St. Joseph Cathedral School
Athletic Program Policy
Policy
The purpose of the Athletic Program is to provide our children with an opportunity
to develop and expand their Christian principles into an area outside the classroom.
The program strives to offer students the chance to enjoy the benefits of physical
activity, learn the fundamentals of the sport, and acquire a proper attitude
toward participation, teamwork and sportsmanship. Every coach, player and parent
is required to sign a Code of Conduct.
In addition, at the seventh and eighth-grade level, opportunities may be provided
to further enhance skills in a more challenging atmosphere.
Guidelines Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following
A. Athletic Committee
The Athletic Committee shall be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the
athletic program to ensure that it complies with and supports the school mission.
The committee membership shall consist of two School Board members appointed
by the Board president, the Athletic Director, and one coach and one parent
who are both appointed by the Athletic Director and approved by the principal.
B. Coach Selection
Coaches for the various sports will be selected by the Athletic Director with
approval of the Athletic Committee. Coach candidates must submit to the Athletic
Director basic personal background information including references. Candidates
selected as coaches should participate in a nationally recognized volunteer
youth sports coaching association certification and must sign an agreement to
comply with St. Joseph Cathedral School policies pertaining to athletics and
facility usage. Additionally, each coach must complete the diocesan Virtus training.
High school or college students may be assistant coaches for St. Joseph Cathedral
School athletic teams. However, a parent ‘head coach’ must be assigned
to each team where a student is an assistant coach. The parent coach must attend
all practices and games.
C. Team Selection/Organization
The Athletic Committee shall meet prior to each sport season to determine the
most appropriate method of varsity volleyball and basketball team selection.
The Athletic Committee shall strive to follow the team selection guidelines
as outlined in section F of this document. The Athletic Director, with assistance
from the Athletic Committee, is responsible for monitoring team selections in
an effort to ensure all eligible players are given equal consideration for the
varsity team(s) based on individual talent and that the teams chosen reflect
this goal. A seventh grader will only be considered (selected) for the varsity
team(s) if the student is expected to contribute significantly to the team.
In addition, it is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to ensure that
there is an approximate equalization of talent between all other (non-varsity)
teams. A sport’s season shall consist of scheduled league games and additional
tournaments. St. Joseph Cathedral School teams will follow PAL rules when applicable.
When PAL rules concerning playing time do not apply, each player must play at
least 3 minutes of each tournament basketball game, unless said player was declared
by the coach prior to the game as being held out for disciplinary or other reasons.
The initial roster of each team shall constitute the only approved roster of
players for school-sponsored activities, except as approved by the Athletic
Committee.
D. Disagreements/Conflicts
Any disagreements or conflicts relating to the school’s Athletic Program
should first be brought to the attention of the Athletic Director. If a parent
or individual wishes to appeal a decision made by the Athletic Director, the
members of the Athletic Committee should be contacted to resolve the issue.
If the disagreement or conflict cannot be resolved, the parent or individual
should then contact the principal. A final review of the issue can occur by
following the School Board’s Review Committee Policy if deemed appropriate
and necessary.
E. Facility Use
The use of the facilities for activities not sponsored by the school will require
permission and scheduling through the appropriate individual designated by the
Parish Council. A one-month advance notice is required for the use of the gym
for school-sponsored/Athletic Committee approved tournaments.
F. Varsity Team Selection Guidelines
- Basketball tryouts are to be held on or before October 18th.
- Volleyball tryouts are to be held on or before August 18th.
- A parent meeting is to be held at some point prior to the tryouts with
the Athletic Director and at least one member of the Athletic Committee present
to fully detail the tryout process and to answer any questions.
- At least two independent evaluators are to be used to judge the candidate’s
skills during the tryouts. The evaluators are to be selected by the Athletic
Director with approval of the Athletic Committee and principal.
- Whenever practical, preference is to be given to eighth grade candidates
for all varsity teams.
- If possible, coaches from the previous year’s seventh grade teams
are to be consulted regarding selection procedures and criteria before tryouts
are held.
- Tryouts will be held without parents present.
- The evaluations from the tryouts and input from the previous year’s
coaches are to be used by the Athletic Committee to make recommendations to
the Athletic Director. Additionally, the Committee will consider the formation
of a balanced team (in terms of guards, centers, etc.) prior to making a recommendation.
The Athletic Director, after consulting school administration regarding academic
and behavioral issues, will select the teams. The team selections will be
posted on the gym bulletin board within 48 hours of the tryouts.
- Specific discussions regarding the selection or exclusion of individual
candidates are to be limited to inquiries from school administration. Inquiries
from parents and coaches are to be directed to school administration.
- Selection of coaches is at the discretion of the Athletic Director in consultation
with the Athletic Committee and approval by the principal. The selection of
coaches should be based on demonstrated sportsmanship, qualifications and
previous experience.
- The recommended number of players on a varsity basketball team is ten or
less.
Original: June 1989
Revised: January 19, 2000
Reviewed: January 17, 2001
Revised: October 16, 2003
Revised: June 17, 2004
Revised: July 14, 2005
Rationale behind policy change in 2005:
- Specific language regarding the use of student coaches added.
- Varsity team selection guidelines added to formalize the process.
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