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Athletic Handbook

Entire Handbook (printable version)

Physical Form (printable version)

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Athletic Department Manual is to standardize structure, implement vision, and establish boundaries for the operation of athletics under the umbrella of Immanuel Christian School.

The challenge is for the Athletic Department to meet as effectively as possible the needs and interests of all its students. The extracurricular program is designed to enrich the educational experience and has the potential of contributing to the total development of each student in several ways.

PHILOSOPHY/OBJECTIVES

Athletic Department Philosophy

Our philosophy of athletics stems directly from our philosophy of education. The goal is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ and to "develop the spiritual part of the athlete so that the Holy Spirit is in control and directing his mind and body". ((Romans 8:29, 1Thessalonians 5:23)

The Athletic Department strives to be consistent with the Mission Statement of Immanuel Christian School by providing Christ-centered athletic instruction, developing athletes who strive for academic excellence and molding athletes to become responsible citizens who embrace a distinctly Christian worldview.

A great athletic program can be used as a recruitment tool to draw other potential student-athletes and to clutch current student-athletes. As an athlete, the purpose of competing in athletics is to win; therefore as an Athletic Department we are compelled to build victorious teams and to "run so as to win the prize". (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Athletes can and should be used as a tool to reach the spiritually lost and to benefit the community around us. (Proverbs 4:10-13, 11:30, 22:6)

All educational values of any consequence improve human relations. When the effect of participation in an activity takes place, immediately, the meaning of the performance is understood and evaluated and corrections or changes can be made. Considering athletics in the light of these criteria, the following principles are recognized:

  1. Participation in sports provides experiences through which pupils learn social values. Athletic assemblies serve to teach students to act favorably in large groups. Knowledge of the game, interpretation of rules, courtesy, school morale, respect for property and many other values are stressed as desirable social outcomes.
  2. Athletic activities are conducted and regulated as other enterprises in society. The program operates within the rules of the game. Few activities like sports offer the opportunity for parents, students and other citizens of the community to mingle together with a common bond.
  3. Athletic competition provides situations requiring skilled performance, respect for opponents, acceptance of results determined by officials and playing the game according to rules. Experiences related to planning, organizing, adjusting and completion of task occur continually and are immediate in effect.

Further, the purpose of the Athletic Department of Immanuel Christian School is to help each participant:

  • build strong character traits including a respect for the rights of others.
  • use critical thinking and good judgment in decisions.
  • develop the understanding, skills, habits, and attitudes necessary for full enjoyment and appreciation of life.
  • form disciplined work habits and pride in careful workmanship.
  • develop their potential to the maximum. 
  • understand and follow good health and safety practices.

Junior High Athletic Philosophy

The athletic philosophy of Immanuel Christian School at the Junior High School level is three-fold. First, to offer a program in which interested student-athletes can try-out and work toward improving their skills; second, to provide a setting which encourages team members to use their skills in competition with others; and thirdly to prepare the student-athlete to compete at the next level by implementing disciplined foundational instruction.

The number of participants in Junior High Athletics will be limited and determined by their skill level, availability of facilities and qualified coaches. Participants in the Junior High Athletic Program are limited to athletes in the seventh and eighth grade (ages 12-14).

Junior High Athletic Objectives

  1. Sport practices will be organized so that each squad member is an active participant during practices and develops in skill and understanding of team strategies and physical conditioning.
  2. All squad members will experience learning opportunities in self-discipline, emotional control, and sportsmanship.
  3. Sportsmanship will be taught and emphasized in the school's athletic program. Participants are expected to be courteous to coaches, officials, and opponents as well as work with teammates in harmonious ways.

High School Athletic Philosophy

The athletic philosophy of Immanuel Christian School at the High School level is two-fold. First, to offer a program in which interested student-athletes can try-out and work toward improving their skills and secondly, to provide a setting which encourages team members to use their skills in competition with others.

The number of participants in High School Athletics will be limited and determined by their skill level, availability of facilities and qualified coaches. Participants in the High School Athletic Program are limited to athletes in the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade (participants may not be over the age of 20).

High School Athletic Objectives

  1. Rules, strategies, and game plans shall be communicated to athletes as an aid in maximizing their potential success, knowledge, and enjoyment of their athletic event.
  2. Appropriate advanced techniques, skills and playing opportunities shall be provided to all athletes whose skill level enables them to go beyond the more introductory or participatory level of play.
  3. Sport practices will be organized so that each squad member is an active participant during practices and develops in skill and understanding of team strategies and physical conditioning.
  4. All squad members will experience learning opportunities in self-discipline, emotional control, and sportsmanship.
  5. Sportsmanship will be taught and emphasized in the school's athletic program. Participants are expected to be courteous to coaches, officials, and opponents as well as work with teammates in harmonious ways.

Athletic Overview

The Athletic Program of Immanuel Christian School offers the opportunity for all students to try out but team selection will be based upon the skill level of participants, adequacy of facilities and the availability of qualified coaches.

Teams will be formed on various levels in sports officially sanctioned by SWCAA and TCAF including 6-man football, girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls track/field, boys and girls tennis, boys baseball and boys and girls golf.

Through organized practices and interscholastic competition each team will offer participants the opportunity to develop physical, social and mental skills as outlined by the specific athletic objectives.

Each team has a regularly scheduled sport season featuring games or meets against other schools and culminates with the opportunity to participate in District and State competition. These contests are highly competitive and allow students the chance to display their level of skill and development.

Athletics also provides a bond to the school not only for the athletes and student body, but for the community as a whole. School spirit is aroused and there is unification toward the common goal of success as people become involved and show their support for their various schools and athletic teams.

ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES

These responsibilities will also cover the position of any sports "Manager".

Academic Standards

In accordance with the Athletic Department's Philosophy (p. 2), academic excellence is paramount for the student-athlete - each athlete must maintain an average of 75 or above in each subject. The first eligibility report of grades will be made after the first two weeks of each grading period. Grades will be checked every two weeks thereafter, until the end of the grading period. Any student-athlete who is found deficient in any subject area will be placed on two-week probation. While on probation the student-athlete may participate in practice and play in games. If after the two-week probation the student remains deficient, he/she will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season.

A student is only allowed one probation period per season. Thus, if they regain eligibility after their initial probation period, but become ineligible later in the season, they are immediately removed from the team, sans probation.

Once a student has been removed from a team, they will be ineligible for the remainder of that sport's season, regardless of whether they improve their grades. If they are able to regain eligibility, they may try out for other sports at the start of a new season.

Attendance - Classroom

A student must be in attendance at least two periods the day of a contest. Failure to attend at least two periods will result in the student becoming ineligible to play in that day's scheduled contest.

Any student-athlete who fails to attend all classes the next school day after a scheduled contest will be placed on attendance probation. A second occurrence will result in the athlete becoming ineligible to compete in the next regularly scheduled contest. [Exception: reported injury during the scheduled contest by the A.D. or Assistant A.D.]

Complete Student-Athlete

Being a complete student-athlete requires a higher level of commitment from every participant. The focus has been shifted from pure athletic ability to include academic performance and proper classroom conduct. The bar has been raised in academics and conduct so that the student-athlete must be prepared to be more disciplined on the student side of their education endeavors in order to compete athletically.

Conduct - In the Classroom

A higher standard of conduct has been implemented which means that the student-athlete must conduct themselves in the classroom being careful to show respect, courtesy and Christ-likeness towards staff, faculty and fellow students and having a desire to follow the rules, policies and procedures as set forth by the Student-Handbook.

In the event there is a breakdown in conduct, the following rules will apply to determine eligibility:

  1. Any step 3 (TAD) will make the student ineligible for the next scheduled contest. They are still allowed to practice, dress and sit with their team.
  2. Any step 4 (SAD) will make the student ineligible for the next two scheduled contests. They are still allowed to practice, dress and sit with their team.
  3. Any step 5 will result in removal from the team he/she is currently on for the remainder of the season.

Conduct - On the Court or Field

Athletes must show the proper respect for authority. A strong, capable opponent will bring out the best in us and show us our areas of weakness. Officials and opponents must be treated with the same respect and dignity that we would want to receive. Humility is the mark of greatness. (Proverbs 11:2, 12:1)

Expect that some calls don't go our way - it is these games that become defining moments for our character development. We must stay cool and focus on the bigger picture, not letting circumstances distract us from our ultimate goal. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Participants in the athletic program must die to self, giving up individual rights to gain team victories. (Philippians 2:5-8)

If any player is removed from a contest for unsportsmanlike behavior, he/she will not be allowed to play in the next contest but is allowed to practice, suit up, and sit with the team during the contest. A second occurrence will result in removal from the team, pending a hearing with the Administration.

Eligibility

All athletes must have the following forms completed and on file in the school office:

  1. Physical
  2. Insurance Information
  3. Release and Participation
  4. Signed Code of Conduct

There is an activity fee associated with each sport that each athlete must pay. The fees are levied by the Administration and are subject to change from year to year.

Prior to a student's involvement in any athletic activity, the child's parent or guardian must attend a meeting held by the coach and Athletic Director. These meetings will consist of information that the parent will need to understand to insure their child's successful participation in the sport. It will also consist of rules and guidelines that must be adhered to by all family members when attending athletic events involving ICS.

These meetings will be mandatory for each sport in which the child wishes to participate. Students will be ineligible to participate in a sport if their parent/guardian fails to attend. Information will be provided by coaches as these meetings are scheduled throughout the year.

An athlete's eligibility hinges on academics, conduct and attendance. Each student-athlete must strive for excellence in all areas of their education so that they may be successful on the court or on the field.

Practices

All athletes must faithfully attend practices and abide by team rules as set forth by the coach.

Each athlete - whether starter or backup - must respond with maximum effort on practice days so the team may achieve maximum results on game days. (Colossians 3:23-24)