The Student-Athlete

As a member of his/her team, a student-athlete serves as a role model. They are admired and respected by many, including younger athletes, and their behavior and actions have a significant impact on others. The student-athlete plays an essential role in promotion of sportsmanship and must always display high standards of sportsmanship.

Student-Athletes will:

Accept the responsibility and privilege of representing their school and community by showing teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline in all aspects of the game
Demonstrate respect for self, coach, teammates, opponents, officials and spectators
Win graciously and lose with dignity
Have thorough knowledge of and abide by all rules of the game.
Work for the good of the team at all times
Cheer for the team, not against the opponent
Congratulate opponents in a sincere manner following either a victory or defeat
Refrain from the use of illegal or unhealthy substances to gain an unfair advantage

The Parent/Spectator

High school athletes are an extension of the school’s academic program and are designed to build character, values and ethics. Parents and spectators must keep the game in perspective and support the coaches, players and officials in a positive manner.

Parents/Spectators will:

Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials
Be respectful of all players, coaches, officials ands other spectators
Never target anyone for abuse whether it be physical, verbal or emotional
Never engage in name calling, taunting, harassment, obscenities, or any other disrespectful language or gestures
Always be a positive role model for other spectators and their child
Cheer for their team, not against the opponent
Recognize that attending a high school athletic contest is a privilege, not a license to verbally assault officials, coaches or the opposing team(s) and their spectators

Absences /Tardy

A student-athlete who is absent unexcused from school may not practice or compete that day.

Any student-athlete who arrives at school after 7:40a may not practice or compete that day. Repeated unexcused absences or tardiness (3 offenses) may result in suspension or dismissal from the athletic team.

A student-athlete who opts for a mental health/wellness excused absence from school, will not be permitted to participate in practice or games that day.

Extenuating circumstances will be given special consideration by the Athletic Director or Principal.

Attendance at Practice

Student-Athletes are required to attend all practice and contests including those scheduled during vacation periods. An injured athlete should attend practice unless excused by a physician. Work and vacation are not acceptable reasons for missing practices and games.

Travel

Student-Athletes are required to travel to and from athletic contests on a team bus under the supervision of a coaching staff member. School bus transportation will be provided for all awat contests as well as some off-campus practice sites.

Earning Awards/Letters

The requirements for earning a letter vary from sport to sport. In general, those on varsity teams receive a varsity letter or pin and certificate. Those on junior varsity teams receive certificates. Those on freshman teams receive their graduating class numerals and certificates.

Return to Play Policy

If an injured athlete is removed from practice or play and is attended by a physician, the student must turn in a written order by physician before he/she is allowed to practice or compete again.

COVID-Return to Play - Student-athletes who test positive for COVID must have the district’s Return to Play form signed by his or her physician before returning to athletics.

Ejection Rule

By CIAC rule, any student-athlete or coach who is ejected from any contest for unsportsmanlike conduct of fighting will not be allowed to participate in the next game at the same level of play and all games in between. If the ejection occurs during the last contest of the season, the player (if an underclassmen) or coach will sit out the first contest of the next season. The rule applies to all regular season and tournament games. Any student ejected a second time for fighting is dismissed from the team.

Insurance

Payment to treatment of injuries from participation in school sponsored practices or games must be paid by the family’s medical or hospitalization insurance up to its limit. The school systems’ interscholastic insurance policy will cover most additional costs or bear most of the full amount if the family does not have medical or hospitalization insurance. All claims for injuries must be submitted within ninety (90) days after the accident / injury occurs. A parent / guardian should contact the athletic director for claim forms and insurance information. If claim forms are not submitted on time, payment for medical costs related to sports injuries may be denied

Transfer Rule

If you are planning to transfer to a different high school please discuss your pending transfer with your school principal and/or your athletic director prior to the move so you and your family are aware of the possible impact to your athletic eligibility.

Students who transfer from one member school to another at the end of grade nine will immediately be eligible at their new school providing they are otherwise eligible.
Students who transfer in grades 10-12 with a corresponding change of legal address and are residing with their parent(s) or legal guardian will be immediately eligible at their new school providing they are otherwise eligible.
If you transfer in grades 10-12 without a corresponding change of legal address you may be subject to a 50% sit-out in the first varsity sport you played at your previous school and that you wish to play at your new school. Check with your athletic director to see if this rule applies to your transfer.
If you transfer from one member school to another for athletic reasons you will be subject to a one year restriction of play in the sports you played the previous year.

Residency

Students-athletes under the age of eighteen (18) must be residing with their parents or legal guardian (as determined by the Probate Court) to be eligible to participate. Residence with and support by any individual other than the parent or legal guardian for a period of one year or more does establish the residence of the student for athletic purposes.

Home Schooled Students

Participation on a CIAC school’s interscholastic team is extended only to student-athletes whose program is under the direct supervision of a CIAC member school. Home Schooled students are not eligible to participate on CIAC schools’ interscholastic teams.

Amateur Status

To remain an amateur and eligible for CIAC participation, you may not participate at any time under an assumed name, and any prizes won must be symbolic in nature. Jackets, sweaters, trophies, rings or watches are permitted; savings bonds, checks or cash are not. Refer to the CIAC Handbook for further information on amateurism.

Performance Enhancing Supplements

There are severe penalties for the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing supplements. Refer to the CIAC Handbook for more information on this topic.

Recruitment

Recruitment or attempted recruitment of students for athletic purposes, regardless of residence, is a gross violation of the spirit and philosophy of CIAC rules and is expressly forbidden. Athletes and/or families who allow themselves to be recruited by a member school will be declared permanently ineligible at the school to which he/she has been recruited and may be declared ineligible for interscholastic competition for up to one year at any other school. Using undue influence via direct or indirect communication by anyone associated with a school in an attempt to encourage your enrollment in another school is prohibited.

Examples include:

-Arranging any kind of contact with you for the purpose of encouraging your enrollment at another school.

-Visiting or entertaining you or a member of your family with the intent of encouraging your enrollment in another school.

-Providing transportation to you or a family member with the intent of encouraging your enrollment in another school.

-No representative of another school is permitted to encourage your enrollment in that school or a different school.

-Any contact you would have with someone trying to encourage you to enroll in a different school is not permitted.

-Any questions or concerns that you have related to recruitment should be addressed with your athletic director or principal. Additional information on recruitment is available in the CIAC Handbook.

Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference

30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410

(P) 203-250-1111 (F) 203-250-1345

www.casciac.org

Bunnell High School

Athletic Handbook

FALL SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS

SPRING SPORTS

Welcome to the Stratford Public Schools Athletic Program

Stratford Public Schools Athletic Mission Statement

Athletic Goals and Objectives - The Class Act Initiative

Athletic Perspective

Student-Athletes Must Abide By The Following Rules

League Affiliation

SWC Member Schools

Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

Suspension (in-school or out-of-school)

Chemical Health Policy for Stratford Public Schools Student-Athletes

Sportsmanship