Wamogo Regional High School Department of Athletics Student-Athlete and Parent Handbook Athletic Department Administration Mr. Patrick Holyst Athletic Director pholys@rsd6.org - 860-567-6648 School Administration Mr. William Egan Principal wegan@rsd6.org - 860-567-7410 Mrs. Jody Lambert Vice-Principal jlambert@rsd6.org - 860-567-7410 Mrs. Mary Romano School Nurse mromano@rsd.org - 860-567-7410 1
Note to Student-Athletes and Parents The purpose of this handbook is to provide student athletes and their parents with a resource that will familiarize them with the athletic rules, policies and procedures at Wamogo High School. Keep in mind that participation in athletics is a priveledge and not a right. As a privilege often athletes are held to a higher standard of behavior. We encourage you to support your child's decision to play a sport and attend their contests. You are the key! Help them understand and abide by the rules, regulations, and policies in this handbook. In a world that is flooded with destructive alternatives, we strongly feel that with the support of the education system, the coaching staff and you, we can make a difference. As a parent, you can set your own academic standards and behavioral standards above and beyond the school standards. As a parent, you have the right to revoke your child's privilege to participate on an interscholastic team if you so choose. Working together to develop responsible young people is a team effort, and we need you on our team. Athletic Mission Statement Our mission is to provide a rigorous athletic program which complements and supports a challenging academic program by teaching students to persevere, to work well with others, and to test themselves. Beliefs We believe students are our highest priority. We believe the dignity, worth, and self-esteem of participants should be paramount in all athletic activities. We believe the most important result of competition is the development of life-long values and skills. We believe the athletic program is an integral part of the high school experience. We believe high school athletics should be fun and rewarding. We believe athletic programs are most beneficial when they are competitive. We believe winning is an attitude resulting from optimum preparation, concentrated effort and a deep commitment to excel. We believe well-designed athletic programs promote community and school pride. We believe open communication and mutual respect among coaches, parents, and athletes provide the foundation of a successful athletic program. We believe morale, satisfaction, and performance are enhanced when athletes work together as a team. We believe well qualified coaches and program administrators are important components in a successful athletic program. We believe positive parent support and involvement enhance student growth and program quality. Program Objectives to provide an opportunity to those who have demonstrated a high level of athletic skill to compete on an interscholastic level. to provide fulfilling and positive experiences for students. to foster academic and athletic achievement through the development of attitudes and values that motivate students to pursue excellence. to develop increased knowledge of skills needed to achieve individual and team success through consistency and hard work. 2
to develop respect for teammates, opponents, coaches and officials by developing emotional control and cooperation. to stress the importance of physical fitness, proper conditioning, good health habits and safety. to create an atmosphere of team work and to generate school spirit by displaying a positive attitude and good sportsmanship. to provide opportunities to develop lasting friendships with teammates and opponents. to provide leadership and supervision that focuses on skill development, motivation, discipline, sportsmanship and good work ethic. Requirements for All Team Candidates Each prospective athlete must submit, to the coach, an emergency information/parental permission form, which includes an important agreement statement (a separate form is needed for each sport). Each prospective athlete must have on file, with the school nurse, an athletic physical and medical history form signed by a physician and parent or guardian (the physical is good for one calendar year). (Physical forms are available on the Athletics website or from the school nurse.) High School Interscholastic Sports Fall Winter Spring Boys Soccer Varsity and JV Boys Basketball Varsity, JV, Baseball Varsity and JV Frosh Girls Soccer Varsity and JV Girls Basketball Varsity, JV, Softball Varsity Frosh Field Hockey Varsity and JV Swimming (Boys and Girls) Boys Track and Field Varsity Varsity Boys Cross Country Varsity Boys Indoor Track Varsity Girls Track and Field Varsity Girls Cross Country Varsity Girls Indoor Track Varsity Boys Tennis Varsity Football (Co-op with Housatonic) Ice Hockey (Co-op with Girls Tennis - Varsity Varsity and JV Housatonic and Northwestern) Golf (Co-op with Thomaston) Varsity and JV (Boys and Girls) Crew (Co-op with Litchfield) Non-Interscholastic/Club Teams Fall Winter Spring Crew (Litchfield Hills Rowing Club) Cheerleading Boys Lacrosse (Wamogo Lacrosse Booster Club) Ski Racing Berkshire League Affiliation 3
Wamogo Regional High School is a proud member of the Berkshire League, the schools in this league are Gilbert, Housatonic, Lewis Mills, Litchfield, Nonnewaug, Northwestern, Shepaug, Terryville, and Thomaston. Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Affiliation Wamogo Regional High School is a proud member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (C.I.A.C.). The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is a private, non-profit corporation organized to direct and control both boys and girls athletics in the secondary schools of Connecticut. The Conference is administered on a daily basis by an Executive Director and the assistants, plus an office support staff. The CIAC is the only Association which governs interscholastic athletic programs for secondary schools in Connecticut. It has serviced its membership since 1921. Wamogo Athletic Rules and Regulations Sports at Wamogo High School are an extra curricular activity. It is a privilege not a right to participate in interscholastic athletics at Wamogo High School. That privilege may be revoked at the discretion of the school. Parents have the right to set academic and behavioral standards above and beyond the school standards for their children. Parents have the right to revoke their child s privilege to participate on an interscholastic team. Working together to develop responsible young people is a team effort, and we need you on our team. Coaches may set rules that supersede those listed on the permission form for athletics. The complete list of athletic rules are listed on the Code of Conduct. Behavioral Expecations for all Athletes As an athlete it is your responsibility to: - conduct yourself in a respectful manner at all times - treat officials and opponents with respect and dignity - accept decisions that are made by coaches, officials and school personnel - exhibit good sportsmanship - remember that there is no place for "winning at all costs" - show courtesy to visiting teams and officials - understand and accept the rules of the sport and abide by the standards of eligibility - maintain all athletic equipment given to you by the coach - refrain from making faces or other gestures toward officials, coaches or others - use appropriate language at all times, profanity will not be tolerated Locker Rooms - Do not leave valuables in the locker room. -Do not share a locker with another student. - Keep your locker locked at all times; the school is NOT responsible for personal property. - "Horse play" behavior is prohibited at all times; many athletic careers have been cut short because of locker room incidents. - Cleats are not to be worn in the locker room or in any other part of the school building. Try-outs 4
In sports where teams are limited to size, it is often necessary to make cuts. Wamogo High School coaches have the sole responsibility for the selection of all team members. The team selection is based on the subjective opinion of the coach who will consider the students athletic ability, sportsmanship and citizenship when making choices. Prior to the opening of each season, an athlete who has been cut from a team may try out for another team if spots are available and there is mutual agreement of the coaches. However, an athlete who is on the eligibility list of one sport and has participated in a varsity or junior varsity or freshman contest of that sport is not eligible to join another team during that season. Captains Each coach will be responsible for setting up criteria for selection of team captains. Each coach may have a different approach to the selection of captains. Captain s Practices Wamogo High School and the CIAC does not, in any way, sanction, encourage or condone "Captain's Practice." It is a violation of CIAC rules. Students should not feel pressured or compelled to participate in off season workouts. Off season workouts are not sanctioned or supervised by Wamogo High School coaches or the athletic department. Students do not have permission to practice or play on school grounds on their own. Athletic insurance will not cover students that are injured during unauthorized practice. Initiation/Hazing No student at Wamogo High School may take part in an initiation or hazing. Students do not have the right to impose their will on other students, nor should they feel compelled to be initiated by others. Sport teams at Wamogo High School should be welcoming, comfortable and inclusive. There will be a penalty imposed on those who participate in an initiation. Weight Room The weight room is available for student use. The hours of use will be announced over the PA system. Supervision is required at all times. Athletes must wear appropriate clothing and follow all safety guidelines posted. Athletic Trainer Wamogo High School hires an athletic trainer for home athletic contests. We hire our trainers through Athletic Trainer Solutions. There role is to: - enhance the medical staff - to recognize and treat the athlete's injuries - to provide rehabilitation services and/or recommend further medical treatment - to provide prophylactic taping to athletes to prevent injury - to provide coaches with up to date information on conditioning and the prevention of injuries The trainer is available directly prior to and immediately after all home athletic contests. It should not be assumed that the trainer is on duty at all games. Injuries Any student sustaining an injury while participating in an interscholastic sports program should report the injury to his/her coach immediately. If this injury requires medical evaluation or follow-up*, the coach or sports trainer will complete an accident/insurance claim form that provides information related to the 5
injury, and submit it to the school nurse. The school nurse will keep a copy of the accident/insurance report and will send the original to the injured student's parent or guardian. Parents/guardians are responsible for submitting all insurance claims. These are not submitted by the school. At the beginning of the sport season, each coach will provide every team member with a brochure explaining the school insurance coverage for athletes. *Any injury requiring medical follow-up and/or continued medical or chiropractic treatment, will need to have a written medical clearance from the physician/chiropractor before the student will be allowed to return to gym class or interscholastic sports. Transportation Athletes must travel to and from contests in school provided transportation with the following exceptions. With prior permission from the coach, a student may go to and/or from a contest with his/her parent. With prior permission from the coach and a written note from his/her parent, a student may go to and/or return from a contest with another adult. With written permission of the parent and the prior permission of the coach, students can drive themselves to and/or from an event. No student may drive to and/or from an athletic contest with another student. No student may be driven to and/or from an athletic contest by the coach unless the coach has the proper licensing. Families are responsible for travel to practices that occur on weekends and for practices that do not occur immediately after school. In addition, families may be required to provide transportation to specific contests as identified in advance by the coach. Early Dismissal for Athletics The student is responsible and accountable for all work that is missed due to early dismissal for any interscholastic sporting event. Athletes should notify their teachers well in advance of the competition that requires early dismissal. Parents need to provide written notification to the office. Playing Time Wamogo High School coaches have the sole responsibility for the selection of all team members. The team selection is based on the subjective opinion of the coach who will consider the students athletic ability, sportsmanship and citizenship when making choices. The amount of playing time, the position the athlete plays and the level that they play (Varsity, JV, and Freshman) is the sole decision of the coach. At the varsity level in particular the emphasis will be on developing the most competitive team possible given the talent of the athletes. Younger students (freshmen and sophomores) may play over older students (juniors and seniors). There is no guarantee of playing time particularly at the Varsity level. It is possible that students may not play at all. Payment of a participation fee is not a guarantee of any playing time. Awards An awards ceremony is held at the end of the season. It is held at the school. Individual and team accomplishments are recognized at this time. Wamogo High School, the Berkshire League, and the CIAC have established criteria for individual and team awards. The criteria for WHS varsity letters is established by the coach for each sports team. Varsity Varsity letters will be awarded to athletes upon the successful completion of an athletic season and the recommendation of the head coach. Specific guidelines will be developed by each coach and clearly defined to all athletes. A player shall have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner both on and off the field, exhibiting good sportsmanship to his /her opponents, teammates and coach. 6
Varsity Awards All first time Varsity Letter winners will earn a Large Red W. For each sport the student-athlete letters in for the first time, they will receive a pin for that sport. For each season the student-athlete letters in a sport for the second, third, or fourth time, they will receive a small bar pin. Captains will also receive a captain pin for their service as a Varsity captain only. Frosh/JV captainship will not earn a captain pin. Varsity Letter winners will also receive a Varsity participation certificate. Varsity Letters should only be awards to student-athletes who meet all the coaches requirements, otherwise the student should only receive a Varsity participation certificate. Frosh/JV All members of the Freshman and/or Junior Varsity teams will earn a Certificate for their participation. Program Awards In addition, each coach will select one student-athlete for each of the following three awards: Most Outstanding Player Most Improved Player Coaches Award These awards are to be selected by the coaching staff with all members of the program (Frosh/JV/V) being eligible for them. These awards will be made and paid for by the Wamogo Athletic Department. Any other awards to be given out are the financial responsibility of the coach and will not be given out during the award ceremonies. In addition, the Wamogo Athletic Department will also present awards for scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship, and community involvement at various points throughout the year. These awards are as followed: Berkshire League Scholar-Athlete Award This award is presented to student-athletes who compete in Varsity Interscholastic competition within the Berkshire League who maintain an academic average of an 88 or higher in all their classes during their sport season. Academic Athlete Award - This award is given to the three sport athlete with the highest academic average. Selected from class rank by AD. Outstanding Athlete Award - This award is presented to a senior male and female athlete who has achieved the most outstanding accomplishments in his/her four years at Wamogo. Criteria shall include letters won, accomplishments, All League, All State, Regional, or National Recognition. Leadership Award - This award is presented to a male and female athlete who displays the greatest amount of leadership during the current school year. Sportsmanship Award - This award is presented to a male and female athlete who exhibits the highest degree of sportsmanship throughout the year in all sports participated in. Sportsmanship should be displayed to teammates, opposing players, opposing coaches and officials. 7
Chet Irwin Award - This award is presented to a member of the Wamogo athletic community who has given their time and energy to support the program and the athletes. Power of Perseverance Scholarship - A scholarship given out to a student who exhibits the personal qualities that set them apart in the areas of commitment, dedication and perseverance. CIAC Award of Excellence - This award is presented to the student-athlete that displays a commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the playing field. Ray Marinko Award - Wamogo's most prestigious award. Given in memory of Mr. Ray Marinko who was an athletic director at Wamogo. He believed in hard work and dedication to improve individual skills. This is given to the student whose overall improvement in athletics has earned personal pride and achievement in athletics at Wamogo. Ray Marinko Scholarship - Presented at graduation to a deserving senior who has displayed the qualities of hard work and dedication to athletics that is going on to college. Preference is given to financial need and plans to pursue athletics at the next level. Selected by AD and Wamogo Scholarship Committee. Berkshire League/All-State Banquets In addition, any student-athlete who is honored as a All Berkshire League First Team member, or earns All-State recognition will be honored at a banquet hosted by the league, or organization. The Wamogo Athletic Department will pick up the cost of the banquet for the honoree only. Family members must pay their cost of attendance. Award Recipients: Athletes MUST have completed the season in good standing to be eligible to receive any such awards. Due Process for Athletic Issues Participating in athletics can be emotional and time consuming experience. From time to time, conflicts between student athletes and coaches may arise. The following process is in place for student athletes and their parents to follow to resolve conflicts and/or issues between coaches and athletes. Step 1: Individual Student Coach Contact The student involved is to speak to the coach about the problem as soon as possible. Step 2: Parent/Student Coach Contact The parent/student should set a time to meet individually with the coach. Meetings will not be scheduled 24 hours prior to or immediately following a contest or during an active practice session, or during a time when other coaches, parents or athletes are present. Step 3: Parent/Student Athlete Athletic Director contact If satisfactory resolution is not reached through direct contact with the coach, the parent/student athlete should contact the athletic director. If the meeting with the parent/student athlete and athletic director does not result in a satisfactory conclusion, the athletic director will schedule a meeting involving all concerned parties in an attempt to reach a satisfactory resolution. 8
Any comments, concerns or issues brought to the attention of the Athletic Director will be addressed. While there can be no guarantee that all parties will agree with all resolutions or findings, a thorough, respectful airing of different perspectives and experiences can lead to more productive relationships and clearer understanding in the future. Step 4: Parent /Student Athlete- Administrator/AD/Coach contact If after Step 3, satisfactory resolution has not been reached, the parent and student athlete should contact the building principal to schedule a meeting with all concerned parties. Step 5: Parent/Student Athlete Superintendent If there is no resolution at Step 4, the parent/student athlete should contact the superintendent to schedule a meeting with all concerned parties. Senior Celebrations As a tradition at Wamogo Regional High School, each athletic team has hosted a celebration to honor the Senior members of the team after the last home athletic contest, an away contest, or following a practice. As a tradition, parents of underclassmen have organized, and ran these events. It is the responsibility of the Parents and Student-Athletes to organize these events, and plan for them accordingly. The Wamogo Athletic Department, the Athletic Director, and coaches are not responsible for the planning, and organization of this event. Parent volunteers are to contact the coach of the team to discuss possible dates for the event. Parent volunteers are to contact the Athletic Director, whose sole responsibility will be to reserve a space in the school for the event. Parent volunteers and/or student-athletes will be responsible for the presentation of any gifts, flowers, or items to the parents of seniors, and senior members of the athletic team. The Athletic Director or a designee will honor the senior student athlete and/or their parent by calling their name at an appropriate time prior to, during, or after the final regular season home athletic contest. The senior celebrations are the responsibility of each team s parent volunteers and student-athletes. Each group of parent volunteers and student-athletes are asked to plan for an appropriate celebration, each group may arrange the senior celebration to their desired needs/requirements. If parent volunteers or student-athletes do not plan for a senior celebration it will not be the responsibility of the Athletic Department, Coaching Staff, or Athletic Director to plan one. 9