior to forming multiple teams. There may be both a Varsity team (grades 9-‐12) and JV team (grades 9-‐12) team o Cuts –Cuts should be expected at this level if the demand exceeds the number of available roster positions for Varsity and JV. It is the responsibility of each coach to meet individually with each player that is cut, explain the reason(s) why he was cut, answer any questions the player might have, and offer suggestions to help the athlete improve. • NOTE: A varsity coach, in consultation with the athletic director will determine the size of each team based on the needs of the team. JV teams will be available if the number of potential participates warrants. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ATHLETES/TEAM o
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Soccer – 20 Volleyball–12 Basketball – 12 Baseball – 16 V. Documents Required Annually • KSHSAA Physical Examination Form (Athletes) • Concussion Form (Athletes) • KSHSAA Eligibility Form (9-‐12 only) 8 VI. Scheduling • The Athletic Director is responsible for scheduling games. • Practices will be limited to two hours on school days o Exception: At the start of the season teams may practice twice a day, one day a week, for the first few weeks of practice VII. Inclement weather – In the event that school is cancelled due to inclement weather there will be no practices or games for grades 7th-‐12. On rare occasions a Varsity Game may need to continue as scheduled. In this case the Athletic Directors will be communicating with the coaches and officials to determine how to proceed. Notification will be made through all school emails and posting on RenWeb VIII. Athletic Dress Code •
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Athletes in uniform or dress code at all games (Sweats and an HCA t-‐shirt acceptable) No “skins” practices No cut off T-‐shirts Men may wear tank tops Ladies may wear loosely fitted, women’s style tank tops No volleyball shorts allowed No spandex shorts or leggings without running shorts over them. All practice wear is subject to the coach’s and athletic directors discretion. VIIII. Uniforms Uniforms distributed to athletes are the property of HCA and are to worn for official HCA competition only. They are to be washed after each game following the directions provided when the uniforms are distributed. Uniforms should not be exchanged with other players. Damage done to any uniform, outside the normal use in competition, will be charged to the user. Uniforms and equipment belonging to HCA must be returned within one week of the close of a season. 9 X. Transportation Athletes are required to travel together in HCA-‐provided transportation for all away games, when provided. Parents who wish to transport their athlete home or to have their athlete travel with another parent from a game must be sure to make written arrangements with the coach 24 hours prior to a game. Otherwise, athletes will be expected to make arrangements to leave shortly after arriving back at HCA on the team bus. In cases where HCA does not provide team transportation, athletes will be required to ride the HCA parents/grandparents to and from the games. In no case will an HCA student be allowed to transport another HCA student outside his/her own immediate family to or from a game. Unless prior arrangements have been made with the coach, players should be ready to leave the school within 10 minutes after the conclusion of a practice. XI. AWARDS Lettering – Varsity athletes will earn letters if they have dressed for 75% of the varsity games. Any athlete who is unable to play due to injury, but attends the required 75% of the games continuing to support the team, will be awarded a letter. Any athlete who does not meet required participation due to academic ineligibility will not letter. A player will earn a varsity letter the first time he/she letters in grades 9-‐12 with a pin representing that sport. Special Awards – Coaches may choose to give individual awards at the awards ceremony for their sport. Awards Ceremonies-‐ HCA will schedule two athletic awards ceremonies (fall, and spring) to present athletic awards to Varsity and JV athletes. 10 CONCLUDING COMMENTS Being a parent is often challenging. This effort and responsibility is frequently complicated by being a parent of an athlete. The best way to help your athlete is to provide encouragement and to be positive, both at home and in the stands. Know that you are the most important person in your child’s life, and that he/she wants you to be proud of him/her. Be in the stands, rain or shine, cheering. Enjoy watching your child learn and grow as they experience the challenges of working hard to achieve set goals, overcoming obstacle’s and both winning and losing with grace and integrity. We sincerely hope you enjoy this year’s season. 11