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SVHE Eagles Sports Program

Master Athlete and Family Handbook

Standards, expectations, and commitment agreement for every SVHE Eagles athlete, parent, and coach

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
— Luke 2:52

Basketball • Volleyball • Cross Country • Baseball • Football

How This Handbook Works

This Master Handbook contains the mission, conduct expectations, and commitment agreement that apply equally to every SVHE Eagles athlete, parent, and coach — across every sport, every season.

Alongside this handbook, you will receive a Sport Supplement specific to your sport. The supplement contains gear requirements, fees, practice locations, schedules, and coach contacts. Read both documents before the first practice. Sign both before your athlete participates.

Master Handbook (this document)	Mission, conduct, consequences, conflict resolution, Child Protection Policy reminder, commitment agreement — identical for every sport
Sport Supplement	Gear, fees, schedule, locations, coaches, sport-specific notes — specific to your sport

If you ever have questions about how decisions are made or where to bring a concern, the Sports Governance Policy and Sports Operations Manual explain the structure. Copies are available from your Sport Athletic Director.

A Word to Our Families

Welcome to the SVHE Eagles. Whether this is your first season or your fifth, we are glad you are here.

This handbook exists for one reason: so that every family knows exactly what to expect — and exactly what is expected of them — before the first whistle blows. Clear expectations protect your athlete, protect our coaches, and protect the community we are building together.

Our Mission

Why We Do This

SVHE Eagles pursue excellence — in character, in competition, and in every sport, every season. We expect every coach and athlete to bring their very best. Anything less falls short of what God calls us to — not because winning demands it, but because He does.

We also hold that building character and competing to win are not in tension — done right, one produces the other.

The athlete who learns to receive correction becomes more coachable — and more coachable athletes develop faster. The team that learns to put the group ahead of individual glory plays better together. The competitor who can lose with grace and win without arrogance keeps their head in the hardest moments of a close game. Character is not what we fall back on when we lose. It is what God calls us to regardless of the scoreboard — and those watching will remember how we competed long after the score is forgotten.

So why does SVHE run a sports program? Because we believe sports — real competition, real stakes, real adversity — is one of the most effective environments God has given us to develop whole people. He wants our very best, and sports teaches us to give it.

A Boy in the Temple

In Luke 2, Mary and Joseph discover that twelve-year-old Jesus is not with their caravan on the journey home from Jerusalem. After three days of searching they find him in the Temple — sitting among the teachers, listening, asking questions, astonishing everyone who heard him.

When his mother expresses her distress, Jesus answers that he had to be in his Father's house. And then Luke records something worth pausing on: he went home with them, and he was submissive to them.

The boy who was exactly where he was supposed to be went home anyway and submitted to his parents.

Luke then summarizes the next eighteen years of Jesus' life in a single sentence:

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." — Luke 2:52

Four Dimensions. One Whole Person.

Luke names four specific areas of growth — and SVHE takes all four seriously:

• Wisdom — learning to receive correction, compete under pressure, and grow from both victory and defeat
• Stature — physical development, athletic skill, and the discipline of taking care of the body God gave you
• Favor with God — character that holds when no one is watching; faith that shows up in the handshake line after a loss
• Favor with man — being a good teammate, a trustworthy friend, and a gracious opponent; the fruit of genuine character recognized by the people around you

Luke presents all four together — not one at the expense of another. A whole person, developing in every direction at once.

That is what an SVHE Eagles season is for. We will compete hard. We will pursue wins. And we will never let the scoreboard become the only thing that matters — because we know that the athletes who grow in all four of these areas are the ones who compete the best, for the longest, with the most integrity.

Athlete Code of Conduct

As an SVHE Eagle, I am held to these standards at every practice, game, and team event. I represent this program and the name of Jesus Christ on and off the field.

Commitment

• I will attend all practices and games; I will notify my coach of any absence as early as possible
• I will give my full effort at every practice and in every game
• I understand that my absence affects my whole team, not just me
• I will hustle in every practice and every game — on every play, every rep, and every transition. My effort is not conditional on the score, the circumstances, or how I feel that day
• I will learn from my mistakes rather than dwell on them. Every error is an opportunity to improve, and I will use correction to get better rather than get down on myself

Respect for Coaches and Officials

• I will show respect to coaches, assistant coaches, and officials at all times
• I will receive coaching instruction and correction with a teachable and humble spirit
• If I disagree with a decision, I will address it privately and respectfully — never by arguing on the floor, field, or sideline
• I understand that submission to authority — even when I disagree — is itself a goal of SVHE sports
• I will respect the decisions of officials even when I disagree. I cannot change a call, and how I respond to it reflects on me, my team, and this program

Respect for Teammates

• I will speak words of encouragement to my teammates — never criticism, mockery, or discouragement
• I will address conflict with a teammate directly, privately, and humbly
• I will work to build team unity, not undermine it

Respect for Opponents

• I will compete hard and compete with honor — these are not in conflict
• I will win graciously and lose graciously
• I will treat opponents and their fans with courtesy at all times
• I will not trash talk, taunt, or celebrate in a way that demeans or disrespects an opposing player or team
• I understand that arrogant conduct on the floor or field reflects poorly on SVHE, on my teammates, and on Christ — and that it will be corrected by my coaches
• How I treat my opponents when I am winning is as much a part of my character as how I play the game

Speech and Conduct

• I will not use profane, abusive, or demeaning language — in person, online, or in messages relating to this program or its participants
• I will care for SVHE equipment and facilities as if they were my own
• If I observe any adult conduct that concerns me regarding any player, I will report it to a parent, my Sport AD, or the SVHE Advisory Council
• I will not slam, throw, or mishandle equipment out of frustration or anger. This reflects poor self-control and puts others at risk
• I will maintain self-control when things are not going my way. Getting down on myself, losing composure, or taking frustration out on those around me is not how an SVHE Eagle competes

Parent and Family Code of Conduct

My athlete's character on the field is shaped in large part by what they observe from me. I am a visible representative of the SVHE Eagles at every game and practice.

In the Stands

• I will cheer for my athlete and the team; I will not coach from the stands
• I will not criticize coaches, officials, or opponents verbally or through body language
• I will support the whole team, not only my own child
• If asked to leave a facility by a coach or official, I will comply immediately

Talking with Coaches and the Sport AD

• I will not approach a coach or Sport AD immediately before, during, or immediately after a game to discuss playing time or team decisions
• I understand that playing time decisions belong to the coach and are not guaranteed by registration fees
• If I have a concern, I will request a private conversation at an appropriate time and follow the conflict resolution process: assistant coach → head coach → Sport AD → Athletic Board
• I will not bring sports concerns to SVHE organizational officers; the sports program has its own resolution structure

Child Safety

• I am aware of SVHE's Child Protection Policy, available at svhe.com
• If I observe any behavior by a coach, volunteer, or other adult that concerns me regarding any child, I will report it immediately to the Sport AD and the SVHE Advisory Council
• I understand that SVHE requires two adults to be present at all activities involving minors and that one-on-one adult-minor interactions are not permitted

Serving the Program

• I will look for opportunities to volunteer — scorekeeping, timing, concessions, transportation, and other needs
• A family that benefits from the program but never serves it places an unfair burden on others

Coach Code of Conduct

As an SVHE coach, I hold a position of trust with young people and their families. My conduct shapes the culture of this program. I have completed SVHE's required background check and application, and I commit to the following:

• I will model Christian character at all times; my conduct is inseparable from the program's witness
• I will encourage and build up each athlete in both Christian character and sport skills
• I will never belittle, demean, or tear down a player verbally or in tone
• I will compete to win and pursue excellence — and I will do it in a way that develops the whole athlete
• I will never be alone with a minor in a private or unobservable setting; two-deep supervision is required at all times
• I will not communicate privately with players through social media, text, or direct messaging; all communication goes through a parent or approved team channels
• I will schedule practices that are realistic for homeschool families, generally two to three sessions per week
• I will communicate clearly and promptly with players, parents, and my Sport AD
• I will apply the playing time standards appropriate to my team's level, as defined in the Sports Operations Manual
• I will review and follow SVHE's Child Protection Policy and safety protocols before my first practice each season
• I will report any suspected abuse or misconduct immediately to my Sport AD and the SVHE Advisory Council
• I will follow the conflict resolution process and not bypass tiers in the escalation structure
• I agree to the SVHE Statement of Faith and understand that my continued role depends on honoring it
• As head coach, I will consistently lead devotions and pray with my team; spiritual development is a core part of what we are building together and is not optional. Assistant coaches are encouraged to share in leading devotions as well — this is a team effort, not a solo responsibility
• I will set the tone for how my team treats opponents; I will not permit trash talk, taunting, excessive celebration, or any conduct that demeans or disrespects an opposing player, team, or fan
• I will correct disrespectful conduct immediately and model the kind of graciousness in winning and losing that reflects Christ, not just SVHE

Consequences Framework

Consequences exist not to punish but to protect — the program's mission, the team's culture, and the player's character. Coaches will always seek to correct and restore before resorting to discipline.

Level	Behavior	First Occurrence	Repeated / Serious
Level 1	Tardiness, unprepared for practice, minor attitude	Verbal correction by coach	Sitting out portion of practice or game
Level 2	Disrespect to coach, teammate, or official; repeated Level 1	Removed from session; parent notified	Suspended from next game; parent meeting required
Level 3	Conduct unbecoming an SVHE athlete on or off the field	Suspension pending Sport AD review	Removal from team; full Athletic Board review

Coaches have discretion to adjust consequences based on circumstances. Safety and Child Protection Policy violations bypass this framework entirely and are handled immediately per SVHE's Child Protection Policy. Removal from the team involves the Sport AD. Appeals are submitted in writing to the Athletic Board within seven (7) days; the affected Sport AD recuses from the appeal decision.

Conflict Resolution — A Reminder

Pray first (James 4:1–3). Then follow the process, one step at a time:

• Step 1: Go directly to the person involved — privately and humbly (Matthew 18:15)
• Step 2: Allow at least 24 hours to pass before bringing a concern to a coach. Use that time to pray, reflect, and confirm the concern is genuinely worth raising. Concerns are not raised on the sideline during a game or in the lobby immediately after — these are not appropriate times or places
• Step 3: When you are ready, contact the coach directly — in person or by phone. Text and email are not appropriate channels for conflict. If you are not willing to speak directly with the person involved, consider whether the concern is significant enough to pursue
• Step 4: If still unresolved, bring the concern to the Sport Athletic Director
• Step 5: Formal appeals of Sport AD decisions go to the Athletic Board in writing within seven (7) days

Exception: Safety concerns and Child Protection Policy concerns are reported immediately to the Sport AD and the SVHE Advisory Council — not through this process.

Full procedures are in the Sports Operations Manual, Policy 5. Copies available from your Sport Athletic Director.

• If someone comes to you carrying a grievance on behalf of someone else, do not carry it further — direct that person back to the one who is actually offended. The offended party must bring their own concern. If they are not willing to do so, it is probably not significant enough to pursue
• SVHE calls every athlete, parent, and coach to be a peacemaker. We will have conflicts because we are all imperfect — but God calls us to pursue peace directly and humbly rather than build a crowd of support around a grievance. Matthew 5:9 — "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

Child Protection Policy — A Reminder

SVHE's Child Protection Policy applies to all sports program activities. Every family should be aware:

• All coaches have completed a background check and application before serving in their role
• SVHE strives to have two adult workers present at all activities involving minors. If only one adult is available, all activity must be held in a fully open and observable setting
• A coach may not be alone with a single minor in any private or unobservable setting under any circumstances
• Any suspected abuse or misconduct should be reported immediately to your Sport AD, the SVHE Advisory Council, or directly to the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330 or dcf.ks.gov
• Coaches may not transport players who are not their own children without at least one other athlete, parent, or coach present
• Coaches should avoid private digital communications with players and use group chats or communication channels approved by the program
• The full Child Protection Policy is available at svhe.com

Family Commitment Agreement

By signing below, we confirm that we have read this Master Athlete and Family Handbook in full, and that we have also read the Sport Supplement for our sport. We understand that the Sports Governance Policy and Sports Operations Manual provide the broader framework governing this program. We commit to honoring the standards in all documents throughout every season in which we participate.

We acknowledge that we have been informed of SVHE's Child Protection Policy and know how to report a concern.

Athlete Commitment

I commit before God, my parents, my coaches, and my teammates to:

• Attend all practices and games; communicate absences in advance
• Give my full effort in practice and in competition — competing to win with integrity
• Receive coaching with a teachable and humble spirit
• Represent SVHE and Jesus Christ with my conduct on and off the field
• Treat coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials with respect at all times
• Address conflicts directly, privately, and in the spirit of reconciliation
• Report any conduct by an adult that concerns me regarding any player
• Grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man — Luke 2:52

Parent / Guardian Commitment

I commit to:

• Support the coaching staff's and Sport AD's decisions and authority, even when I disagree
• Model the sportsmanship and character I expect of my athlete
• Cheer for the team to win — and to do so with grace and integrity
• Address concerns through the proper escalation process, privately and respectfully
• Volunteer to serve the program in whatever capacity I am able
• Ensure my athlete attends practices and games as committed
• Report any Child Protection Policy concern immediately to the Sport AD or SVHE Advisory Council
• Honor the governance structure of the SVHE sports program

Coach Commitment

I commit to:

• Uphold every expectation in the Coach Code of Conduct above
• Follow SVHE's Child Protection Policy in every aspect of my coaching role
• Never be alone with a minor; maintain two-deep supervision at all times
• Communicate with players only through approved channels
• Report any suspected abuse or misconduct immediately
• Model the Luke 2:52 mission in my conduct, my coaching, and my character