TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                                                                                                                                                                               

Goal.................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Philosophy........................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Notice of Nondiscrimination and Grievance Procedure........................................................................................... 2

Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Code of Ethics.................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Responsibilities of Athletes........................................................................................................................................... 3

Responsibilities of Coaching Staff............................................................................................................................... 3

General Information (Sport Seasons)......................................................................................................................... 4

Activity Fee/Equipment.................................................................................................................................................... 5

Practice Requirements................................................................................................................................................... 5

     ¨Pre-practice

     ¨Additional

Sport Clinics & Camps................................................................................................................................................... 5

     ¨School Sponsored

     ¨College or Commercial Sponsored

Eligibility (NSAA)............................................................................................................................................................... 6

General Information (Administration).......................................................................................................................... 7

Team Travel...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Dress................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Activities on Wednesday Night & Sunday.................................................................................................................... 8

School Attendance........................................................................................................................................................... 8

Equipment......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Dressing Room Policies................................................................................................................................................ 9

Training Room & Supplies............................................................................................................................................ 9

Insurance Coverage........................................................................................................................................................ 9

Admission Prices............................................................................................................................................................ 9

Code of Conduct............................................................................................................................................................ 10

     ¨Appearance

     ¨Attendance of Practice & Contests

     ¨Training Rules

Penalty............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Due Process.................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Academic Guidelines................................................................................................................................................... 12

Awards Night.................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Special Olympics........................................................................................................................................................... 13

 


GOAL

 

The major objective of the program is to provide opportunities for students to develop from their experiences, wholesome habits and attitudes of social and group living in a democratic world and to apply specialized skills in an environment of competition if they so desire.

 

 

PHILOSOPHY

 

The athletic program is intended to be in conformity with the general objectives of the school.  The program functions as a part of the whole curriculum and constantly strives for the development of a well-rounded individual capable of taking his/her place in modern society.

 

A fine athletic tradition is not built overnight.  It takes hard work and the dedication of many individuals over many years.  Our tradition at Norris has been to participate so that honor comes to our community, our school, and our athletes.  Such a tradition is worthy of the best efforts of all concerned, the followers, the coaching staff, the athletes, and the student body.  We will always play every game "to win."  In doing so, we will always maintain respect for our school, our opponents, and most of all, ourselves.

 

We will also play to win every game at the non-varsity level.  But, we will also remember that it is at this level that athletes of varsity ability are made.  Besides placing the emphasis on winning, it is our philosophy to give as many individuals as possible the opportunity to develop the necessary fundamentals to be able to participate in game competition.  By participating in the inter-scholastic program, we hope that all athletes are able to derive some of the individual values and benefits of the program.

 

 

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

 

Norris School District #160 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, or age in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in, its programs and activities.

 

It is the intent of Norris School District #160 to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law in making certain discrimination does not exist in its policies, regulations and operations.  Grievance procedures have been established for anyone who feels discrimination has been shown by Norris District #160.

 

Inquiries regarding grievance procedures or application of these policies of nondiscrimination can be obtained by contacting the Superintendent of Schools, RR 1, Box 93A, Firth, NE  68358.  Phone:  402-791-0000.

 

 

 PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the athletic program is:

 

1.             To improve the image of athletics and the athletes involved.

2.             To ensure growth and development that will raise the number of individual participants; that will give impetus to increasing attendance at each contest; that will build up gate receipts to maintain a cost effective athletic program that operates at a fiscally sound level; and that will enable a program of continuing upkeep and improvement of facilities.

3.             To provide opportunities that will allow the program to serve as a laboratory where students may cope with problems and handle situations similar to those encountered under conditions prevailing in the contemporary world.  The laboratory should provide adequate and natural opportunities for:

                a.             Physical, mental and emotional growth and development.

                b.             Acquisition and development of special skills in activities of each student's choice.

                c.             Team play with the development of such commitments as:  loyalty, cooperation, fair play, and other desirable social traits.

                d.             Directed leadership and supervision that stresses:  self-discipline, self-motivation, excellence, and the ideals of good sportsmanship that make for winning and losing graciously.

                e.             A focus of interests on activity programs for student body, faculty and community that will generate a feeling of unity.

                f.              Provisions for worthy use of leisure time in later life, either as a participant or spectator.

                g.             Participation by the most skilled that will enable these individuals to ascertain possibilities for future vocational pursuits.


CODE OF ETHICS

 

It is the duty of all concerned with school athletics:

1.             To emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play.

2.             To stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.

3.             To show cordial courtesy to visiting teams and officials.  Remember, they are our guests and deserve to be treated as such.

4.             To respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.

5.             To achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game.

6.             To strive for victory through fair play according to the rules of the game.

7.             To encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by players of the team.

8.             To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well-being of the individual participants.

9.             To do everything possible to encourage enthusiasm for the game and courtesy and respect for the players, coaches, and fans.

10.          To do everything within their power to make the entire athletic program something of which the community will always be proud.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ATHLETES

 

Through voluntary participation, the athlete gives time, energy, and loyalty to the program.  He/she also accepts the training rules, regulations, and responsibilities which are unique to an athletic program.  In order to contribute to the welfare of the group, the athlete must willingly assume these obligations as the role demands and must make sacrifices not required of others.

 

1.             Responsibilities to yourself

                a.             We like to think of an athlete as being someone special in that certain responsibilities are imposed upon him/her.  An athlete is one who accepts these responsibilities to broaden himself/herself and develops strength of character.  Athletes owe it to themselves to get the greatest possible good from their school experiences, their studies, their participation in other co-curricular activities, as well as from athletics.

                b.             You owe it to yourself to always do whatever you do in life to the best and fullest of your ability.

 

2.             Responsibilities to the school

                a.             By being an athlete, you have the responsibility to your school to always do your best and always follow guidelines set forth.  By being an athlete, you are representing your school and your community.

                b.             You automatically assume a leadership role when you are on an athletic squad.  The student body and citizens of the Norris community know you.  You are on the stage with the spotlight on you.  The student body, the community, and other communities judge our school on your conduct and attitudes, both on and off the field.  Because of this leadership role, you can contribute to our school spirit and community image.  Make your school proud of you and your community proud of your school by your performance and your devotion to high ideals.  The younger students are watching you.  They will imitate you in many ways.  Do not let them down.  Give them high ideals to copy.

 

 

 

 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COACHING STAFF

 

Since there has been a fine tradition established in athletics at Norris, the coaches feel they have the responsibility to give the community the best possible teams with the available talent each year.


GENERAL INFORMATION (SPORT SEASONS)

 

Senior High Sports Seasons - Nebraska School Activities Association - All interscholastic sports are divided into three seasons - fall, winter and spring.  The division of sports, the date of the first organized practice, and the closing of the season shall be as follows.  No individual may participate simultaneously in more than one sport per season.

 

FALL                                                       BEGIN PRACTICE                 CLOSE OF SEASON

Football - Boys                                     August 19                                              Football play-offs                 November 16

Cross Country                                      August 19                                              State Meet                             October 25

Volleyball - Girls                                   August 19                                              State Tournament                               November 15

Golf - Girls                                             August 19                                              State Meet                             October 14

Softball – Girls                                     August 19                                              State Tournament                               October 16

 

WINTER

Basketball - Boys                                                November 18                                       State Tournament                               March 13

Basketball - Girls                                 November 18                                       State Tournament                               March 6

Wrestling - Boys                                  November 18                                       State Tournament                               February 20

Swimming-Boys/Girls                        November 18                                       State Meet                             February 27

 

SPRING

Track - Girls                                          March 3                                                  State Meet                             May 23

Track - Boys                                          March 3                                                  State Meet                             May 23

Golf - Boys                                            March 3                                                  State Meet                             May 26

Soccer – Girls                                      March 3                                                  State Meet                             May 17  

Soccer – Boys                                      March 3                                                  State Meet                             May 17

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS SEASON  FOR 2002-03

All interscholastic sports for the middle school students are divided into four seasons - fall, early winter, late winter, and spring.  The division of sports, the date of the first organized practice, and the closing of the season as established shall be as follows.  No individual may participate simultaneously in more than one sport per season.

 

FALL                                                       BEGIN PRACTICE                 CLOSE OF SEASON

Football - Boys 7th & 8th  grade          August 19                                              October 16

Volleyball - Girls 7th & 8th  grade        August 19                                              October 16

 

EARLY WINTER

Basketball - Boys 7th & 8th grade      October 21                                            December 21

 

LATE WINTER

Basketball - Girls 7th & 8th grade       January 6                                              March 13

Wrestling - Boys 7th/8th grade         January 6                                              March 13

 

SPRING

Track - Boys 7th & 8th grade                                March 3                                                  May 16

Track - Girls 7th & 8th grade                                March 3                                                  May 16


ACTIVITY FEE/EQUIPMENT

 

Norris will assess an athletic participation fee of $25.00 for all students in grades 7-12 who participate in athletic activities sponsored by Norris District #160.  The fee will be charged annually before the student will be allowed to practice in the first activity.  Each participant will receive an activity ticket which is good for all home athletic contests (except tournaments and NSAA district or state competitions held at Norris).  No family will be required to pay more than three (3) participation fees per year.  The activity fee funds are used to purchase uniforms, protective equipment, entry fees, officials’ fees, and purchase equipment needed to carry on the athletic program at Norris. 

 

Individual sport items need to participate in the Norris Athletic Program, but not provided by the Norris Athletic Department are:

 

Football:  Shoes, practice shorts and t-shirt, towel, socks

Volleyball:  Practice shorts and t-shirt, socks, towel

Golf:  Golf clubs and bag, practice balls, pay half of course green fees

Softball:  Ball glove, shoes with cleats, stir-up socks, practice shorts and t-shirt, visor, sliding shorts and pads, towel

Track & Cross Country:  Training shoes, competition shoes, practice shorts and t-shirt, socks, water bottle,

gloves and stocking cap, towel

Boys & Girls Basketball:  Basketball shoes, towel, travel warm-up (varsity only), practice shorts and t-shirt, socks

Swimming:  Swim suit, towel, pay co-op program share to Beatrice High School

Wrestling:  Practice shorts and t-shirt, shoes, towel, socks

Soccer:  Shoes, shin guards, socks, stocking cap, towel

 

 

 

PRE-PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS

 

All athletes must meet the following requirements before beginning practice:

                a.             Have a physical examination

                b.             Complete the health questionnaire

                c.             Hand in the parent consent form

                d.             Turn in an insurance form

                e.             Be cleared in previous sport

                f.              Pay activity fee unless waived

 

Once all requirements are met, the athletes need to obtain Permission to Participate cards from the Activities Director.  These cards are to be given to the coach to verify sport clearance.

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE REGULATIONS

 

1.             No athlete will ever work out using school facilities unless he or she is under the direct supervision of a coach or sponsor.

2.             Nothing will ever be done by any coach or athlete to take away from the sport in season.

3.             Coaches will encourage their athletes to participate in another sport during the off-season.

4.             No individual will be allowed to change sports during a season unless approved by both coaches involved and the Activities Director.

5.             If an individual is removed from a squad because of disciplinary reasons, he/she may not practice for the next sport season using school facilities or under the supervision of a coach until the sport from which he/she was removed is completed.

6.             An athlete has two weeks to decide whether or not he/she wants to participate in a particular sport.  If an athlete quits a sport after the two-week period, he/she cannot participate in another sport nor use any of the school facilities until the next sport season officially begins.  Waiving of this policy may be done with the consent of the coaches involved and the Activities Director, with the Activities Director making the final decision.

 

 

SCHOOL SPONSORED SUMMER SPORTS CLINICS

 

1.             A school may organize a clinic in any sport after school is closed for the second semester through the first weekend in August.

2.             The clinics shall be limited to three consecutive calendar weeks per sport.

3.             Clinic participation is limited to individuals with remaining scholastic eligibility.

4.             Schools may sponsor clinics in any sport.  If a football clinic is held, contact shall not be permitted.

5.             The host school, at its discretion, may charge a participation fee and determine the amount to be charged.

 

 

 

COLLEGE OR COMMERCIAL SPONSORED SPORTS CAMPS

 

An athlete can:

1.             Compete unattached in the summer and out-of-season during the school year as long as:

                a.             Contestants shall not use any school uniforms or be identified with the school.

                b.             Contestants shall not use school equipment.

                c.             The school shall provide no resources for the participants nor release coaches on school time to transport participants to or from the event or to coach out-of-season athletic events.

2.             Attend specialized sports camps and schools, but the fees must be paid by the individual or his/her family.

3.             Participate on own in summer leagues formed for competition by high school coaches acting on their own in these leagues.  Member schools shall not provide any financial assistance to the students, coach nor organizer of the league, nor shall the school be represented in any way.  The school shall not provide transportation nor uniforms and shall not pay entrance fees.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY (NSAA)

 

In order to represent a high school in interscholastic athletic competition, a student must abide by eligibility rules of the Nebraska School Activities Association.  The following is a summary of these rules.  If you do not understand, after reading, the rules listed below or you need an explanation of other requirements, consult the high school principal or assistant principal.

 

1.             Students must be an undergraduate.

2.             Student must be enrolled in at least twenty hours per week and regular attendance.

3.             Student must be enrolled in some high school on or before the 11th school day of the current semester.

4.             Student is ineligible if 19 years of age before August 1 of the current school year.

5.             After a student's initial enrollment in grade nine, he/she shall be ineligible after eight semesters of school membership.

6.             Student must have been enrolled in school the immediate preceding semester.

7.             Student must have received 20 semester hours of credit the immediate preceding semester.

8.             Once the season of a sport begins, a student shall compete only in athletic contests/meets in that sport which are scheduled by his/her school.  Any other competition will render the student ineligible for a portion of, or all of, the season in that sport.  The season of a sport begins with the first date of practice as permitted by NSAA rules.

9.             A student shall not participate in sports camps or clinics during the season of a sport in which he/she is involved, either as an individual or as a member of a team.

10.          A student shall not participate on an all-star team while a high school undergraduate.

11.          A student shall be ineligible for 90 school days to represent a school in interscholastic competition at the varsity level if the school is located in a school district other than the district in which his/her parents maintain their domicile.  (Check with school administrator for a interpretation of rule if the school district where parents reside has no high school or if there are two or more high schools in a district.)

12.          A student is ineligible for 90 school days if his/her parents have changed their domicile to another school district and the student has remained in the former school which is in a different school district.  (Exception:  If parents have moved after school has started, the student will be eligible to compete for the remainder of the school year, or if parents have moved during the summer which immediately precedes the school year and the student is in grade twelve and has attended the high school for two or more years, the student is eligible for that school year in the school district from which the parents moved.)

13.          Guardianship does not fulfill the definition of a parent.  If a guardian has been appointed for a student, the student is eligible in the school district where his/her natural parent(s) have their domicile.  Individual situations involving guardianship may be submitted to the executive Director for his review and a ruling. 

14.          A student shall not participate in a contest under an assumed name.

15.          A student must maintain his/her amateur status.


 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION (ADMINISTRATION)

 

 

SCHOOL:               Norris District #160                             ADDRESS:                            Firth, NE