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Athletics

Athletics Philosophy

To present, promote, practice, and preserve an athletic program that is implemented as an extension of the educational experience.  Athletic participation will incorporate an environment that encourages our student athletes to develop not only sports-specific skills but also life skills in the areas of leadership and character development that provides them opportunity to achieve a high quality education, promoting college and career readiness, and intiating a student athlete's positive impact on their community.  

Athletic Program Goals  

Modified Sports Goals:

  • Introduce young student-athletes to interscholastic competition.
  • Introduce and develop the skills and rules of the sport.
  • Gain the experience of playing in games, assuming that athletes have attended practice, worked to their potential, have the proper attitude, and have made a full commitment to the team.  
  • Emphasis on social and emotional growth and on healthy competition.
  • Modified athletes must be able to safely participate in practice.  

Junior Varsity (JV) Sports Goals:

  • The JV level is intended for those who display the potential for continued development into productive Varsity level performers.
  • Further develop the skills and knowledge of the sport.
  • Increase the intensity of the competition.
  • Prepare for the Varsity level in that sport.
  • Give all participants playing time based on skills, practice attendance, work ethic, attitude, and commitment to the team.
  • JV programs work toward achieving a balance between continued team success and player development.
  • Continued development of social and emotional growth.

Varsity Sports Goals:

  • Develop a student-athlete’s skills and knowledge to their highest level.
  • Allow student-athletes and their teams the chance to excel and prepare them for future competitions; compete for League, Sectional, and State championships.
  • Act as role models and mentors for younger student-athletes...
  • Serve as the culmination of the other sports programs, where student-athletes move up through the course of grade levels.  
  • The number of participants on any given team is a function of those needed to conduct an effective and meaningful practice and to play competitively in the contest.  
  • Continued development of social and emotional growth. 

 

General Expectations of All Coaches

  • To promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of the individual players.
  • To promote character education on an ongoing basis.
  • To stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.
  • To show courtesy to all of our guests.
  • To respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.  
  • To encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by the players on the team.
  • To practice and promote good sportsmanship.
  • To remember that an athletic contest is only a game by promoting a fun and enjoyable environment.

 

Transportation

When Frewsburg Central School provides transportation, it is required that all athletes ride to the event with the team and it is highly recommended the athletes ride home with the team.  Athletes may be transported by a parent/guardian to the event if they have a previously scheduled doctor’s appointment which precludes them from riding the team bus. Athletes may ride home with their parent/guardian by signing out with the coach.

If the student-athlete is going to ride home with someone other than their parent/guardian, the athlete must bring in a note from their parent/guardian, granting permission to ride with someone other than the parent/guardian and a note from the person they will be riding home with.  The notes will be given to the high school principal at least 24 hours before the contest from which the athlete will be riding home with someone other than the parent/guardian. Permission will be granted to ride with other family members (at least 18 years of age), parent/guardians of other students, or a trusted neighbor. Permission will NOT be granted to ride with other players, students, boyfriends/girlfriends, or anyone under the age of 18.  

Hazing

Hazing or bullying is not tolerated at any level.   No student shall be subjected to harassment or bullying by employees or students on school property or at a school function; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), or sex by school employees or students on school property or at a school function.  The Frewsburg Central School District follows the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). The Dignity Act states that it is the policy of the State of New York to afford all students in public schools an environment free of discrimination and harassment (Education Law §10). 

Character Education

The Frewsburg Central School District considers athletics to be an extension of the educational classroom.  Therefore, the implementation of character education is an expected component of the sports program.  Each coach will address a character topic weekly.  

Conduct and Behavior

Everyone is expected to observe the Code of Conduct governing behavior in all district schools.  This Code is also enforced at or during school-sponsored functions, field trips, sporting events, aboard transportation (school busses, rented busses), dances, and athletic contests both at Frewsburg Schools and other venues.  The district believes that order and discipline must be a shared responsibility among school, home, and community.

Conflict Resolution Procedure

On rare occasions, a parent may require a conference with a coach. Parents are strongly encouraged to speak directly to the coach; however, impromptu meetings before, during, or immediately following a contest are strongly discouraged since meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.  Meetings should always occur in a professional setting in the school building during the school day/professional time. After a good-faith attempt to discuss or resolve an issue without reasonable satisfaction occurs, the next step is to call the Athletic Director to discuss the situation.

Academic Eligibility

The Frewsburg Central School District has an eligibility program for interscholastic athletics.  Students in grades 7-12 who participate in athletics must be enrolled as a full-time student, and are subject to the district’s Academic Eligibility policy as well as Section VI regulations.

Frewsburg Central School students who participate in athletic activities are expected to conform to the academic standards that meet or exceed the standards set by Frewsburg Central School District and the NYS Board of Regents.

Coaches will mandate that all students who are at risk of academic failure or who are failing report to the academic study hall. From there, the student can sign out to a specific teacher for academic assistance providing they have a pass.  

Fundraising - Ready for sub-committee

All fundraising should be done in accordance with Board policies 3271 and 7450.  Booster Clubs may conduct fundraisers.

Athletic Placement Process (APP)

  • The student-athlete will be identified by the coach as a student with “exceptional” talent.
  • Parent/Guardian permission will be obtained.
  • Administrative approval is also necessary.  The coach will inform the Athletic Director, where a determination will be made of the “Readiness” of the student-athlete; athletically, academically, mentally, and socially.
  • Medical clearance must be completed before the physical fitness portion of the process.  The school nurse will set up the student’s physical.
  • Sports skill evaluation will be performed by the coach.
  • Physical fitness testing will then be completed by a qualified Physical Education teacher who is not the coach of the student-athlete.  
  • Once qualified, the student-athlete is allowed to try out for the sport and level requested. Coaches will then make a determination if the student-athlete is qualified to make the roster.

 

Playing Time

Modified

Once a student makes the team at this level, they should be confident that they will receive playing time. This does not mean all participants will receive equal playing time. The goal at this level will be to keep the number of students who make the team at a manageable number. This will allow the coach to conduct practices that are productive and allow the students the opportunity to receive experience in game situations. If a player wants to earn more playing time, they should do all they can in the off-season to improve the necessary skills.
 

JV and Varsity

At this level, playing time must be earned.  This can happen through effort and involvement in pre-season programs and demonstration of skill during the season.  An important point to remember is that the less time an individual spends on skill development usually translates into less playing time.  

At the Varsity level, there is a little more emphasis on winning the interscholastic contest.  This does not mean that winning takes precedence over sound educational values and integrity.

Practice and Game Procedures

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Section VI set start dates for team practices. New York State law requires a minimum number of individual and team practices prior to entering into competition with another school. Student-athletes are required to attend ALL tryout/practice sessions. When a student-athlete accepts a position on a team, they are making the commitment to attend all practice sessions and games and to invest energy towards the development of skill and team-building goals. If a student is unable to attend practice or games, playing time may be impacted, as per team policy.  

The district recognizes that circumstances may arise that will prohibit a student-athlete from attending tryout/practice/games sessions. If there is a conflict, please contact the Athletic Director and all conflicts will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  

Vacations

Team practices and games may take place during school vacations. A student-athlete will not be penalized for going away during a vacation or break provided they have notified the coach in advance. However, if in the estimation of the coach, another student-athlete has earned more playing time due to their performance in games and/or practices during the absence of the vacationing student-athlete, they may receive diminished playing time upon returning to the team from vacation.

Same Season Two Sport Policy

Athletes in the Frewsburg Central School District are allowed to participate in more than one sport during a particular season.  If a student decides to participate in more than one sport at a time, a coach shall in no way discourage this decision. Rather, the coaches involved should work together to make this situation work as smoothly as possible by conducting a meeting with both coaches, the student, and the parents in order to discuss and establish the primary and secondary sport.   

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association recognizes and appreciates that the influence and responsibility of the school administration with regard to good sportsmanship extends to all levels of competition and all students. However, it must also be seen that the Association has been vested with the responsibility to ensure that all contests under its jurisdiction are conducted satisfactorily. This standard applies to all regular-season and post-schedule play.

  • Any member of a squad ruled out of a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct or for a flagrant foul shall not participate in that sport in the next previously scheduled contest with a member school or in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament play. Disqualification from one season carries over to the next season of participation.
  • Any member of the squad who strikes, shoves, kicks, or makes other physical contact with the intent to do so to an official shall be expelled from the game immediately and banned from further participation in all sports for one year from the date of the offense.
    Note: Members of the squad includes a coach, player, manager, scorekeepers, timers, and statisticians.


Sportsmanship

Many groups and individuals share the responsibility for teaching good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is a result of the philosophy and policy of the Board of Education, the regulations and procedures established by the administration, the directions and programs set by the athletic director, the expectations and teachings of the coach, the modeling and behavior of the athletes, the spirit created by the cheerleaders and the reactions of the spectators. All of the people involved must continuously keep the development of sportsmanship at the forefront as a primary purpose for interscholastic athletic programs in an educational institution.

Visiting team members, students, and adult spectators are guests to be accorded all the courtesy and consideration that a friendly, well-mannered and well-intentioned host would normally give. The visitors, in turn, are to act as invited guests, using the home school’s facilities with care and respecting the rules and customs of the home school.

Officials are the proper authorities to make decisions regarding rules and their interpretation; these decisions should be accepted. Spectators, coaches, and student/athletes must recognize that their conduct plays an important role in establishing the reputation of their school and that their positive actions can relate directly to the success of their teams. Remember that an athletic contest is only a game.

Students learn immeasurable unique lessons through interscholastic sports participation. Educators universally agree that, of all the goals established as outcomes for secondary students involved in school sports, sportsmanship is primary. Students, parents, coaches, and spectators who learn to value and practice sportsmanlike behavior are developing the characteristics of good citizenship. Honesty, generosity, self-discipline, concern for others, ethical behavior, and a commitment to fair play are all demonstrated in sportsmanship.

The Student-Athlete: A student-athlete is second only to the coach in accountability for sportsmanship. Because players are admired and respected, they exert a great deal of influence on the actions and behavior of the spectators.

Student-Athlete Responsibilities:

  • Treat opponents with respect as guests and fellow human beings
  • Respect the judgment of officials and interpretation of the rules, never argue or make gestures indicating a dislike for a decision
  • Accept both victory and defeat with pride and composure – never be boastful or bitter. Exercise self-control at all times
  • Congratulate opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat
  • Cooperate with coach and fellow players in trying to promote sportsmanship
  • Accept the responsibility & privilege of representing the school & community
  • The Spectator: Schools have a tremendous challenge to instill pride in sportsmanlike behavior among spectators. The greatest peril to interscholastic athletics is the overzealous fan.
    Spectators will be put on notice that school officials will not tolerate improper behavior from any fans; students, recent graduates, parents or residents from the community. Spectators are encouraged to help promote good sportsmanship.