SOUTHBRIDGE MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT 

MISSION

Southbridge Athletics is committed to providing the best possible student-athlete experience through comprehensive excellence, including student-centered services, programming, and guidance. We use interscholastic sport as a platform to develop good role models who are integrated in the Southbridge community, and strive to provide a safe and collaborative environment for student-athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and fans as our Pioneers compete for championships. We value diversity and inclusion, commit to the personal growth of our student-athletes, empower them to build character, leadership skills, and position themselves to graduate, as we prepare them for college and life after sport.

SPORTS PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS

Southbridge Middle High School (SMHS) is a District II member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Southern Worcester County League (SWCL).  Southbridge High School sponsors the following varsity sports:

Boys Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field

Girls Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field, Volleyball

POLICIES and PROCEDURES 

As Pioneers, you are student-athletes participating in education-based athletics, so academics are the priority. The Principal, Director of Athletics, and Guidance Office will be responsible for certifying eligibility for practice and competition of all student-athletes, in accordance with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Below are the requirements to both represent and compete at SMHS.

MIAA Eligibility for Competition

1. Must achieve a passing grade in at least four (4) major subjects during the quarter prior to the beginning of your sport’s respective season. In order to be eligible at the beginning of the Fall (September) or Winter (November) season, a student-athlete must meet the same scholastic requirements concerning final grades from the previous academic year. Any student not meeting these conditions will have to request special permission from the school’s administration to participate in school sports on a probationary basis based on improving his/her grades; approval of probationary eligibility is subject to the discretion of school administration;

2. Complete athletics registration via FamilyID, which includes important health information reviewed by the School Nurse prior to each season, as well as mandatory policies and agreements. This form must be completed prior to the first day of tryouts;

3. Provide a current physical (physicals expire 13 months after the date of health exam). No student-athlete will be permitted to tryout or play with an expired physical.

Coaches Expectations 

1. All SMHS coaches must complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course taught by an MIAA instructor, pass annually the National Federation Concussion Course, an approved Sports First Aid course, and possess contemporary knowledge of their respective sport;

2. Be accessible to student-athletes and apprised of their physical and mental well-being of student-athletes;

3. Ensure student-athletes are supported to achieve academic success;

4. Firm and consistent discipline – clear and understandable team rules communicated to players and enforced;

5. Work towards a 100% graduation rate for all student-athletes.

Student-Athlete Expectations

1. It is a privilege, not your right, to represent the Southbridge community, SMHS, and your respective team as a Pioneer student-athlete! As such, it is an expectation to be on time to class, practice, workouts, meetings, team events, and competitions;

2. Per MIAA rules, school/class attendance is required for participation in athletic practices and competitions provided that such requirements are not in conflict with MIAA rules and regulations (MIAA Handbook July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025, p.12). Any student-athlete who has more than one (1) unexcused absence in one (1) week and/or more than five (5) unexcused absences in one (1) quarter is subject to team discipline, including suspension from practice, competition, or removal from the respective team;

3. Any student-athlete who has more than five (5) minor or one (1) major referral in one (1) week is subject to team discipline, including suspension from practice, competition, or removal from the respective team;

4. Southbridge Athletics enforces all MIAA rules and penalties as outlined in the MIAA Handbook pertaining to performance-enhancing drugs, smoking, alcohol consumption, vaping, and other drugs;

5. During home competition and travel for competition, student-athletes will wear team-issued Southbridge Athletics gear as approved by the head coach;

6. Any act of bullying, fighting, vandalism or other behavioral offense in the locker room, Sports Medicine area, during transportation to or from practice and/or competition, or other area on school grounds may result in suspension from the Athletics program(s) for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of infraction;

7. Student-athletes are prohibited from using any SMHS facilities and/or equipment unless under the direct supervision of their head coach or designee;

8. Any student-athletes with a current failing grade during sports season may be required to participate in mandatory study hall or tutoring as arranged by their coach, in order to maintain eligibility for competition and team membership.  Any student-athlete with a failing grade during sports season who does not improve their grades and/or does not participate in mandated study hall or tutoring may be subject to team discipline or may be removed from the team.

Equipment, Apparel, and Uniforms 

1. Once issued, team-issued equipment (including game uniforms) is the responsibility of the student-athlete. If lost or stolen, the student-athlete must remunerate the replacement cost of the article(s) in full before new Athletics equipment is issued;

2. Game uniforms will not be worn in school except on game days or during school pep rallies. Coaches will confiscate uniforms that are worn without authorization;

3. Student-athletes should wear their uniform appropriately (i.e., shirts should be tucked in, team uniforms look consistent, uniforms are clean, etc.). Follow washing instructions carefully if washing at home;

4. All uniforms must be returned to your head coach within three (3) days following the last competition of the season. 

Changing Teams

A student-athlete who voluntarily quit a team or has been suspended may not tryout for another sports team during the same season. 

Exception: Per MIAA rules, freshmen may voluntarily quit a team and join another team during the tryout period or within the first two weeks of practice (i.e., if the student-athlete feels they no longer enjoy the sport, they may tryout for another sport at their discretion during this time).  

Procedure: 

1. Student-athlete will notify their head coach of their desire to change teams and provide reason;

2. A written statement must be submitted to the Director of Athletics (AD) with substantiation. If both the head coach and AD approve, the student-athlete may tryout for another sport during this time;

3. If this transfer is not approved, the student-athlete may appeal to the AD and Principal. 

Sports Medicine 

1. The Sports Medicine area (training room) will be open after school (times may vary based on seasonal sports);

2. Prior to practices and games, student-athletes must plan to complete all taping and/or treatment;

3. Injured players must report to each practice session. Injuries requiring missed practice time must be excused by the coach and Certified Athletic Trainer (AT);

4. Report all injuries to AT immediately regardless of how minor;

5. Following treatment for an injury that causes limited/missed practice you must be cleared by your AT prior to increasing your participation level (your head coach will receive a report of player status daily);

6. Student-athletes are to use the Sports Medicine area/training room for treatment only (no social gatherings, team meetings, or eating);

7. Injuries not sustained in team-related functions will not be the responsibility of the Southbridge Athletics Department nor Southbridge Middle High School;

8. If a coach refers you or if you seek care for any outside medical treatment without the approval of the AT and/or School Nurse you will be held financially responsible for all bills incurred;

9. Tape, wraps, crutches, ankle braces, and many other items are used to help manage your injury (these items will be issued to you via the Sports Medicine department). You are responsible for returning all items to your respective coach or the AT.

10. Remember, the training room is a place of business. Please keep conversation at an appropriate volume.

11. Abusive behavior or language in the Sports Medicine area will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal (AT staff shall be treated as any regular staff member).

Medical Insurance 

Secondary insurance benefits begin once the student-athlete has registered on FamilyID and completed the pre-participation physical as verified by the School Nurse. Southbridge Public Schools assumes financial responsibility for athletic-related injuries/conditions within pre-season, regular season, and post-season play; mandatory practices as scheduled by an SMHS coach (practice scheduled/ documented before injury); captain practices; interscholastic games and scrimmages; and practices logged through the MIAA. 

Not all incidents that occur on or at an SMHS facility are sports-related. Injuries that occur on or at an SMHS facility that are non-athletic related will not be processed by secondary insurance.

Concussion Policy

The purpose of the Head Injuries and Concussions in Extracurricular Athletic Activities Policy (Policy) is to provide standardized procedures for SMHS Athletics governing the prevention, training, management and ‘Return to Play’ decisions relating to middle school and high school students participating in extracurricular athletic activities and to comply with the obligations of Southbridge Public Schools District under Massachusetts regulations, 105 CMR 201.000: Head Injuries and Concussions in Extracurricular Athletic Activities (Regulations).

Implementation

This Policy addresses sports-related head injuries sustained by middle school or high school student-athletes who participate in extracurricular athletic activities as defined by the Regulations.

1. The Athletics Director or other designated school administrator shall be responsible for the implementation of this Policy, including:

   • Annual Training of coaches, certified athletic trainers, volunteers, School Nurses and Athletics staff to teach techniques, skills, and promote protective equipment use to minimize sports- related head injury;

   • Record keeping at each middle or high school of the following records for three years or until the student-athlete graduates:

     • Verification of completion of annual training and receipt of materials

     • Currently approved NFHS/MIAA Pre-participation Form

     • Currently approved NFHS/MIAA Report of Head Injury Form

     • Currently approved NFHS/MIAA Medical Clearance and Authorization Form

     • Graduated re-entry plans for return to full academic and extracurricular athletic activities 

   • Report of annual statistics of the total number of Report of Head Injury Forms received by each middle or high school and the total number of student-athletes with diagnosed or suspected head injuries that occurred during extracurricular athletic activities;

   • Policy review biannually and as needed.

2. Management of Suspected Head Injury/Concussion

   • Emergency Referral/Exclusion from Play;

   • Return to Play/Return to Academics;

3. Information regarding this Policy will be maintained by SMHS Athletics and made available on request;

4. Penalties for failure to comply with provisions of this Policy include but are not limited to, personnel discipline or forfeiture of games.

School Procedures

1. Training Program: Prior to participating in middle school or high school sports, the following persons shall annually complete one of the head injury safety training programs approved by the NFHS: coaches, certified athletic trainers, volunteers, School Nurses, athletics staff, marching band directors, student-athletes and parents/guardians of student-athletes. Guidance counselors, physical education teachers, classroom teachers or other school personnel may also elect to complete the NFHS approved head injury safety training programs.

   • Education training is required for student-athletes and parents/guardians of student-athletes before they are allowed to practice. SMHS Athletics shall provide to the student-athletes and their parent/guardian access to NFHS approved on-line or written courses;

   • Annually, each middle school or high school will maintain a record of training completion for all persons specified by the Regulations via certification of completion from a NFHS approved on-line course;

   • Before the start of every sports season, the student-athlete and the parent/guardian shall complete and submit a current Pre-participation Form and Report of Head Injury Form included in sport clearance forms;

   • Documentation of one physical examination per year is sufficient for student-athletes participating in multiple sports seasons;

   • If the student-athlete sustains a head injury or concussion during the season, but not while participating in an extracurricular athletic activity, the parent/guardian shall complete the Report of Head Injury Form and submit it to the School Nurse and/or coach;

   • Prior to each sports season’s first practice, coaches shall review all Pre-participation Forms and Report of Head Injury Forms in order to identify student-athletes who are at greater risk of repeated head injuries;

   • Prior to each sports season’s first practice, the School Nurse shall review all Pre-participation Forms and Report of Head Injury Forms which indicate a history of head injury;

   • The certified athletic trainer will review accurate, updated information regarding each student-athlete who has reported a history of head injury or a head injury during the sports season;

   • SMHS Athletics may use a student-athlete’s history of head injury or concussion as a factor to determine degree of participation and/or specific conditions or modifications of participation in an extracurricular athletic activity.

2. Emergency Referral/Exclusion from Play

   • Any student-athlete, who during a practice or competition, sustains a head injury or suspected concussion, exhibits signs and symptoms of a concussion, or loses consciousness, even briefly, shall be removed from the practice or competition immediately and may not return to the practice or competition that day;

   • Any student-athlete will be transported to the nearest medical facility by EMS if any of the following signs and/or symptoms are noted:

     1. Loss of consciousness

     2. Unsteady gait

     3. Decreasing level of consciousness

     4. Abnormally unequal, dilated or unreactive pupils

     5. Any signs of associated with neck/spine or skull injuries

     6. Mental status changes—lethargy, confusion, agitation

     7. Weakness or numbness

     8. Slurring of speech

     9. Headache that worsen over time

     10. Nausea or vomiting

   • Return to practice or competition requires the student-athlete to provide an updated Medical Clearance and Authorization Form;

   • The coach or his or her designee shall communicate the nature of the injury directly to the parent/guardian in person or by phone immediately after the practice or competition in which a student-athlete has been removed from play for a head injury, suspected concussion, signs and symptoms of a concussion or loss of consciousness. The coach also must provide the injury to the parent/guardian in writing by the end of the next business day; 

   • The coach or their designee shall communicate, by the end of the next business day, with the Director of Athletics and School Nurse that the student-athlete has been removed from practice or competition for a head injury, suspected concussion, signs or symptoms of a concussion or loss of consciousness;

   • The coach or his or her designee shall complete a Report of Head Injury Form upon identification of a student-athlete with a head injury or suspected concussion that occurs during practice or competition.

3. Medical Clearance and Authorization for Return to Play

   • Each student-athlete who has been removed from practice or competition for a head injury or suspected concussion, or loses consciousness, even briefly, or exhibits signs and symptoms of a concussion, shall present to the Director of Athletics, an NFHS-approved Medical Clearance and Authorization Form prior to resuming the extracurricular activity;

   • Only a duly licensed physician or certified athletic trainer in consultation with a duly licensed physician, nurse practitioner in consultation with a licensed physician, or neuropsychologist in coordination with the student-athlete’s physician managing the student-athlete’s recovery, may complete a Medical Clearance and Authorization Form authorizing a student to return to play an extracurricular athletic activity;

   • Providers listed in paragraph 2 in this section, shall verify to SMHS Athletics that they have received NFHS approved training in post traumatic head injury assessment and management or an equivalent training under their licensure or continuing education.

4. Responsibilities of the Coaches

   • Complete the NFHS annual training required in section 1;

   • Review and prompt transmission of Pre-participation Forms to the School Nurse for review and copy for student-athlete’s health record;

   • Complete a Report of Head Injury Form upon identification of a student-athlete with a head injury or suspected concussion that occurs during practice or competition;

   • Receive and review forms completed by a parent/guardian which report a head injury during the sports season, but outside of an extracurricular athletic activity;

   • Education of techniques aimed at minimizing sports-related head injuries;

   • Discourage and prohibit student-athletes from engaging in unreasonably dangerous athletic techniques that endangers the health or safety of a student-athlete;

   • Identify student-athletes with suspected head injuries which occur in practice or competition and remove them from play;

   • Promptly communicate with the parent/guardian, Director of Athletics and School Nurse of any student-athlete who is removed from practice or competition for a head injury, suspected concussion, signs and symptoms of a concussion or loss of consciousness.

5. Responsibilities of the Certified Athletic Trainer

   • Complete the annual training required in section 1;

   • Participate in the biannual review of this Policy;

   • Review information from Pre-participation Forms, which indicate a history of head injury and from Report of Head Injury Forms to identify student-athletes who are at greater risk for repeated head injuries;

   • Identify student-athletes with suspected head injuries which occur in practice or competition and remove them from play;

   • Participate, if available, in the graduated reentry planning and implementation for student-athletes who have been diagnosed with a concussion or head injury.

6. Responsibilities of the School Nurse

   • Complete the annual training required in section 1;

   • Participate in the biannual review of this Policy;

   • Review information from Pre-participation Forms, which indicate a history of head injury and from Report of Head Injury Forms to identify student-athletes who are at greater risk for repeated head injuries;

   • Maintain the following forms in the health record: Pre-participation Forms, Report of Head Injury Forms and Medical Clearance and Authorization Form;

   • Participate in the graduated re-entry plan for student-athletes who have been diagnosed with a concussion or head injury to discuss any necessary accommodations or modifications with respect to academics and other aspects of school activities and revise the health care plan as needed;

   • Monitor recuperating student-athletes with head injuries and collaborate with teachers, staff and student-athlete to ensure that the graduated re-entry plan for return to full academic and extracurricular athletic activities is being followed;

   • Provide ongoing educational materials on head injury and concussion to teachers, staff and student-athletes.

7. Return To Play: Each student-athlete who is removed from practice or competition and subsequently diagnosed with a concussion or head injury shall have a written, graduated re-entry plan for return to full academic activities and extracurricular athletic activities. The student-athlete must be completely symptom free and medically cleared as required in Section D, above, in order to begin graduated re-entry to extracurricular athletic activities.

   • The written graduated re-entry plan shall be developed by the guidance counselor, in collaboration with the student’s teachers, School Nurse, certified athletic trainer, parent/guardian, student’s physician involved with student-athlete, members of the building-based student support team or individualized education program team as appropriate;

   • The plan shall include instructions for students, parents/guardians and school personnel, addressing but not be limited to:

     1. Physical and cognitive rest as appropriate;

     2. Graduated return to extracurricular athletic activities and classroom studies as appropriate including accommodations and modifications to extracurricular athletic activities and classroom studies, as needed;

     3. Estimated time intervals for resumption of activities;

     4. Frequency of assessments by the School Nurse and certified athletic trainer until full return to classroom activities and extracurricular athletic activities are authorized; and

     5. A plan for communication and coordination between school personnel, the parent/guardian, and the student-athlete’s physician who is managing the student's recovery; 

   • Information concerning a student-athlete’s history of head injury and concussion, recovery, graduated re-entry plan, and authorization for return to play and academic activities shall be shared with the Director of Athletics and the student-athlete’s coach, certified athletic trainer, School Nurse, guidance counselor, and teachers. The student-athlete’s teachers shall be provided with signs and symptoms of a concussion and any information concerning the student-athlete’s graduated re-entry plan may be shared with other school personnel as needed consistent with SMHS Athletics’s obligations under federal and state law including, but not limited to, Massachusetts Student Records Regulations, 603 CMR 23.00, and the Federal Family Rights and Privacy Act Regulations, 34 CFR Part 99.