2021–2022 Student/Parent Handbook

There is no doubt that participation in athletics can enhance the overall educational experience for every student through the development of teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship. However, participation in athletics is strictly voluntary, and thus, it is a privilege not a right! Therefore, all student-athletes are expected to abide by the Explorer Athletic Handbook and exhibit and model five basic traits:

1. Exemplary moral character at all times
2. Respect for self, team, sport, other programs and the school.
3. Confidence in self, team and coaching staff.
4. Commitment to God, academics, athletics and school community.
5. Good sportsmanship, which includes fair play, and courteous treatment of teammates, opponents and officials, while representing the school and community in a respectful manner.

Privilege to Compete

La Salle College High School offers an extensive and diverse athletic program which contributes to the physical, personal, and social growth of our students. La Salle College High School has a long, proud athletic tradition. Participation in athletics at La Salle College High School is a privilege. With this privilege comes high expectations for our coaches, teams and student-athletes. La Salle College High School expects student-athletes to meet high standards, both on and off the playing field, with regard to academics, morality, honesty, sportsmanship and leadership. Student-athletes and parents are expected to agree to and adhere to the expectations set forth in this Athletic Handbook. Those whose behavior or conduct does not meet the expected standard may lose the privilege of participating in athletic programs. Violations of the standards in this handbook do carry over from one year to the next.

To be eligible to participate in athletics at La Salle College High School, students must meet extracurricular eligibility requirements. Students must also meet the following criteria:

Prior to participating in athletics, students must create an Appryse account and submit a valid physical exam dated no earlier than June 1 of the current school year. (June 1, 2021 for the 2021/2022 school year.)

Meet all PIAA and La Salle College High School requirements.

Must not attain the age of nineteen (19) prior to June 30 of the current school year.

ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES AND THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL SIGN AN AGREEMENT IN APPRYSE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THEY HAVE READ THE LA SALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HANDBOOK AND THAT THEY AGREE TO THE POLICIES CONTAINED HEREIN. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETED.

Academic Eligibility

In compliance with the PIAA, we will be conducting weekly grade reviews. Grades of all athletes that are in season will be reviewed every Friday morning. Any student-athlete with two or more failing grades will be ineligible for the following week. The week begins on the Sunday immediately following the review and runs through the Saturday following the next Friday. If a student becomes academically eligible, he will not be permitted to play until the Sunday following the Friday review. When a student-athlete is ineligible, the coach is to notify his parents/guardians.

Students must be passing at least four full-credit subjects, or the equivalent, as of each Friday during a grading period. Students who fail to meet this requirement, lose eligibility from the immediately following Sunday through the Saturday immediately following the next Friday as of which you meet this requirement.

Students must have passed at least four full-credit subjects or the equivalent, during the previous grading period to be eligible to play a sport. Eligibility for the first grading period is based on final grades for the preceding year. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be ineligible for fifteen (15) school days of the next grading period beginning on the first day report cards are issued.

A student-athlete who is ineligible may still practice with his team but he may not dress for any contests that week. A student-athlete may be excused from practice that week in order to receive additional academic help or to catch-up on missing coursework.

Academics will always be prioritized at La Salle College High School. If a student-athlete feels he has been unjustly ruled academically ineligible, he can request a review of the facts by the Athletic Administrator, Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean of Students or Principal. Please note that the PIAA rules cannot be altered for any reason and are viewed as minimum requirements. La Salle administrators and/or coaches can implement more stringent penalties when deemed appropriate. It is important that parents/guardians stress the importance of academics to their sons, especially the importance of getting off to a strong start each quarter.

Attendance

If a student misses school because he is suspended, he cannot practice or participate in contests for the length of the suspension. If a student is absent, in order to be eligible to participate in a contest, a student’s absence must be approved by the Athletic Administrator or Dean of Students prior to the date of absence. Generally, a student must be in attendance for at least six periods (not including lunch) to be eligible to participate in contests that day.

The La Salle community is diverse. It is a community of brotherhood and acceptance where students are asked to embrace each other’s uniqueness and differences. No student should at any time be made to feel uncomfortable about himself.

La Salle students are expected and encouraged to form meaningful relationships with their Lasallian brothers. This is a vital part of the Lasallian community. Teasing, harassment, bullying, hazing and other disrespectful behavior in any form and by way of any medium are completely unacceptable. Fighting and physical violence of any kind are strictly forbidden.

The administration will work to safeguard the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well-begin of every student. All students are expected to support and assist in efforts which promote the acceptance of others. At a minimum, students should report an instance of teasing, harassment, bullying, or hazing observed or suspected to the Athletic Administrator or Dean of Students, a counselor, a teacher, a coach or any school administrator.

Parent and Spectator Expectations

Parents will demonstrate good sportsmanship by displaying the following behaviors:

· Provide support for coaches and officials to foster a positive, enjoyable experience for all student-athletes.

· Understand the game is for the students, not the adults.

· Recognize that student participation is a privilege.

· Display good sportsmanship as spectators and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects well on both the team and the school.

· Promote the team by being supportive and helpful of the school program.

· Refrain from coaching their sons from the stands or sidelines.

· Expect consistent student attendance at practices and games.

Parents will create a positive and supportive environment to promote their student-athletes well-being:

· Support good conditioning and healthy lifestyle habits.

· Place the emotional and physical health of their son ahead of any personal desire to win.

· Expect their son to play in a safe and healthy environment.

· Support their son in managing academic responsibilities and the demands of training and practice.

· Act as a role model for other parents by remaining positive at school sporting events.

Parent/Student-Athlete/Coach Relationship

Both parenting and coaching can be difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to appreciate the actions of other and provide a greater support of student-athletes. When a student becomes involved in athletics, parents have the right to understand expectations placed on student-athletes. This begins with clear communication from the coach.

Coaches' Communication Responsibilities

Coaches are encouraged to have a preseason meeting where the following issues are discussed:

· Team rules.

· Coaches’ expectations of players.

· Location and times of practices and games.

· Website access for schedule updates and changes.

· Requirements such as fees, special equipment and off-season conditioning.

· Consequences of violating team rules/expectations.

Parents' Communication Responsibilities

• · Advance notification of any schedule conflicts relayed from the student-athlete to the coach.

  · Notice of any medical or injury issues that require monitoring.

  · Appropriate concerns or questions should be communicated directly to coach (See below).

Athletic Issues Policy

Involvement in La Salle College High School’s athletic programs will offer student-athletes some of the most rewarding moments of his life. Unfortunately, there will also be times when students are discouraged or disappointed with their experience. At these times, a discussion with the coach may clarify issues or concerns. In this instance, the following steps should be followed:

1. Student-athlete should request a meeting with his head coach.

2. If the initial meeting does not resolve the situation, the student-athlete should request a meeting with his head coach and the Varsity coach.

3. If there is still no resolution, a parent/guardian can request a meeting with the head coach or varsity coach. The student must attend this meeting.

4. Should there still be concerns, the parent/guardian can request a meeting with the Athletic Administrator. The head coach and student must attend this meeting.

Please follow the above procedure as listed. A goal of La Salle College High School encourages students to accept responsibility and advocate for themselves. Student-athletes should initiate communications with their coaches if they have a problem or concern. Parents and guardians should not call the coach, Athletic Administrator or any other school official as a first step. Neither student-athletes nor parents should ever approach a coach immediately after a game. This can result in emotions clouding rational discussion.

Appropriate Concerns for Parental Discussion with Coaches:

· The treatment of a student-athlete physically or mentally.

· Addressing a student-athlete’s weaknesses and areas for improvement.

· Concerns about a son’s behavior.

It can be difficult for both player and parent when playing time does not meet hopes. Coaches are professionals who make judgments based on what they see as best for student-athletes and the team. Topics other than those listed above sho

Inappropriate concerns for Discussion with Coaches:

· Playing time

· Team strategy

· Play Calling

· Other student-athletes

Playing time is at the sole discretion of the coach. No parent or student-athlete should approach a coach with demands for more playing time. Rather, student-athletes should ask what weaknesses and improvement should be addressed to be considered for more playing time. Other student-athletes will not be discussed during any meeting.

Experience dictates many conflicts can be resolved by following the above procedures Every step involves the student-athlete. The only time this procedure should not be followed is when there is a concern regarding abuse or inappropriate conduct by a coach. This issue should be addressed immediately with the Athletic Administrator.

Violations Related to Sportsmanship

All La Salle College High School student-athletes are expected to display good sportsmanship and respect for their school, coaches, teammates, opponents, officials, facilities and equipment at all times. Any examples of poor sportsmanship will be handled by the Head Coach, Athletic Administrator or Dean of Students on an individual basis, based on the expectations and guidelines set forth by the team’s rules, the La Salle College High School Athletic Handbook and the La Salle College High School Student Handbook.

 

Any student-athlete that is ejected from a contest will, at a minimum, be subject to PIAA by-laws which render the athlete ineligible for contests for the remainder of that day and the next contest date. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. All ejections are reported to the Athletic Administrator by the coaching staff. The Athletic Administrator and/or the Head Coach have the discretion to impose additional penalties, including, but not limited to, a longer suspension period or removal from the team.

Violations Related to Social Media

Student-athletes are responsible for their actions of social media and other websites, including but not limited to, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube. Any photos, comments, posts or other evidence that suggests a violation of the student athletic handbook will be handled on an individual basis by the Dean of Students and/or the Athletic Administrator. Inappropriate postings include, but are not limited to: obscene or vulgar language; graphic images or videos; sexually explicit language, imagery or videos; threats; unkind or inflammatory remarks about La Salle College High School, its faculty, staff, administrators, coaches and students; or unkind or inflammatory remarks about other high schools and their coaches and athletes.

Violations Related to Hazing or Bullying

Hazing and Bullying will not be tolerated. Any student-athlete who violates this rule will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including a permanent ban from athletics, suspension/expulsion and police involvement, if warranted. Each incident will be handled on an individual basis by the administration of La Salle College High School. Any student who is witness to or is the subject of hazing or bullying should immediately report the incident to his coach, the varsity coach, the Athletic Administrator or any other school personnel.

Additional Violations

Any inappropriate action that is not specifically list above is still subject to discipline, up to and including suspension for student-athletes. Disciplinary action for violation of school rules as described in the La Salle College High School Student Handbook may also subject participants to disciplinary action under the Athletic Handbook. Conduct resulting in the arrest or conviction of an ordinance violation or crimes may result in disciplinary action. In these cases, the Athletic Administrator or Dean of Students will decide the consequences.

 

All coaches have team rules for their individual programs. Any violations of team rules that are not covered by the La Salle College High School Athletic Handbook will be handled by the coach of that sport.

Process for Determining Violations and Consequences

Student-Athletes who are alleged to have violated the La Salle College High School Athletic Handbook shall meet with the Athletic Administrator to explain the incident prior to any consequences being applied. The Athletic Administrator will then decide the consequences based on the facts at hand. Student-athletes and parents/guardians who wish to appeal a consequence may seek a review of the Athletic Administrator’s determination and consequence by requesting a review within five (5) calendar days of notification of the Athletic Administrator’s determination. The Athletic Administrator shall schedule a meeting with the student and his parent/guardian to allow the student and parent/guardian to offer an explanation and/or demonstrate that this handbook was not violated. During the appeals process, the decision of the Athletic Administrator shall be enforced.

 

La Salle College High School values the importance of leadership. We strongly encourage any student who has had a lapse in judgment and violated these policies to self-report his violation rather than trying to conceal his behavior.