Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions (and answers)

1. Is there a cost to Eagle Guard? Yes, $240 for uniforms and supplies. Members will still need to buy socks and shorts.

2. Do they get to keep their uniforms? Yes, they do. We order new uniforms each year, so dues repeat the second year for all.

3. Is there hazing involved? Absolutely not. If there is any concern about this in any way, shape, or form, please bring it to my attention immediately. RHS and RISD have worked hard to educate our staff and student leaders about the risks of hazing and the actions that constitute hazing. They should not be occurring as a part of Eagle Guard.

4. What if my kid needs to miss a game for a college visit? Absences which are pre-approved by the sponsor are acceptable for one football game during the season. If a second game is missed (approved or not), it will result in 2 demerits. However, no penalty applies for demerits until a total of 4 are reached.

5. How will I know if my child made Eagle Guard? The sponsor calls the parents and tells them of the result of their child making the squad. Students are usually notified by posting a congratulations list outside the sponsor's classroom.

6. Are new members chosen by popularity or by current members? The tryout process always involves the applicant being scored on skills necessary for success as a member of Eagle Guard. Applicants are scored by both students AND faculty to minimize favoritism and acknowledge successful attempts at the tryout tasks. Students with the highest aggregate scores are accepted into Eagle Guard.

7. How many members does Eagle Guard have? Typically, we have 10-12. This year, there are two returning members which means we will be adding 8-10 new members to the squad.

8. Does Eagle Guard require a certain number of new members to be rising juniors? No. We take the highest-scoring candidates.

9. If my child is unable to attend tryouts due to a conflict, will there be an alternate tryout time? No. The student must be present to try out.

10. Can an Eagle Guard member also be involved in other athletics/organizations? Absolutely! Most of our members are highly engaged students at RHS. The only limitation would be a student who is in the Eaglettes Drill Team, Eagle Cheerleading, or the Eagle Football Team. We have had former members on Varsity Volleyball, Desperados, and The Golden Eagle Band. We can usually make it work.