Athletics

ATHLETICS

We believe the following information will help answer many of your questions regarding interscholastic athletics at Medfield High School. This handbook contains information regarding policies, practices, and regulations that govern the athletic program at Medfield High School.

Keep this handbook and refer to it whenever you have a question or a concern regarding your child’s athletic experience. If you feel that your questions or concerns are not answered in this booklet, contact your child’s coach or call the Athletic Director’s office at 508-359-4809. Please do not let your questions go unanswered.

PHILOSOPHY

The Medfield Public Schools promote the concept that learning is an enriching experience that fosters continuing intellectual growth and personal development. This growth and development, beginning in the classroom, can be further enhanced by involvement in extracurricular activities such as athletics. Student involvement in athletics results positively in the discovery of leadership potential, in cooperative effort, and in respect for others.

The administration of Medfield High School encourages participation at all levels. The interscholastic athletic program offers the opportunity for students to learn life-enriching experiences, to learn to adjust to stressful situations, and to realize their physical and mental potential.

As members of the Medfield High School Athletic program, students and coaches are expected to demonstrate proper respect for each other, other teams, coaches, teammates, officials, spectators and equipment. Student-athletes and coaches are expected to exhibit the highest level of conduct, both on and off the playing field, as they are, at all times, representatives of their team, school and community.

GOVERNING BODIES 

THE MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (M.I.A.A.)

Medfield High School is a member in good standing of the M.I.A.A. With membership, the Principal and all members of our coaching staff agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the M.I.A.A.

One of the primary functions of the M.I.A.A. is to sponsor and conduct post-season tournaments leading to the determination of geographical district and state champions. When varsity teams qualify for and enter such tournaments, we are subject to specific rules and regulations that govern each tournament, as set by the M.I.A.A.

The M.I.A.A. does not sponsor or sanction any sub-varsity tournament competition.

THE TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

Medfield High School is very proud to be a member of the Tri-Valley League. The Tri-Valley League is governed by the M.I.A.A. and its own Constitution. The Principal of each member school agrees that his/her school will abide by all League rules and regulations.

MEDFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Additional policies, regulations, and rules are set by the Medfield School Committee and the Principal. Under M.I.A.A. guidelines, local communities are allowed to set additional policies, rules and/or regulations as long as they are more restrictive than those stipulated by the M.I.A.A.

SPORTS AT MEDFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Medfield High School is a member of the Tri-Valley League which is comprised of twelve schools: Ashland, Bellingham, Dedham, Dover– Sherborn, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, Millis, Norton, Norwood, and Westwood. The Athletic Program at Medfield High School offers a much diversified choice of sports to each student for their participation.

COMMITMENT

When trying out for a team, and being selected to be a member of a team, Medfield High School students are expected to attend all practices and games of that team. In order to allow students time to meet with teachers and to get extra help, practices will not begin until 2:50 p.m. Practices will average approximately two hours in duration. Students should expect to practice every weekday. Weekend practice sessions vary by sport and should be expected, although in general, Sunday is primarily reserved as a no-activity day across the high school.

Interscholastic athletics demands more of a commitment than a club or recreational activity. Students should be aware of the time commitment prior to trying out for the team.

DAILY PARTICIPATION

During tryouts and after team selection, the head coach will distribute and explain expectations related to practice times, locations, and game schedules. Students are expected to make at least a five-day, two-hour daily commitment to the team each week.

At the freshmen and junior varsity levels, most teams do not practice or play on weekends. At the varsity level, weekend and/or evening practices and games are more commonplace, and students should expect regular involvement during these times. Because our teams share facilities and some teams use facilities off- campus, practice and game hours may vary considerably.

At all levels, in all sports, students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from practices.

SCHOOL/FAMILY VACATIONS, EXTENDED ABSENCES, CONFLICTS

Every team member is expected to be present for all team practices and games. Varsity team members should plan on practice and game commitments through vacations.

SQUAD SELECTION

In accordance with our philosophy of athletics and our desire to see as many students as possible participate in the athletic program while at Medfield High School, we encourage coaches to keep as many students as possible without having a negative impact on the integrity of their sport. Obviously time, space, facilities, equipment and other factors may place limitations on the roster size for some sports. We strive to maximize the opportunities for our students.

TRYOUTS

Tryouts for programs are open to all students providing they meet the standards of academic eligibility, parental permission, and basic physical/health qualifications.

Participation in athletics is a privilege; students try out voluntarily and, for some of our teams, risk being cut. During the tryout period the coach will provide an explanation of his/her expectations. It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate to the coach that he/she can meet these expectations. No student is guaranteed a place on the team simply because of his or her grade level or past participation. Students cut from a team are encouraged to try out for another team if there is space on that team and the final cuts have not been made. Students who are cut from a team will be informed as to the reason for the cut. Decisions made by the coaches will be explained to students at an appropriate time and in an appropriate setting, usually in a personal meeting with the student-athlete.

PLAYING TIME

One of the most emotional issues surrounding a student-athlete’s involvement in high school athletics is playing time. There are many factors that determine playing time, such as practice attendance, attitude, commitment, effort and athletic ability.

There are many decisions made on a regular basis by the coaching staff. It is the coach’s responsibility to decide which athletes should start a contest, who should play which position, and how long each athlete should play. These decisions, often difficult to make, are made only by the coaching staff and are approached very seriously after having observed the student-athlete in practice sessions, scrimmages and, at times, games.

SUB-VARSITY TEAMS

At the sub-varsity levels (junior varsity and freshman), the coaching staff will make a strong effort to play all team members for as much time as is practical. At this level, the coaching staff is teaching the offensive and defensive philosophy of the program along with the skills necessary to move along to the next level

VARSITY TEAMS

The emphasis at the varsity level shifts towards fielding competitive teams. Our teams will compete against opponents at the highest level of execution and the goal is to win as many games as possible while constantly emphasizing fair play and sportsmanship. This emphasis may result in the major burden of the contest being carried by the most competitive, skilled team members and uneven playing time among the athletes, with some students not playing in every game. Once again, it is the coach who makes the decision on who starts, plays, and for how long.

However, teams cannot be successful without committed substitutes. These players should be ready at all times to step up and take on the burden of competition when called upon. It is the hard work in practice each day that prepares the whole team for the upcoming games.

TEAM CAPTAINS

Team Captains shall be voted on at the conclusion of the previous season, and in accordance with the head coach's procedures. It is expected that team captains be leaders of their team and should be ready to assume duties assigned by their coach. They are expected to be more aware of the team rules and student athlete responsibilities. Captains are expected to communicate with the coach and team in the event of any problems that may affect the team or its members. Captains may be asked to meet with the Athletic Director during the school year to discuss the athletic program.

Captains may be relieved of their position for violation of team, department, or school rules. Any decision to remove a captain will be a joint decision of the coach and the Athletic Director, and must be approved by the Principal.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Medfield High School expects all parties at a contest to display the highest possible level of sportsmanship. Players, coaches, parents and spectators should treat opponents, game officials and visiting spectators with respect. Cheer for your team, never against the opponent.

The MIAA reserves the right to “warn, censure, place on probation, or suspend for up to one calendar year any player, team, coach, game or school official, or school determined to be acting in a manner contrary to the standards of good sportsmanship.”.

Medfield High School, in turn, reserves the right to impose the same penalties on spectators displaying poor sportsmanship at any of our contests, home or away.

Tri Valley League (TVL) principals and athletic directors have all agreed to the following:

The Tri Valley League will not tolerate negative statements or actions towards competitors, game officials or fans in attendance. This includes taunting, trash talking, baiting, berating players or officials, or actions which cause ridicule or embarrassment. The TVL has a zero tolerance policy. We will not issue warnings. Offenders will be ejected.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS

Each candidate for athletics must register online at FamilyID.com, have a current (valid) physical exam on file with the Athletic Director and/or school nurse, and pay the user fee.  If the fee can not be paid in full, please email AD (escott@email.medfield.net) or call (508-359-4809) to discuss waiver or payment plan options.

THE PARENT ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY IN CASE OF INJURY.

1. As a prerequisite for participation in interscholastic sports, a student is required to submit a doctor’s physical examination report. Under state rules, a current physical means it must be dated within a year of the date of practice or play.

2. A doctor’s note allowing a student to return to athletic participation and competition is required for all student athletes who have been out of practice/competition, due to an injury and/or illness that requires a doctor’s care.

3. The school will take every precaution for the safety of the student-athletes, but the student-athletes must abide by the rules of the sports and not intentionally use techniques which are illegal and which may cause serious injury. All student-athletes participate in athletics voluntarily with the permission of their parent(s) or guardian(s).

4. All student-athletes should be covered by their own health/accident insurance.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Athletic Eligibility is governed by the rules of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), as supplemented herein:

1. Students must pass six of the seven courses in which they are enrolled. 

2. Eligibility is based on the marks from the previous term, with the exception of the fall when eligibility is based on the final course grades from the previous year.

3. Ineligibility takes effect the day report cards are issued, unless a waiver has been granted by the principal.

4. Students who have been absent from school (unexcused) may not attend or participate in extracurricular activities on the day of the absence.

5. A student must be in attendance for the majority of the school day in order to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities. Students cannot miss more than two class periods in order to participate in after school activities. Flex period is considered a class period. Excused absences are an exception to this rule.  A student who is dismissed by the nurse is not eligible to participate in athletics that day.

6. Students will have 12 sport seasons of participation and will not be eligible for an interscholastic sport should his/her 19th birthday fall before the first of September of a given school year.

7. Students involved in sports activities should check with their school counselor and/or the principal and athletic director concerning eligibility status.

AWARDS POLICY

1. A chenille varsity letter shall be awarded to an athlete the first time he/she meets the requirements. In addition, certificates will be awarded each year for athletic participation. Bars and/or pins will be awarded for earning a letter in additional sports and/or to repeat letter winners.

2. No credit will be presented to any athlete who does not complete a given season. In case of injuries which prevent completion of a season, coaches will have the right to give credit that they think is just.

3. The coach of each team is responsible for giving the names of athletes receiving awards to the Athletic Director upon completion of the season.

4. Each head coach is responsible for selecting one athlete on the varsity squad who is to be named as “Most Valuable Player” on that team. The criteria for the selection shall be determined by the head coach of each sport. The Athletic Director is responsible for providing a trophy or other suitable award that is to be presented to the athlete at the end of the season or the team banquet.

5. Traditional awards beyond the chenille varsity letter, certificates of participation, and the varsity MVP include varsity and JV sportsmanship awards in each sport and a senior boy and girl scholar-athlete award.

6. Letters may also be awarded upon a coach’s recommendation to, and approval by, the athletic director.

INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC FEES:

It shall be the policy of the Medfield School Committee to charge an athletic fee per sports season for each participant who becomes a member of a Medfield High School sports team..  The fee differs depending on the sport. The fee of $225 is associated with all Blake Middle School athletics, varsity cross-country, varsity indoor track, and varsity spring track & field.  A fee of $250 pertains to soccer, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis. A fee of $300 is associated with any sport that requires a facility rental (golf, swim & dive, hockey, and gymnastics).  

The payment of the athletic fee allows the student-athlete the privilege of participating on a Medfield High School athletic team. It does not guarantee that the student-athlete playing time or a certain position, etc.

CHEMICAL HEALTH

The chemical health rule will start at the first allowable day of practice through the last day of school for all students. This rule applies immediately, regardless if you play a fall sport or not.

A student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer” and vaporizers/e-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 his/her doctor. This rule represents only a minimum standard upon which schools may develop more stringent requirements.

The MIAA statewide minimum standard is not intended to render “guilt by association,”, e.g. many student- athletes might be present at a party where only a few violate this standard. If a student in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury, academics, or otherwise, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again.

Minimum Penalties:

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 totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. For the student, these penalties will be determined by the season the violation occurs. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program. It is recommended that the student be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. All decimal part of an event will be truncated, i.e. all fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 25% of the season.

Season Length and # of contest totaling 25%: 

1-7 games/meets = 1                                        

8-11 games/meets = 2

12-15 games/meets = 3

16-19 games/meets = 4

20 or more games/meets = 5

Second and Subsequent Violations : When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a second violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests totaling 60% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. For the students, these penalties will be determined by the season the violation occurs. All decimal part of an event will be truncated, i.e. aAll fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 60% of the season.

Season Length and # of contests totaling 60%:

1-3 games/meets = 1

4 games/meets = 2

5-6 games/meets = 3

7-8 games/meets = 4

9 games/meets = 5

10-11 games/meets = 6

12-13 games/meets = 7

14 games/meets = 8

15-16 games/meets = 9

17-18 games/meets = 10

19 games/meets = 11

20 or more games/meets = 12

If after the second or subsequent violations the student of his/her own volition becomes a participant in an approved chemical dependency program or treatment program, the student may be certified for reinstatement in MIAA activities after a minimum of 40% of events. The director or a counselor of a chemical dependency treatment center must issue such certification. All decimal parts of an event will be truncated, i.e. A fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 40% of the season.

Penalties shall be cumulative each academic year. If the penalty period is not completed during the season of violation, the penalty shall carry over to the student’s next season of actual participation, which may affect the eligibility status of the student during the next academic year.

Captains’ Rule:

If a captain of a team is involved in a violation of the above rule, the captaincy will be revoked as well.

In addition to the foregoing penalties, the school district reserves its right to impose additional discipline consistent with Mass. Gen. L ch. 71, section 37H based on the facts of the particular situation.

BONA FIDE TEAM RULE (Loyalty to the High School Team):

A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is regularly present for, and actively participates in, all team practices and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to practice or compete with an out-of-school team. Any student who violates this standard is ineligible for the next two contests or two weeks (whichever is greater) immediately upon confirmation of the violation. A student in conflict with the Bona Fide team rule is also ineligible for the MIAA state tournament for that season.

HAZING

Hazing of any form is prohibited by law. Please see the language of Chapter 269 as follows. Each principal or director is required to receive a signed receipt for this handbook containing the provisions of Chapter 269. Such receipts will be kept on file in the office of the principal or director.

Please refer to the section of Massachusetts General Law in the Behavioral Expectations section of this Handbook 

TAUNTING

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 tackled or fallen player.

1. In all sports, officials are to consider taunting a flagrant unsportsmanlike foul that disqualifies the offending bench

personnel or contestant from that contest/day of competition. In addition, the offender shall be subject to existing MIAA expulsion rules. A warning shall be given to both teams by game officials prior to the contest.

2. At all MIAA contest sites and tournament venues, appropriate management may give spectators one warning for taunting. Thereafter, spectators who taunt players, coaches, game officials, or other spectators are subject to ejection.

COMMENT :

All MIAA endorsed rulebooks give officials/umpires/judges authority to penalize what is generally considered taunting. The purpose of the MIAA’s action is to be more specific in the definition, and more emphatic in the penalty of disqualification, and more uniform in the application of the definition and enforcement from sport to sport.

This policy was adopted by the Board of Directors on November 17, 1994

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Athletics involvement is highly emotional and very time consuming. Sometimes conflicts arise between students, coaches, and occasionally parents. When conflicts or issues arise, it is important that they be addressed immediately, and as directly as possible, so that it can be resolved promptly.

Students and their parents should use the following process as a guideline when seeking resolution to conflicts or issues between and athlete and coach:

FIRST STEP: CONTACTING THE COACH

The athlete should present the conflict/issue to the coach as soon as possible. If personal contact is not practical, a student may ask his/her team captain to approach the coach. If the personal or captain route is not possible, contact may be made by the athlete’s parent at an appropriate time. In order for the contact to be as productive as possible, times that should be avoided are:

• prior to, during or immediately following a contest.

• during an active practice session.

• when other students or parents are present or when it would be readily visible to others that the discussion is taking place.

• when it is apparent that there is not sufficient time to allow for a complete discussion. This includes the time immediately before leaving for an away contest.

Perhaps the best solution is to ask the coach, either over the phone or in person, if an appointment could be made to discuss the issue. A parent or student may also leave a note for the coach in the athletic office.

SECOND STEP: CONTACTING THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

If a satisfactory solution 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, then a meeting will be scheduled involving all concerned parties in an attempt to reach a satisfactory resolution.

Since athletic seasons are relatively short, there should be no delay in airing any and all concerns. It is important for all students and their parents to know that any comments, concerns or issues raised to the Athletic Director will be addressed and communicated to the coach. Parents and students may also expect to hear from the Athletic Director as to the disposition of their concerns.

Although there can be no guarantee that all parties will agree with all resolutions or findings, a thorough, respectful airing of different perceptions and experiences can lead to more productive relationships and clearer understandings in the future.

THIRD STEP: CONTACTING THE PRINCIPAL

If there is still not a satisfactory resolution, the student or parent may contact the high school Principal. The Athletic Director should be informed that this contact is going to be made.

ATHLETIC TRAINER AND TRAINING ROOM

Medfield High School is fortunate to have a highly qualified part-time licensed athletic trainer on staff. During the sports seasons, our trainer is on duty from approximately 2:15 p.m. until practices/games are over. During weekends, or on days when school is not in session, the trainer is required to be on- site only for contests and for some scheduled scrimmages.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CONTESTS

The school provides bus transportation, or a suitable substitute, to most away contests. All team members are expected to travel to these contests using the school-provided transportation for student safety reasons. Exceptions to this policy must be requested in the form of the Transportation Waiver (available from the AD and/or coach) and turned into the Athletic Director prior to the contest.

WEIGHT ROOM/FITNESS CENTER

The Medfield High School Fitness Center is supervised by Wellness staff, and it is available to all students. Students are not allowed in the Fitness Center without supervision. The schedule for the Fitness Center will be posted regularly.

POSTPONED CONTESTS

Many contests throughout the school year are postponed due to factors such as inclement weather. In most instances it is the “home” school that calls for a postponement. By Tri Valley League rules, games are to be made up on the next available open date on both schools’ schedules, including weekends, whenever practical. Every effort will be made to avoid Sundays.

Decisions on postponements are made as late in the day as is practical for proper notification of all interested parties. On school days, the most common time is about 1:30 p.m. for afternoon contests. If there are any questions as to the status of a contest, please check the Medfield Athletics Calendar. If you still have questions, you may also call the Athletic Director at 508-359-4809. Due to scheduling conflicts, it is sometimes necessary to cancel rather than postpone sub-varsity contests.