STUDENT-ATHLETE ATHLETICS CONTRACT - TAMPA 6-12
2023-2024 Season
Our Philosophy:
We believe a sound athletic philosophy is an integral part of the educational experience and should be centered on these values: Honor, Character, Culture, and Sportsmanship. We believe the school athletics create a positive and challenging experience that will assist every student-athlete's physical, social, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Athletics are uniquely positioned to foster student growth in values and ethics.
Values:
- Treat all players equally and with respect.
- Winning is a goal, but it is not the only thing that matters.
- Positive attitudes and sportsmanship are two essential qualities.
- All players must give 100 percent in the classroom or on the court.
- Scholar Athletes are students first and athletes second. Therefore, maintaining adequate academic progress it’s a must and non-negotiable.
- Playing time is earned and will not always be equal.
Student Responsibility:
- It is the responsibility of the student to attend each practice on time.
- The student's responsibility is always to hustle and have a good work ethic.
- It is the responsibility of the student to maintain good grades (2.0 GPA) in all core classes.
- It is the responsibility of the student to maintain good behavior in all classes.
- It is the responsibility of the student to discuss any planned or unplanned absence with the coaches.
Eligibility:
- Scholar-athletes must maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible to participate in team activities. GPA is calculated at the end of every semester.
- Scholar-athletes must maintain passing grades (C or higher) in all core classes to participate in team activities.
- Scholar-athletes who receive a D or an F in a core class will be put on 2-week academic probation and not allowed to participate in any games.
- Failure to recover the class grade to a passing grade can result in being removed from the team.
- Scholar-athletes must also maintain good standing with their conduct in class and during the school day. Any student-athlete suspended by the school is also suspended from all team activities. Depending on the reason for suspension, the athlete may also be removed from the team.
- Bullying and Hazing are direct violations of school, district, and state rules and may result in an athlete’s removal from the team. School disciplinary action may also be required. Violations include physical, verbal, and/or emotional varieties. This applies to innaproipiate use of social media, group chats, and direct messages. All forms of chat groups need adult supervision and clearance from the Athletic Department. Our official form of communication is REMIND.
- If an athlete is ineligible to continue participating in team activities, a refund of a team sports fee will not be issued.
- Students-athletes who play a travel team understand that school team and athletics compromise is a priority. Club seasons should not interfere with the school's athletics season for their particular sport. Clearance to participate and be excused from game and practice needs to be submitted to the athletic Department to evaluate circumstances.
Transportation:
Athletes must ride with either a parent or legal guardian. Currently, the school does not provide any transportation to and from games. Athletes are encouraged to find a carpool system with another teammate to help accommodate the transportation issue. Under no circumstance should athletes travel alone to a game in the coach's private vehicle.
Communication:
- Coaches control lineups, playing time, position assignment, and discipline. Coaches are allowed the flexibility to make necessary changes as a team develops. If there is a player concern regarding playing time, team rules, or team play, it is advised that the player discuss the concern with the coaches. If the problem continues, then parents and coaches can schedule a meeting with the Athletic Director.
- Confrontations or interruptions in the middle of practice or a match will not be tolerated. The coaching staff will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards coaches, teammates, staff, officials, opponents, or spectators. This applies to the athletes and their parents. During games and events, please do not confront or argue with the coach—any need to have a conversation, you may do so after 24 hours past the event to schedule a meeting or conversation with the coach. If the coach is unable to meet with you, please send a request to the Athletic Director. We use the ‘24’ hour coach’s rules.
Expectations of the Spectators:
- Refrain from the use of foul or abusive language.
- Show respect for injured players regardless of team affiliation.
- Encourage people around you to display good sportsmanship.
- Applaud at the end of the contest for all participants as they shake hands with each other, regardless of the outcome.
- Refrain from blaming the loss of a contest on the officials, the coaches, or the participants.
- Leave with a positive attitude.
- Spectators will abide by school rules regarding tobacco and alcohol. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed on campus.
Parent Responsibilities:
- Help your student-athlete to understand that the team comes before the individual.
- Notify the coach ahead of time of any doctor's appointments, vacations, or birthday parties that the student-athlete may be attending and will cause your athlete to miss practice or game.
- Parents and student-athletes must understand that the school is a priority if the player is participating in a travel team. Any request for travel team participation must be submitted for approval to the Athletic Director.
- Encourage your student-athlete to know and understand game rules and team rules.
- Help your student-athlete prepare to do their best by encouraging them to be physically and mentally prepared. This includes proper nutrition, sleep, and care of injuries.
- Encourage your student-athlete to communicate appropriately and respectfully with the coach.
- Do not talk negatively or in unspormanship-like conduct about other student-athletes or coaches in an event or after the event.
- Please refrain from deauthorizing staff, coaches, and adults in front of your student-athlete. During games and events, please do not confront or argue with the coach—any need to have a conversation, you may do so after 24 hours past the event to schedule a meeting or conversation with the coach. If the coach cannot meet with you, please send a request to the Athletic Director. We use the ‘24’ hour coach’s rules.
Coaches Responsibilities:
- Understand that academics are the #1 priority. For that reason, coaches will follow up on students' academic progress and will make visits to the school.
- Provide schedules for practices, tournaments, and games, and notify the
- Athletic Director ahead of time.
- Communicate changes in season schedule on time and ensure referees are confirmed for the Home Games.
- Coaches follow up with the Athletic Director for Away games, Carpooling and Field Trip forms when needed. Only field trip form is to be used when there is a need for early release due to weather, traffic, and distance.
- Confirm games with the opposing team and report the game results to the league and your Athletic Director.
- Support Home and Away game Readiness. Provide the officials with roster and stats sheet, and have volunteers to support with crow control and organization. Coaches may request volunteers parents to support with games events.
- Be on time.
- Come prepared for all practices and games, and have practice and game plan accessible.
- Encourage all student-athletes to do their best.
- Apply all school and team rules to all athletes equally.
- Be professional in all actions and words.
- Create a positive environment for your team.
- Communicate your expectations of your athlete and team.
- Communicate with athletes as to their role on the team.
- Communicate all information related to rules and policies and team rules to athletes and parents.
- Return parent phone calls/emails in a timely manner.
- Explain the vacation/absence policy.
- Discuss player's contract for student-athletes and parents.
Sports Fee
The sports fee varies based on the sports and the resources needed for the sport. This covers a variety of team-associated fees as well as the league’s registration, sports registration, referees, coaches' games and practices stipends, equipment, and others. In addition, the school will provide uniforms. This help the school develop sports programs to benefit your student-athletes and community.