Welcome to the Brinkley athletic program. Hopefully, your decision to take advantage of this portion of our extra-curricular program will be educational, rewarding, and challenging. This handbook is given to you so that you might be more aware of the programs available and their inter-relationships. Also, you will become aware of your need for commitment to and expectations for each program. The athletic department encourages you to take advantage of as many programs as your time and talent will allow. We do not encourage specialization in one sport, rather, we encourage you to experience a variety of sports as well as other school activities. Due to conflicts of season, practice times, schedules, etc., some choices will have to be made by you.
As of July 1, 2008, the Arkansas Activities Association has sanctioned cheerleading as a sport under its organization. The cheerleading handbook is therefore incorporated herein, and located at the back of this athletic handbook.
PHILOSOPHY
The athletic staff believes that interscholastic athletics shall supplement the secondary curricular program, and as such becomes a vital part of a student’s total educational experiences. These experiences contribute to the development of learning skills and emotional pattern that enables students to make maximum use of their education.
Student participation in any part of Brinkley’s athletic programs is a privilege which carries with it responsibilities to the school, activity, student body, community, and the student individually. Because the student will be in the public eye, his/her actions and appearance will be under scrutiny as they are indicative to the public of our overall school program. This participation will help develop the student physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the athletic administration and staff is to maintain maximum participation, maximum competitiveness, and a fiscally sound program. To accomplish this goal there must be continued review of the athletic programs in order to ensure that students who participate will have the best opportunity for success.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE
As a student athlete you are in school to secure the best education you are capable of achieving. Deciding to take advantage of the extra-curricular programs, another side of education plays a significant part in your total educational development. However, with this decision come certain responsibilities if the value of athletics is to be achieved, namely:
1. Striving to develop sound citizenship and desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation, dependability, unselfishness, and respect for others and their abilities.
2. Maintaining academic and eligibility standards as established by the Arkansas Activities Association.
3. Learning the spirit of hard work and sacrifice.
4. Learning to obtain physical fitness through good health habits.
5. Desiring to excel to the limits of your potential.
6. Showing respect for both authority and property.
7. Showing willingness to accept the leadership role that is instilled through the athletic program.
Keep in mind
that you are in the public eye and your personal conduct always must be above
reproach. You have an obligation to
create a favorable image and gain the respect of your teammates, the student
body, and the communities that comprise the
Each student athlete at Brinkley is expected to conduct himself/herself in an acceptable manner at all times. In fact, more is expected of you than of non-athletes because of the public perception created by your involvement.
If at any time you become a persistent behavior problem during the school day, you will be removed from the athletic activity in which you are engaged. Brinkley’s coaches and administrators are interested in providing athletic competition for those students who continually display appropriate school citizenship characteristics. This standard of conduct will be maintained at all costs.
BASIC GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION
1. Students are free to make their own selections as to the sports in which they wish to participate.
2. A student who quits a sport of his/her own accord will not be eligible to start practicing another sport before the end of competition in the sport that was dropped. Class placement will be determined by the principal and counselor.
3. A player who is dismissed from an in-season or off-season sport may not enroll in another in-season or off-season sport without the consent of both coaches involved and the athletic director. Class placement will be determined by the principal and counselor.
4. All student athletes will be transported to and from games, meets, etc., via school transportation. Any exceptions must be cleared with the head coach or sponsor by a parent or a person responsible for the student by personal contact, and properly signed out.
5. If a player must be absent from practices or games the player is expected to obtain permission from the head coach prior to the scheduled games or practices.
6. In the event that truancy or suspension occurs, a student/athlete will not be eligible to participate until he/she has fulfilled the disciplinary requirements established by the administration. In-house suspensions also apply.
7. In the event a student/athlete is assigned after school detention, he/she must complete the detention time before practice may be resumed.
DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES
As the term student/athlete indicates, a player is subject to the rules and regulations, which apply to all students in addition to certain team or program rules, and regulations. Student guidelines apply during school hours and at all school functions. Team and athletic program rules are also applicable in such situations as well as in situations where the student/athlete is not on the school campus or involved in a school-sponsored activity.
The following items are examples of infractions and consequences, which are applicable to Brinkley athletic programs.
1. Stealing – dismissal from the program.
2. Discipline incidents involving use or possession of drugs – dismissal from the program.
3. Discipline incidents involving use or possession of alcohol – help sessions upon initial occurrence; dismissal from the program if such usage is repeated.
4. Discipline incidents involving use or possession of tobacco – help sessions.
5. Cursing – help sessions.
6. Out-of-school suspension – the student is ineligible to participate during the term of the suspension and other consequences, to include dismissal from the program, may be applied by the coach.
7. In-school suspension – help sessions to make up missed work; a student may resume participation after serving suspension time and making up all work missed.
Conduct away from school or school activities in general should be supervised and regulated by the parents but, in situations where such conduct adversely affects training rules or the image of the team, athletic program, or school, appropriate measures will be taken in response. Student/athletes and their parents are made aware of rules, regulations, and consequences prior to participation and are asked to provide written agreement to abide by the stated standards of the program. In the event that dismissal from a team or the athletic program becomes necessary, the final decision on dismissal will be rendered after a meeting between the athletic director, principal, and coach.
BEHAVIOR AND CITIZENSHIP
Many closely observe the conduct of an athlete and it is important that an athlete’s behavior be above reproach. Appearance, expression, and actions always influence people’s opinions of the athletes as well as the sport. Once you have volunteered to be a member of a squad, you have made a choice to uphold certain standards expected of all athletes for it is a privilege, not a right.
The way an athlete acts and looks is of a great importance: thus proper dress, appearance, grooming and personal cleanliness are expected. Athletes should be leaders and fellow students should respect and follow them. Proper dress and appearance will be established by the coach and is a continual process.
Any athlete sent
to ISS will NOT be allowed to participate in athletic competition on the day or
days of ISS attendance.
COMPLAINTS
The following procedures should be followed in reporting a complaint:
1. Contact the coach who had direct supervision of the athlete at the time. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then
2. Contact the head coach of the sport in which the athlete was participating. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then
3.
Contact the athletic director of the
4. Contact the High School Principal of the school If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then
5.
Contact the Superintendent of the
CARE OF EQUIPMENT
In order to give the athlete a sense of responsibility
and an appreciation of their equipment, each will be held accountable for the
abuse, damage, or loss of the equipment.
ANY EQUIPMENT LOST, DAMAGED, OR
STOLEN MUST BE PAID FOR BY THE STUDENT IN WHOSE NAME IT WAS CHECKED OUT.
The following guidelines, if adhered to, will reduce the chance for lost, damaged, or stolen equipment.
1. Do not exchange or loan any school issued equipment to a teammate. If an exchange is warranted, clear it with the head coach.
2. Any loss or damage to equipment should be reported immediately to the head coach, rather than waiting until the end of the season.
3. Any protective equipment that does not fit properly or that has defective parts should be reported to a coach immediately. Do not wear the equipment until necessary adjustments have been made. This is for your protection.
4. Please report any violation of a student or non-student wearing school equipment not issued to them. By doing so you are not only helping the athletic department, but also the individual who must pay for the stolen item.
PROTECT YOUR ELIGIBILITY
The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA), of which Brinkley is a member, is a voluntary, nonprofit, educational association of junior and senior high schools established for the purpose of working cooperatively in adopting standards for supervising and regulating interscholastic activities.
One of the primary functions of the AAA is to establish eligibility standards that must be met by all students to attain the privilege of representing their school in interscholastic activities.
Eligibility is a privilege to be granted by the school to a student to participate in interscholastic activities. Eligibility is not a student’s right by law. Precedent setting legal cases has determined that eligibility is a privilege to be granted only if the student meets all standards adopted by the school.
Along with the eligibility statement complied by the AAA you must be a creditable school citizen. Creditable school citizens are those students whose conduct, both in and out of school, will not reflect discredit upon themselves or their school.
Brinkley School District has elected to adopt a high academic standard for participation in its athletic programs, and will require all high school athletes (10th-11th-12th grade) to obtain a 2.0 GPA in order to compete in any high school athletic program. Further, any high school athlete who has extenuating circumstances may apply for one (1) semester of supplemental instruction program, pursuant to AAA rules and regulations, during the athlete’s high school career, with said request being reviewed by an athletic committee comprised of the principal, athletic director, and the head coach. All other eligibility rules as established by the AAA shall apply.
Any 9th grade student who fails to maintain a 2.0 GPA shall be eligible for one (1) semester of supplemental instruction program, during his or her 9th grade year, pursuant to AAA rules and regulations.
A REMINDER: Any question pertaining to eligibility should be brought to the attention of the athletic director and principal.
PHYSICAL EXAMS, INSURANCE AND
PARENTAL PERMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Arkansas Activities Association handbook states that each school shall require every student participating in athletics or cheerleading to obtain a physician’s statement certifying that he/she is physically able to participate in athletic contest of his/her school, prior to the first practice of the season. This statement is valid for one year and must be on file to participate on any Brinkley athletic team.
The district provides group insurance for all athletes of the Brinkley Public Schools participating in extra-curricular activities. Claims must first be submitted to the student’s primary insurance company. The amount not paid by the primary coverage carrier will then be submitted to the school district’s insurance carrier for payment. However, forms must be completed and submitted so both the primary policy and the school’s policy will be filed at the respective provider (doctor’s office or hospital).
MANDATORY DRUG TESTING
Purpose of a
Drug Testing Program
Brinkley High School has a mandatory drug-testing
program in place for students who participate in extra-curricular activities. Its purpose is threefold: (1) to provide for the health and safety of
students in all Activity Programs grades 7-12;
(2) to undermine the effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate
reason for students to refuse to use illegal drugs; and (3) to encourage
students who use drugs to participate in drug treatment programs.
Definitions
*Drug: Any substance considered illegal by the State
Statute or which is controlled by the Food and Drug Administration unless
prescribed by a licensed physician.
*Students: Any student participating in
interscholastic contests sponsored by the
*School Year: Beginning on August 1 of that school
year and ending July 31.
*Activities required to be Drug Tested: Junior and
Senior Football, Junior and Senior Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis,
Track, Golf, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Band, Choir and any clubs that compete.
Testing Agency
The district will choose a certified agency for the
purpose of processing sample results and maintaining privacy with respect to
test results and related matters.
Prescription
Medication
Students who are taking prescription medication may
provide a copy of the prescription or doctor’s verification, which will be
considered in determining whether a “positive” test has been satisfactorily
explained. That documentation will be
forwarded to the testing lab with instructions for the lab to consider the
student’s use of such medication to assure the accuracy of the result. Students who refuse to provide verification
and test positive will be subject to the actions specified below for “positive
tests.”
Scope of Tests
The drug screen tests for one or more illegal
drugs. The superintendent or his/her
designee shall decide from month to month which illegal drugs shall be
screened, but in no event shall that determination be made after selection of
students for testing. Student samples
will not be screened for the presence of any substances other than an illegal
drug or for the existence of any physical condition other than drug
intoxication. As a quality control
measure, the school reserves the right to send any urine sample that appears
unusual in color and/or consistency to a laboratory for testing and
confirmation or non-confirmation.
Limited Access
Results
The results will be reported only to the
superintendent or to such person as the superintendent may designate.
Procedures in
the Event of a Positive Result
Whenever a student’s test result indicates the
presence of illegal drugs (“positive test”) the following will occur:
1.
The student will be asked to provide another sample as soon as
possible. If the student refuses to
provide another sample or excessively delays providing such sample, the results
of the first sample shall be accepted as accurate.
2.
The second sample will be submitted to the testing lab for testing.
3.
If the second sample tests negative, the student will be notified and
no further action will be taken. If the
second sample tests positive, a custodial parent or legal guardian will be
notified and a meeting will be scheduled with the superintendent or his/her
designee.
Procedures for
Students
Consent: Each student wishing to participate in any activity
program and the student’s custodial parent or guardian shall consent in writing
to drug testing pursuant to the District’s drug testing program. Written consent shall be in the form attached
to this policy as Form A in the Student Handbook. No student shall be allowed to participate in
any activity program absent such consent.
Students not
involved in extra activities may be allowed to voluntarily participate in the
testing pool with a consent form signed by the parent.
Student
Selection: All students in activity programs will be
drug tested at the beginning of the school year. In addition, random testing (ten percent of
the students participating) will be conducted monthly during the school year. Selection for random testing will be by
lottery drawing from a “pool” of all students participating in activity
programs in the district at the time of the drawing. The superintendent shall
take all reasonable steps to assure the integrity, confidentiality, and random
nature of the selection process including, but not assuring that the person
drawing names has no way of knowingly choosing or failing to choose particular
students for the testing, assuring that the identity of students drawn for
testing is not known to those involved in the selection process and assuring
direct observation of the process by the least intrusive means while assuring
brevity and privacy.
Sample
Collection: Samples will be collected at
a mutually convenient time on the same day the student is selected for testing
or if the student is absent on that day, on the day of the student’s return to
school. If a student is unable to
produce a sample at any particular time, the student will be allowed to return
later that same day to provide the sample.
All students providing samples will be alone in an individual stall with
the door closed.
Second
Positive Result: For the second positive
result in any two consecutive school years, the student will be suspended from
participating in all events for the remainder of the current school year and
the following school year.
Third Positive
Result: For the third positive
result in any two consecutive school years, the student will be permanently
suspended from participating in all events for the remainder of his or her
enrollment with the school unless following suspension for all or part of three
consecutive school years, the student requests reinstatement before the school
board, and the school board approves reinstatement.
Non-Punitive
Nature of Policy: No student shall be penalized academically for testing
positive for illegal drugs. The results
of any drug test pursuant to this policy will not be documented in any
student’s academic records. Information
regarding the results of drug tests will not be disclosed to criminal or
juvenile authorities absent legal compulsion by valid and binding subpoena or
other legal process, which the district shall not solicit.
In the event of service of any such subpoena or legal process the
student and the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian will be notified
at least seventy-two hours before response is made by the District.
Other
Disciplinary Measures: The District by adopting
this policy is not precluded from utilizing other disciplinary measures set
forth in the Student Disciplinary Policy, and this policy does not preclude the
District from taking disciplinary procedure and resulting action founded upon
reasonable belief and suspicion that a student has participated in drug related
activities.
SPORTS OFFERED BY SEASON
FALL SEASON WINTER
SEASON SPRING
SEASON
Football Girls’ Basketball Girls’ Track
Girls’ Tennis Boys’ Basketball Boys’ Track
Boys’ Tennis Wrestling Baseball
Girls’ Golf Cheerleading Fast Pitch Softball
Boys’ Golf
Cheerleading
ATHLETIC AWARDS
A certificate of participation will be presented to each athlete who completes the season as a team member in good standing, and is recommended by the head coach to be a recipient of the award.
A six inch “B” letter will be presented to each athlete who meets the requirements established in that sport and is recommended by the head coach to be a recipient of the award. However, only one letter will be awarded for junior high and only one letter will be awarded in senior high.
The
In order to receive an athlete award the athlete must attend the appropriate sports award ceremony.
All individual awards such as all-conference, all-state, etc., will be paid for by the Brinkley All Sports Booster Club. Additionally, team awards will be paid for by the Brinkley All Sports Booster Club, with the following awards being presented:
1. Football: Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Outstanding Defensive Lineman, Outstanding Offensive Back, Outstanding Defensive Back, Special Teams, Tiger Pride.
2. Basketball: Rebound Champ, Defensive Champ, Offensive Champ, Free Throw Champ, 3-Point Champ, Most Valuable Player.
3. Tennis: Most Valuable Player, Boy and Girl
4. Baseball and Softball: ERA – Pitching, Batting Average, Hustle, On Base %, Most Valuable Player.
5. Golf: Most Valuable Player, Boy and Girl
6. Track: Most Valuable Player, Boy and Girl
7. Wrestling: Most Valuable Player, Boy and Girl
8. Cheerleading: Individual Awards
If an athlete is awarded a letter by the Brinkley Schools, the athlete may purchase, at his own expense, a letterman jacket and shall have the option of either a black jacket with gold sleeves or black jacket with black sleeves, with a Jr. High or Sr. High emblem denoting if the athlete was in Jr. High or Sr. High. Additionally, Sr. High athletes have the option of purchasing a senior blanket with the school’s emblem.
Each twelfth grade athlete who has participated and satisfactorily completed three consecutive years in at least one sport shall be awarded a senior plaque in recognition of this accomplishment. Students having an injury or other extenuating circumstances will have their particular situation reviewed by an athletic committee comprised of the principal, athletic director, and the head coach.
LETTERING STANDARDS AND PROVISIONS
OF THE BRINKLEY ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
FOOTBALL:
1. Must attend all practices and games unless excused by the coach, athletic director or principal.
2. Must complete the season as a team member in good standing.
3. Must average one quarter per game for the season.
4. Attend the appropriate sports award ceremony.
BASKETBALL:
1. Must attend all practice and games unless excused by the coach, athletic director or principal.
2. Must complete the season as a team member in good standing.
3. Must average one quarter per game for the season.
4. Attend the appropriate sports award ceremony.
GOLF, TENNIS, TRACK, WRESTLING, BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, CHEERLEADING:
1. Must attend all practices and games unless excused by the coach, athletic director or principal.
2. Must complete the season as a team member in good standing.
3. Attend the appropriate sports award ceremony.
In case of injury, illness, or other extenuating circumstances, the head coach shall determine whether an individual will be awarded a letter.
CHEERLEADING
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Spirit groups shall serve as
support groups for the interscholastic athletic program within the school, and
as such, play a very important role in the administration of
athletic/activities contests. Each squad
should strive to boost school spirit, promote good sportsmanship, develop good
positive crowd involvement, and help student participants and spectators
achieve the most worthwhile educational objectives of the interscholastic
program.
Spirit activities should
center on “leading” or “directing” the cheering of student and adult fans. In this role, spirit groups can become the
schools’ most effective student leaders.
These activities should be focused on:
school administrators and the communities; recognizing outstanding plays
and examples of good-sportsmanship on the part of both teams; and aiding the
school and game officials in the promotion of good sportsmanship and in the
administration of the contest.
Being one of the most
recognizable representatives of a school, spirit groups are in a position of
great influence; therefore, high standards of conduct are essential. Positive personal behavior and squad
cohesiveness demonstrate these standards.
Appropriate behavior will help earn the respect of the student body, which
is the core of developing effective school spirit and student involvement.
Taken in part from the 1992-93 Official High
School Spirit Rules Book of the National Federation of State High School
Associations.
(2008-2009)
I.
PURPOSE
A.
The cheerleaders
shall promote and uphold school spirit.
B.
They shall
develop a sense of good sportsmanship among the students and adults.
C.
They shall
promote unification of the crowd’s involvement during athletic events.
D.
They shall strive
to build better relationships between schools.
E.
They shall strive
to uphold the highest personal, as well as cheerleading, standards.
II.
VALUES OF CHEERLEADING
A.
Leadership
abilities
B.
Physical fitness
and coordination
C.
Courtesy,
tolerance, self-control
D.
Good,
sportsmanlike conduct
E.
Sports
appreciation
F.
Responsibility,
patience, respect
G.
Communication
skills
H.
Self-confidence
and personal expression
I.
Character and
citizenship
J.
Moral development
III.
TRYOUTS
A.
Tryouts will be
held each year following the close of basketball season. There will be a tryout clinic held prior to the
tryout date.
B.
In order to be
eligible to tryout for a cheerleading position the candidate must:
1.
Be enrolled in
Brinkley Public School no later than the beginning of the second semester of
the current year.
2.
Maintain the
academic requirements and the minimum grade point average (1.8 for Junior High
and 2.0 for High School) required by the Arkansas Activities Association. Junior High students must have passed 3 of
the 4 core subjects and Senior High students must have passed 4 academic
courses. (If a squad member falls below the required GPA at nine-weeks grading
period, she will receive a warning. If
the GPA falls below 2.0 at semester, the squad member will be dismissed.)
3.
Have written
parental consent by a legal guardian before attending the tryout clinic
4.
Present
verification of a physical exam before attending the tryout clinic
C.
PROCEDURE
1.
A tryout clinic
will be conducted prior to tryouts.
Attendance is mandatory.
2.
Tryouts are
closed to the public. A candidate will
be disqualified if relatives and/or friends enter the gym before tryouts are
completed.
IV.
SQUAD MEMBERSHIP
A.
A maximum of
twelve candidates may be selected for each squad except in the case of a
tie. The number of squad members will be
determined by a natural break in scores.
If a natural break in scores occurs between numbers 10 and 11, then the
squad will have 10 members.
V.
SQUAD CAPTAINS
A.
Captains will be
decided based on tryout score and squad vote.
B.
Basic
responsibilities:
1.
Work closely with
the coach.
2.
Lead squad in
game situations.
3.
Assign equipment
responsibilities.
4.
Develop
cheerleader manual for squad members.
5.
Other duties as
assigned by the coach.
VI.
PRACTICES AND GAMES
A.
Squad members are
required to be present at all practices.
B.
Games:
1.
All cheerleaders
must be at all home games at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their game.
2.
All cheerleaders
must be in formation before the team returns to the field/court from halftime.
3.
Squad members
will report to the coach when they arrive at the game.
4.
When cheering,
the squad will wear the official uniform and apparel designated by the coach.
VII.
SUMMER CAMP
A.
Each squad member
will attend a camp during the summer.
B.
The final
decision on the date, location and type of camp will be made by the coach.
VIII. EXPECTATIONS
AND STANDARDS
A.
Absences:
1.
Cheerleaders must
notify the coach if checking out of school on a game or practice day.
2.
A student must
attend school the minimum number of periods required by the school in order to
cheer on a game day.
B.
Work:
1.
Strong academics,
good health, and active participation are important to a successful
cheerleading squad requiring considerable time commitments; therefore, it is
suggested that if a cheerleader must maintain a job, it be on a part-time
basis.
2.
Employers must be
willing to allow a cheerleader to miss work for practices and events. Work is not an excused absence from practice,
games, or other activities.
C.
Conduct and
Responsibilities:
1.
A cheerleader
shall cooperate with the captain, the coach, the game officials, and other
squad members.
2.
A cheerleader
should be spirited, well-groomed, and in command of the situation at all times.