Hesperia Christian School HANDBOOK FOR COACHES Revised August 22, 2016 Building Leaders with Christlike Character Hesperia Christian School 16775 Olive Street Hesperia, CA 92345 (760) 244-6164 Fax (760) 244-9756 www.hesperiachristian.org
Dear Hesperia Christian School Coach, This handbook has been put together after many hours of prayerful consideration, seeking God for His leading as to the role of athletics at Hesperia Christian School. An athletic program, as must all other activities on a Christian school campus, must unfailingly support and promote the philosophies that guide the school. This handbook and the close relationship between the coaching staff, the Athletic Director and the school administration will help ensure that. There are five issues of extreme importance to keep in mind as you enter your upcoming season and each of these is addressed in this handbook. They are: your relationship and influence with your team members your reputation and representation to other teams, the school community and the greater community of the high desert your involvement with players parents and other family members your perspective and attitude toward game officials and most importantly, your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the highly-charged emotional atmosphere and often ego-massaging nature of athletics, each of the above areas must be closely aligned with what Scripture states regarding the leader in I Timothy 3, that he desires a noble task and must be above reproach. Though this passage is speaking specifically of church overseers, its principles are easily applicable to the coach who is the overseer of the athletic team. Please take the time to go through this handbook and the handbook for Hesperia Christian School athletes and be familiar with what they both communicate about our athletic program. Your Athletic Director will assist you with any questions you have and the school administrators are available to you, as well. May God bless you in your efforts to positively affect the lives of athletes and the whole program of athletics at Hesperia Christian School. We pray that this would be time of tremendous growth and blessing in your life. Sincerely, Sharon Romero Administrator 2
HESPERIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL HANDBOOK FOR COACHES Building Leaders with Christlike Character Revised Aug, 2016 Introduction: Purpose of Hesperia Christian School Purpose of Hesperia Christian Athletics Table of Contents Goals of Hesperia Christian Athletics Philosophies of Athletics: Man s Perspective God s Perspectives Winning Sportsmanship The Christian Coach s Role: 5 Areas Code of Conduct for Coaches Expectations of Coaches Read and Adhere to Handbook General Expectations Own Your Program Spiritual Growth Discipline Practice and Contest Uniforms Team Meetings Assistant Coaches, Parents, Players, Individual Players Preparations for the Season Games Safety Facilities Transportation Awards Checklist and Timeline of Responsibilities ESLRs Player Agreement Form 3
Evaluation Form HESPERIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL HANDBOOK FOR COACHES Building Leaders with Christlike Character Revised Aug, 2016 INTRODUCTION This handbook is designed to assist you as you begin a new season of athletic competition at Hesperia Christian School. As exciting as that prospect is, every coach knows that it involves a tremendous amount of time, energy, and discipline to successfully complete a sports season. In fact, it will seem at times as if all personal resources are in danger of being completely drained. It is the hope of the Hesperia Christian School leadership that this handbook will offer support, encouragement and guidance to help your season be one that is pleasing to God while providing you with wonderful blessings as you lead a group of young people in the pursuit of athletic excellence. As a coach, you have a tremendous opportunity to positively affect the lives of your athletes. Often, your influence on them will be greater than their teachers or other school personnel because you will be able to lead them through special circumstances that they will only encounter in athletics. It is of vital importance that you see your coaching experience as an opportunity to influence your team members toward growth in their lives spiritually, intellectually, in their lifestyle and in the way they function as citizens of the Hesperia Christian School community and the greater community around them (see HCS ESLRs). Your efforts will only be effective if you see yourself as part of the entire Hesperia Christian School program working together with the administration, teachers and support staff to accomplish the school s purposes. Purpose of Hesperia Christian School The mission statement of Hesperia Christian School, which should be memorized and adhered to by every HCS coach, states: Hesperia Christian School exists to assist Christian families in their God-given responsibility to train and nurture their children to be Christlike by providing an education based on God s Holy Word, the Bible The role of the school is not to take away the authority of the parents nor to take on the responsibility they have to give their children the God-focused training they need. We work alongside parents by assisting with the part of the training they are unable to provide for their children, including classroom teaching of specific subject matter and training in special areas such as in art, music, drama, speech, etc. All of the training and 4
nurturing we offer comes from the foundation of God s Word as we work to train the whole child. Athletics, specifically the coach, must understand that these purposes must permeate every area of the educational process provided by Hesperia Christian School, including that of athletics. The coach will exhibit a commitment to leadership training of all team members to develop Christlike character a commitment which will help instill in the athlete a desire to know God more deeply and to choose to live for Him as shown in the following explanation of the HCS motto, Building Leaders with Christlike Character: I Know Your Word, Lord Psalms 119:89, 104, 105, 106 Thy Word is settled in heaven it gives understanding It is a lamp to my feet a light to my path I have hidden it in my heart. I Live Your Word, Lord Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. Purpose of Hesperia Christian School Athletics Athletics at Hesperia Christian School has been established to give each athlete an opportunity to participate in healthy competition while exercising the development of personal spiritual, physical and other gifts for the benefit of a team and for furthering God s work on earth. Each player, whether exceptionally gifted physically or not, has a role to play and can contribute positively to the team. In fact, there are few venues outside of athletics that allow the young person to so fully function as we are urged to in Ephesians 4. Some of the urgings of the Apostle Paul include: Be completely humble and gentle Be patient, bearing with one another in love Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through peace He [the Lord] gave some [for different works of service] to build up the body In your anger, do not sin Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs Get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice Be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other, just as Christ in God forgave you Verse 1 of Chapter 5 sums it all up this way: Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 5
The Hesperia Christian School coach is a role model and a positive influence in the lives of young people to point them toward the path of living like Christlike leaders who know what God s Word says we are to do and who choose to live by that Word. GOALS OF HESPERIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ATHLETICS The goal of the athlete and coach alike is to win the game. For the Christian this entails far more than just the score. The testimonies of each coach and athlete involved in a game speak to the success or failure of individual efforts to develop personal gifts and contribute to a team while glorifying God by behavior and attitude, regardless of the final score. Winning the game is not the most important thing, but making the effort to win as Christ would win, is! Specific goals of the HCS Athletic Department To bring glory to God To teach submission to authority To teach cooperative effort To place team needs ahead of individual needs To teach team unity To teach sportsmanship To give 100% To accept winning and losing as part of God s will and to learn what He has for us in every situation To develop and refine athlete s God given athletic ability PHILOSOPHIES OF ATHLETICS Man s Perspectives Often times man s view of athletics is based on winning, whether for personal or corporate gain. If the coach doesn t have a season with more wins than losses, he/she may be replaced by next season. If the player doesn t have statistics that wow the spectators or the college recruiter, he or she is considered a less important part of a team. Players are often so concerned about getting that athletic scholarship or an invitation to a professional ball club that their contribution to the team is of secondary importance. 6
Coaches and players can often act unwisely and in an ungodly manner in practices or contests because wins and statistics take the priority in their philosophy of athletics. The Christian Perspective In order to have an approach to athletics that enhances the school s ministry, the program must be guided from the school s Christian philosophy of education. The integration of God s Word into every fiber and every activity of the school program is mandatory. The teacher (coach) is the student s (player s) direct role model of what Biblical integration means. As the coach leads the team as Christ s representative, the players learn practically how to take God s directives and put them into everyday practice. In addition, Biblical integration will not take place unless it is a planned, purposeful part of the program. If the coach sees athletics as a microcosm of life in other words, life in miniature he/she will use it as various learning situations arise for teaching God s principles. Winning Far more than the win/loss record of games, winning for the Christian athlete is to live according to God s purposes for his/her life and His purposes for the world. God has placed us here to glorify Him and each believer must understand that there is no accomplishment of lasting value exists that is apart from God s glory. This provides a wonderful opportunity for the coach to teach in practical ways how young people may give of themselves totally for the attainment of a specific goal, yet allow God to be glorified at the same time. This can apply in such seemingly dichotomous settings as on the football field where the players are taught to physically overcome the other players or on the volleyball court where the players are taught to gain as many kills as possible. Within the parameters of playing to win the game with total abandon, the players are taught that their total abandon does not omit such things as: concern for the other players respect for the authorities (referees and coaches) on the field doing your best while playing for and with the team The coach who understands that true winning can be summed up in Colossians 3:17 is in for awesome blessing and fulfillment. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17, NASB Or, to paraphrase for athletics: Do whatever you do with a total release of your mental and physical ability, along with your emotional energies, toward performing like Jesus, having in mind that Jesus is your only audience. 7
Sportsmanship In the midst of the excitement of athletics, it is vitally important to keep all things in perspective. Participation in athletics can produce some of the most enjoyable and memorable times in our lives. Yet they can be unproductive and even negative if the testimony of the player, the coach or the school is damaged because of a wrong view toward the purposes of an athletics program in a Christian school. In light of eternity, each athletic event, and, in fact, the entire program of athletics at HCS, are of little importance aside from what it produces in the lives of young people and in ourselves for God s glory. Athletics plays an important role in the life of Hesperia Christian School. As has already been stated, the athletics department is one that supports the purposes of the school but in a different venue. Therefore, there are some Biblical principles that will naturally come to light as important aspects of the athletic program. The coach must be personally committed to supporting those Biblical principles. 1. We need to teach respect for authority. This includes players respect for coaches and referees. 2. We need to teach concern for one another. 3. We need to teach the putting aside of one s individual desires and goals for the good of the team. 4. We want to teach players that their true character will come out in the heat of competition and that this will carry on into their everyday life. The Christian Coach s Role The Five Areas The Coach s Relationship and Influence with Team Members A coach has an awesome responsibility to lead his/her team in a manner that reflects Christ in every area. The team will emulate what they see in their coach. If they observe grumbling or complaining after every poor call or mistake by a referee, they will follow that example. If they see the best players getting special treatment, they will tend to treat one another in the same way. The coach must see him/herself as Christ s representative in the flesh to the players. A coach who is an example of fair play, submission to authority, thankfulness to God for His gifts to us, and who delights in God s Word will provide a positive, Godly influence with the players both on and off the playing court or field. 8
The Coach s Reputation and Representation to Other Teams, the School Community and to the Greater Community of the High Desert As a believer, the Hesperia Christian School coach first represents God; then, the school; and, last, the team. The way the community sees you is the way they will look at the Lord Jesus Christ and the way they will see the school and its athletic program. Just as the school asks that students represent the school appropriately wherever they are, the coach as a leader has an even heavier responsibility to do so. Other teams coaches and players must have respect for your approach to them before, during and after games. School families must see by your interactions with them and their children that you pursue a high standard of Godliness in your life. The community must have a greater respect for Hesperia Christian School athletics because they know of your integrity and desire to follow God s principles in your everyday activities. The Coach s Involvement with Players Parents and Other Family Members What a special privilege a coach has to help lead the entire school community in Christian testimony, especially in difficult, emotional game settings. The coach can lead families to avoid booing or making other negative statements after seemingly faulty calls. As well, the coach is able to minister to families as they experience the disappointments and pain of injury or loss of playing time or other personal trials. The Christian coach is able to provide leadership in a loving and caring community atmosphere that includes the families of athletes. The Coach s Perspective and Attitude Toward Game Officials One of the most difficult things for us to do is to submit ourselves to the authority of another person or group of people. In our individualistic society where we all expect to receive our due respect and personal rights, God s mandate to submit ourselves to the mighty hand of God in our lives is a hard one to swallow. Yet, true Christian character, or lack of it, is demonstrated in just this principle. The coach who can truly thank God for the decisions of weak, imperfect referees is the coach who can lead team members to thank God for the trials He allows in our lives to help mature us according to His perfect will. Remember, God is in control. As hard as it may be to understand during the athletic contest, God has placed those referees at that game at that specific time. If we are in submission to His will for our lives and if we are thankful that He is working in our lives for His perfect purposes, we will then be able to lead our team without compromising our testimony during the athletic contest. The Coach s Walk with the Lord Jesus Christ The Christian coach s walk with the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of who he/she is. All other relationships previously mentioned will be formed and impacted as a result of this. The Christian coach must be wholly dedicated to allowing Christ use him/her in each area of life including that of athletics. The following must be evident: 1) The coach s relationship with the Lord must be obviously growing. Scripture tells us clearly in Romans 12:2 that our lives are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. As the Christian coach spends time in God s Word, his/her mind will be renewed and growth will be evident. This does not mean the 9
coach is expected to be perfect or to somehow reach perfection in his/her walk with Christ. It means that as growth takes place, the coach will understand how to react and respond when human frailties exhibit themselves in his/her walk allowing the coach the humility and the trust in God to make amends and learn from mistakes that are made. EXPECATIONS OF A COACH 1. Give a try-out Roster to the Athletic Department on the first day of tryouts. 2. Give a complete Roster after try-outs are complete. Athletes have a 10 day trial period after the try-outs are complete to quit a team without penalty. 3. Have a Parent meeting after try-outs are complete 4. No purchases can be made without prior approval of the athletic director. 5. Fundraiser must go through the athletic director prior to the event 6. T-shirts and warm-ups must have Patriot Colors on them unless prior approval deemed from the Athletic Director 7. A calendar of all practices and events must be given to the Athletic Department prior to the first day of practice 8. All meetings on campus with students must be approved by the athletic director prior to the meeting 9. Inventory of all uniforms/gear must be complete before receiving a pay check for the season, no exceptions 10. After the season is complete, there must be a team party within the month of completion 11. All changes in the practice schedule need to go through the Athletic Department COACHING BENEFITS: 1. A Paid Coach, who is not using any type of tuition assistants, will be paid the coaching stipend and ½ of their child s Athletic Sports Fee will be covered. This only occurs for one Athletic Fee per 1 time coaching. If a coach is coaching 2 sports they get two ½ Athletic/Sports Fees covered. If coaching 3 sports, 3 ½ Athletic/Sports Fees will be covered. This is non-transferable and no cash payouts for these benefits are accepted. Valid for current school year only. 2. A hired volunteer coach, who is not receiving any type of tuition assistants or stipend, will receive a 1 time fully paid Athletic Sports Fee for their child. If 2 sports are being coached voluntarily 2 fully paid Athletic/Sports Fees will be covered for their child. If coaching 3 sports, 3 fully paid Athletic/Sports Fees will be given. This is non-transferable and no cash payouts for these benefits are accepted. Valid for current school year only. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HESPERIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL COACHES Hesperia Christian School coaches are held to the same high standards as teachers at Hesperia Christian School. Please read and be familiar with the HCS Employee Handbook, especially sections which outline expectations for teachers. 10
It is expected that all concerned with interscholastic athletics will be examples of leadership with Christlike character by adhering to the following: Emphasize the proper ideals of Christian sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play Eliminate all possibilities that tend to destroy the best values of the game and Christianity Stress the spiritual values derived from playing the game fairly Establish a brotherly love between visitors and hosts based on mutual respect Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials Achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility Encourage mature Christian leadership, use of initiative and good judgment by the players on the team Recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the spiritual, physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well being of the individual players Confine discussions with the game officials to the interpretations of the rules and refrain from constantly challenging decisions involving judgment Refrain from any personal action that might arouse players or spectators to unsportsmanlike conduct Stress quality of Christian attitudes and virtues above all else win, lose or draw. Because the contest is simply a game, it will one day be forgotten but the personal impressions may last forever. Expect players to give 100% Be an ambassador for Christ and Hesperia Christian School Establish a strong loving and respectful relationship among the players Understand that all ability comes from the Lord (I Cor. 4:7) Build correct self-confidence in athletes (I John 4:4) 11
Support the Hesperia Christian School Chain of Command. This is not established to be a threat to the coach but is a professional manner by which to make your feelings known and as an effective way to have input into your program. Use the proper procedures for best results. If in talking with your immediate supervisor, you don t feel peace or acceptance, inform him/her in a loving spirit that you wish to talk to the next level of authority. EXPECTATIONS OF HESPERIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL COACHES Read and Adhere to HCS Handbooks Be familiar with this handbook as well as the Athlete s Handbook and the Employee Handbook of Hesperia Christian School. Many questions and confusions can be cleared up with little difficulty because of policies that have already been written. General Expectations 1. Enforce all school rules. 2. Meet deadlines and perform all duties required by the manual and by the Athletic Director. 3. Do not leave until all team members have been picked up by their rides. 4. If team members need to go to the school area for lockers or vehicles after practice or games, make sure they are supervised. 5. Make sure accident report forms and an emergency release for each team member signed by their guardians is available at all times. 6. If teams will be traveling a long distance and staying overnight for a game or tournament, the coach needs to get permission slips signed, take care of the necessary arrangements and communicate all information to parents in a timely manner. Own Your Program 1. Maintain a neat and orderly appearance on the team. 2. Make every effort to improve your own knowledge in order to provide the athletes with the best available expertise in training methods in order to prevent injuries and promote excellence in performance. 3. Be organized. 4. Be prepared. 5. Varsity coaches are expected to be the overseers of their programs. This includes preparing the junior varsity and junior high coaches with your philosophy of coaching, your approach to practices, etc. in order to provide continuity with in the program. Spiritual Growth 12
1. Each coach is responsible for his or her team s spiritual growth in addition to physical or athletic growth. 2. Team prayer is required at every practice and game as a minimum. Prayer at other times can be a blessing and is encouraged. 3. Devotionals should be held when all team members can be present either before, after, or instead of practice. The devotional need not be a book study, but rather can be topic studies such as humility, teamwork and unity. coaches may pass the responsibility for these devotions around the team with the athletes working in 2s or 3s. However, the coach is responsible for the material presented. 4. Team devotions can be held at any time and should be encouraged as much as possible. However, it is highly recommended that devotions occur at least once a week. Discipline Discipline should be a very high priority with every coach that is involved in the athletic program. Too often a weak discipline structure leads to a weak program. Therefore, every coach is encouraged to communicate as clearly as possible the training rules and regulations to the athlete and their parents from the very start. This communication should be done verbally and in writing. Discipline must be evident throughout the entirety of the season. Only by running the entire race can victory be gained, and only by being thorough and consistent can a coach have victory in the area of discipline. Do not neglect to take the necessary action because of lack of time. Time invested in good discipline the first few days of each and every season will pay big dividends in time and heartaches saved in days ahead. Do your best to establish good, solid disciplinary guidelines and then stick with them. This does not mean that you should not be flexible within your discipline system, but it does mean that an athlete should know what to expect if they intentionally transgress a team standard. Each coach is encouraged to provide a letter to all prospective team members and their parent or guardian to insure that rules are clear, that cooperation will come from the athlete and their parents, and to indicate to all involved that the coach does not take discipline lightly. A copy of the letter(s) and all team rules should be submitted to the Athletic Director prior to publishing for parents and athletes. Coaches should not hesitate to take the necessary, appropriate and immediate action to insure proper discipline on his/her team. The coach is the leader of the team. Discipline is both a responsibility and a privilege. Practice Discipline 1. Opening and closing practice with prayer will help promote a necessary spiritual focus. 13
2. The best method of good discipline is the positive approach. Have your practice so well planned, with the evident purpose, and you yourself so thoroughly convinced of its worth that you are willing to fight for every minute of the team s time. By being well prepared, you will not only be viewed as a professional, but you will also discourage athletes and parents from asking to be excused from any practices. Your approach to an organized, well-structured activity will help convince everyone involved that you are allowing each team member to participate in something worthwhile and valuable to their individual development. 3. Along with good planning is the establishment of the consistent routine of getting practice started on time and closing on time. Contest Discipline Since each coach is a unique individual with different discipline techniques, it is extremely important that the following situations be handled consistently throughout the school s athletic contests. The corrections cited are considered minimum actions to be taken in each situation. 1. Fighting C.I.F Mandatory Ruling removal for the remainder of the contest, plus the next game (A, B & C of this section) A. Initiating a fistfight immediate removal for the remainder of contest plus next game, counsel with the coach and athletic director B. Retaliatory fighting immediate removal from contest, and counsel with the coach; re-entry is at discretion of the coach. C. Voluntary participation in a fight in which the athlete was not initially or immediately involved immediate removal for remainder of contest plus the next game 2. Technical fouls involving attitude immediate removal from contest with re-entry at the coach s discretion 3. Language abusive, profane immediate removal from contest, counsel with a coach and re-entry at the coach s discretion 4. Profane gestures or verbal assault immediate removal for remainder of contest, counsel with the coach 5. Using God s name in vain immediate removal for remainder of contest, counsel with the coach Repeated offenses may result in further discipline, including removal from team. Uniforms The Athletic Director has established a rotation system for the updating of team uniforms. The coach will respect this system and pursue the purchase of new team uniforms within the time frame provided. 14
When the team has been selected, check out the appropriate number of uniforms and distribute to the team members. Be sure to inform team members of the proper way to take care of the uniforms. At the end of the season, require the team members to clean their uniforms and return them to you. Your checkout at the end of your season will not be complete until all players uniforms are turned in. The coaching stipend cannot be released until all portions of the checkout process are completed. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the Athletic Director. Apparel Criteria: Policy for Logos 1. The School Administration's approval must be gained before ordering. 2. Any slogan must be distinctly Christian 3. A Bible reference must be listed if there is a slogan, and the verse must relate to it. 4. The name (Hesperia Christian) must be on the shirt or item Equipment Check out needed equipment from Athletic Director and make a list of what you have received. Give a copy of the list to the Athletic Director. Be sure to inform athletes of the proper use and care of equipment. Team Meetings With Assistant Coaches Before your season starts, have an organizational meeting with assistant coaches if your team is assigned assistant coaches. Discussion should include but not be limited to: Schedule for team meeting(s), practices, parent meeting(s) Game schedule with departure times included Tryouts and how many players to keep on the team Agree on the list of character traits to be looking for during the season Set devotional goals Set objectives and goals for the team, individuals and the coaches Team supervision and discipline Responsibilities of individual coaches With Parents Before your season begins, after the final cuts have been made, hold an informational meeting with players parents. Coverage should include the same things covered with assistant coaches and players. Parents should understand as 15
many of the details as possible about your program. Start the meeting with information about the general objectives of the school and how the athletic program fits into those objectives. Continue with specific details of your sport and your specific team. Your season will be most effective for everyone if the parents and you are working closely together to accomplish the same purposes. As well, one of the most effective ways to handle discipline is to have contact with the parent before any discipline issues come up. The relationship will be established and both you and the parent will have the sense that you are both concerned about the player and that you both want to develop the same characteristics in the player s life as a result of being part of your team. With Players Meeting with the players before the season begins is imperative. Be sure they are fully informed of everything you expect and how you will handle situations that may arise. Be sure to cover the following: Each athlete must have a physical form completed by his or her doctor. The Athletic Director keeps forms for all athletes. The forms are good for one calendar year from the date of the form. Each athlete should sign in if they are interested in being a part of the team so you will know what your potential number of players is. Give the Athletic Director a copy of this list so he/she may check grades and behavior records to determine eligibility. Relate any extra expenses that you anticipate, such as equipment needed for participation, warm-up jerseys, or overnight trips the team might make. Let the players know of anything they might need to have signed by parents. Set a specific date for the collection of such items. Insurance waivers, if needed Emergency release forms Athletic fees Provide a practice schedule for the season Go over the school s and your philosophy of athletics Athletic Handbook Team rules (approved by Athletic Director) Awards and Character Traits that will be given at the end of the season With Individual Players There may be times when a meeting must be held with an individual player. If the coach is of a different gender than the player, the meeting should never be between the two of them alone unless it would be in one portion of the gym or other location where there are other people around. Coaches should never transport players of the opposite gender alone. The coach should meet with an individual prospective player when that player will be cut from the team. Letters will be given to each athlete letting them know their status on the team. The reasons for the cut should be explained and as much 16
encouragement given as possible. This is a time the coach can minister to a player by giving clear indications as to what they can do to better themselves for the future and by offering kindness and gentleness in the process. Preparations for the Season 1. Once the team has been formed, provide an alphabetical team roster to the Athletic Director, the Finance Manager and the Athletic Director s secretary. 2. Submit a desired practice schedule to the Athletic Director. A schedule for all current teams will be established by the Athletic Director adhering as much as possible to all coaches desired schedules. 3. Know all rules pertaining to your sport and keep abreast of all new rule revisions. 4. Check with the Athletic Director for eligibility of your players. The Athletic Director is responsible for this but your assistance will be appreciated to avoid any mistakes made in this area. Games Before All Games Make sure athletes know they are required to turn in any homework that is due and to get any assignments that will be given before they leave for a contest. Before Home Games Get out proper equipment Welcome the other team as they arrive and direct them to their locker room Before Away Games Gather everything you need to take with you: - Game equipment - Bible and devotional materials - Keys for vehicles - Directions to game - Notes from parents regarding students riding home other than school-provided rides During all Games Remain with your team at all times Supervise the activities of your players during the entire road trip After All Games Remain with the team until all players have been picked up Contact the newspaper with game results After Home Games Help the Athletic Director close up the gym, put equipment away and clean up after the game After Away Games Do not stop for the team to eat after away games on weeknights so the players can be home as early as possible 17
Make sure the team has picked up all the trash in all vehicles Put van keys back in the Maintenance Supervisor s box immediately upon returning to the school (vans are often used on a day-to-day basis and a van returned on Friday night may be assigned for use on a Saturday morning) Lock the entire facility including all gates Safety 1. Safety should be a prime point of concern in every practice and game session. 2. Use common sense when planning an activity or practice. 3. Always insure that athletes are in proper practice uniforms. Never let them participate in school clothes or street shoes. 4. Be familiar with school safety policies and with the school disaster preparedness program. 5. When a player is injured, an accident report form must be completed and submitted to the Athletic Director as soon as possible. In any case, contact the Athletic Director, Secondary Principal or Administrator to report a serious injury immediately after the game. 6. Complete an Incident Report for any unusual circumstances as described in the Employee Handbook and submit to the Athletic Director as directed. Facilities 1. Scheduling of the facilities for use by athletics is done through the Athletic Director and Secondary Principal. The school office will assist with scheduling. 2. Students are not allowed to use facilities without the supervision of staff personnel. 3. No street shoes of any kind are allowed on the gym floor for physical activity. Tennis shoes should be worn. 4. The last coach out of the gym is responsible for the lights being turned off, for all the doors being locked up and for the parking lot gates locked. 5. The gym kitchen is to be locked at all times and is not available for use by the Athletic Department except as approved under the direction of the Athletic Director. Ice for athletics use is located in the training room as well as any running water needed for athletic use. 6. Show proper respect for the facilities of other teams when you are visiting their campus. 18
Transportation 1. School vehicles are available for use on a limited basis. The Athletic Director will assign vehicle use to teams for away games and other events. 2. Vehicle keys are to be picked up in the Maintenance Supervisor s box and returned immediately after use. 3. Vehicles are to be returned clean. If this is violated, school vehicle use could be denied for future use. 4. If any vehicle has a mechanical or other problem, or is not clean for your use, please notify the Maintenance Supervisor immediately using the Work Order system. 5. Students are to ride with the team to games unless given prior permission by the coach. Awards Hesperia Christian School has devised a specific awards system available for athletes. Please use the system unless you have prior permission from the Athletic Director who will have any deviations from the prescribed system approved by the Secondary Principal. (If you feel the system is not appropriate for your sport or your specific team, a decision to change it will come after prayerful consideration by the athletic department and school leadership.) A. HCS athletes should conform to the image of Jesus Christ and, by doing this, strive to develop certain character qualities that would bring glory to our Lord. Therefore, a large portion of the awards in athletics will be based on how well the athlete exhibits these qualities. B. Varsity letters will be awarded in all sports based on participation, character development and support of fellow team members. All criteria shall be established prior to the sport season by each coach, based on the policies published in this handbook. C. All letters will be awarded at awards gatherings to be held after the completion of the sport. D. Any patches or extra emblems are to be purchased through the Athletic Director. Lettering on the athlete s letterman s jacket is up to the individual but must show good taste and support of the Hesperia Christian School philosophy of athletics. E. In order to receive a varsity letter, an athlete cannot be a disciplinary problem. If an athlete has more than one disciplinary action taken upon him/her during the 19
season of sport, then the athlete may become ineligible for a letter. This determination will be made by the coach, Athletic Director and Secondary Principal of Hesperia Christian School. F. Communicate clearly to parents and players what awards will be given with Athletic Director s approval. The awards given for each sport include the following: 1. Character Trait(s) Traits are selected from the following list by the coach. The athlete will display the trait as a highly prominent part of his/her life. 2. Coach s Award The award given to the athlete who best portrays the qualities of Christ both on and off the field or court. 3. Award of the Coach s Choice This will be explained by the coach during the awards ceremony. Character Traits A. Dependability Is at practices and contests unless excused by the coach. Does what is expected in all situations. B. Punctuality Is on time, or early, never late. C. Love Is self-sacrificing and shows a real concern for team members, coaches and opponents. Remembers that Christ centered His love around others and not Himself. Two characteristics or love are: 1. Love produces action. 2. Love produces a response of love from others. D. Enthusiasm Takes an interest in every part of the sport and is quick to carry out every part of the job. I Thessalonians 5:6 E. Faith Shows that he/she knows the Lord is in control of all circumstances and that He is carrying out His will in his/her life. Hebrews 11:1 F. Humility Shows for the attitude that God is the One responsible for abilities, talents and success. G. Endurance Must be able to withstand stress, hard work and the problems that all Christian athletes experience. Galatians 6:9 H. Boldness Is ready to boldly express what Jesus Christ has done for him/her. The Christian athlete cannot be one who is timid or gives up. Acts 4:29 20
I. Obedience Is obedient to the Lord and to those who He has put in authority over him/her. Jesus was always obedient to His Father s will. II Corinthians 10:5 J. Diligence Uses all his/her strength and ability to complete each part of his/her task whether in practice, in a game or anywhere else. K. Responsibility Takes the initiative to work and make intelligent decisions because Christ is always watching. Athletes need to do everything that is expected of them. Coaches need to know that athletes are capable of doing things without direct supervision. L. Determination Makes up his/her mind that he/she will accomplish God s goals in his time, regardless of the opposition. II Timothy 4:7 M. Joyfulness Shows that his/her relationship with Christ means something wonderful to him/her. N. Confidence Athletes should know that they can be winners in God s sight as they totally give all they have to Jesus. O. Intensity Gives everything he/she has at all times, focusing his/her total attention upon the job at hand and putting forth your every effort to complete it perfectly. To Patriots, this is known as Total Release. 21