I. TEAM SELECTION:
Athletics is an extracurricular activity provided by the school. Participation is a privilege not a right. Archbishop McCarthy provides each student/athlete with the opportunity to participate in a number of athletic programs. Therefore, it must be understood all those who try out for a sport will not necessarily make the team. In some of our programs each student/athlete must go through a selection process. Furthermore, because a student/athlete was part of the team the previous year and/or an upperclassman does not guarantee a position on the respective team the following year.
A) CRITERIA: The criteria for the selection process is set by the head coach and his/her staff with the approval of the Director of Athletics. It is the prerogative of the coaching staff to render the final decision for the team selection based on their experience and best professional judgment according to set criteria. All student/athletes will be evaluated by the coaching staff for selection on a team at the beginning of each season. In sports where player cuts are made, a contract between the coaches, parents and student/athletes agreeing to the criteria and selection process must be signed by all concerned parties before the selection process takes place. Questions concerning the criteria and this process should be addressed by the student/athlete and parents directly to the head coach. Prior to the selection process, all candidates for a team are provided with ample scrimmage time, briefed on the length of the selection process, and the commitment level required for team members.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES AS A STUDENT/ATHLETE: Each student/athlete is expected to abide by the Athletic Department’s Code of Conduct both on and off the field. This Code is comprised of the following:
A) ACADEMIC STANDARDS: The minimum GPA required to participate in a sport is a 2.0. It’s the student/athlete’s responsibility to maintain the minimum GPA while striving to achieve greater academic success. Since many of our student/athletes set their goals to continue athletic participation in college, each is encourage to familiarize themselves with the NCAA standards by going to the NCAA Clearing House website at ncaaclearinghouse.net. The AMHS school number for the Clearing House is 100577. The NCAA bases eligibility on sixteen core courses taken over the course of an individual’s high school career.
B) SPORTSMANSHIP: Sportsmanship as defined by the FHSAA is as follows: Students, coaches, administrator, spectators and all other persons connected directly of indirectly with a member school, as well as contest officials, shall practice and promote the highest standards of sportsmanship and ethics at all times directly or indirectly in any manner to interscholastic relationships or events, whether prior to, during, or following such relationship or event.
C) RESPECT: All Archbishop McCarthy student/athletes must set a good example, regardless of the outcome of the game, by always respecting the officials, coaches, opponents and fans.
- The head coach has the authority to discipline a student/athlete up to and including the suspension and/or dismissal from a team. In these cases the athletic director must be informed and consulted before final action is taken. Every effort will be made to notify the parents or legal guardian prior to final disciplinary action.
- Words or actions by players, parents, and/or legal guardians deemed detrimental to the team or the well being of an athlete, member of the coaching staff, or member team as determined by the administration of the school, may be just cause for the athlete’s dismissal from the team.
D) HEALTH: It is the responsibility of each student/athlete, under the guidance of a coach, to prepare physically as well as mentally, prior to the sports season. In most cases this will entail participation in school sponsored off-season strength and conditioning programs. If an injury occurs, the school’s athletic trainer must be notified. If at anytime the athlete is seen by a physician, a letter of release signed by the physician must be given to the athletic trainer prior to any further involvement on the school’s athletic team.
E) DEDICATION/COMMITMENT: Once you are selected on a team, regardless of the level, you are committed to that team for the duration of its season. It is against school policy to leave one team prior to the conclusion of its season to play on another team. You are required to be on time, prepared, attend each practice and game, and maintain a positive attitude towards your coaches and teammates throughout the season.
III. THE ROLE OF THE PARENT: The school and athletic department expects a certain level of conduct for our parents. Listed below are a number of areas this entails:
A) BE ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENCOURAGING: Support your son/daughter to strive for their best, regardless of the level of sport. Work with your son/daughter as well as their teachers/coaches to help set realistic academic and performance goals. Be aware at times, the student/athlete may tend to put too much pressure on themselves in order to achieve unrealistic goals.
B) LET THE COACHES COACH: Regardless of the coaching experience a parent/guardian may have, avoid criticizing the coaches, school officials, and other teammates in the presence of your son/daughter. Behavior such as this is detrimental to the building of team morale. Parent/guardian needs to trust the coach and his/her philosophy to help build team morale. The development of a positive coach-athlete relationship promotes personal and team growth and is essential to team spirit and success. While on the sidelines, you’re expected to refrain from coaching your son/daughter since your instructions may confuse or contradict the coach’s sideline instructions. The offering of encouragement and support by the parent can have more of a positive impact on your son/daughter.
C) APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH A COACH:
- How your child can improve and grow
- Concerns about your son’s/daughter behavior
- Coaching philosophy
As professionals, our coaches make decisions based on what they believe is best for the team. As listed above, there are some issues a parent can discuss with a coach. However, there are issues which must be left to the judgment and discretion of the coach.
D) ISSUES NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES:
- Playing time
- Coaching strategy
- Play calling
- Other student/athletes
- Other coaches, administrators, or athletic teams
E) PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IF YOU HAVE TO DISCUSS A CONCERN WITH A COACH: There are times when it may be necessary to require a conference to discuss concerns with a coach and it will always be encouraged to do so. It’s helpful for each party to have a clearer understanding of the other’s position. It’s also important to note two very important facts: One, that confidentiality is something that may not be promised. Two, you will be heard but you may not get what you want. If and when a conference with a coach is requested the following procedures are in place:
- Either call or email the head coach to set up an appointment.
- If for some reason the head coach cannot be reached please call the Director of Athletics, Mr. Anthony Massaro at (954) 434-6763.
- Please do not attempt to circumvent the chain of command by contacting either the school’s principal or athletic director without speaking to the head coach first.
- Once the conference is set please stick to the points of concern.
- In many cases another coach involved with the sport will also be present.
F) WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: If for some reason(s) your meeting with the head coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution the parent can do the following:
- Call and set up an appointment with the Director of Athletics to discuss the situation remembering to stick to the point(s).
G) IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING SPORTS: In the case where a family is delinquent in paying tuition, and other financial obligations, the administration of the school may refuse to allow the student to participate in athletic or school activities.Parents acknowledge that participation in sport leagues/clubs is inherently dangerous and, while the school will attempt to secure the well being of each student, it cannot ensure the safety of all students who participate in these programs. Archbishop McCarthy is not responsible for student participation in sports/leagues/clubs not listed in The Parent/Student Handbook. Parents hereby acknowledge student/athletes who participate in any such program do so at their own risk. Parents further acknowledge that the school does not control or sanction any such program and that it shall not be held liable for any injuries or damages sustained by students or others arising from participation in such program or activities. This includes sponsored outside agencies, roller hockey, ice hockey, and others. Archbishop McCarthy leases its athletic facilities to a third party independent contractors who are not affiliated with the school, parish, or Archdiocese. Although some such “camps” are held on school property, the school does not endorse, sanction, condone, supervise, insure, guarantee, or otherwise investigate employees, techniques or safety of camps. Parents must themselves determine the appropriateness and safety of the camps for their children.
Through athletic participation, the student/athlete will learn a variety of useful lessons that will serve them well in their life after high school. Among others, these include learning to deal with the successes and failures on the athletic field, as well as the effort and dedication required to work not only toward individual goals, but also team goals. It is our hope that the information provided in this Guide answers some of your questions and ensures a positive experience with the Archbishop McCarthy Athletic Department. It’s our goal to work together towards the healthy physical, spiritual, and social development of the student/athlete.
