Athletic Policies
Requirements for Participation
- Physical Examination: Any student wishing to participate in the WCDS athletic program must have a physical exam certificate within one year of the starting date of the season. This certificate must be on file in the Athletic Director’s office prior to the start of practice. No student may practice without this physical. Waivers may be obtained for religious reasons. Students who are medically excused from Physical Education may not participate in the athletic program for the duration of the excuse.
- Emergency Medical Information: The information on the last page of the school’s physical examination form must be filled out. This policy must be approved by the Headmaster.
- Academic Eligibility: Student-athletes must have a 75 overall GPA in the quarter immediately prior to and during participation in order to be eligible for sports and cheerleading. Students with one “F” in any final quarter grade, regardless of their overall average, are ineligible. In their school academic career, students may have a one time appeal to the headmaster for reinstatement to the program. Reinstated students will outline their course of academic action to the Headmaster for his approval. If approved, the students’ progress will be monitored weekly by the coach, advisor, Athletic Director or Headmaster.
Inclement Weather
At the FIRST sight of lightning in the area, any outdoor athletic activities (practice or game) at WCDS will be suspended immediately and the athletes will seek the nearest shelter. Thirty minutes after the last sight of lightning teams may return to the fields.
Missed Practices
Training and practices are important components involved in building a team. Student-athletes are expected to attend ALL practices and training sessions during the particular athletic season. Failure to fully commit to training and attending practice will result in consequences which the coach will determine and impose. These consequences can include not starting a game, being “benched” for an entire game or games or dismissal from the team.
Travel/Transportation
All athletes must travel to and from out-of-city athletic contests in transportation provided by the athletic department unless previous arrangements are made by the parents in writing (note) or in person with the coach or Athletic Director. Occasionally, adults will drive private vehicles.
Training Rules and Regulations
When an athlete assumes the privilege of representing one’s school through team membership, she/he accepts a responsibility to uphold the rules and regulations of the school. Thus, any student-athlete caught violating the chemical health rules of the school will be subject to the consequences outlined in the Student Handbook, and the Athletic Department will enforce the following:
- Expulsion from school is the likely result of violating the rules.
- In the event that the student-athlete is placed on probation and is allowed to continue attending WCDS, the student-athletic will lose eligibility for interscholastic events for two weeks.
- A student may be allowed to remain at practice at the discretion of the coach.
- With the presnce of younger children in our school, being a leader and positive role model is important.
- Profanity will not be tolerated on or off the playing field.
Letter Awards
Varsity letters will be awarded at the spring Sports Dessert based on the following criteria:
A. The athlete significantly contributes to the team and attends, unless excused by the coach, all practices and games, including post-season tournament play.
B. The athlete, realizing that he/she is representing WCDS, conducts himself/herself accordingly.
C. The athlete successfully completes the season:
1. An athlete dismissed from a team for academic or disciplinary reasons will not be eligible to receive a varsity letter.
2. Injured athletes will be considered on an individual basis by the coach and Athletic Director.
3. Equipment and uniforms are turned in or paid for.
4. Criteria established by the coach have been achieved.
D. A statistician or manager may be awarded a varsity letter as determined by the coach.
Additional Information
- The school does not have separate athletic insurance for student-athletes.
- By NCISAA rule, no students may participate in athletics if they have reached their 19th birthday on or before August 1st of the current year.
- Coaches will dress professionally, according to the standard practice of their sports, and at the direction of the Athletic Director.
Sportsmanship
The WCDS community values good sportsmanship. Some general guidelines for all to follow are:
1. Appreciate good play, no matter who makes it.
2. Show compassion for injured players.
3. Avoid the use of profane language.
4. Avoid jeering and taunting opponents. Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, players or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule or demean others, whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist. Included is conduct that berates, needles, intimidates or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size, economic status, speech, family, special needs or personal matters. Examples of taunting include but are not limited to: “trash talk”, defined as verbal communication of a personal nature directed by a competitor to an opponent by ridiculing his/her skills, efforts, sexual orientation, or lack of success, which is likely to provoke an altercation or physical response; and physical intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including “in the face” confrontation by one player to another and standing over/straddling a fallen player.
For Parents
Communication you should expect from Athletic Director or Coaches:
1. Philosophy of the WCDS athletic program purposes and goals
2. Locations and times of all practices and contests
3. Expectations the coach has for your child and the team, including special equipment and out-of-season training
4. Procedure followed in case of injury
5. Discipline that may result in your child not playing
6. Updated web page for practice and game times and dismissal times for school.
Communication that coaches expect from parents:
1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance
3. Specific concern with regard to a coach’s expectations
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:
1. Treatment of your child, emotionally and physically
2. Ways to help your child improve
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior and/or attitude
4. Academic support
5. College opportunities
Coaches make decisions based on what they believe to be best for the team, balancing that belief with the needs of all team members. As you have seen from the above list, certain topics can and should be discussed with a coach. Other items, such as those listed below, must be left to the discretion of the coach.
Issues not appropriate to discuss with a coach:
1. Playing time
2. Team strategy
3. Other student-athletes
How to Express a Concern
If a student or parent has a concern relative to the athletic program in general, he/she should first contact the coach of the particular sport, then the Athletic Director, Michael Taylor. If he/she wishes to pursue the matter further, he/she should contact the Headmaster, Todd Anderson.
If a student or parent has a concern relative to a specific sport/team, he/she should first contact the coach of the particular sport then the athletic director. If the issue still is not resolved he/she should next contact the Headmaster.
Conflict Resolution Process
Athletic involvement, while fun and exciting, can be very emotional and time consuming. Because of this fact, conflicts and issues between a student and his/her coach may arise. It is imperative that any conflict and/or issue be addressed immediately and as directly as possible, so it can be resolved promptly. Students and parents should use the following process as a guideline when seeking resolution to conflicts and/or issues.
Step 1: The conflict/issue should be presented as soon as possible to the coach by the athlete. If personal contact is not practical, a student may ask his/her team captain to approach the coach. If contact by the captain is not practical either, then contact may be made by the athlete’s parent at an appropriate time. In order for this conversation to be as productive as possible, times to be avoided are:
- Either immediately prior to or right after a contest
- During an active practice session
- During a time when other students are present or when the discussion is readily visible to others
- When it is apparent that there is not sufficient time to allow for a complete discussion
The best solution is to set up an appointment with the coach.
Step 2: If a satisfactory resolution is not reached through direct contact with the coach, the student and/or parent should contact the Athletic Director. The coach should be informed that this contact is going to be made. If this discussion does not result in a satisfactory conclusion, a meeting will be scheduled involving all concerned parties in an attempt to reach a satisfactory resolution.