Athletic
competition is promoted as an extension of the school’s physical
education program. A
variety of organized sports are offered to all
boys and girls. The intention is to
teach and develop physical skills, mental discipline, sportsmanship
and the striving spirit necessary for successful living. All
students are encouraged to participate regardless of their skill
level or experience.
All sports
teams are under the direct supervision of the
School Athletic Committee,
working in close consultation with the School Principal.
All students
must follow
athletic eligibility requirements
as set for Evansville Catholic Schools. All sports are conducted
according to the norms and guidelines established by
EVANSVILLE DIOCESAN ATHLETIC GUIDELINES FOR
ELEMENTARY FEEDERS SCHOOLS OF MATER DEI AND REITZ MEMORIAL HIGH
SCHOOLS
ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY FOR ELEMENTARY SPORTS
IN EVANSVILLE CATHOLIC FEEDER SCHOOLS
The athlete
must not be failing any classes. Grades will be reviewed as report
cards are issued whether that be on a 6 or 9 week cycle. Upon
release of a report card not meeting minimum standards, the student
will be suspended from play for 15 school days from the day report
cards go home (student may practice with the team). On the 15th
school day, the grade situation will be reviewed by the school
administrator. At that time, the student will be reinstated to the
team if the grade problem is corrected. If grades are not up to
standard, the student will continue play suspension and the right to
practice will also be suspended for three more weeks. After the
second fifteen school day play and practice suspension, the grades
will be reviewed again. If grades are up to minimum, the student
will be returned to eligibility. If the grades are still inadequate,
the student will be removed from the school team and denied practice
and play until the student receives a report card that is up to
minimum standards.
Students who are
academically ineligible at the end of school year will be able to
participate on sports teams but will be closely monitored at the
beginning of the next school year.
Exceptions on
academic eligibility to participate can be granted at the discretion
of the school administrator for appropriate reasons. It is expected
that any exception will be documented for future reference.
Students may
be disqualified from participation in sports activities based on
behavioral reasons established by individual schools.
(approved by Diocesan
Evansville Area Elementary Athletic Council April, 2006)
THE FOLLOWING TEAM SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES
ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS OF ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL
Girl's
Soccer
We play in the Independent Soccer
League on the North Side which consists of Parochial and Private
Schools. We play our home games at St. Joe's field. Open to
Grades: 3-8 from July to October (approx.)
Girl's
Cheerleading
At present we offer cheerleading to
all girls in the 7th-8th grade. They cheer at the various boy's
basketball games, etc. Open to Grades: 7-8 from October to
February (approx.)
Girl's
Volleyball
We are part of the
Mater Dei Feeder system. We play the various schools on the West
Side that feed into Mater Dei High. The games are played at Mater
Dei High School. Open to Grades: 5-8 from July to
October (approx.)
Boy's/Girl's Basketball
We are in the Mater Dei Feeder
system. We play at Mater Dei, St. Joe, Resurrection, Holy Redeemer
and Corpus Christi gyms depending on the grades. We play the West
Side Parochial Schools and Evansville Lutheran. Open to Grades: 3-8
from October to February (approx.
Boy's
Wrestling
Wrestling is under
the Mater Dei Feeder system. The feeder system has helped Mater Dei
High become STATE CHAMPS in Wrestling on many occasions. Open to
Grades: K-8 from January to March (approx.)
Boy's/Girl's Track
Track is divided up into Junior
and Senior Divisions which is based on the grade level of
each student. We run at various meets at Central Stadium and at
Mater Dei High School. Open to Grades: 5-8 from February to
April (approx.)
Updated --February 2005
President/Athletic
Director – Brian Price
Vice President –
Don Werner
Secretary -- Michelle
Shane
Treasurer –
Stephanie Purcell
Evansville Diocesan Athletic Guidelines for Elementary Feeder
Schools
of Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial High Schools
Revised 6/01/2006
This
publication has been prepared for those who administer the
interschool athletic programs for the elementary/middle level
schools in the Evansville area. The Evansville area principals
support the guidelines for athletics so that the programs for all
schools feeding into the Mater Dei or Memorial programs will be
structured in a similar and equitable manner. The following
guidelines represent the judgment of the Evansville Area Elementary
Athletic Council and are effective as revised.
PHILOSOPHY
Students will be provided an opportunity to develop the attributes
of good Christian citizenship and sportsmanship. The athletic
program serves as an extension of the classroom. This program
should build self-confidence, teamwork, constructive
competitiveness, and lifelong skills. The primary purpose of an
interschool/middle school athletic program is to provide students
with educational experiences and learning outcomes, not a “win at
any cost” philosophy.
PREAMBLE
The
Catholic Schools Office and the interschool principals, recognizing
the need to plan and direct a wholesome, Christian program of
interschool athletic competition, acknowledge and agree to
implement the following guidelines.
PURPOSE
The
purpose of these guidelines shall be to encourage, unify and give
direction to wholesome, Christian interschool athletic competition
among elementary students. All interschool competition shall be
complementary to the academic function of the schools. All those
associated with interschool athletic programs (i.e. school
principal, athletic committee, sports association) should cooperate
and work toward the health and educational welfare of the students.
They shall also determine the guidelines for qualifications of
student participants and coaches.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The
Evansville Area Elementary Athletic Council was formed during the
2000-2001 school year to ensure compliance to the athletic
guidelines for elementary students established during the 1999-2000
school year. This board has been charged by the Director of Schools
to interpret policy and guidelines and to take action when there is
non-compliance. The Executive Board will serve under the direction
of the Catholic Schools Office.
Board
members consist of the Director of Schools, Assistant Director of
Schools, Safety & Security Coordinator of the Evansville Area
Catholic Schools, representatives from Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial
high schools, two principals and an athletic director from the west
deanery, two principals and an athletic director from the east
deanery.
The principals and
elementary athletic directors shall serve two-year terms, with new
representation replacing
one east/west principal
and
one east/west director each year.
Principal representation will be selected by the principals, and
athletic director representation by the athletic directors, from the
elementary schools. New representation will assume duties in May,
with orientation taking place at the April meeting. This rotation
will first be implemented in the spring of 2002.
Officers of the Council are chairperson, president, and secretary.
The chairperson or the president conducts the meetings. The
president prepares the agenda and serves as the contact person for
the council. The secretary prepares and distributes the minutes.
PART
I
-
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY RULES
RULE
1 - RULE COVERAGE
Section 1
These
guidelines apply to all teams and all contestants enrolled in
elementary/middle level schools participating in interschool
athletic contests, tournaments, and/or meets. All league rules must
comply with diocesan guidelines. Schools may maintain any number of
teams in the same sport.
RULE
2—ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
-
Authority -
Section 1
The
principal is recognized as the school representative and as such is
accountable for conduct of the athletic program of that school.
Section 2
The
principal has the authority to designate an athletic director or
faculty member to act as a director of the teams representing the
school.
Section 3
It is
understood that any school may determine the scope of current
athletic activities. Any new activities must be sanctioned by the
local school’s principal and/or athletic committee.
Section 4
Principals should assure that their school's participants and fans
conduct themselves in a proper and sportsmanlike manner.
-
Certification of Eligibility -
Section 5
A. Athletic
Eligibility, Elementary Sports for Evansville Feeder Schools.
The athlete must not be failing any classes. Grades will be
reviewed as report cards are issued, whether that be on a six or
nine week cycle. Upon release of a report card not meeting minimum
standards, the student will be suspended from play for fifteen
school days from the day report cards go home (student may practice
with the team). On the fifteenth school day, the grade situation
will be reviewed by the school administrator. At that time, the
student will be reinstated to the team, if the grade problem is
corrected. If grades are not up to standard, the student will
continue play suspension and the right to practice will also be
suspended for three more weeks. After the second fifteen school day
play and practice suspension, the grades will be reviewed again. If
grades are up to minimum, the student will be returned to
eligibility. If the grades are still inadequate, the student will
be removed from the school team and denied practice and play until
the student receives a report card that is up to minimum standards.
Students who are academically ineligible at the end of the school
year will be able to participate on sports teams, but will be
closely monitored at the beginning of the next school year.
Exceptions on academic eligibility to participate can be granted at
the discretion of the school administrator for appropriate reasons.
It is expected that any exception will be documented for future
reference. Students may be disqualified from participation in
sports activities based on behavioral reasons established by
individual schools. All participants will be full-time students
within their respective schools. (Approved
4-6-06)
Section 6
In the
event that a school does not have sufficient enrollment to field a
team, the following guidelines will apply:
a. The
athletic director must notify the principal of the situation.
b. The
principal and/or the athletic director will assume the
responsibility to find a team in his/her feeder area on which to
place those students.
c. All
eligible players must be accepted by the receiving school(s). If
students are placed on more than one team, placement must be
determined by a blind draw.
d. The
principal of the receiving school must be notified before placement
occurs.
e. Students
abide by the Section 5 guidelines according to their school of
enrollment.
-
Consent and Release Certificates
-
Section 7
Prior
to their first practice, students in grades K and 6, and all new
students to the school, should have had a physical examination by a
physician holding an unlimited license to practice medicine. All
students must have written consent of parent or guardian for
participation. Evidence of both must be on file in the
principal's/athletic director’s office prior to the student's first
practice. Physical examinations must be on or after May 1 for the
following school year. It is recommended that all student athletes
have insurance.
Section 8
Students who are physically unable to participate in five
consecutive practices due to illness or injury should present to
their principal or athletic director a statement from a physician
licensed to practice medicine that they are again physically fit to
participate in elementary/middle school athletics.
Section 9
Diocesan school names are not to be used for athletic teams not
sponsored by the Diocese of Evansville.
RULE
3 - AMATEURISM
Section 1
All
contestants in elementary/middle level school sponsored contests
will be amateurs.
Section 2
Students will not play under assumed names nor accept remuneration,
directly or indirectly, for playing on athletic teams.
Section 3
Students will not be considered as violating their amateur standing
if they participate in any sport, out of season, sponsored by
professionals.
Section 4
Schools having students who have violated their amateur standing
will notify any school against which competition occurred that
involved that student's participation.
Section 5
Reasonable meals, lodging and transportation may be accepted by a
student if such are accepted in service rather than money or in some
other material form.
RULE
4 - AWARDS, PRIZES, GIFTS
Section 1
The
giving and receiving of awards will:
(a) be
kept within reasonable bounds
(b) have
symbolic value only and
(c) be
with the consent and under the supervision of the school principal.
Note:
The giving and receiving of awards with the consent and under the
supervision of the school principal concerned will mean that the
school principal in each school will have real control and
supervision without pressure of any kind from outside persons or
groups of persons.
Section 2
Awards
such as trophies, plaques, medals, ribbons or similar articles of
symbolic value may be given.
Section 3
Schools belonging to athletic conferences may make awards to the
winning schools or winning participants.
Section 4
Suitable awards may be accepted by schools and/or students from such
local organizations as service clubs, patriotic organizations, civic
groups, dads' and mothers' clubs, and the sports departments of a
newspaper or radio station.
Section 5
Athletic equipment is considered merchandise. Any student who
accepts or attempts to evade the rule by "purchasing" a merchandise
prize for a nominal or token sum should be considered as having
forfeited his amateur standing.
RULE
5- COACHES
Section 1
Each
school will establish guidelines for the selection of coaches.
a. Two
approved (“approved” means that the principal knows the person, and
approves him or her, and the person has submitted to a criminal
background check) adult leaders, or one approved leader and a parent
of a participant, both of whom are 21 years of age or older, are
required to be present at all practices, games, and meetings.
b. When
there is a female coach of a boys’ team or a male coach of a girls’
team, there must be an adult advisor of the opposite sex present at
all practices, games and meetings.
c. All
coaches must attend training sponsored by the diocesan office on a
bi-annual basis.
d. All
coaches are to be proponents of Catholic schools.
e. If
a coach is ejected from a game, he or she may not participate in the
next athletic contest of that sport.
f. All
coaches are required to sign the “Code of Christian Conduct Covering
Coaches of the Diocese of Evansville.” (Sample on page 19 and full
copy on the diocesan web site.)
RULE
6 - CONDUCT, CHARACTER, AND DISCIPLINE
Section 1
Contestants' conduct, in and out of school, will (a) not reflect
discredit upon their school, or (b) not create a disruptive
influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational
environment in the school. All students and parents must follow the
Code of Christian Conduct.
Section 2
If a
student is ejected from a game, he/she may not participate in the
next athletic contest of that sport.
RULE
7 - CONTESTS
These
are general rules applying to all interschool contests.
Section 1
No
games, meets or tournaments will be played by schools without the
sanction of the principal and/or athletic director.
Section 2
Interschool athletic contests will follow the recommended guidelines
for that contest.
Section 3
In all
contests, the decisions of the officials shall be considered final
and binding.
Section 4
All-boys teams and all-girls teams will not participate against each
other in interschool athletic contests.
Section 5
There
will be no interschool athletic contests played or practices or
clinics held before noon on Sunday.
Section 6
Withdrawal of a school athletic team from an athletic contest in
progress, unless by mutual consent of both schools, could jeopardize
future scheduling considerations.
RULE
8 - ENROLLMENT & ATTENDANCE
Section 1
In
order to be eligible for athletic competition during any semester, a
student must be enrolled in the elementary/middle school.
Section 2
Student athletes are expected to attend all classes. Athletes
absent from classes will not be allowed to participate in a practice
or contest the day of the absence. Exceptions to the rule must be
approved by the principals.
RULE
9 - OFFICIALS
Section 1
The
officials in all elementary/middle school contests shall be
determined by league guidelines.
RULE
10 - PARTICIPATION
Section 1
Participation in an athletic contest on any other similar team
during the same season in which they represent their school in that
sport is strongly discouraged.
Section 2
Participation of students in an organized athletic contest with or
against players not belonging to their school constitutes a
game.
An organized "scrimmage" or practice by students with or against
teams or players not belonging to their school is considered a
game.
One exception is allowed. Basketball teams with fewer than ten
total participants may schedule no more than two joint practices
with another school team that also has fewer than ten total
participants. The sole purpose of this exception is to allow those
small teams some limited opportunity to practice in a
“five-against-five situation.”
Section 3
Students should not attend specialized or diversified sport camps,
schools, clinics or other similar programs involving coaching,
instruction and participation on days that school is in session.
RULE
11 - SCHOLARSHIP
Section 1
Each
school will establish its own scholastic requirements for students
participating in its interschool athletic contests.
RULE
12 - UNDUE INFLUENCE
Section 1
The
use of undue influence by any person or persons to secure or to
retain a student will cause the student to be ineligible for
interschool athletics.
PART
II
-
INTERSCHOOL SPORTS RULES - BOYS & GIRLS
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY RULES
these rules apply to all sports.
1.
Practice will start no earlier than four weeks prior to first
scheduled contest.
2.
Coaches will follow the Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial League Rules.
A. At the
seventh and eighth grade levels, teams may practice/play four
times per week. Practices are not to exceed one-and-a-half
hours on nights when school will be in session the next day.
Other practices are not to exceed two hours. Practices are to be
scheduled to allow for practice to end by 8:45 p.m. and for
students to depart by 9 p.m. Games should not be scheduled to
begin later than 7:45 p.m. on nights when school is in session
the next
day.
B. At the
kindergarten through sixth grade levels, teams may practice/play
three times per week.
An exception is allowed for 5th/6th grade basketball teams.
These teams are permitted four contacts in a week when two
league games are scheduled in one weekend. An exception will
also be permitted in wrestling, where students may have four
contacts per week. This exception may not be used for nonleague
games or league games played on school nights
3. Practices
are not to exceed one-and-a-half hours on nights when school will be
in session the next day. Other practices are not to exceed two
hours. Practices are to be scheduled to allow for practice to end
by 8:45 p.m. and for students to depart by 9 p.m. Games should not
be scheduled to begin later than 7:45 p.m. on nights when school is
in session the next day.
4. One
season’s games should not overlap another season’s games.
5. In
the first two years of any organized school sport, care should be
taken to give all eligible team members equitable playing time.
6. For
the purpose of scheduling, a week begins on Sunday and ends on
Saturday.
7. Coaches
may not require team members to participate in additional clinics.
8. An
additional tournament counts as two games against the season limit.
RULE
13 - BASKETBALL (BOYS & GIRLS)
1. The
length of quarters, overtime periods, and use of three-point shot
will be determined
by the
league rules.
2. A
school team will play no more than:
a.
Grades 1-4 12 games and 1 tournament
b.
Grades 5-6 15 games and 2 tournaments
c.
Grades 7-8 20 games and 2 tournaments
3. If
a team participates in additional tournaments, the games played in
the additional tournaments will be included in the game limit for
the specific grade level. See #8, page 12 concerning additional
tournaments.
4.
Participants should play no more than five quarters per session.
RULE
14 - CROSS COUNTRY (BOYS & GIRLS)
1.
The
Cross Country league will be organized according to Diocesan rules.
RULE
15 - FOOTBALL (BOYS)
1. Only
safety approved football equipment will be used.
2. Size
of ball, length of quarters, and overtimes will be determined by
league rules.
3. Participants
will play only one game per calendar week.
4. Football
may have an extra practice per week due to the length of season and
conditioning requirements.
5. Cub
football is a high school program, and does not come under the
jurisdiction of this council.
RULE
16 - SOCCER (BOYS & GIRLS)
1. The
length of halves, size of ball, and overtime shall be determined by
league rules.
2. An
elementary/middle level school team will play no more than 15
scheduled games and one tournament.
3. If
a team participates in two tournaments, the games played in the
second tournament will be included in the 15 games permitted for
that grade level.
RULE
17 - TRACK AND FIELD (BOYS & GIRLS)
1. The
track and field events will be determined by the league.
2. The
season limit will be six meets plus one tournament. There shall be
no more than two meets per week.
RULE
18 - VOLLEYBALL (GIRLS)
1.
The maximum number of season matches for a team or student will be
12 plus one tournament. Additional tournaments may be scheduled and
each will count as two of the 12 matches.
2.
There will be no more than two matches per calendar week.
3. The
host school will notify the visiting school regarding variations or
modifications of facilities or rules prior to contest.
RULE
19 - WRESTLING (BOYS)
1. The
recommended weight classes and limits, equipment specifications,
length of matches, and tournament eligibility will be determined by
league rules.
2. Because
of the contact nature of wrestling, no girls may participate.
Excessive weight loss is not condoned.
3. The
season limit is ten meets plus one team tournament, one individual
tournament, and one diocesan tournament.
There
shall be no more than four contacts (meets/practices) per week,
sponsored by the Catholic elementary schools
JUNIOR
HIGH ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION POLICY for REITZ MEMORIAL and MATER DEI
Feeder
school and non-feeder school students participating in club sports
sponsored by the two high schools
PURPOSE:
To
provide an opportunity for seventh and eighth grade Catholic feeder
school athletes to become better athletes.
To
bring players from different schools together, to teach them high
school systems and to provide instruction and competition.
The
Catholic high schools will provide coaches from their coaching
staffs, with the athletic directors overseeing practices.
Participation in this program is NOT TO CONFLICT with any feeder
school activities. This includes school practices, school games, or
any junior high sanctioned activities.
All
students interested in playing will make the teams. No one will be
cut.
In
the situation that the feeder school sponsors a team in the same
sport, the student must participate on the school team to
participate in the high school program.
Behavior and academic guidelines from the student’s feeder school
will apply for continued participation with the high school program.
Students coming from a non-feeder school must sign an intent to
attend the Catholic High School form. If they are from a public
school, they can only represent one school.
Adjustments to this policy may be made at the discretion of Mater
Dei and Reitz Memorial athletic directors.
CODE
OF CHRISTIAN CONDUCT COVERING COACHES OF THE DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE
It
shall be an express condition of coaching that the coach behave in a
manner that is consistent with the Christian principles of the
school as determined by the school in its discretion. These
Christian principles include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.
Coaches are expected to work courteously and cooperatively with the
league and school to provide a Christian environment for athletic
competition.
2.
Coaches may respectfully express their concerns about athletics.
However, they may not do so in a manner that is discourteous,
scandalous, rumor driven, disruptive, threatening, hostile, or
divisive.
3.
These expectations for coaches include, but are not limited to, all
school sponsored athletic events and practices.
The
school reserves the right to determine, in its discretion, which
actions fall short of meeting the Christian principles of the
school. Failure to follow these principles will normally result in
a verbal or written warning to the coach. Temporary suspension or
permanent removal from coaching responsibilities may occur with
repeated infractions. It is expected that the school will document
any previous infractions and corrections.
The
athletic director and school administration reserve the right to
determine, in its discretion, when conduct is of such a severe
nature as to warrant immediate action without a warning.
Read,
acknowledged, and agreed to:
Coach’s Signature ______________________________________
Printed Name _________________________________________
Date
________________________________________________
(Approved 12-1-05
LISTED
SEASONS INCLUDE FOUR WEEKS OF PRACTICE BEFORE COMPETITION BEGINS.
*Conditioning for pitchers and catchers may begin two weeks prior to
start date for team practices.
**Cub
football players (grades 7 & 8) will not begin school basketball
until football is over.
This book may be reviewed and amended as needed.
