Mayfield Athletics Policy  5280.1

Athletics Policy Student Response and Parent/Guardian Permission Form (PDF)

Coaches

Coaches will abide by the COACHING CODE OF ETHICS of SECTION II, which states
that it is the duty of all concerned with school athletics to do the following:

1. Emphasize the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play;

2. Eliminate all possibilities that tend to destroy the best values of the game;

3. Stress the values derived from playing the game fairly;

4. Show cordial courtesy to visiting teams and officials;

5. Establish a happy relationship between visiting teams and officials;

6. Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials;

7. Achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and of the standards of eligibility;

8. Encourage leadership, initiative and good judgment by players on the team;

9. Recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well being of the individual players;

10. Remember that an athletic contest is only a game, not a matter of life and death.

Parents, students, or other adults who have concerns that these standards are not being
practiced should speak with the athletic director who is responsible to follow up on the concerns.

Coaches will make all student-athletes aware of the following elements of sportsmanship at all times throughout the season, especially as part of teaching during practices and games:

1. Learn and understand the rules of the sport.

2. Play hard, play to win and play fairly within these rules.

3. Maintain self-control and concentrate on good sportsmanship under pressure.

4. Respect the opponent, never taunt, acknowledge good play and offer congratulations.

5. Respect the role of the officials and accept their decisions as part of the game.

6. Be an example for your school, teammates, and opponents.

Student-Athletes

Rules of Training and Conditioning

All players are expected to observe all training and team rules as prescribed by the coach with regard to curfew, team conduct, conditioning, and other pertinent considerations. Violations of team rules may result in a range of disciplinary actions. Decisions on removal from a team or denial of awards will be made by the high school principal with input from the coach and athletic director.

Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs

The following rules apply 24 hours per day, in all locations:

1. During the season of practice or play, a student will not,

• Possess or use any beverage containing alcohol,

• Possess or use tobacco in any form,

• Possess, use or consume, buy, sell or give away any controlled substance defined by law as a drug.

2. There will be no warnings. A first infraction will cause the student to be suspended from 20% of the scheduled contests. While suspended from contests, students must practice with the team and attend all contests in uniform. Any remaining suspended contests will be completed at the start of the next season.

3. A second infraction will cause the student to be dropped from the team and from participation on any other team during that season. A student may participate on a team in the next season. However, a second "first" infraction in any subsequent season will cause the student to be dropped from the team.

4. Athletic penalties are imposed in addition to school code of conduct penalties.

Academic Eligibility

All athletic team members are expected to achieve acceptable academic progress while participating in the athletic program. The following policy will govern academic eligibility for athletics:

1. All coaches will submit a list of participating students to the high school principal once students are chosen to participate in a sport.

2. To be eligible, a student must not have failing or incomplete grades in a total of two or more subjects in the course of one week, or longer. The student will be considered failing if his or her average is 64 or lower. Should the student's average fall below 65, he or she will then be placed on the ineligibility list.

3. Eligibility will be checked weekly, starting with progress reports in the fifth week of school. Students must have passing grades on a regular basis to participate.

4. If a student is found to have failing or incomplete grades in two or more subjects, he/she must do the following to remain eligible for participation.

1. The student will have seven calendar days from the date the ineligibility list is published to improve deficient grades to passing. During this seven-day period, the student will remain eligible and may practice and play in any games or matches.

2. At the end of the seven-day period, a check of cumulative progress will be made. Should the student continue to fail two or more courses at the end of the first seven day period, the student will be able to practice during the second week of ineligibility, but may not participate in contests held while he is ineligible for that week.

3. Should the student remain ineligible for a third straight week, he or she may not practice or participate in any contests from that point on, until he or she becomes eligible.

Attendance

An athlete must be in school the day of the contest and must also be in school the day before participation in any special tournament or out of state contest. An athlete is expected to report on time for school each day.

1. An athlete may not participate in a practice or game that day when he or she has been absent unexcused or late to school more than 15 minutes or late less than 15 minutes for a third time or truant or suspended (in or out of school) or excused from any part of the school day for illness or injury.

2. Each athlete must make every effort to be in school the day following athletic events. If a pattern of absences develops following athletic events, the coach will take appropriate disciplinary action, which may range from a warning to a suspension from participation for a period of time.

3. If a player becomes ill during the day and cannot practice, it is his or her responsibility to notify the coach involved.

4. A student who is absent or tardy due to a doctor/dentist appointment, court appearance, funeral, college visit or other legal reason may receive permission from the school nurse to participate that day. The nurse will issue written permission that the player must give to his or her coach.

5. A student going to the dentist or doctor should bring a note stating that the student is capable of participating in the sports activity that day.

Travel

All squad members are to travel to and from contests on school transportation. Requests
for exceptions to this rule must be made in writing to the supervising coach by the parent or guardian of the athlete involved and approved in advance by the high school principal.

An athlete may ride home from a contest with his/her parents with specific approval by the coach at the game site. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to ride to or from a contest with another student.

Equipment, Property and Facilities

Players are responsible for all equipment issued to them. Equipment is to be used only during practices and contests in the sport for which it was issued. No part of any uniform is to be used in physical education class. If equipment cannot be accounted for at the end of the sport season, the athlete is financially responsible for it. The athlete may not compete in any succeeding sport until arrangements are made for restitution of the lost equipment, or property, or damage.

Team members are expected to refrain from willfully or carelessly damaging equipment, property, or facilities whether at home or away. No athletic or other awards will be made to squad members who damage or misuse equipment, facilities, or property unless restitution has been made. No Mayfield squad member shall exchange or trade equipment or property with another Mayfield squad member or with a squad member from another school district. Possession by a Mayfield squad member of unauthorized equipment or property may result in disciplinary action. Players must return property or equipment that belongs to another school district, along with a written apology.

Leaving the Team

A squad member is expected to remain a member of the team until the season is completed. When a member wishes to leave a team, he or she must discuss his or her reasons with the coach. Leaving the team without prior discussion is quitting. A student who leaves the team without the approval of the coach after the third full week following the start of the official season for each sport may not participate on another athletic team for that season. Team members should honor their commitments to participate on teams. If a student desires to transfer to another team during the season, he or she must have prior permission from both coaches.

In some situations it may be necessary for an athlete to leave a team (academic difficulties, home situations, economic hardships etc.). The coach and athlete should arrive at a mutual agreement whereby the student is given permission to leave the team. The coach will notify the athletic director and principal in writing of any such change.

Physicals

Each athlete must pass a sports physical given by the Mayfield Central School doctor
in order to be eligible to participate in athletic activities.

The sports physicals are given before each sport season, fall, winter, and spring. Every athlete must also have an update (interval health history) during the year. If an athlete is absent five (5) or more consecutive school days, or injured, the school nurse must re-certify the athlete as "able to participate" in sports. If an athlete is participating under the Selection Classification Program, he/she must pass a comprehensive sports maturity physical given only by the school doctor.

Sportsmanship

All team members commit themselves to act in a sportsmanlike way at all times reflecting
the pride and self discipline expected in our athletic program. Players should be mindful that they represent their team, school, home and community as well as themselves. Appropriate and respectful behavior is expected in the community, in school and on the athletic field or court.

Any player, coach, or assistant coach on a varsity, junior varsity, freshman, or modified team in Section II shall be suspended for the next scheduled contest (next game, season or year) if an official ejects a player or coach from a contest for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Athletes or coaches who exhibit such behavior but are not disqualified by an official (or in a sport where no official is employed, such as golf or tennis) would receive the same penalty as an athlete or coach who was indeed ejected from a contest.

Physical Confrontation with an Official

In no case shall a player or coach strike, bump, or otherwise physically intimidate an official, including before, during, or after a contest. If this occurs, a Section II Sportsmanship Committee hearing will be held as soon as possible with all parties or representatives present. Decisions of this committee are final and penalties may be assessed, such as multiple game suspension, season suspension, or suspension from playing or coaching any sport for one calendar year. The official would retain the legal right to initiate legal action against the offending player or coach. Written reports of any such incident must be filed with Section II by the Athletic Director for either of the above. An appeal procedure is available which must be initiated by the high school principal within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident.

Parent Communications

Parents should call the school and ask to have coaches return their calls when they wish to discuss situations or concerns, the same way that parents should communicate with teachers. Parents must refrain from discussing concerns with officials and with coaches and players of both teams prior to, during or immediately following, contests. Coaches are expected to inform parents immediately when serious concerns arise.

Informed Consent

Participation in sports may involve a certain degree of injury. The coaching staff and other responsible school officials will do everything within reason to protect a student against injury, including the provision for appropriate equipment, safe facilities, and training designed to reduce the impact of accidents. However, injuries sometimes occur and on very rare occasions, may be serious and/or disabling. Parents/ Guardians who are concerned about this possibility should discuss this with the coach, athletic director, or principal prior to signing the permission form (PDF).

Student Response and Parent/Guardian Permission Forms

Student athletes will turn in completed and signed information/permission forms to their coaches by the third practice of the season. Players lacking the completed and signed forms will not be able to participate. Click here to download the form (PDF).

Athletics Links

NYSPHSAA

Bradley "Babe" Baldwin

Thurs, May 17

Learning Fair, Jr./Sr. High School, 6 p.m.

Mon, May 28

Memorial Day Observed - No School

Thurs, May 31

Elementary Sunshine Concert, Elementary Patio, 2 p.m.

Elementary Band and Choral Spring Concert, HS Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Thurs, June 7

Friends of Mayfield Library Book Club, HS Lower Library, 7 p.m.

Fri, June 8

Class of 2013 Senior Portraits, Auditorium

Sat, June 9

Senior Prom Walk, HS Lawn, 5 p.m.

Senior Prom, Lake George, 6-10:30 p.m.

Post Prom, Great Escape Indoor Water Park, 11 p.m.-3:30 a.m.

Tues, June 12

Last day of classes for Jr./Sr. High School students

Class of 2012 Graduation Practice, Auditorium, 11 a.m.

Senior Picnic, following graduation practice

Wed, June 13 - Thurs, June 21

Regents Testing

Fri, June 15

Senior Banquet at Perthshire Restaurant, 7 p.m.

Mon, June 18 - Thurs, June 21

Elementary Early Dismissal, 2 p.m.

Tues, June 19

Board of Education Meeting, HS Upper Library, 7 p.m.

Fri, June 22

Last Day of School

Sixth-Grade Graduation, HS Auditorium, 10 a.m.

Elementary Early Dismissal, 12 p.m.

Class of 2012 Awards Ceremony, Auditorium, 6 p.m.

Baccalaureate and reception, Mayfield Methodist Church, 7 p.m.

Sat, June 23

HS Graduation, Athletic Fields, 11 a.m.

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