Athletics
Danny Erickson- Athletic Director
Twitter: @CantonAthletics
Canton High School is a member of the Hockomock League and partner-school with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).
The Canton High School Athletic Program promotes education through the medium of physical activities. It makes its contribution to the growth and development of youth physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. The Canton High School Athletic Program is open to ALL students.
First and foremost, Canton High School is an academic institution. Satisfactory classroom standing must be maintained at all times by students exercising the privilege of athletic participation. Additional help/support in academic areas is encouraged by all members of the athletic staff. Prior arrangements must be made with the head coach of that sport if practice time is to be affected for any reason.
The importance of enforcement of all regulations should be apparent. High standards for conduct and citizenship are essential in maintaining sound athletic programs. It is our intent to preserve rules that reasonably pertain to the health and safety of the individual and to the orderly conduct of sports.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ARE FOR ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER IDENTITY, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AGE OR DISABILITY.
Attendance Requirements (as noted in the Attendance Procedures page)
Student-athletes are reminded that Canton High School is an academic institution and that a full day of classes is expected of all students. Athletic participation is a privilege and adherence to our Attendance Procedures is required. The following criteria apply to all athletic and extracurricular eligibility:
Students may not participate in extracurricular or after-school activities, including athletics, if:
They are absent from school on the day of the event or activity.
They miss more than one class period on the day of the event or activity. Students who miss more than one class period for reasons related to illness or medical appointments must provide documentation from a medical professional if they wish to participate on the day they missed classes. Students who miss class to attend a funeral may participate after school on the day of their absences.
They are dismissed by the nurse for reasons related to illness.
Students who exceed the absence limit in a class may lose extracurricular and social privileges, which may include athletics and performing arts. This includes attendance at school-sponsored dances and athletic and performing arts events. Seniors who exceed the absence limit may lose their senior privileges.
RULES, REGULATIONS, AND CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CHS STUDENT-ATHLETES
Canton High School is an active member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (henceforth referred to as the MIAA) and has agreed to conform to all of its rules and regulations governing high school athletics. Canton High School is also an active member of the Hockomock League and adheres to the constitution and by-laws of that league. Student-athletes should be aware of the rules and regulations of the above-mentioned organizations. MIAA rules can be found at www.miaa.net.
The following Canton High School Athletic rules, regulations and expectations of conduct are also to be adhered to by all interscholastic team members:
Athletes who, in the opinion of their coach, the Athletic Director, or the Principal, have acted in a way that violates the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, or the positive nature of competition, may be suspended or dismissed from a team. This is not limited to on-field behavior.
Attendance is mandatory at both practices and games. All absences from practices or games must be approved in advance by the Head Coach. Unexcused absences may result in a game/contest suspension. A second unexcused absence in a season may result in further suspension or dismissal from the team. Missing a practice because of detention is not an excused absence.
Family vacations are not excused absences, and we ask that every effort be made by families not to schedule such vacations during the school sports season. While it is understood that sometimes families have little choice as to when they are able to travel as a unit, students who miss games or practices due to family vacation may serve a minimum of a one-game suspension for each game missed.
Canton High School adheres to the MIAA’s Good Citizen Rule- “Student-athletes may not represent their school if they are on in-house or out-of-house disciplinary suspension. A suspended student is ineligible for practice or competition for at least the number of days (or partial days) of the suspension.” Canton High School’s policy is that a Good Citizen athletic suspension must be served whether or not there was a practice or game on the day of the suspension. If no team practice or game is scheduled on the day of the suspension, students will serve their athletic suspension on the day of the next practice or game.
Courtesy and obedience must be shown to all staff members and officials. Insubordination or insolence will not be tolerated. Any such violations may result in suspension or dismissal, depending on the seriousness of the violation.
On athletic bus trips, all team members must go and return on the team bus, unless granted permission by the coach. In order for the coach to grant permission, 1. a permission note signed by the parent or guardian must be given to the AD/principal before the trip. 2. students may only go or return with their own parents/guardians.
Destruction or vandalism of personal, athletic, or school property will result in suspension or dismissal from the team, depending on the severity of the act.
Student-Athletes are responsible for all equipment or uniforms issued to them. Student-Athletes who lose or damage equipment will be required to pay replacement costs for comparable equipment. Student-Athletes who do not return equipment or pay replacement costs lose eligibility to play any other sports.
Appearance while representing the school shall be reasonable and neat at all times. Coaches may refuse to take players to an away game if their appearance would discredit the school.
Student-Athletes are expected to represent their teams and school in a positive, professional manner when attending other school contests as spectators. Athletes whose actions as spectators are embarrassing to their team or offensive may be suspended or dismissed from their team.
Hazing is illegal and will not be tolerated in any form. (See complete Hazing policy)
No student-athlete will be allowed to practice or play unless the athletic office has a copy of a recent physical exam report on file. (For purposes of this rule, the copy on file will expire 13 months from the date of the physical exam.)
If a player visits a doctor for an injury sustained through participation in Canton High School athletics, that athlete will not be allowed to resume participation without a note from a medical professional. Final clearance is determined by the Athletic Trainer.
The Head Coach may make decisions for dismissal or extended suspensions from a sport for infractions of the athletic code. Appeals of said dismissals or suspensions may be made to the athletic director.
Parents/guardians are responsible for picking up their children at the conclusion of games and practices. The supervisory responsibilities of team coaches within the town of Canton conclude at the end of practices or games. For out-of-town competitions, the supervisory responsibilities of coaches conclude once the team has returned to CHS.
While transportation is provided to CHS activities outside of Canton, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of the student-athlete to provide transportation to and from events that occur within Canton.
Families of student-athletes who are injured while participating in Canton High School athletics must use their own health insurance to cover any medical bills. Certain bills that are not covered by personal health insurance may be covered under a school plan. In such cases, the CHS Athletic Trainer should be contacted for insurance information.
All students are reminded that athletic practices/contests are extensions of the school day. All school rules apply as well.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DRUG AND ALCOHOL, and TOBACCO ABUSE POLICY (MIAA's Chemical Health Policy)
The use, possession, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances is forbidden by state law. It is also obvious that use of such chemicals is a detriment to the health and performance of student-athletes. Therefore, Canton High School’s Athletic Department takes the issue of chemical use and abuse very seriously.
From the earliest fall practice date to the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic event - whichever is latest - a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol, marijuana, steroids, tobacco, or any controlled substance.* This policy includes products such as “non-alcoholic (NA) or near beer”, tobacco, vaping and vaping paraphernalia, and electronic cigarettes. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by the student’s doctor.
If a student in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury or academics, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again.
FIRST VIOLATION: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular season and tournament) totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. All fractional parts of an event will be dropped when calculating 25% of the season. Students are expected to continue practicing with their team while serving the suspension.
If the student is captain/captain-elect of a current sport or another sport, that position will be rescinded. A student may have the opportunity to re-earn a captaincy and any such opportunity would require the consent of the coach, athletic director, and principal. This would not apply to in-season violations- that loss of captaincy will remain for the entirety of the season.
SECOND VIOLATION and subsequent violations: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a second violation has occurred in a single school year, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular season and tournament) totaling 60% of all interscholastic contests.
If the student chooses to participate in an approved chemical dependency or treatment/diversion program, the student may be certified for reinstatement in MIAA activities after a minimum of 40% of events provided the student was fully engaged in the program throughout the penalty period.
Both the First Violation and Second Violation periods of suspensions may carry over to subsequent seasons or academic school years if not served to completion.
*It is important for both students and parents to be aware of the dangers associated with posting photos on social media. Several times in recent years CHS student-athletes have served athletic suspensions for photos that show students violating the substance abuse policy. Students and parents need to be aware that these sites are only semi-private and can lead to serious problems if not maintained in a respectful manner.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHES AND PLAYERS (A POLICY OF THE CANTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE)
The coach has the right to evaluate and select players based on the individual’s ability, attitude, commitment, and potential for improvement.
The coach has a right to discipline any player who has violated the Rules, Regulations, and Code of Conduct established by the Athletic Department and approved by the School Committee. It is expected that the behavior of team members will reflect well on the school and on the townspeople.
Each athlete will be informed of, and expected to adhere to, the Rules, Regulations, and Code of Conduct as well as the written rules established by the coach and approved by the Athletic Director and the Principal.
Within one week of the coach’s decision, an appeal of suspension or dismissal of a team member may be made in writing, first, to the Athletic Director and then, if necessary, to the Principal.
The coach will emphasize the importance of academics. Each athlete shall have ample opportunity to attend extra help and/or make-up sessions.