Things happen, if they do your guardian needs to send an email to Coach Assink at dassink@nsd.org so I know where you are at when you are supposed to be at practice. Any unexcused absence will result in being sat from the next competition.

Examples of Excused Absences:

• If you are sick

• If you are going to a Doctor/Dentist/Therapy/Orthodontist/PT/etc. appointment

• If you have to make up school work like a test due to a previous absence

• Needing to watch siblings

• Family events that are unavoidable (i.e. funeral, wedding, births, etc)

• Religious events 

Examples of Unexcused Absences

• I'm just not feeling it today, bro

• Your friends are all going to a movie instead

School has to come first, if you are not passing all of your classes you will not be able to compete.  If there is some extenuating circumstance, like an extended absence, you are welcome to discuss that with Coach, but the team rule is that ALL classes must be at a passing grade to remain eligible.

Captains are held to a high standard, if a Captain misses competition due to grades they will be removed from their captains role. If there are extenuating circumstances then we can have a meeting with Coach Assink and Ms. Stanich to discuss and come to a resolution that takes the circumstances into account. 

Every wrestler needs to have clean practice gear for every practice, and every wrestler needs to be showering daily.  This is a non-negotiable and is for team safety.  One wrestler not following the proper hygiene protocols can result in multiple athletes having to sit out or go to a doctor for skin conditions.  

The expectation is that you are showering at school after practice, if for some reason you need to leave practice early, you need to shower immediately, we can get you into the locker room to shower or you need to shower AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!

It is best practice to shower at tournaments where available as well, this is not always available, but bring a clean change of clothes, soap and a towel to any tournament just in case.  The most likely place to get a skin infection is from an opponent. 

Wear deodorant every day, and it is a good idea to have a stick in your practice bag.  It is not fun to spar with a teammate if their pits can be smelled from across the room.  

I love seeing kids who are passionate about their sport, but that passion can turn into something toxic if not held in check.  Throwing gear, punching the mat/walls/etc, refusing to shake the hand of your opponent or their coach

We are being allowed to practice and compete in our areas, we need to respect the space and make sure we clean up after ourselves (and others.)  Every space we enter as a team, busses, locker rooms, mat rooms, gyms, should be left cleaner than the way we found it.    

Natural talent can only get you so far.  It is amazing how far hard work alone can take an athlete, and especially in a sport that is as physically and mentally demanding as wrestling the harder that you try in practice the further you will go.  You may be incredibly physically adept, but without technique and strategy that is only going to take you so far. 

I know that you have high expectations for your kids, I respect and honor that. Where we draw the line is when a parent is yelling at, demeaning, insulting, or degrading their child.

As coaches we are not going to leave your athlete alone at school or at a tournament, but we do need to be able to expect rides for students within a reasonable time after an event ends.  Please make sure to be ready to pick up your student-athlete after an event is complete.

If someone else is taking your athlete home that needs to be cleared BEFORE the event, if I do not have verification that someone else can pick them up we cannot let them leave.  In addition if you pick them up from an event and I do not have them signed out then the team cannot leave until I get in touch with both guardians and building administration.  Please make sure to sign out!

Please make sure that any communication, whether face-to-face or digitally, is respectful of the IHS coaching staff.  If you feel there is an issue that you would like to discuss please send Coach Assink an email outlining your concerns, but when possible please attmept to follow the following steps:

1. Please encourage your child to speak directly with the coach. Often, concerns can be resolved at this level.  

2. Contact the coach to set up an appointment. 

3. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. 

Please give coaches 24 hours before contacting them. In addition to the fact that emotions may be running high in the moment Coaches are busy in the time right after an event, and we do not have the time or capacity to devote our attentions to you and your concerns.  

Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches: 

1. Team strategy, practice-organization, or challenge matches.  

2. Varsity Line-up composition

3. Other student-athletes.  

We never want to have to sit a wrestler because of missing paperwork or because they did not get where they needed to be on time.  Please make sure to keep an eye out for any communication through parent square regarding practice needs, times, tournament details, or any paperwork that needs to be completed.