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Athletic Policy

Hempfield Area School District Policy on Athletics

Athletics

Sports play an important part in the life of Hempfield students. A spirit of competition and a winning attitude are apparent throughout the entire school year. Students are urged to participate in our athletic program either by playing, by attending an athletic event, or by being a volunteer in the Athletic Department, i.e., student trainer, office worker, scoreboard operator, statistician. Participation in sound athletic programs contributes to health and happiness, physical skill and emotional maturity, social competence, and high moral values.

We believe that cooperation and competition are also important components. Playing hard and playing to win help build character. Learning to "take it" in the rough and tumble of vigorous play, experiencing defeat with dignity and victory without gloating, disciplining one's self to comply with the rules of the game and good sportsmanship are important components of good character.

Participation in sports helps to exemplify the value of the democratic process and fair play. Through team play the student athlete learns how to work with others toward the achievement of goals. Athletic competition can be a wholesome equalizer. Individuals on the playing field are judged for what they are and what they can do.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for interscholastic athletic competition, a student must be enrolled as a full-time student following a curriculum outlined in the program of studies. The student must maintain acceptable grades in the approved curriculum. Eligibility shall be cumulative from the beginning of a grading period and shall be checked on a weekly basis.

In order to be eligible for interscholastic athletics, a student must be passing at least four full-credit subjects, or the equivalent, during the previous grading period and meet the eligibility requirements of the PIAA and WPIAL.

To be eligible for interscholastic athletics a student must be in attendance in the school building. Home-schooled students are not eligible to compete. High rates of absenteeism will render athletes ineligible.

USE OF FINAL GRADES AT END OF SCHOOL YEAR

At the end of the school year, the student's final grades and credits in subjects, rather than grades and credits for the last grading period, shall be used to determine eligibility for the next grading period.

A student whose work does not meet the standards provided for in Article IX of the PIAA Constitution and By-laws who attends summer school and corrects deficiencies shall be eligible.

SCHOOL POLICIES FOR ATHLETICS

Some of the reasons a participant may be dismissed from the team are:

  1. Failure to comply with the eligibility requirements.

  2. Excessive excused absences.

  3. Unexcused absences from practice.

  4. Unsportsmanlike conduct at practice, or events such as:

-Use of profanity.

-Insulting remarks to teammates, coaches, opponents, spectators, or officials.

-Any act showing intent to do physical harm.

-Any display of action showing lack of emotional stability.

  1. Failure to comply with team rules.

SPECTATOR DECORUM FOR ALL SPORTS

The following regulations are set forth by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and Hempfield High School concerning student and adult spectator decorum. PIAA By-laws specifically provide that school may be suspended when the conduct of its team, students, or team followers is unsportsmanlike and results in actions which are detrimental to individual, school and public welfare and which are prejudicial to the purpose of PIAA. This provision has been invoked in situations involving crowd control problems on the part of visiting schools as well.

PIAA By-laws dealing with athletic courtesy provide that:

ANY SPECTATOR WHO CONTINUALLY EVIDENCES POOR SPORTSMANSHIP
SHOULD BE REQUESTED NOT TO ATTEND FUTURE CONTESTS.

The following regulations will be strictly adhered to at all sporting events:

  1. Vulgar, unsportsmanlike, or rude language or cheers will not be tolerated.

  2. Signs on poles or sticks are not permitted. Signs must show good taste.

  3. Law enforcement officers and administrators have the authority to remove, and/or arrest, any spectator whose conduct is detrimental to the activity taking place.

  4. All school regulations apply to home and away events.

ANY STUDENT VIOLATING ANY REGULATIONS AT HOME OR AWAY EVENTS
WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND FUTURE AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS.

PARTICIPATION

If you are absent beyond a half day of absence from school on a particular day, you may not participate in any activity, practice session, or interscholastic competition. Students must meet PIAA and WPIAL attendance regulations as well, to be eligible to participate.

Any student group or activity meeting either during school hours or after school hours must be chaperoned by a faculty member.

Any student riding a school bus to an event must return on the same bus. The school is not responsible for the safety of students who travel in private cars.

If you are suspended from school, either in in-school or out-of-school suspension, you may not participate in any school-related activity for the duration of the suspension. Any suspension includes the evenings of each day of suspension including the last day and evening.

Failure to comply with the following training rules is cause for possible dismissal from the team.

Tobacco use, use of drugs or any controlled substance, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited and will be cause for dismissal if the violation occurs during the season.

Stealing is strictly prohibited.

Additional information may be attained from the "Student Athletic Handbook."

ATHLETIC OFFICE

The Hempfield Area interscholastic athletic program is one of the best in the area. The Spartans field highly competitive teams in baseball, basketball, football, golf, cross country, swimming, tennis, track, soccer, wrestling, rifle, softball, and volleyball. Hempfield's great tradition of excellence is reflected in the tremendous support it receives from the student body and the Hempfield community.

A complete list of athletic schedules and general sports information may be obtained in the athletic director's office.

Varsity athletic tickets for students, faculty, and the general public are available from the faculty manager's office in the athletic department located in the first floor lobby below the gymnasium.

You are urged to try out and participate in the Hempfield sports program. To receive help and have your questions answered, contact the athletic director's office.