Athletic Code NightAthletic Code Night

By:By:

Jeremy ThodeJeremy Thode

Director of Health, P.E., & AthleticsDirector of Health, P.E., & Athletics

Athletic PhilosophyAthletic Philosophy

Interscholastic athletics helps to Interscholastic athletics helps to provide insight into many life provide insight into many life experiences with regard to experiences with regard to responsibility, fair play, cooperation, responsibility, fair play, cooperation, concern for others, leadership, concern for others, leadership, respect, good citizenship, loyalty, respect, good citizenship, loyalty, tolerance, resiliency, sportsmanship, tolerance, resiliency, sportsmanship, confronting fear, adapting, confronting fear, adapting, succeeding, and failing. succeeding, and failing.

Athletic ExpectationsAthletic Expectations

Academics come firstAcademics come first

Children are here to get an educationChildren are here to get an education

Extension of the classroomExtension of the classroom

Athletics are a privilege, not a rightAthletics are a privilege, not a right

Develop well-rounded student athletesDevelop well-rounded student athletes

Responsibility- extra help, Responsibility- extra help, communication, practice, competitioncommunication, practice, competition

Reality of AthleticsReality of AthleticsLess than 2% of graduating seniors Less than 2% of graduating seniors nationwide receive athletic nationwide receive athletic scholarships (approximately 24000)scholarships (approximately 24000)1% of that 2% become athletic 1% of that 2% become athletic professionals (approximately 240)professionals (approximately 240)Athletics can help entrance into Athletics can help entrance into institutions that they may not institutions that they may not ordinarily qualify for (NCAA Night)ordinarily qualify for (NCAA Night)Paid trainers/coachesPaid trainers/coaches

PhilosophyPhilosophy

VarsityVarsity– Highest level of competitionHighest level of competition– One of many goals is to compete/winOne of many goals is to compete/win– Best of the best Best of the best – Playing time determined by Playing time determined by

ability/practiceability/practice– Academics/attendance/attitude/work Academics/attendance/attitude/work

ethic/behavior (in/out of school) are all ethic/behavior (in/out of school) are all factorsfactors

Philosophy (cont.)Philosophy (cont.)JV/JV9JV/JV9– Preparation for varsityPreparation for varsity– Not a demotionNot a demotion– At times there is more opportunity for At times there is more opportunity for

playing timeplaying time– Developmental in natureDevelopmental in nature– Playing time determined like varsityPlaying time determined like varsity– Higher numbers- less playing timeHigher numbers- less playing time– Some decisions made by needs of Some decisions made by needs of

varsityvarsity

Middle School AthleticsMiddle School AthleticsCompetitive in natureCompetitive in nature

SafelySafely keep as many athletes as possible- keep as many athletes as possible- year in/year outyear in/year out

Designed to maximize exposureDesigned to maximize exposure

Not always comparable with youth league- Not always comparable with youth league- i.e. rulesi.e. rules

Rules & guidelines by Section XIRules & guidelines by Section XI

DevelopmentalDevelopmental

Selection ClassificationSelection Classification

FactFactEach year we have apprximately Each year we have apprximately 4000 individual students-athletes try 4000 individual students-athletes try out for high/middle school sport out for high/middle school sport teams. We attempt to safely include teams. We attempt to safely include as many student athletes as as many student athletes as possible. Each year/season is a new possible. Each year/season is a new opportunity to make a program or opportunity to make a program or team. Student-athletes are team. Student-athletes are not not guaranteed a spotguaranteed a spot on a team or a on a team or a program each year. program each year.

Athletic GuidelinesAthletic GuidelinesAttendanceAttendanceTransportationTransportationAttireAttireStudent ResponsibilityStudent ResponsibilityAwardsAwardsAlcohol, Tobacco & Substance Abuse- Alcohol, Tobacco & Substance Abuse- ParentsParentsHazingHazingSexual HarassmentSexual HarassmentBehaviorsBehaviorsSportsmanship- SpectatorsSportsmanship- Spectators

CommunicationCommunication

What you could expect from the What you could expect from the coach/schoolcoach/school– PhilosophyPhilosophy– ExpectationsExpectations– Location & times of practiceLocation & times of practice– Team requirementsTeam requirements– Injury procedures/alertsInjury procedures/alerts– Discipline that results in denial of Discipline that results in denial of

participationparticipation

Communication (cont)Communication (cont)

Coaches expect from parentsCoaches expect from parents– Concerns expressed directly from Concerns expressed directly from

student-athlete prior to parentsstudent-athlete prior to parents– Concerns expressed directly from parentConcerns expressed directly from parent– Notification of any schedule conflicts Notification of any schedule conflicts

well in advance (does not exclude from well in advance (does not exclude from attendance policy)attendance policy)

– Specific concerns regarding student-Specific concerns regarding student-athleteathlete

Appropriate concerns to discuss Appropriate concerns to discuss with coacheswith coaches

Treatment of your child, mentally or Treatment of your child, mentally or physicallyphysically

Ways to help your child improveWays to help your child improve

Concerns regarding your child’s Concerns regarding your child’s behaviorbehavior

Academic issuesAcademic issues

Personal issuesPersonal issues

Issues NOT appropriate to discuss Issues NOT appropriate to discuss with coacheswith coaches

Playing timePlaying time

Team strategyTeam strategy

Play callingPlay calling

Other student athletesOther student athletesThere are situations that may require conference There are situations that may require conference with coach. These conferences are encouraged. with coach. These conferences are encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. The clear understanding of the other’s position. The following is the procedure for these conferences:following is the procedure for these conferences:

Conference ProceduresConference ProceduresCall/email coach to set up an Call/email coach to set up an appointmentappointmentIf the coach cannot be reached call If the coach cannot be reached call Eileen Cullen at 858-3515 or Jeremy Eileen Cullen at 858-3515 or Jeremy Thode at 912-2080.Thode at 912-2080.Please do not attempt to confront a Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, during or after a practice coach before, during or after a practice or contest. These can be emotional or contest. These can be emotional times for both parents and coach. times for both parents and coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.resolution.

The Next StepThe Next StepCall to set up appointment with Athletic Call to set up appointment with Athletic Coordinator and/or Athletic DirectorCoordinator and/or Athletic Director

At this meeting, the appropriate next step At this meeting, the appropriate next step can be determined.can be determined.Parents are encouraged to discuss these Parents are encouraged to discuss these issues and problems. However, if a parent issues and problems. However, if a parent has specific complaints regarding a coach, has specific complaints regarding a coach, then the coach must have the opportunity then the coach must have the opportunity to be present to meetto be present to meet with the parent. with the parent.

Athletic Policies/IssuesAthletic Policies/IssuesEligibility- AcademicsEligibility- AcademicsMedical Conditions/ClearanceMedical Conditions/ClearanceSchool Issued School Issued Equipment/Supplies/UniformsEquipment/Supplies/UniformsGame Changes/PracticesGame Changes/PracticesEmergency ContactsEmergency ContactsCollege RecruitmentCollege RecruitmentFacilitiesFacilities

Athletic Policies/Issues (cont.)Athletic Policies/Issues (cont.)

Student ValuablesStudent Valuables

Offsite Practices- Extra HelpOffsite Practices- Extra Help

Team/Coach RulesTeam/Coach Rules

MisconductMisconduct

Progress ReportsProgress Reports

WebsiteWebsite

Wellness Policy/DayWellness Policy/Day

Athletic Policies/Issues (cont.)Athletic Policies/Issues (cont.)

Sport/Speed/Strength TrainingSport/Speed/Strength Training

IntramuralsIntramurals

Summer CampSummer Camp

CommitmentCommitment

Sportsmanship- Athletes/CoachesSportsmanship- Athletes/Coaches

Sportsmanship- SpectatorsSportsmanship- Spectators

Tryout DetailsTryout DetailsPicking A SportPicking A SportSection XI Rules & PoliciesSection XI Rules & PoliciesInterscholastic Versus Youth LeagueInterscholastic Versus Youth LeagueSchool Sports ParticipationSchool Sports ParticipationNot “A Win At All Costs” AtmosphereNot “A Win At All Costs” AtmosphereOptions & AlternativesOptions & AlternativesTryout Organization & EvaluationTryout Organization & Evaluation““No Cut Policy” & “Walk On Teams”No Cut Policy” & “Walk On Teams”Safety & Self EsteemSafety & Self EsteemLeague Set Up & Other SchoolsLeague Set Up & Other SchoolsCommunication Procedures Communication Procedures Sport Specific DrillsSport Specific DrillsAthleticism & ConditioningAthleticism & ConditioningGame Conditions/ScrimmagingGame Conditions/ScrimmagingApparel & TryoutsApparel & TryoutsEvaluated On Tryout- Not Youth LeaguesEvaluated On Tryout- Not Youth Leagues

Tryout RumorsTryout RumorsDo Not Speak Up/Anonymous LettersDo Not Speak Up/Anonymous Letters““A” Team and “B” Team ComparisonA” Team and “B” Team ComparisonPrivate Team InfluencePrivate Team InfluenceAutomatic Placement Automatic Placement Private Coach InfluencePrivate Coach InfluencePlayers Play TogetherPlayers Play Together““Son/Daughter said……”Son/Daughter said……”““He knew someone”He knew someone”““He/She teaches that child”He/She teaches that child”

Thank youThank you

Jeremy ThodeJeremy Thode

Director of Health, P.E., & AthleticsDirector of Health, P.E., & Athletics

912-2080912-2080

jthode@commack.k12.ny.usjthode@commack.k12.ny.us