For Student-Athletes and Parents

Burgin Athletic

Handbook

For Student-Athletes and Parents

2014-2015

Adopted by Burgin Board of Education July 2011

Revised July 2012

Table of Contents

Subject Page(s)

Athletic Statement 3

Athletic Philosophy & Mission 3

Gender Equity Committee 4

Athletic Program Profile 4

Eligibility Requirements 4

Athletic Physicals and Parental Consent 5

Attendance 5

Team Cutting Policies 5

Quitting Teams 5

Locker Room Policy 6

Injuries 6

Gymnasium & Weight Room 6

Athletic Equipment 6

Inclement Weather 7

Varsity Letters 7

Varsity Athletic Letter Jacket Eligibility 9

General Awards 10

Individual & Team Patches 10

Placing of Awards on the Letter Jacket 10

Athletic Chain of Command 10

Parent/Spectator Athletic Interference Policy 11

Athletic Ticket Information 12

ATHLETIC STATEMENT

This Athletic Handbook is designed to acquaint all student-athletes, parents and coaches with the philosophies, policies and procedures of the Burgin Independent School’s Athletic Department. Participation in athletics is a privilege which carries with it varying degrees of honor, responsibility and sacrifice. Because it is a privilege to participate, student-athletes who are involved will be expected to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Athletic Handbook, as well as those rules established by the coaches in their respective sport(s). Student-athletes should understand that they represent their school and community at all times. They are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that would not bring discredit to their school, community or family.

ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY & MISSION

Athletics is a major part of the educational curriculum of Burgin Independent School and its potential for positive experiences must be fully utilized. The Athletic Department will be centered on the welfare of the student-athletes. As a school, we will strive to procure the best coaching personnel available and provide the best athletic facilities affordable. We will make every effort to provide student-athletes the opportunity to excel in teamwork, sportsmanship, self-discipline and moral character. As a school, we will make every effort to provide student-athletes with experiences that will help them to develop their own personal philosophy toward commitment, responsibility, team and loyalty.

The administration will strive to provide a sound program of athletics in an effort to contribute to the growth of every student, the school and the community. We believe the mental, physical and emotional growth of middle and high school students can be greatly enhanced by participation in extra-curricular activities such as athletics. We also believe that athletics can be a catalyst in increasing school morale, and can provide a channel through which students can take pride in themselves and their school. We pledge to adhere to all accepted standards of good sportsmanship and to the rules and bylaws of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA).

GENDER EQUITY REVIEW COMMITTEE

The purpose and function of the Gender Equity Review Committee is to review the policies and procedures of the Burgin Independent School’s Athletic Department. The Gender Equity Review Committee shall meet at least three (3) times a year (once during the fall sports season, once during the winter sports season and once during the spring sports season) prior to March. The Gender Equity Review Committee shall consist of the Principal, Athletic Director, head coach for each varsity sport, parents and teachers as well as one male and one female student-athlete.

ATHLETIC PROGRAM PROFILE

The athletic program at Burgin Independent School is operated in such a manner as to provide any boy or girl, with athletic ability, the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics. Burgin Independent School provides opportunities to participate in the following KHSAA sanctioned sports or sport activities: boys cross country, girls cross country, co-ed soccer, girls volleyball, boys basketball, girls basketball, cheerleading, competitive cheer, girls fastpitch softball, boys baseball, boys track and girls track to almost 250 students in grades 6-12. Student-athletes are allowed to participate in one sport per season, unless written consent has been obtained from the head coaches for both teams the student-athlete chooses to participate as well as the Athletic Director.

Burgin Independent School is a member of the KHSAA as well as The Bluegrass Conference. Other Bluegrass Conference member-schools include: Augusta, Berea, Deming, Kentucky School for the Deaf, Model, Nicholas County, Paris, Sayre and St. Patrick.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To participate in the athletic program at Burgin Independent School, all student-athletes must be on grade level on the first day of the school year and comply with the standards set forth in the Student Handbook and Discipline Code as well as the regulations established in the KHSAA Bylaws. During each season, a weekly grade check will be conducted to ensure a competing student-athlete does not have any failing grades for that grading period. If a student-athlete is found to be failing more than one class, he/she will be suspended from practice or competition for that week and until the grades are passing. Weekly grade checks will be conducted on Mondays and the period of ineligibility shall be from the start of school on Tuesday through the following Monday evening.

ATHLETIC PHYSICALS AND PARENTAL CONSENT

The KHSAA requires that record of a physical examination as well as parental consent be kept on file for all participants in athletics. These records must be on file with the Athletic Director prior to a student-athlete participating in their first practice (including conditioning) and/or athletic contest. Physical exams are valid for one calendar year from the date of the last physical.

ATTENDANCE

Student-athletes must be in attendance at school (if school is in session) by 11:35 a.m. on days of athletic games and/or practices or any other team-related event (fundraising event, team dinner, etc.) in order to be eligible to attend/participate. The Principal and/or Athletic Director must approve exceptions, such as court, doctor/dentist appointments, funerals, etc. Students placed in the In-School Alternative Program (ISAP), out-of-school suspension (OSS) or on Social Probation are not eligible to attend/participate while assigned to a restriction. Individual coaches may have more stringent expectations on attendance for their respective sport.

TEAM CUTTING POLICIES

The coaches at Burgin Independent School have their own policies on how they will choose their team. Unfortunately, in some sports, cutting a team down to manageable size may be a necessity.

QUITTING TEAMS

Any student-athlete, who chooses to quit a specific team after starting, unless he/she is released in good standing by the head coach and Athletic Director, may not join another team until the sport season for the team they quit has ended. However, if a student-athlete is cut from a team as a result of tryouts, he/she may join another athletic team during that same season.

LOCKER ROOM POLICY

Student-athletes are expected to assist in keeping the locker room neat and clean. Each student-athlete is responsible for picking up his or her own clothes and towels from the floor. Horseplay, loud or boisterous behavior, or vulgarity will not be permitted in the locker room.

INJURIES

Any and all injuries are to be reported to the coaching staff immediately in order to obtain correct medical attention. Student-athletes who are absent for five (5) consecutive days or who are physically unable to practice for five (5) consecutive days must present a statement from a licensed physician that they are again physically able to participate in athletics before they will be allowed to participate in practice or contests. Individual team coaches may require a physician’s statement with less than five (5) absences from school/practice.

GYMNASIUM & WEIGHT ROOM

Students and student-athletes are not to be in the weight room or gymnasium unless their team is involved in a practice in that facility at that time. An adult member of the coaching staff must be present and supervising at all times.

ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT

The Athletic Department has invested heavily in equipment and uniforms for athletes at Burgin Independent School. Because of limited revenues, it is imperative that the Athletic Department operates in a fiscally conservative manner. This means that each student-athlete must take total responsibility for school-owned property issued to him/her. If equipment should be damaged while the athlete is involved in practice or competition, repair or replacement will be the responsibility of the school. If any school-owned property is lost or damaged while under the care of the student-athlete, he or she will be responsible for any and all replacement/repair costs. School-owned uniforms, equipment or clothing of any kind are to be worn to athletic contests or practices only unless specifically instructed otherwise by the coach of that sport.

In addition, all school uniforms are to be turned in to the head coach immediately after the conclusion of the season. After a reasonable amount of time has been given, a student failing to return his/her uniform or replacement costs shall not be able to participate on any other school team until those needs have been met. Additional consequences may include Social Probation and/or loss of driving privileges on school grounds.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

When seriously inclement weather occurs (snow storm, ice, excessive rain, etc.), the Principal or Athletic Director will determine if and when any athletic practices or contests will take place. If Burgin Independent School is in session and released early (prior to normal dismissal time) due to inclement weather, all school activities shall be cancelled for that day. If inclement weather occurs during the school day and school is not released early, the Athletic Director along with the Principal, and the opposing Athletic Director and/or Principal will make a decision about that day’s activities before students are released from school. If Burgin Independent School is not in session due to inclement weather, the Athletic Director in conjunction with the Principal and the opposing Athletic Director and/or Principal will make a decision about that day’s activities by noon. Every decision in these matters will be made with the safety of the student-athlete as the only priority.

VARSITY LETTERS

The varsity head coach is responsible for keeping accurate record of playing time and/or quarters of participation for purposes of determining awards. At the end of each season, the head coach for each sport will present a season record summary/inventory as well as a list of awards to the Athletic Director. In order to receive a varsity letter, a student must be in grades 7-12 and meet the following requirements by sport:

A. Baseball

Participate in at least 3/4 of the varsity games and make the district roster. Participation shall mean at least three (3) innings.

B. Basketball

Participate in at least 3/4 of all varsity quarters and make the district roster.

C. Cheerleaders

Must complete the winter athletic season in good standing.

D. Cross Country

Participate in at least 3/4 of the varsity meets and make the regional roster. Participation shall mean finishing in the top five (5) Burgin runners in at least 50% of all meets.

E. Golf

Participate in 3/4 of the scheduled matches in the number one (1) through four (4) positions of all varsity meets.

F. Soccer

Participate in at least 3/4 of the varsity matches.

G. Softball

Participate in at least 3/4 of the varsity games and make the district roster. Participation shall mean at least three (3) innings.

H. Track

Place in at least 3/4 of all varsity meets and make the regional roster.

I. Volleyball

Participate in at least 3/4 of the varsity matches and make the district roster.

Injured Athlete

If a student-athlete has a season-ending injury which keeps him/her from meeting normal lettering requirements, the varsity coach may grant the student-athlete a varsity letter if they attended all practices and contests for the remainder of the season following the injury, and (in the coach’s professional opinion) would have met the standards for a varsity letter had the injury not occurred.

The Athletic Director may award a letter to a student athlete that makes a significant contribution to their team, yet does not meet the playing time criteria.

VARSITY ATHLETIC LETTER JACKET ELIGIBILITY

High school student-athletes who have earned a varsity letter in any sport are eligible to purchase a letter jacket. Eligible student-athletes should purchase the jacket through the Athletic Department. However, they will pay for the entire cost of the jacket.

GENERAL AWARDS

Awards will be given only for participation on Burgin High School athletic teams. Credit will be given for varsity awards earned at other schools, only after the student-athlete has earned their first varsity letter in that sport at Burgin. All jackets purchased by the student-athlete will remain the property of the student-athlete at all times. However, all letters, awards and patches which have been purchased by the Athletic Department, are the property of Athletic Department until the student-athlete graduates. The following information indicates the general guidelines and normal progression for awards. Student-athletes will receive the appropriate awards for each year as listed and explained below:

A. Varsity Letter Award

The first varsity letter award will be a chenille block “B” letter and a chevron.

B. Second Varsity Letter Award

The second varsity letter award will be chenille numerals for their year of graduation. These numerals may be placed on the letter jacket.

C. Third and Any Successive Varsity Letters

The third varsity letter award will entitle the athlete to a sport pin for each sport lettered.

D. Chevron

Awarded one per year and given with the first varsity letter of each year.

E. Captain’s Star

Captains of varsity teams are awarded a chenille star. Only one star will be awarded per athlete, regardless of how many times that athlete is chosen as a captain.

INDIVIDUAL & TEAM PATCHES

Any student-athlete who is recognized with All-State honors (either athletic or academic) will receive a special chenille patch for his/her jacket. Additional chenille patches will be awarded to Bluegrass Conference individual or team champions as well as district, regional or state individual or team champions and regional or higher qualifying teams or individuals.

PLACING OF AWARDS ON THE LETTER JACKET

A. Block Letter “B” on left breast

B. Numerals on right sleeve