Harrison High School (Harrison, AR) Athletics

Harrison Athletics Handbook

This material is presented to you because you have indicated a desire to participate in interscholastic athletics. We believe that participation in sports provides a wealth of opportunity and experience which will assist you in personal growth. We are concerned with the educational development of boys and girls through athletics and feel that a properly controlled, well-organized sports program meets the students’ needs for self-expression, mental alertness and physical growth. It is our hope to maintain a program sound in purpose and to further each student’s educational maturity. A student who elects to participate in athletics is voluntarily making a commitment to be loyal to the program and the concept of putting the team before themselves.

We as school officials have committed ourselves to provide: 1) equipment and facilities; 2) trained coaches; 3) trained officials; 4) transportation; and 5) secondary insurance.

We are pleased to share this educational experience with you. It is our goal that every student will develop the skills necessary to become an independent problem solving adult.

Athletic Mission Statement

The program will develop a culture of trust and integrity. We will strive to develop all of our student/athletes academically, athletically and socially. The athletic program will be based on principles such as commitment, work ethic, team work and perseverance. The Harrison Athletic Department will serve as a positive, powerful and productive medium for excellence, which will be a source of pride for the school’s alumni, administration, staff, student/athletes and community.

Philosophy of the Harrison Athletic Department

The philosophy of the Harrison Athletic Department is to maintain a broad based program that will afford all students with athletic interests the opportunity for safe participation in interscholastic athletics.

Objectives

A) Develop characteristics that must be a part of each individual for success in athletics and life:

1) Respect

2) Sportsmanship

3) Unselfishness

4) Accountability

5) Discipline

6) Trustworthy

7) Commitment

8) Loyalty

9) Perseverance

10) Competitor

B) Develop in athletes an appreciation for optimum health and physical fitness. The importance of proper rest, nutrition, hydration, and personal hygiene will be stressed at every opportunity.

C) Encourage athletes physically, mentally and socially as they develop an appreciation for sports. They should become aware that this will take strength and courage.

D) Base all teaching and learning situations on a sound progressive educational approach.

E) Constant evaluation and improvement of coaching techniques.

F) Develop all programs in such a manner that the end result will be one of unity, harmony and success. Mass participation is to be emphasized and encouraged at the Middle School level when possible.

G) Motivate athletes academically. Coaches should display approval for school life and classroom achievement.

H) Create a culture of enthusiasm and pride.

I) Represent our school and community in a manner that will make school administrators, teachers, parents and our community proud of them.

J) Help the athletes, at all levels of competition, to realize that athletic competition is a privilege that carries responsibilities. Some of the responsibilities are training, loyalty, eligibility and improvement.

K) Bring positive recognition to our program.

The competitive world, among children and adults, is neither gentle nor overly kind. In such a world, however, young men and women begin to grow toward social maturity by learning to: 1) embrace adversity, 2) control emotions, 3) face our fears, 4) be humble, 5) understand and accept delayed gratification and 6) reject being catered to.

Physical and Handbook Information

All athletes must pass a physical examination and complete all required information on DragonFly before being allowed to participate/compete in the athletics programs of the Harrison Public Schools.

Behavior and Citizenship

The conduct of an athlete is closely observed by many and it is important that an athlete’s behavior is an example for all to follow. Appearance, expression and actions always influence people’s opinions of the athletes as well as the sport. Once you have volunteered to be a member of a squad, you have made the choice to uphold certain standards expected of all athletes, for it is a privilege, not a right, to participate.

Athletes should be leaders that are well respected by their fellow students. Athletes that demonstrate repetitive poor behavior can be suspended or dismissed from their team(s). Examples of poor behavior include but are not limited to in-school or out-of-school suspension, inappropriate conduct in the classroom or while representing their team, conduct detrimental to a team environment, representing the athletic department in a negative light in the community, poor attendance at school or team functions including weights, practice and competitions.

Complaints

The following procedures should be followed in reporting a complaint:

A) Contact the coach who had direct supervision of the athlete at the time. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then

B) Contact the head coach of the sport in which the athlete was participating. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then

C) Contact the athletic director of the Harrison School District. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then

D) Contact the Superintendent of the Harrison School District.

Training Rules (tobacco, vaping, alcohol and drugs)

Athletes should never use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. It has been proven that athletes that refrain from the use of these substances have a better performance level. Research clearly states that the use of tobacco, alcohol or any mood altering substance produces harmful effects on the person’s body and mind. Goblin Athletes do it the right way. Since it is a privilege to participate, the coach has the authority to revoke that privilege, when rules are broken.

Offenders and Punishment:

A) Drugs

1) 1^st offense-Suspension from 20% of current season

2) 2^nd offense-Discretion of the Athletic Administrators

B) Alcohol

1) 1^st offense- Suspension from 10% of current season

2) 2^nd offense-Suspension from 20% of current season

3) 3^rd offense-Discretion of the Athletic Administrators

C) Tobacco/Vaping

1) 1^st offense-10% of current season

2) 2^nd offense-Suspension from 20% of current season

3) 3^rd offense-Discretion of the Athletic Administrators

Note: Additional conditioning during suspensions will be left to the coach’s discretion. If percentage of contests left in the current season is less than suspension percentage, the suspension will carry over to the next sport season.

Drug Testing

As stated in the student handbooks for HHS and HMS.

Hazing and Bullying

Hazing and bullying will not be tolerated in our athletic program. Anyone involved in either form of behavior will be dealt with firmly. Punishment up to and including being removed from the athletic program will be enforced.

Athlete Responsibility

Being a member of a Harrison athletic team is the fulfillment of an early ambition of many students. The attainment of that goal carries with it certain traditions and responsibilities that must be maintained. Our tradition has been to win with honor, pride and dedication.

When an athlete wears the blue and gold of our school, we assume that he/she not only understands our traditions but also is willing to assume the responsibilities that go with being a Goblin.

A) Academics

B) Commitment to do our best on the athletic fields and courts

C) Accountability to teammates, coaches and programs

D) Communication

Care of Equipment

1) Equipment should be returned within one week following the end of the season.

2) An athlete is financially responsible for all equipment issued to him/her. The cost of destroyed/lost equipment will be replacement costs.

3) An athlete must treat school equipment as though it were his/her personal property. It should never be abused.

4) If an athlete is involved in the theft of school equipment or teammates’ belongings, he/she could be dismissed from the team.

Athletic Injuries

1) Any injury, large or small, should be reported to the head coach and athletic trainer.

2) Any injuries requiring a doctor’s care should be noted and a doctor’s release will be required before the athlete is allowed to play or practice.

Team Travel

All athletes must travel to and from athletic contests in transportation provided by the athletic department. There can be special arrangements made for travel if approved by the coach of that sport. Written permission as always is expected. Coaches will keep accurate roll sheets and when applicable seating charts for trips to and home while traveling with their team. Hard or electronic copies of the roll sheets will be provided to the building principal, athletic director and transportation supervisor prior to the bus departing for its destination each direction.

Participation in Multiple Sports and Try-outs

1) The athletic department’s philosophy is that each sport complements the other, both physically and competitively.

2) Students will be encouraged by the coaching staff to participate in all sports of interest to them.

3) The head coach in each sport has absolute total discretion as to who plays, how long they play and under what circumstances they play or do not play.

4) Try-outs:

A) The department’s philosophy is that it is not advisable to reduce squad numbers in most sports. If an athlete is in good academic standing, good behavioral position and does all that is asked of them, they should be allowed to be a member of the team if space is available.

B) Teams will not make cuts unless approved by administration. Teams may have try-outs to place students according to ability.

5) Athletes that quit a sport after beginning practice for the current year and after the first competition will be required to meet with the AD and complete the Release from Current Sport form.

Athletes Playing Up

It is possible for younger players to play up on older teams. Permission for such a move must be requested from the Athletic Administration. Student/athletes who play up will not be allowed to move back down to their grade level team unless granted permission from the Athletic Director. 7^th graders will not be allowed to play up unless special circumstances call for such a move.

Summer Training/Dead Period

Athletes are not allowed to use school facilities or to have contact with their coach for training purposes during the “dead weeks”. Athletes are never allowed to use school facilities for training without a coach present.

Team Camps

Coaches may enroll their teams in organized camps during the summer. Athletes are encouraged to attend camp, however, attendance is not mandatory. Team camp fees are the responsibility of the student-athlete.

Eligibility Guidelines

The athletic department encourages the academic excellence of all athletes. The eligibility requirements are those set forth by the Arkansas Activities Association, State Department of Education and the Harrison School District.

Athletic Fees

An athletic fee of $25.00 will be assessed for the first child of each family participating in athletics, cheerleading and dance from 7^th grade through 12^th grade. Each additional child in the family will be assessed $5.00. Each fee paying athlete will in return receive a pass that allows them to access most all sporting events for free. Passes can not be used for tournaments, blue/gold games or benefit games. Passes are for the student-athletes only and may not be used by other family members.

Parent and Fan Sportsmanship Policy

The ideals of good sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and integrity should permeate all interscholastic athletics in our community. In perception and practice, good sportsmanship shall be defined as through qualities of behavior which are characterized be generosity and genuine concern for others. Our athletic fields/courts should be the laboratory to produce good citizens reflecting fair play in every area of life.

Behavior including but not limited to the following will not be tolerated.

1) Profane language

2) Displays of anger that draw attention away from the contest

3) Blaming losses on officials, coaches or student/athletes

4) Making derogatory remarks towards student/athletes, officials, coaches or fans participating in an athletic contest

5) Harassing or intimidating the officials, event management or scorer’s table personnel

6) Coaching from the bleachers during practice or games

7) Publicly criticizing your child’s coach or teammates in any form including social media

8) Use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs at any school event

Behavior including the following is encouraged.

1) Generate goodwill by being polite and respectful to those around you at the event

2) Encourage your child to speak directly with his/her coach when a coaching decision is made that may be confusing or unclear

3) Acknowledge effort and good performance, remembering that all of the players in interscholastic athletics are amateurs.

4) Make only positive and encouraging comments to players, fans and coaches from both teams.

5) Will demand that your child treat other players, coaches, officials and fans with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

Offenders of this sportsmanship policy shall be subject to removal from the athletic facility of said contest. Offenders could be banned from attending Harrison Athletics events at home and on the road.

Understanding of Rules and Regulations

We expect that the parents and athletes understand the rules and regulations covered in this handbook. If a rule or regulation is broken and dismissal from a team is necessary, then the parent will be notified why the dismissal took place.

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of this educational institute to provide equal opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, qualified disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, educational services, financial aid and employment.

This educational institution will disseminate nondiscriminatory policies to students, parents, employees and the general public prior to the beginning of each school year.

Committees will be selected in a fair and equitable manner and will reflect the diversity of the District in terms of sex, race, socio-economic level, disability, national origin and other populations.

EQUITY COORDINATOR – Susan Gilley