The mission of the Pine Tree Independent School District office of athletics is to insure and enhance the quality of life for youth by providing competitive activities. The pitting of one’s skills, knowledge, and talent against friendly opponents is a means of learning one’s own strengths and weaknesses.

Good contests, properly supervised, give youthful competitors the opportunity to gain self confidence, improve skills, exhibit good sportsmanship, ethical behavior and integrity. Sports programs help the participant to develop physically, morally, and mentally.

Athletic offerings within the district are competitive and diversified, thereby allowing students the opportunity their full potential relative to growth and development. All programs are designed not only to teach athletic skills, but also to instill good character and teach sound values.

It is felt that the success of the athletic program sets the tone for the entire school year. It builds a positive self image for the individual athlete, the team, the school, the community, and importantly, for the Pine Tree Independent School District.

It is our final goal that sports activities will produce young men and women who will be able to enter the community and become constructive, contributing members of society: citizens that will leave their mark on this world by making it a better place for future generations.

ATHLETIC MISSION STATEMENT

The Pine Tree I. S. D. athletic handbook contains a general statement of the administration regulations governing the overall athletic program. Provisions of the athletic handbook may be expanded, modified, or revoked only by action of the principal, superintendent, or the board of education. If any of the above provisions of this athletic handbook conflict with federal or state laws, and regulations, or board policy, those provisions are superseded by applicable law or board policy. The provisions of this athletic handbook are severable, and the invalidity, illegality, or enforceability of the other provisions.

EXPLANATION OF ATHLETICS

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children. As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of the child’s program.

Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:

Philosophy of the coach
Locations and times of practices and contests
Team requirements, e.g., practices, special equipment, out of season conditioning

Communication coaches expect from parents:

Concerns expressed directly to the coach
Notification of any schedule conflicts in advance

As your children become involved in the programs at Pine Tree, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged. Examples of these situations include the treatment of your child, ways to help your child improve, concerns about your child’s attitude, or academic support.

It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing very much, when, or where you may desire. It will be the coach’s discretion to make all the decisions about playing time or position for individual student-athletes, regardless of the score of the game or the personal feelings of the student-athlete’s parents.

Coaches are professionals. They make judgments based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things should be left to the discretion of the coach.

Examples include team strategy, other student-athletes, playing time, etc.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position.

Most conferences should involve the athlete, the parent, and the coach.

When these conferences are necessary, the following procedures should be followed to help promote a resolution:

Call the coach to set up the appointment.
If the coach cannot be reached, call the athletic office. A meeting will be set up for you.
Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.

If the meeting with the coach does not provide a satisfactory resolution, the next step is to set up an appointment with the athletic director.

Since research indicates that a student involved in extracurricular activities has greater success during adulthood, these athletic programs have been established. Many of the character traits required to be a successful participant are exactly those that will promote a successful life after high school.

PIRATE ATHLETICS

According to University Interscholastic League rules, being in athletics is a privilege and not a right. Only those students who abide by school and athletic policies will be allowed to represent Pine Tree ISD.

When young men and women sign up for athletics and become a member of a team, they make a commitment. They are obligated to follow the rules and regulations of the program. They are not forced to participate. It is voluntary; therefore, they are expected to follow the rules of order.

Parents should strive to help their son or daughter to achieve success in athletics. Success is defined as participating at 100% of the individual’s ability. We can never expect athletes to do more than they are capable; however, we do want them to obtain their fullest potential. Supportive parents can instill this desire in student athletes long after their playing days are over. This can be done by seeing that the student is on time, attends practices and games, and follow the rules and regulations.

REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE

A. Physical Examination

A physical examination is required for the student/athlete’s 7^th, 9^th, and 11^th. The athletic department will offer these physicals for a nominal fee at some point during the spring of each year. If the parents would like to use their own doctor they may do so, but the physical must be on the approved UIL form. These forms may be picked up in the athletic office.

B. UIL Acknowledge of Rules

This form must be signed before the student will be allowed to participate.

C. Academic Eligibility

A student in grades 9-12 may participate in extracurricular activities on or off campus at the beginning of the school year only if the student has earned the cumulative number of credits in state-approved courses.

1. Beginning the 9^th grade year- must have been promoted from the 8^th to the 9^th grade.

2. Beginning the 10^th grade year- must have at least 5 credits towards graduation.

3. Beginning the 11^th grade year- must have at least 10 credits toward graduation or during the preceding 12 months, he/ she must have earned 5 credits.

4. Beginning the 12^th grade year- must have 15 credits toward graduation or during the preceding 12 months, he/she must have earned 5 credits.

A student participating in UIL activities will be suspended from participation in games after a grading period in which the student received a grade lower than a 70 on a scale of 100 in any academic class (other than identified honors or advanced class). This suspension continues for three weeks. The grades will be reviewed at the end of each three-week period; the suspension will be removed if the student is passing all classes with a grade equal to or greater than 70.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM

The administration of the athletic program should provide every boy and girl the opportunity to participate in any sport. Each head coach is responsible for making sure that all students are knowledgeable of tryout procedures and individual requirements for being in all sports. No student in any grade should be deprived of the opportunity to try out or participate in any sport if he has met the head coaches off-season and previous participation requirements. Each head coach will have the opportunity to set the requirements for his/her sport with approval from the athletic director. There will be special circumstances such as transfer students that will be addressed as needed.

The general administration of the athletic program is the direct responsibility of the athletic director. This includes the arrangement of all schedules, time and place of playing games, selection of officials, and the general management of all matters pertaining to the athletic program. In carrying out this program, each head coach in the department shall attend to the details of their respective sports.

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT POLICIES

1. Coaches Rule

Coaches may establish additional rules and regulations with the approval of the athletic director for their respective sports. The rules pertaining to a particular sport must be explained, in writing, by the coach at the start of the season. The coach shall administer penalties for violation of team rules. Copies of all team rules are on file in the athletic office.

2. Discipline Techniques

Discipline yourself so that others won’t have to.

Each situation may require a different type of discipline. Whatever type of discipline that is required, the purpose is to help athletes improve themselves, and to become better persons. Failure to accept this on the part of the athlete or parent/guardian may result in dismissal from the team. The different discipline techniques listed below may be used alone or in combination with the student code of conduct or non student code of conduct violations. The list below is not intended to be a list of progressive sanctions.

· Oral correction

· Counseling by coaches

· Home visits by head coach

· Parent-coach conference with athletic director

· Behavioral contracts

· Withdraw of privileges, such as participation

· Techniques or penalties identified by individual coach of sport

· Dismissal from team or program

3. Hazing

Hazing is against the law and will not be tolerated in the athletic program. Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus directed against another student, by one person alone or acting with others, that endangers the mental or physical health or the safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are to include other students. Under Education Code 37.152 a person commits an offense if the person commits any of the following:

a. Engages in hazing

b. Solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing

c. Recklessly permits hazing to occur

d. Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student, or first-hand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report that knowledge in writing to the principal, athletic director, or designee.

4. Academics

All students are required to remain academically eligible to participate. Remember No Pass-No Play. Repeated academic suspensions may result in dismissal from the team.

5. Attendance

Be in class. Be on time. If you must miss an athletic period or practice, be sure that it cannot be avoided. If you must be absent, call and talk to one of the coaches, or the athletic secretary before the athletic period or practice. You will be required to make up work missed. Repeated absences may result in dismissal from the team.

6. Squad Selection

In accordance with our philosophy of athletics and our desire to see as many students as possible participate in the athletic program, we encourage coaches to keep as many students as they can without unbalancing the integrity of their sport. Time, space, facilities, equipment, personal preference, and other factors will place limitations on the most effective squad size for any particular sport.

7. Cutting

Choosing the members of athletic squads is the sole responsibility of the coaches of those squads. Prior to tryouts, the coach shall provide the following information to all candidates for the team:

A. Extent of the tryout period

B. Criteria used to select the team

C. Number to be selected

D. Practice commitment if they make the team

E. Game commitments

8. Injury or Illness

We have an athletic trainer who knows his business. He will either treat you or refer you to a physician. If you must leave school because of illness, contact or come by the athletic office, coaches office, or training room. If you are ill or injured, we don’t expect you to work out, but if you are at school, we expect you to wear the uniform of the day and accompany your group or team unless given special permission by your head coach or one of the trainers.

9. Respect for Others

Coaches should receive “Yes Sir/ Yes Ma’am” responses from players when talking to them. Players in return will be treated with respect by their coaches. Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, officials, spectators, and support groups. Treat others as you would want to be treated.

10. Promptness

Always be on time. On trips, the bus will not wait. After the final bell rings, you do not have time to waste; go directly to your sport. Tardiness will result in disciplinary action.

11. Disciplinary Removal

If it becomes necessary to consider removing a student from a team or the athletic program, the coach of that team will notify the athletic director and the parent or guardian. The student will have an opportunity to confer with the coach and athletic director. The parents will receive notification and be invited to attend the conference.

12. Dress and Appearance

Athletic participation is voluntary upon the part of the student, and by entering the program, the athlete agrees to abide by the spirit, rules, and regulations which pertain to athletes. One of the most important rules is that athletes must maintain a neat appearance at all times. You should be very professional in uniform and out. Your appearance away from the fieldhouse or gym, especially at school, should reflect the same class and pride that you show in our program. Everyone will wear his/ her uniform in the same matter. No one will be different. We will furnish your equipment, so you will not need your own. Men and women will wear the attire requested by the head coach. Grooming and dress will be explained in detail to all of the athletes and will be enforced by the coaches. No jewelry of any kind will be worn during practice or games. Athletes are public relations ambassadors for their school and as such serve as role models for other students.

13. Quitting

Anyone quitting a sport after a trial period (usually after the first game) will not be allowed to participate in another sport until the season of the sport quit is completed or unless the head coaches of both sports agree that the student would be better off in the other sport. The athletic director may, at his discretion, make an exception to this rule if an event outside the control of the athlete or his/her family causes the athlete to drop a sport. A clear understanding is to be reached by the athletic director and the athlete at the time the sport is dropped. Anyone walking off the field or the gym floor during a practice or game will be considered by the coach to have quit that team.

14. Conflict in Activities

An individual student who attempts to participate in several extracurricular activities will, undoubtedly, be in a position of a conflict of obligations. The athletic department recognizes that each student should have the opportunity for a broad range of experiences in the area of extracurricular activities, and to this end, will attempt to schedule events in a manner to minimize conflicts. Students have a responsibility to do everything they can to avoid continuous conflicts. This would include being cautious about participation in too many activities outside of school also where conflicts are bound to happen. It also means immediately notifying the faculty sponsors and coaches involved when a conflict does arise.

When a conflict arises, the sponsors and coaches will work out a solution so the student does not feel caught in the middle. If a solution cannot be found, the athletic director will make the decision based on the following:

1. The relative importance of the event.

2. The importance of each event to the student.

3. The relative contribution the student can make.

4. How long each event has been scheduled.

5. Talk with parents.

Once a decision has been made and the student has followed that decision, he/she will not be penalized in any way by either faculty sponsor or coach. If it becomes obvious that a student cannot fulfill the obligation of the school activity, he/she should withdraw from that activity in a timely fashion so as not to place an unreasonable burden on the team, coach, or sponsor.

15. Travel

All athletes represent the community, school, and coaches. Therefore, it is expected that all will dress in an acceptable manner on trips and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. When missing classes because of an athletic event, it is the responsibility of the athlete to see his/her teacher the day before the missed classes. All work shall be made up at the convenience of the teacher. All athletes making a school sponsored trip shall be required to ride the transportation provided by the school to and from the event. With the permission of the head coach, students may return home with the parent or guardian when the parent or guardian presents a written request to the coach. On school athletic trips, students will only be released in person to their parent or guardian. If an athlete is injured in a contest away from home, the above policy may be altered to meet the circumstances.

16. Vacations

Vacations by athletic team members during a sport season are strongly discouraged. While family values will always take precedence over program requirements, parents and athletes in conflict between vacations and program requirements may wish to re-evaluate their commitment to being involved in athletics. We urge parents not to plan their vacations during times when there will be conflicts.

In the event of an absence due to a vacation that is unavoidable, an athlete must:

A. Contact the head coach prior to the vacation

B. Practice one day for each practice or contest day missed prior to resuming competition (contest day will count as a practice day.)

C. Be willing to assume the consequences related to their status on the squad as a starter, 2^nd string, etc. for the time missed.

17. Club Sports

A club sport is a sports program outside of the school that is not affiliated with U.I.L. athletics. We are very fortunate to live in a community where the high school can be the main focus. We feel our athletes’ obligations are to their school team first. We will not excuse our athletes to miss a school contest or practice for a club event. If an athlete pursues club participation he/she must:

A. Contact all head coaches of sports at the school in which he/she is participating in.

B. Be willing to assume the consequences related to their status on the squad as a starter, 2^nd string, or even dismissal, for the time participating in club activities without approval of all head coaches involved at the school.

18. Tobacco-Alcoholic Beverages-Use of Illegal Drugs

There will be no use of tobacco products, drinking alcoholic beverages, or use of illegal drugs at any time for those students who desire to take part in the Pine Tree Athletic Program. The consequences for violation are a part of the Pine Tree Student Code of Conduct. Punishments stated are the minimum required. Each head coach may assess more disciplinary measures as he/she sees fit for their program. These punishments will be detailed in writing before the season starts and approved by the Athletic Director.

19. Theft

Taking things that do not belong to you, especially taking from your teammates, will not be tolerated. We ask that you do not bring valuables or large sums of money to the dressing room. LOCK YOUR LOCKERS AT ALL TIMES. A player caught stealing will have a letter, subject to the Student Code of Conduct, put in his student file, be required to replace whatever was taken, and serve accumulated OCS time. Head coaches may assess greater punishments that should be detailed in writing and approved by the Athletic Director before the season starts.

20. Criminal Activity

Any activity that brings disgrace or dishonor to the Pine Tree Athletic Program will not be tolerated. Such activity could result in dismissal from the program. Some consequences are determined by the U.I.L. and others by our Student Code of Conduct. These consequences are set as a minimum and head coaches may determine more harsh measures as set in writing before the season starts.

These criminal offenses will coincide with the criminal drug and alcohol offenses outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The athletic department and individual sports reserve the right to allow an accumulation of other misconduct to alter the amount and type of punishment administered, up to and including the dismissal of the athlete from the program.

It is important to remember that these rules are in place to help the athlete to correct whatever problem they may have while not allowing their actions to be a detriment to the program.

AWARD POLICIES

U.I.L. rules prohibits athletes from accepting anything of value other than as listed in these policies. All athletes must strictly adhere to all training, attendance, conduct, discipline and appearance rules set forth by the coaches for the entire school year before being considered for an athletic award. All scholastic eligibility rules established by the School Board, the University Interscholastic League, and T.E.A. must be met. It must be clearly understood that the coach recommends an athlete for an award. Many schools give jackets at the end of the senior year or require a minimum of two years participation to receive a jacket. In Pine Tree I.S.D. all juniors who complete a sport will be measured for a major award jacket in the spring of their junior year and receive the jacket at the beginning of their senior year. This is best for all students. Regardless of playing time or level of play (J.V. or Varsity), as a junior, all students receive their jackets at the same time (the beginning of their senior year.)

Schools may give one major award jacket, not to exceed $60.00 in value, to a student during high school enrollment at the same school for participation in one of the U.I.L. interschool competition. One additional symbolic award, not to exceed $10.00 in value, may be presented for participation in each additional U.I.L. activity. The $10.00 award shall not be given to a student for an activity during the same year that the major award is given for that activity.