BERKELEY PREPARATORY SCHOOL

ATHLETIC PROGRAM

COACHES

HANDBOOK

1999-2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT COACHES HANDBOOK

Assumed Risk

Attendance Policy/Excused Absences

Awards/Lettering

Berkeley Sports Offerings

Club Sports

Coaches Evaluations

Code of Ethics

Dress Code

Drug/Alcohol Policy

Eligibility

Emergency Procedures

End of Season Meetings

Facility Use/Scheduling

Job Descriptions

JV/Middle Division Programs

Lost Uniforms

Mission Statement

Multi-Sport Athletes

Parent/Coach Communication

Philosophy

Physicals/Medical Forms

Playing Time

Pre-Season Meetings

Quitting/Dismissal

Reporting Game Results

Responsibilities for Away Games

Spirit Packs

Sportsmanship/Code of Conduct

Supervision

Training Room

Transportation

Web-SiteWeb Site

INTRODUCTION

The mission of the Berkeley Athletic Department is to provide a program that is educationally safe, sound and productive. This handbook has been developed to provide a guide to the policies and procedures of the Athletic Department. This handbook provides a framework from which coaches, athletes, and their parents can best work together for the benefit of our overall athletic program. Although it is intended to be comprehensive in nature, there will inevitably be situations occur that are not outlined in this handbook. Coaches, students, and parents should always use good common sense in handling any situation.

Coaches, athletes and parents are required to sign an agreement that you have read and understand this handbook before coaches and athletes can participate in a sport. Please refer to this handbook throughout the years for all sports. Coaches, athletes and parents are obligated to be knowledgeable and supportive of these policies and procedures.

Bobby L. Reinhart

Athletic Director
This handbook has been developed to provide information that will help you understand the policies and procedures of the Athletic Department which have been established to enable coaches and administrators to offer an athletic program that is educationallyDepartment, which have been established to enable coaches and administrators to offer an athletic program that is educationally, sound, safe, and productive. Student/athletes and parents must sign that you have read this handbook. You should refer to the handbook throughout the year for all sports.

Any questions or concerns about the contents of this handbook should be directed to Bobby Reinhart, Athletic Director, at (813) 885-1673.

PERMISSION TO TRAVEL

TO: Bobby L. Reinhart

Athletic Director

FROM: _______________________________

DATE: _______________________________

I understand that my child is required to travel to and from away contests on transportation provided by Berkeley. I understand that my child is not permitted to drive to any contest or practice, weekends included. However, please be advised that _________________________________ has my permission to travel home from away contests with _________________________________, the parents of _____________________________________.

____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

TO: Bobby L. Reinhart

Athletic Director

FROM: _______________________________

(Print - Student/Athlete)

_______________________________

(Print - Parent or Guardian)

DATE: _______________________________

I have read the policies and procedures of the athletic department and agree to abide by and support these policies. I understand that if I have any concerns regarding these policies and procedures I can set an appointment to discuss my concerns with the athletic director.

____________________________________

Student/Athlete Signature

____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

BERKELEY SPORTS OFFERINGS

Upper Division Middle Division

Baseball (JV & Varsity) Baseball

Basketball (JV & Varsity - Boys & Girls) Basketball (Boys & Girls)

Cheerleading (JV & Varsity) Cheerleading (Fall only)

Cross Country (Varsity - Boys & Girls) Football Cross Country (Boys & Girls)

Football (JV & Varsity) Soccer (Boys & Girls)Football

Golf (Varsity - Boys & Girls) Softball Soccer (Boys & Girls)

Soccer (JV & Varsity - Boys & Girls) Track (Boys & Girls)Softball

Softball (JV & Varsity) Volleyball Track (Boys & Girls)

Swimming & Divinge (Varsity - Boys & Girls) Volleyball

Tennis (Varsity - Boys & Girls)

Track (Varsity - Boys & Girls)

Volleyball (JV & Varsity)

Weightlifting (JV & Varsity - Boys & Girls)

Wrestling (JV & Varsity)

PHILOSOPHY

The athletic program is an integral part of the overall educational process at Berkeley. Through sports, students are taught the value of hard work, discipline, team building, role-playing, sportsmanship, and other values that help develop a child’s character. A large part of our self-esteem is derived through positive athletic experiences. At Berkeley, we will provide for every student athlete an environment in which students achieve not only athletic success but lay the foundation for success in life as well.

The Athletic Department seeks to hire highly qualified coaches, charging them with the unique opportunity to teach positive lifetime skills and values to all their athletes. In order to ensure that athletes are prepared for the commitment and personal sacrifice needed to be successful in athletics, coaches must help them develop and understand the roles that desire, dedication, and self-discipline play in reaching individual and team goals.

While striving for victory is the nature of athletic competition, it is only one criterion when determining a season’s success. Guiding a team to reach its maximum potential and an athlete to reach his/her maximum potential are the ultimate goals. Along with this comes emphasis on good sportsmanship, which includes being modest in victory and accepting in defeat.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Although we will compete hard, we will compete fairly and respectfully with our opponents. Coaches, athletes, students, and spectators must recognize that their conduct plays an important role in establishing the reputation of our school and that our positive actions can contribute directly to the success of our teams.

During home contests we serve as hosts to the visiting team, its students, and spectators. They are our guests, and they should be treated accordingly. As visitors, we are expected to act as invited guests. We will treat the home school’s facilities with care and respect.

Qualified, FHSAA approved officials are assigned to all contests. They are the proper authorities to make decisions regarding the rules and their interpretations. These decisions should be accepted. Officials should be treated with respect at all times on and off the court or playing field.

Sportsmanship includes being appreciative of good plays by both our team and the opponent. Cheer for our team, not against the opponent.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The athletic department requires that a student must be in school a minimum of half a day in order to participate in a practice or game that same day. A full day’s excused absence may still entitle a student to participate. This decision will be made by the division director and the athletic directorThe division director and the athletic director will make this decision. Athletes are expected to be t practice everyday. Any absences could result in diminished playing time, not out of punishment, but rather, in fairness to those who have regularly attended practice. Repeated, unexcused absences could result in dismissal from the team.ACADEMIC PROBATION

Academic probation is defined as:

· Failure for a marking period in two or more academic subjects, or

· A recommendation from the counseling staff as a result of poor performance in one or more academic subjects.

An athlete on academic probation is subject to suspension from their sport for a minimum of one week or until cleared by an academic counselor. It is imperative for athletes to maintain these academic requirements in order to participate in athletics. Coaches are advised to schedule in such a manner that athletes miss as few classes as possible.

ASSUMED RISK

Providing a safe environment for practice and competition is a priority of everyone involved in the athletic program. Every step is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. However, student/athletes and their parents must be aware that certain risks of injury are inherent in athletic participation. Accidents ranging from minor to severe may occur. It is mandatory that a consent form be signed by the parents or guardians of all athletes before they are allowed to participate in Berkeley athletics. By signing this form, parents and guardians acknowledge the risks associated with playing sports.

TRANSPORTATION

Berkeley provides transportation to all away athletic contests. All team members, managers, and cheerleaders must travel on transportation provided by Berkeley. Athletes are not permitted to drive their own vehicles to away contests or off-campus practices. Coaches must check their personnel rosters to make sure everyone is present before returning to Berkeley.

Athletes are permitted to ride home from an away practice or contest with his/her parents after communicating with the coach in charge. The coach absolutely must be made aware if a parent is driving their child home. Parents are permitted to drive home athletes other than his or her own only if written permission has been received by the athletic office or the coach in charge. For Saturday events parents are permitted to drive athletes to the site of an away contest, however, athletes should not drive themselves.

ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND TOBACCO

Not only does the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco by athletes violate team training rules, it is illegal. Athletes are not to use alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Athletes determined to have used alcohol, drugs, or tobacco will be subject not only to Berkeley administrative suspensions but may be suspended from their teams as well. Athletes could be removed from a team for the remainder of a season.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS/MEDICAL FORMS

No student may participate in any portion of the Berkeley Athletic Program unless all required forms have been turned in and an up-to-date physical examination report is on file in the school nurse’s office.

These forms include the following:

· Emergency medical form

· Physical form

· Field trip permission form

· Student participation in athletic practice/trips permission form

· Senior privilege permission form (seniors only)

BERKELEY PREPARATORY SCHOOL

MIDDLE DIVISION ATHLETICS

EXPECTATIONS FOR INTER-SCHOLASTIC COMPETITIONS

Berkeley Preparatory School is a member of the Florida High School Activities Association, the Bay Conference, and the Florida West Coast League. Berkeley adheres to all rules and regulations of each governing body.

However, Berkeley schedules many contests in its middle division with non-FHSAA, non-Bay Conference, and non-FWCL schools. In these contests, the following is a list of Berkeley’s expectations that must be met before any inter-scholastic competition can occur with Berkeley Preparatory School.

Sportsmanship is a must. Our middle division teams strive to win, but winning is not essential. Ours teams will play in a competitive yet safe and nurturing environment.

If your school intends to field a co-ed team, Berkeley must know that at the time of scheduling. Berkeley will not compete against co-ed teams in physical or potentially dangerous sports (soccer, basketball, softball).

All competitors must be middle division age appropriate (12-14 years old). If any children slated to participate in any contest are older than 14, both coaches must agree on that person’s participation.

Berkeley coaches have the right to stop a competition at any time if conditions are deemed to be unsafe. If Berkeley must suffer a forfeit as a result, so be it.

Berkeley takes great pride in providing a safe learning environment. This extends to the fields and courts as well. While we compete hard, we compete fair and safe, and expect the same from our competitors. It is our goal to offer players, coaches, and parents a fun, positive experience through athletics. Following the guidelines above will help us reach that goal.

PARENT/COACH COMMUNICATION

Parenting and coaching are each difficult vocations. Understanding each other’s roles and following the proper channels of communication will enable parents and coaches to effectively work together to provide a meaningful experience for student athletes while they are participating in sports at Berkeley.

Coaches should communicate the following to parents:

· Philosophy of the coach

· Locations and times of practices and contests

· Expectations of the players and the team

· Team rules and repercussions for violations

· Injury and emergency medical procedures