De Leon ISD Athletic Handbook

Table of Contents
General Information Foreword....1 General Policy Statement...1 High School Athletic Programs High School Programs...1 High School Off-Season Programs....2 Middle School Programs....2 Middle School Off-Season Programs.....3 UIL Regulations and Eligibility Regulations and Eligibility....3 Procedures Felony Criminal Activity..4 Stealing.....4 Alcohol and Drugs....4 General Conduct.......4 Student Conduct.......4 Quitting a Sport........5 Quitting Athletics.....4 Two-Sport Policy.........5 Discipline Management Procedure Procedure5 Awards Policy Receiving awards...6 Procedure To Address Athletic Issues Steps in Addressing Athletic Issues..6

Foreword
De Leon ISD realizes the importance of an excellent athletic program and the value it provides to our students. Much careful thought is given to the continuous evaluation of the athletic program in our schools. This handbook has been written with this goal in mind. It will display the desire of the school to have an overall program second to none. Athletic activities provide opportunities for teaching sportsmanship and citizenship. Proper attitudes and a competitive nature should result from participation in a quality program. These two traits will be invaluable to the individual student who must be able to live in our complex society and meet the challenges of society as well. It must be remembered, however, that a quality athletic program must be an integral part of the total school program. The academic achievement must remain the number one concern of the student, the teacher, the coach, and the administrator. In proper perspective, participation in athletics develops the bodies and minds of students to greater levels of efficiency. In addition, it develops self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Leadership qualities are discovered and developed which are so necessary to the future welfare of the nation. It is our hope that this handbook will serve everyone who has an active part in De Leon Athletics and will be an instrument that answers questions on policy and procedures.

GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

Athletics in the De Leon Independent School District has tremendous potential for meeting the needs of the youth of our community. Competition, cooperation, confidence, and selfdiscipline are vital ingredients for a successful life that can be attained through athletics. No student is obligated to participate in athletics. However, De Leon ISD will extend the privilege to all boys and girls that desire to be a part of this program, with the understanding that athletics is a privilege and not a right. The coaches, under the supervision of the Athletic Director and De Leon Administration, shall have the authority to revoke the privilege of participation when the rules are not followed.

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

The Boys High School program will have a complete athletic program, which will include

the following sports: football, cross country, basketball, baseball, track, power lifting, and golf. The Girls High School program will have a complete athletic program, which will include the following sports: volleyball, cross country, basketball, softball, track, power lifting, and golf. The athletic program will be under the technical control and supervision of the Athletic Director. It shall be the responsibility of each head coach to keep the Athletic Director informed of any problems or potential problems relating to his/her program. The coach in charge of each sport at the high school level will work with each middle school coach in coordinating his/her particular sport or program. It will be the responsibility of the head coach to keep the Athletic Director informed on all phases of this program. Workouts, scrimmages, and games will be consistent with the rules and regulations set forth by the University Interscholastic League and District policy Medical forms must be completed before an athlete begins workouts. Equipment may not be issued, facilities used, or personnel involved in any way before the first day of school, or according to guidelines from the University Interscholastic League.

HIGH SCHOOL OFF-SEASON ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

The main purpose of the off season program is to work toward improving the strength, quickness, agility, and the basic athletic skills of the participants. It is important that the participants in the program learn to appreciate the benefits that can be attained from hard work and also how the benefits can be useful in all sports.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

The Boys Middle School program will have a complete athletic program, which will include the following sports: football, cross country, basketball, and track. The Girls Middle School program will have a complete athletic program, which will include the following sports: volleyball, cross country, basketball, and track. The coach in charge of each sport at the middle school level will work with the head high

school coach in coordination of his/her particular sport or program. It will be the responsibility of the head coach to keep the Athletic Director informed on all phases of this program. Workouts, scrimmages, and games will be consistent with the rules and regulations set forth by the University Interscholastic League and District policy. Medical forms must be completed before an athlete begins workouts. Equipment may not be issued, facilities used, or personnel involved in any way before the first day of school, or according to guidelines from the University Interscholastic League.

MIDDLE SCHOOL OFF-SEASON ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

The main purpose of the off season program is to work toward improving the strength, quickness, agility, and the basic athletic skills of the participants. It is important that the participants in the program learn to appreciate the benefits that can be attained from hard work and also how the benefits can be useful in all sports. Middle School coaches will organize and direct their off season program based on the suggestions from the head high school coaches with the final approval of the Athletic Director.

UIL REGULATIONS and ELGIBILITY

All UIL rules and regulations regarding programs and eligibilities are found in the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules (C&CR) published each year by the University Interscholastic League. The Athletic Director will have a copy in his/her office. You may also view a copy of the UIL Rules online ( HYPERLINK "http://www.uil.utexas.edu" www.uil.utexas.edu) All students participating in athletics must have a physical examination every year before being allowed to practice or participate. UIL requires athletes entering ninth grade and eleventh grade to have a physical. These forms are to be kept on file in the Athletic Directors office. Any athlete who fails two consecutive grading periods may be subject to removal from athletics.

PROCEDURES
This athletic handbook coexists with, but it not intended to supersede or overrule, the DeLeon ISD Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct. This handbook does not address every possible situation that could occur in a program; therefore, any questions not addressed in the handbook, as well as the interpretation, will be answered by the Athletic Director, High School Principal, and a committee of coaches. Some organization guidelines may result in more severe consequences than those outlined below. Felony Criminal Activity Any athlete charged in any criminal activity resulting in a felony under the Texas Penal Code during or outside school hours, whether they are allowed back on campus or not, will be suspended from extracurricular activities indefinitely pending an investigation. Stealing Any athlete caught stealing in any locker room will be removed from athletics. Alcohol and Drugs it is a violation of De Leon Athletic policy for athletes to use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia to include inside a students vehicle. A violation of this nature (reported by a coach, school administrator, or law enforcement official) will be investigated by the Athletic Director and a committee of coaches. Following investigation the athlete will be disciplined according to the Discipline Management procedure. General Conduct All athletes will conduct themselves in a manner that will be positive for our school. If an athlete becomes involved in negative actions or violates the general conduct section of the De Leon ISD Student Handbook, he/she will be disciplined according to the Discipline Management procedure. Actions which will be disciplined include but are not limited to: Using profanity or vulgar language or making obscene gestures. Fighting, scuffling, or assault resulting in bodily injury. Engaging in bullying, harassment, or conduct causing harm to others. Hazing. Damaging or vandalizing property owned by others. Student Conduct - Any athlete that exhibits unbecoming conduct, in the presence of authorized school personnel, that reflects poorly upon the reputation of the school, their organization or team, is subject to discipline at the discretion of the sponsor or coach. If unbecoming conduct behavior continues, the athlete will be disciplined according to the

Discipline Management procedure. Athlete Quitting a Sport If an athlete quits a sport before the season is completed, this student will not begin practice in another sport until the sport quit is complete. Coaches should apply this rule after the second week of practice. All discipline owed to the sport quit must be completed. The athlete will also be disciplined according to the Discipline Management Procedure. Athlete Quitting Athletics After an athlete removes him/her self from enrollment or participation in athletics, re-entry to athletics may only be gained by the following: The student will work with the Athletic Director and a committee of coaches to develop a contract of criteria the student must achieve in order to re-enter the athletic program. As the athlete maintains the contract, he/she will be afforded full membership back into the athletic program with all its responsibilities and privileges. Two-Sport Policy Each athlete will be encouraged to participate in two sports, one fall sport and one spring sport. Fall Sports include football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, and power lifting. Spring Sports include basketball, power lifting, track and field, golf, softball and baseball.

DISIPLINE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

De Leon Athletics will use the Discipline Management Procedure as a form of formal correction. The DMP consists of the 3 levels outlined below: first offense is level one, second offense is level 2, and third offense is level three. When an athlete is placed in the DMP, the athlete will be given a contract to be signed by the athlete, the Athletic Director, and the athletes parents. This contract will explain the reason for the athlete being placed in DMP as well as outline the corrective measures, which will be taken. This contract will be documented and kept on file for a full calendar year. After the contract expires the athlete will be free from the DMP and back to Level 0. Level 1 Athlete placed in level 1 of Discipline Management will be required to: Complete 1 week of 600 Club. Level 2 Athlete placed in level 2 of Discipline Management will be required to: Complete 1 week of 600 Club 10% suspension from competition, based on the beginning season schedule. Suspension

will begin with the next scheduled contest. Level 3 Athlete placed in level 3 of Discipline Management will be required to: Complete 1 week of 600 Club Suspension from competition for a full calendar year.

AWARDS POLICY
According to University Interscholastic League rules, a student is permitted to receive one major award, not to exceed $60.00 during his/her high school enrollment. A student may receive symbolic awards not to exceed $10.00 for each additional sport that he/she letters in. The head coach of each sport, in conjunction with the Athletic Director, will determine the guidelines for students earning athletic awards at De Leon ISD.

PROCEDURE TO ADDRESSING ATHLETIC ISSUES

Problems will be handled in the according fashion: You must discuss the issue with the teams coach. You must then schedule a meeting with the Athletic Director and teams coach if the problem is not resolved after meeting with the teams coach. If not satisfied with the Athletic Directors response, you must then schedule a meeting to discuss the issue with the schools principal, Athletic Director, and teams coach. The last step in handling the issue is to schedule a meeting with the schools superintendent, schools principal, Athletic Director, and teams coach if you feel the problem has yet to be handled.

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