SPS Athletics
Parent/Player Handbook
Table of Contents
Athletic Department Mission
It is the mission of the Stillwater Public Schools’ Athletic Department to help all student athletes to become stronger academically, athletically and socially for the betterment of our community. The athletic faculty will be committed to working with athletes to help them better understand the importance of dedication, work ethic and cooperation. We will always strive for a family atmosphere that embraces diversity. It is the desire of our faculty to always provide a safe and competitive environment. The Stillwater Athletic Department goal is that all athletes become great citizens while learning to compete at the highest level.
Interscholastic Athletic Goals and Objectives
Goals
1. To provide the educational benefits available through interscholastic competition to a maximum number of participants.
2. To provide the best facility and qualified staff possible.
3. To provide a variety of sports activities according to the interests of students.
4. To provide a program that is supplementary rather than a substitute for basic physical education classes or intramurals.
5. To provide a program in which the physical welfare and safety of all participants and spectators are of prime concern.
Objectives
To provide through coaching methods:
An understanding and knowledge of the value of athletics.
An understanding of why the school has athletics.
Better health and fitness.
A desire to succeed and excel.
The opportunity to develop self-discipline and emotional maturity.
The opportunity to develop social competence through the team concept.
The opportunity to develop and understand why rules are necessary.
The opportunity to develop respect for the rights of others.
The opportunity to develop respect for authority.
The opportunity to develop a sense of fair play and sportsmanship.
The opportunity to think both as a member of a group and an individual.
The opportunity to develop a faith in the democratic processes.
The opportunity to develop the value of striving for and reaching group ideas.
The opportunity to develop and improve motor skills.
The opportunity to develop skills, interests and knowledge that will make life now and as an adult more enjoyable.
Attendance
Day of Contest
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association is silent on the policy of attendance in school by an athlete on the day of a contest. However, it is the policy of the Stillwater School District to carefully evaluate attendance patterns and declare ineligible those students with excessive absences on the day of
contests. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST STUDENTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE ONE HALF OF THE SCHOOL DAY ON THE DAY OF THE CONTEST UNLESS CLEARED BY PRINCIPAL AND/OR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.
Absences and Course Credit
In order to receive credit for a course in grades nine through twelve or to be promoted to the next grade level in grades one through eight, a student must be in attendance at school a minimum of 90% of the time each semester. This amounts to a maximum of five (5) absences each nine-weeks grading period and ten (10) absences per semester. All absences, whether excused or unexcused, are counted in computing minimum attendance. Participation in school-sponsored activities during the regular school day will not be calculated as an absence for the purpose of this policy. Any student who misses ten (10) consecutive days without excuse will be placed “off roll” beginning the 11th day. Upon returning to school, the pupil will be returned to “on roll” status.
Scholastic Eligibility
1. Regular standards of eligibility will be governed by rules of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
2. The athletic director and the building principal shall determine eligibility rules and regulations other than those established by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
3. The principal and athletic director will decide issues of interschool eligibility.
4. In all cases, the athletic director and the building principal are directly responsible for eligibility matters.
5. Coaches are responsible to see that all new students are completely eligible before they are allowed to participate in any contest. All new students must be informed of the applicable athletic policies, rules, regulations and codes.
6. At the high school, eligibility checks will be conducted after two weeks (during third week) of the first and third terms and each succeeding week thereafter and at the end of the first week of the second and fourth blocks and each succeeding week thereafter. Coaches/sponsors are responsible for giving the student their failing letter.
Ineligible Player Status
An ineligible player may practice with the varsity, junior varsity, and eighth or ninth grade teams.
He/she must have completed all pre-participation paperwork including the availability of supplemental insurance.
If administration has reason to believe that an individual should not be practicing or traveling with the team because of behavioral issues, attitude, attendance, or scholastic work, he/she may be denied this privilege.
Students who are suspended out of school will not participate in interscholastic athletics until reinstatement in school has occurred and notification is given to the head coach in that sport.
Students entered into an in-school program will not be allowed to practice or compete until their release.
Further or continued suspension from athletics may occur if the severity of the offense warrants. The high school/junior high principal and the athletic director shall meet to determine this.
Student Participation Regulations
RankOne Electronic Participation Forms
Prior to competing, all student athletes must have completed RankOne electronic participation forms. These forms document and help determine the athletic eligibility status of the student. Each electronic form requires the signature of a parent/guardian as well as that of the student.
Freshman Participation on Varsity Teams
The two main considerations in regard to freshman participation on the varsity level include the student and program in question.
The main emphasis of Stillwater Public Schools athletics is to provide a program that meets the needs of students while playing on a competitive level. As a result, the first concern is to meet the educational, physical, social and psychological growth of student participants in the various programs of competition.
Therefore, the following provisions will serve as the regulations for freshmen competing on the varsity level:
A primary consideration for varsity level request to participate is whether a competitive program is sponsored by the Stillwater Public Schools.
The head coach and athletic director must determine that the participation will benefit the student as well as the program. The student must have approval from the athletic director prior to any practice with the team.
The status of the participation and the offering of a program on their own level in most instances will determine whether a student will be allowed to move up to varsity level competition.
Through competition, student/athletes must be a contributing factor on the varsity team.
The student/athletes must understand that the intensity and level of competitiveness will be more demanding and time consuming.
The parents of the student/athlete must understand that the level of competition will be much more intense and that the psychological and sociological environment will be more accelerated as the student participates with and against upper level students.
Junior high students moving up would practice after the 6th hour at the junior high. Exceptions will only be approved by the junior high principal.
Students may not exceed the number of contests they are allowed to participate in as set by the OSSAA. If you are not aware of the number of contests in which you are allowed to compete in your sport, contact the athletic director.
A freshman may move up to the high school after the completion of his/her season if he/she is invited to do so by the high school coach. These students are not to bump or replace another student who has participated on the high school team during the season. He/she can fill voids in positions, events, and weights; he/she will not exceed the number of contests mentioned in Item 8.
The procedures to procure permission to participate on the varsity level must be initiated through the student and the respective head coach of the sport in question. After the initial conference with the student, the coach and building principal will hold a conference with the parents and discuss the feasibility of the request. After reviewing the merits of the petition to compete on the varsity level and favorable recommendation is made by the coach and principal, then the athletic director will review the status of the student involved in regard to the program in question. The athletic director will approve or disapprove the request. The decision of the athletic director is final and non-appealable.
Tryouts
Students in our schools may try out for our athletic teams. Except as set forth in this policy, our coaches will not tell a student that they cannot try out for the school team of their choice. If an athlete and coach have a problem one year, that problem is not to be carried over to the next year. Exceptions to this policy are:
extended suspension out of school
use of alcohol, including low-point (3.2) beer, tobacco, or drugs
stealing
If the coach uses one of these reasons for not allowing an athlete to participate on the school team the reason must be submitted to the athletic director in writing.
Changing Sports Mid-Season
From the time a person’s name appears on the official eligibility list for an interscholastic sport, he/she may not join another team or compete in another interscholastic sport until after the end of the first sport season. Mid-season change of teams may be permitted under one of the following conditions:
1. The student/athlete presents to both coaches involved a doctor’s certificate recommending he/she drop the sport for reasons of health and permitting participation in the second sport.
2. Both coaches involved and the athletic director agree that a mid-season change of sport would be beneficial to the student athlete without being unfair to the individual or either team.
Care of the Student Athlete
The coaches and trainers must always bear in mind they are not physicians and shall not try to diagnose a condition that appears serious in nature or a condition that does not respond to early treatment. If a coach/trainer suspects a medical condition is serious, the athlete should be referred to a physician at once. No risks should be taken.
All physical problems will be given immediate attention. At no time will an athlete be placed back into practice or competition until the condition will no longer prevent that student/athlete from performing up to his/her usual capabilities. Student/athletes have an obligation to inform the coaching staff and/or trainer if they have sought the care of a physician. When a coach becomes aware that the student/athlete has sought care of a physician, that physician must provide a written release prior to the student/athlete returning to practice or competition.
Concussions and Head Injuries
The Stillwater Board of Education recognizes that concussions and head injuries can result from contact sports and can have serious consequences if not properly evaluated and treated. Therefore, consistent with state law, the district will, through this policy and the associated Concussions and Head Injuries Information Sheet and Acknowledgement Form (FFAEA-E1), inform and educate student athletes and their parents/guardians of the nature and risk of concussions or head injuries, including the dangers associated with continuing to play after a concussion or head injury.
On an annual basis, and prior to a student-athlete’s participation in any athletic practices or competitions, form FFAEA-E1 shall be distributed to the student athlete and his or her parent/guardian. The included acknowledgement form must be signed by the student-athlete and his or her parent/guardian to verify that they have read the information sheet and understand the content and warnings. The completed acknowledgement form shall be returned to the athletic department office prior to the student-athlete’s participation in practice or competition during that school year. The student-athlete may not practice or compete until the form has been received.
If a district coach suspects that a student-athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury during a practice or game, the coach shall immediately remove that student-athlete from participation and direct the student-athlete to obtain a physical and mental status examination by a licensed healthcare provider. This licensed health care provider must be trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. The district shall not be financially responsible for any health care bills associated with the examination.
After suffering a concussion or head injury, a student-athlete’s physical and cognitive activities should be carefully managed and monitored by the licensed health care professional. Any student-athlete removed from participation shall not be allowed to participate in practices or games until he or she is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives Medical Clearance to Return to Athletic Participation (FFAEA-E2), a copy of which shall be provided to the district athletic department office.
Optional Insurance
Optional Student Accident Coverage is available through a third party provider.
Student Athlete Conduct Rules
State of Privilege
Since athletic activity participation is a privilege, it is not protected by due process procedures applicable to regular public education.
Student/Athlete’s Responsibility to Know and Understand Rules
Athletes should be aware of all policies, rules, regulations and codes. If any question regarding a rule of conduct arises, it should be addressed to the head coach or athletic director prior to any violations.
Student Conduct Expectations for Athletes
The following are acts which may cause an athlete to be dismissed from the athletic program:
1. Immorality, profanity, obscenity, or stealing
2. Consistent violation of written school rules, regulations, or policies
3. Possession, threat, or use of a dangerous weapon
4. Assault and battery and destruction of property
5. Possession or use of any illegal drug, tobacco (in any form) or alcohol, etc.
6. Conduct, which jeopardizes the safety of others, which includes showing disrespect to an official
7. Habitual absence
School District Rules and Regulations
Athletes are required to meet and abide by the policies, rules and regulations of the school district and should be familiar with the SPS Parent/Student Handbook.
Violation of Federal, State or Local Law/Ordinance
Student/athletes are not to violate any federal, state or local law/ordinance including felony or misdemeanor acts other than minor traffic violations. Conviction of said offenses is not necessary to establish a violation of the Athletic Handbook, which will be determined through an independent investigation. Such offenses, when witnessed by a teacher, administrator, other responsible adult(s) or when substantiated by other reliable evidence may constitute a violation of this handbook. A conference will be scheduled within a reasonable time after the infraction has been noted. The conference will include the coach, student and student’s parents/guardians. The purpose of the conference will be to gather information and determine the appropriate penalties, if necessary. Depending on the severity of the incident, penalties may range from restitution, suspension from athletic competition or dismissal from the team.
Appeal Process: The parents/guardians have the right to appeal the decision from this conference. The appeal must be submitted in writing by the parent/guardian within two school days to the athletic director. The decision by the coach will remain in place during the appeal process.
Drug Testing Program
Any student in Stillwater Public schools who participates in extra-curricular competitive programs in grades 7-12 will be required to participate in the drug testing program. Activity Student Drug Testing (FNCFB)
Lettering & Awards
Lettering Requirements
There are general and specific standards to be met for an athlete to earn a letter from Stillwater Public Schools.
General Standards: (must be met by all athletes)
The participant must maintain sportsmanship, training methods and regular attendance at practice sessions.
Athletes must remain on the team for the entire season unless excused by the coach.
Athletes must meet school and state requirements in academic work and school attendance.
Specific Standards:
To be determined by the head coach of each sport
NOTE: Each head coach should have his/her lettering requirements in writing and have a copy on file in the athletic office.
Awards
The following awards are provided to our athletes:
High School
Varsity Letter “S” – A letter “S” chenille letter will be awarded to senior athletes who letter on any varsity team.
Certificate – Athletes will receive a certificate each year they letter.
Senior Plaques or Blankets – All seniors that letter will receive an award from the Pioneer Booster Club.
Special Awards – Each sport and the athletic department will provide special awards for outstanding performance.
Title IX Information
Stillwater Public Schools is committed to equal opportunity for male and female student athletes to include participation opportunities and equal treatment and benefits, and shall comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
The school district's Director of Human Resources has been designated as the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator oversees the district's compliance with Title IX and handles inquiries or reporting of possible gender inequity or inequality with respect to the school district's sports offerings. Any individual may report a violation of Title IX by completing a Discrimination Grievance Complaint Form and then submitting it to the Title IX Coordinator at:
Bo Gamble
Director of Human Resources
Stillwater Public Schools
314 South Lewis
Stillwater, OK 74074
405-533-6300
hrdirector@stillwaterschools.com
More information about school board policies related to Title IX can be found at: