BCS Athletic Handbook

Philosophy

The program of interscholastic athletics at Bradenton Christian School is designed primarily to develop within each athlete Christian values and Christian attitudes toward his fellow man. It allows for the development of physical skills in individual and team sports and for proper health habits to aid in the development of these skills.

Objectives:

• To recognize that each individual student is a unique creation of God, and to provide the opportunities for maximum participation for all students in a variety of activities and play.



• To develop within each athlete the individual and team skills necessary to compete successfully and reach for that individual's God given potential.



• To develop within each athlete strong team spirit and a loyalty to the school.



• To teach good sportsmanship.



• To provide opportunities for athletes which encourage self confidence, sociability, initiative, and a feeling of belonging.



• To promote an understanding of body growth and development and the importance of good health habits in aiding that growth and development.



• To provide the leadership, rules, and disciplines necessary to assist each athlete in attaining all of these objectives.

General Beliefs:

Bradenton Christian School believes that athletics are an integral part of our total educational program.

• We believe that the whole program is important.



• We believe that each sport provides an activity through which students may express themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally.



• We believe that coaches have the unique opportunity to direct and encourage students in the development of their life.



• We believe that the head coach is the department head of the sport for which he/she has been selected. The head coach is responsible for the organization of the staff associated with his/her sport. He/she must work closely with the athletic director and principal.

The athletic director has been assigned by the principal to administer the athletic program. Head coaches are directly responsible to the athletic director and are charged with the supervision of those coaches related to their program.

Administering the Athletic Program

• Athletics are to be closely coordinated with the general instructional program and properly articulate with other departments of the school.



• Athletics are to be conducted under the rules of the Florida High School Athletics Association, of which Bradenton Christian School is a member.



• Athletics should be amateur competition in procedure and in spirit. Students should consider participation as recreational and should play for the joy of the game rather than for anticipated material awards. They should always play to win, but winning should not overshadow spiritual or educational goals.



• It is of vital importance to the entire department, as well as to the boys and girls, that professional loyalty exists on the highest levels.

Bradenton Christian Interscholastic Activities

Bradenton Christian interscholastic program is the program of athletics in the school which involves competition with other schools. Presently Bradenton Christian fields the following teams in interscholastic activities.

FALL

WINTER

JV Boys Basketball Varsity Boys Basketball JV Girls Basketball Varsity Girls Basketball Cheerleading Girls Soccer Boys Soccer

7th Grade Boys Basketball 8th Grade Boys Basketball Jr. High Girls Basketball Jr. High Soccer

SPRING

*** All students must be in 7th grade or above to compete on Bradenton Christian School athletic teams, unless there is room for 6th grade students to try out.

Bradenton Christian Coaches

Sport Coaches Name

Organization and Administration

"The Florida High School Activities Association"

Bradenton Christian School is a member of the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA). "This association shall supervise and control all of the interscholastic activities which its member schools may engage."

Bradenton Christian School is a member of the Bay Conference. The Bay Conference is composed of a group of independent schools in the Tampa Bay and West Coast areas who desire to maintain athletic relationships with each other.

Athletic Discipline Policy

The purpose of this Athletic Discipline Policy is to assist coaches in regard to discipline procedures and standards for students participating in extra-curricular activities, and who may violate school rules either at school or at a school sponsored activity.

Disciplinary action in regard to all extra-curricular will follow the Bradenton Christian School Handbook and Code of Conduct Handbook for Bradenton Christian Athletics.

Athletic Training Rules

General:

The following training rules apply to all interscholastic athletes and each athlete is to adhere to this code and will share the contents of this code with his/her parents. Athletes may be required to follow additional rules established by individual coaches. Any member of the coaching staff may report a violation of the rules. A coach may personally observe a violation or can be convinced by the circumstances that a violation has occurred. All violations will be reported to the Athletic Director, who will take appropriate action. Appeals will be directed to the Principal.

Rules:

1. Drinking and smoking are considered as undesirable habits for high school athletes.

a. First Violation: Minimum two-week suspension from practice and games.

b. Second Violation: Minimum season suspension.

2. Drug Abuse:

• Suspension until the situation is corrected. Any appeal for reinstatement prior to the conclusion of the suspension period would only be based on the family having sought professional counsel to deal with the athlete's chemical abuse (Refer to parent/student handbook).

• Practice Seasons-Athletes are expected to attend all practices. Athletes must be excused in advance by the coach for any practices missed. Injured athletes who are able to attend practice sessions shall be expected to do so. A violation of this rule results in suspension from the next contest following the violations.



• Profanity will not be tolerated in any form. A violation of this rule will be dealt with by each coach depending upon the circumstances.



• Absence from school- The student may not participate in practice or in a contest on a day that they are absent from or tardy (more than 20 minutes late to class during 1^st period) to school, unless excused by an administrator.

3. Appearance- Students involved in interscholastic athletics are required to follow the school's guidelines for proper appearance as well as any additional requirements from the coach.

• Disciplinary action- Students having received disciplinary penalties by the administration must satisfy these obligations as assigned before they may return to practice or competition.



• Quitting without coach's consent- Suspension for rest of the season, AND THE NEXT SPORT SEASON. Athletes are too fulfill their obligations to their team, therefore, quitting on a commitment will be dealt with severely.



• If a student has to miss any game or contest he/she must notify the coach at least on week in advance. If it is an excused absence, no penalty will follow.



• Players must ride school transportation to and from all away games. They may be released to their parents only after a game, if the coach has signed permission slip from the parents.



• Future eligibility of an athlete who is dropped from a squad for disciplinary reasons not contained in the rules listed above will be determined by the Athletic Director.

Notes:

Suspension definition:

Athlete may not participate or dress in a scheduled game. The coach may require the athlete to participate in practice depending on the type of suspension given.

Season definition:

A season begins on the official opening day of practice, as designated by the FHSAA, and ends at the conclusion of the Bradenton Christian season. The "scheduled" season includes regular season games, matches, meets, plus guaranteed tournament games, matches and meets.

Limit of Practice Days and Times

Coaches are to hold practices when they deem them necessary. Saturday practices are to be held to a minimum, and held at the coaches discretion. No organized Sunday practices are allowed on the campus by any team or organization.

Open Gym Policies

Definition: Open gym refers to off-season workouts and/or practices that are called by the coach. The purpose is for athletes to work on their skills and become better at that particular sport. Coaches are encouraged to have as many open gyms as they deem necessary to improve the skills of their team. Athletes are encouraged to attend, but attendance is not mandatory.

Rules:

1. All students, including ones that do not participate on any team, are invited to participate and play during open gym times.

2. A coach or school employee MUST be present at every open gym.

3. Coaches will submit their days and times to the athletic director as to when they desire to have open gym. Once the athletic director has all requests, he/she will make the schedule.

Athletic/Activity Conflict Policy

This policy is to be adhered to in the event of a conflict between school activities for a student participant.

• All students participating in extra-curricular activities should be advised of the procedure that will be followed in the event of a conflict. This should occur prior to the beginning of the season or the activity.



• The sponsors or coaches shall meet with the principal and athletic director to identify anticipated conflicts before they occur. Once this meeting occurs the sponsors and coaches are to meet to resolve the identified conflicts while adhering to the guidelines of this policy on or before the conflicts occur.

Note:

Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the sponsors/coaches.

• The purpose of these meetings will be to determine possible conflicts and to resolve them by using the following criteria:

• District, conference, sub-district, regional, sectional, semifinal, or state competitions should have priority. If two similar events occur on the same date, the participant will perform in the event which has the greatest importance toward the team, group, or individual event or outcome. If both events are of equal importance to both parties then the decision will be left up to the student.



• Consideration should be given as to how the loss of the individual will affect the group or team concept and the total function of the program before a decision is made.



• Regularly scheduled contests or performances take precedence over any type of practice session.



• Students may not participate in two sports that are taking place at the same time. The athlete must pick one or the other before the two seasons begin.

• Decisions should be made by the sponsors/coaches (when possible) prior to getting students involved.



• A student may not be penalized in the event a conflict still exists after all options have been exhausted by the sponsors and the student makes the choice.



• Disagreements between sponsors pertaing to student conflicts will be handled by the principal and shall be final.

Athletic Eligibility

The Florida High School Activities Association and the Bradenton Christian School Rules and Policies govern the Eligibility of all Athletes.

• Each coach will be responsible for checking the above rules and regulations which effect the eligibility of his/her athletes.



• Eligibility must be certified under FHSAA rules.



• Permits and agreements- Before a student is permitted to draw equipment, practice, or play in a contest, he/she must have a medical examination, parent consent, and a signed agreement in the code of conduct handbook for Bradenton Christian athletes fully filled out and on file with the coach in the athletic director's office.



• Athletic Insurance- All participants in the athletic department are highly recommended to be covered by insurance. Parents should acquaint themselves with an insurance agency that covers athletic injuries.



• Physical Examination Requirement- A student shall not be permitted to engage in practice or play in an interscholastic athletic contest unless they have on file with the athletic director a certificate of physical fitness issued by a competent physician after the date assigned by the FHSAA for that particular year.

Eligibility Rules

In order to represent Bradenton Christian School in any interscholastic athletic competition, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements which include or exceed those of the Florida High School Activities association.

A student:

• shall participate until they reach the age of 19 years 9 months. Upon reaching this age a student is deemed ineligible for further participation.



• must not participate on any but his high school team during the same season.



• who receives a failing mark for a 9 week marking period, is ineligible to compete/particpate in any interscholastic contest for the following 9 weeks. The student is also ineligible to practice in that particular sport until the next quarters progress reports are issued. At that time, the athlete may begin practicing only if all of the grades in the classes are passing.

4.who receives a failing mark for a semester is ineligible for the entire semester following his/her failing grade. If however, at the quarter, the grade is no longer a failing grade, the athlete may begin practice with the team.

5. must maintain an accumulative GPA of a 2.0 to remain eligible for participation. GPA will be checked at the end of each semester and any student whose GPA is below 2.0 will be ineligible for 1 full semester.

6.who is eligible for a grade period shall continue to be eligible during the period of vacation between periods provided he/she meets all eligibility requirements.

7.who has an incomplete, shall not participate until the incomplete. Is made up or satisfactory arrangements have been made.

These requirements meet or exceed all of the Florida High School Activities Association requirements.

Transportation of Athletes

Coaches may release their athletes to a parent after an athletic event after receiving a note from the parent stating they are taking responsibility of their son or daughter. The note must be signed and dated. Student athletes may only be released to their parents.

Requirements for student Athletic Awards

Athletic Awards

• The individual coach of each sport shall be responsible for the granting or withholding of awards.
• It is the coaches responsibility to notify all athletes prior to the season of the criteria set for students to earn an award of the sport.
• Requirements- " to recognize effort and participation"
• Regular attendance at practice and games.
• Genuine effort at improving one's playing ability.
• Constructive team membership.
• Finish the season on the team.
• Present at the awards ceremony (JV/Varsity)

Awards

Certificate-

• Jr. High Teams-to be given by the coach after the last game
• Junior Varsity Certificate- Junior Varsity Athletes.
• Letter Award- High School Students

  1^st Year- Letter & pin for each sport

  2^nd Year- Bar for each sport

  3^rd Year- Bar for each sport

  4^th Year- Bar for each sport

Other Awards:

• Outstanding Player Award- Chosen on the basis of a vote taken among team-mates.
• Coaches Award- Based on the following:
  • Overall contribution in both games and practice
  • Intensity
  • Maximum effort in practice and games
  • Consistency in practice -Christian character displayed during practices and games
• Outstanding Leadership Award- Displays a positive attitude of leadership.
• Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year

• Award- Plaque kept at the school and a small plaque for the student athlete to keep.
• Requirements:
  • Must be a senior
  • Must be a member in good standing on at least one high school varsity team at the beginning and the end of the season.
  • Must fulfill requirements for "letter" award in all sports participated in.
  • Must exhibit good playing ability, leadership, sportsmanship, and Christian character.
  • Grade point average of at least 2.0 for the year. Does not necessarily have to be a winner or an "outstanding player" award.
• Procedure for Choice - Panel- Principal of high school, athletic director, 2 coaches, 4 students chosen by student council (2 male and 2 female) who would not be in the running for the award. Principal and athletic director will prepare a list of all qualified by grade point average and letter award requirements. Panel will meet and determine winner by secret ballot.

• All-Conference Team
  • There will be one all conference team in each sport.
  • Athletes must participate in at least one-half of the division contest.
  • Voting is done at the end of the season by all of the coaches from the conference schools.
• Bay Conference scholar athlete award

(1) There will be one scholar athletic team a year.

(2) Athletes must have a GPA of 3.5 for the year.

(3) Only juniors and seniors who letter in a varsity sport are eligible for this award.

(4) Nominees are chosen by the principal and the athletic director and are voted on by the conference members.

**An award may be withheld for failure to meet the requirements in any of the above factors.

**An athlete must attend the specific awards night or their award will be held until the next designated awards night, unless the athlete's reason for absence is permissible with coach, athletic director or principal.