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Holy Cross Eagles
Athletics
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Dear Parents and Athletes,
The administration and coaches are happy that you have chosen to take advantage of the athletic opportunities offered at Holy Cross Lutheran School. It is our hope that these experiences will be enjoyable and rewarding for you and that you will use them to build your Christian character and to give glory to God.
I hope that this Athletic Handbook will give you understanding and information about the purpose, organization, and the program of athletic sports provided by the school.
Have a great season!
Dave Ochs
Athletic Director
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THE PURPOSE OF ATHLETICS AT HCLS
The interscholastic athletic program at Holy Cross is an important part of the total educational program. It gives students opportunities to learn and gain experiences that cannot be acquired except on the various playing fields in competition with others, for it is here and under these conditions that the athlete can especially put into practice the Christian values and ethics taught in the classrooms and the church. Young athletes on the playing field demonstrate the physical abilities that God has blessed them with, and they use these talents to bring God glory. By practicing good Christian sportsmanship, an attitude of wanting to do their very best, cooperation and teamwork with fellow team members, self-discipline and dedication, the Holy Cross athlete makes the statement to everyone watching that they ultimately are on God’s team, and they play to win praise for God.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM
HCLS athletes will be encouraged to:
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Recognize their talents as blessings from God and will develop and use them in God-pleasing ways
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Learn the skills and strategies associated with each sport
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Unselfishly recognize and respect the talents and abilities of others on their team and on the competing teams
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Display the values of Christian sportsmanship
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Develop the understanding and attitude that trophies do not make the team a winner, instead, everyone is a winner when they have done their best and have competed fairly on the field of play
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Accept the responsibility of hard work and commitment necessary for being part of the team
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Place the goals and achievements of the team as a whole above ones own personal goals and achievements
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SPORTSMANSHIP
Sportsmanship is the essence of Christian athletics. As Christians we should strive to bring honor and glory to our Lord in everything we do, including athletics. Without applying good sportsmanship in athletic competition, it is impossible for us to be a good witness to others about the love, goodness, and care that God has for us. The parents’ and coaches’ role in sportsmanship is an important one, because they are the ones who set the example for the student athletes.
PARENTS:
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Do not yell at or criticize referees, players, coaches, or other parents
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Do not criticize your own child from the sidelines
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Do not be a poor loser by making excuses or finding fault
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Support the coaches by respecting their decisions
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Give positive encouragement to your child and their team during play
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Recognize the abilities of and show respect for the opponents
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Be humble in victory, and gracious in defeat
COACHES:
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Do not argue with, criticize, or openly question officials
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Do not criticize, belittle, or try to intimidate opposing players or coaches
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Do not criticize, demean, or devalue your own players or team
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Respect the authority and decisions of the officials
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Respect and encourage your opposing coaches and players
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Show respect to and encourage your own players
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Correct your players in a positive and constructive way
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Give credit and praise for good effort and hard work
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Be humble in victory, and gracious in defeat
PLAYERS:
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Show respect to officials by not questioning their calls or arguing with them
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Always play fair and abide by the rules of the game
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Respect your opponent and have a good attitude about them on and off the court
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Encourage your opponent and compliment them for good play
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Show respect to your coaches and follow the instructions
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Do not react to harsh comments or treatment from other players or spectators
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Do not try to intimidate or belittle opposing players
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Be humble in victory, and gracious in defeat
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THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Students in grades 6-8 may have the opportunity to participate in the school’s interscholastic program, which includes the following sports:
Grs. 6-8 Boys’ Soccer
Gr. 6 Girls’ Volleyball
Gr. 7 Girls’ Volleyball
Gr. 8 Girls’ Volleyball
Gr. 6 Boys’ Basketball
Gr. 7 Boys’ Basketball
Gr. 8 Boys’ Basketball
Gr. 6 Girls’ Basketball
Gr. 7 Girls’ Basketball
Gr. 8 Girls’ Basketball
Grs. 6-8 Girls’ Soccer
Grs. 6-8 Girls’ & Boys’ Track
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THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM BUDGET
In an effort to keep the school’s operating costs to a minimum, Holy Cross maintains a small athletic program budget. The Booster Club subsidizes the cost of the athletic program. Without this support, the athletes would have to be assessed extra fees to pay for uniforms, league fees, and equipment. For this reason, it is hoped that every family with children participating in a school sport will join the Holy Cross Booster Club, and will also be involved in the club’s fundraiser. The financial support and involvement of the members of the Booster Club is essential to the success of our athletic program.
ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Although Holy Cross is primarily an academic institution, the school endeavors to provide any interested student the opportunity to join a sports team. Unless special exception is made by the principal, athletic director, and teachers, students may go out for the teams if they, 1) maintain at least a cumulative “C” grade average in all subjects; 2) do not have a failing grade in any subject area; and, 3) display proper behavior and conduct in school. When completion of assignments, quality of effort, and conduct become a problem, the following guidelines will apply.
Temporary Suspension
The grades of each student athlete are checked every two (2) weeks. If the cumulative grade average of all subjects falls below a “C” average, or a student is failing in any one subject, the parents, student, and coach are notified. The student then has three (3) school days to correct the deficiency. If it is not corrected, or cannot be corrected within three days, he/she will be placed on athletic suspension. A student on suspension may not participate in any games for at least one week. If the deficiency is corrected by the end of the first week, or sometime during the second week, the student may rejoin the team for games. If the deficiency has not been corrected by the end of the second week, the student will receive an additional one-week suspension. If after that third week the problem has not been corrected, the student will be removed from the team. A student who receives official school disciplinary action, or displays unchristian conduct, a lack of acceptance of responsibility, or failure to abide by the rules of the coach or school, may be placed on athletic suspension.
A student will not receive more than one recurring suspension. If his/her grades or conduct fails below the accepted level for a third time during the sport season, the student will be removed from the team.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
All students participating in a team sport are required to have a sports physical that is current for the school year. The sports physical must be on file in the school athletic department before the student can participate. The exam form can be obtained from the school office, or from most doctors’ offices.
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PARTICIPATION IN GAMES
Except for soccer, cheerleading, and track, there are three levels and purposes for each sport.
Grade Six
This is the entry level, the learning stage, for this sport. The main purpose for this level is to learn the fundamentals and skills of the game. At this level some students may play more than others, but all students play in every game, and although winning the game is a goal, participation and experience is the main goal.
Grade Seven
This is the intermediate level for students who continue to learn or have experience in learning the fundamentals and skills of the sport. At this level all students get a chance to play. Experience and participation as well as maximum effort to win are equal goals.
Grade Eight – Varsity
The eighth grade or varsity teams apply all of their experience and ability to winning the game. The game is played with the intention of bringing home an honorable victory. At this level playing time in every game is not guaranteed.
Soccer for both boys and girls is considered a varsity sport even though students from grades 6-8 may participate.
CHEERLEADING
Cheerleading is open to all seventh and eighth grade girls. A panel of adults chosen from the community selects the eight (8) cheerleaders after a tryout performance session by the students. Tryouts are held in the spring, and the next year’s squad is selected. The cheerleading squad supports the eighth grade boy’s basketball team at all games and builds school spirit at pep assemblies and school activities.
PRACTICE AND GAMES
A printed schedule of all games is sent home as soon as the school receives it. In this matter the school asks the parents to please be patient. This game schedule is not determined by Holy Cross and is often not sent to us until the last minute by the conference organizers and Holy Cross often does not receive notification until very late.
Normally practices are scheduled for after school and early evenings in the school’s gym. Practices will usually last between one and two hours, and may overlap other teams’ practices or be at the same time as other teams’ practices.
A PLAYER CANNOT PRACTICE OR PLAY IN A GAME ON THE DAY OF HIS/HER ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL.
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THE CHOOSING OF COACHES
Holy Cross faculty is not large enough to provide coaches for all of our teams, so we need to rely on parent and other adult volunteers to provide their services and expertise as coaches. The school is selective when choosing the coaching staff for a team. All coaches support the qualifications for team leadership as follows.
A Holy Cross Lutheran coach:
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Demonstrates both Christian character and ethics
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Sets high standards of Christian sportsmanship
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Understands and accepts the different purposes and goals for the team
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Realizes that the players on the team are young men and ladies with unique needs and different abilities
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Understands the importance of holding each member of the team in high regard and esteem
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Does not put down or embarrass his/her players
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Has skills and experience to share with the players
Our coaches are important supporters of our athletic program, and willingly volunteer their time and talents. Please support them and let them know you appreciate their effort.
RAISING CONCERNS WITH THE COACH
During a game the coach has many things on his/her mind, especially if the game is an emotional one. For this reason, parents should never bring their concerns about coaching strategies to the attention of the coach during the game. If there are questions about coaching strategies, or about player participation, the time to raise these concerns with the coach is the next day when the concern can be more objectively discussed and a proper solution can be determined.
Parents should never coach their children from the sideline, and should always give positive encouragement to the team during play. Always avoid criticism of referees, players, and coaches in public and in front of students.
ATHLETIC AWARDS
At the end of the school year, the Booster Club sponsors an Awards Banquet for all of the sports’ teams and parents. Recognition of teams and players is a highlight of the evening.
Among the awards given is the Christian Athlete Award, presented to one eighth grade boy and girl that most exhibits the characteristics of Christian sportsmanship and team dedication. Any eighth grade student participating in one or more sports is eligible to receive this award. The recipients of this award are selected by the coaches of all eighth grade teams.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 September 2010 17:02 |
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