Saint Mary’s High School administration, athletic
director and coaches believe that students who are
selected for the privilege of membership on teams
should conduct themselves as responsible
representatives of the school. In order to assure
the integrity of the athletic code of conduct, the
athletic director and coaches will enforce this Code
of Conduct. Furthermore, matters which are brought
to the attention of the Dean of Students concerning
members of teams who fail to abide by the Athletic
Code of Conduct, are subject to disciplinary action
by the office of the deans.
Members of teams must always serve as exemplars of
high moral character and must demonstrate
appropriate academic commitment. As recognized
representatives of Saint Mary’s High School, team
members are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior
whether in season or out of season, in uniform or
out of uniform, on campus or off campus.
The interscholastic program is an integral part of
Saint Mary’s High School. It holds many educational
benefits for those students who elect to
participate. The self-discipline required of the
students participating in interscholastic
competition provides a unique training opportunity
not ordinarily available elsewhere in the
curriculum.
All interscholastic activities of the school’s
athletic department will maintain the ideals and
standards that are the policy of the school
administration, the Tri City Athletic League, the
San Joaquin Section (SJS), and the California
Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Saint Mary’s High
School’s athletic department strives to create an
environment that promotes competitiveness,
spirituality, teamwork and self-discipline. We are
committed to building character, developing
responsibility, and promoting sportsmanship which
will become life-long traits.
Informed Consent
Parents and students need to be aware of the
potential dangers of participation in
interscholastic athletics since there is a risk of
being injured in any sport. The risk of injury may
be severe, including varieties of fractures,
sprains, contusions, brain injuries, paralysis, or
even death. Risk of injury may be somewhat reduced
through parent insistence upon student-athletes
following carefully all of the guidelines given by
the coaching staff and school regarding training
rules, safety procedures, proper use of equipment,
legal and safe playing techniques, and any and all
other safety procedures.
Eligibility
The school’s program operates on the concept of the
“student-athlete.” A student wishing to participate
in the sports program must meet the following
eligibility standards, while making satisfactory
progress toward graduation.
a) An athlete must maintain a 2.00 grade point
average or be excluded from participation in an
athletic sport until the student attains a 2.00 GPA
at the next grading period.
b) CIF rules require that semester grades be used to
determine eligibility at the end of the second and
fourth quarters. Grading periods shall be first
quarter, first semester, and third quarter and
second semester.
c) A student must have a 2.00 GPA on the report card
from the previous grading period (all subjects count
toward the determination of the 2.00 GPA) in order
to be eligible to participate in sports for the next
quarter. No student with two or more grades of “F”
is eligible.
d) For the school year: the eligibility period
begins when the Vice- Principal publishes the list
of ineligible students based on the marks received
on the previous semester/quarter report card.
Students are ineligible from one publication date to
the next.
e) The same procedure will be used for the remaining
quarters. The eligibility will always be determined
by the previous quarter or semester grades. f) In
the event a student receives below a 2.00 GPA on the
2nd semester report card and hence would be
ineligible in the Fall, but said athlete goes to
summer school and in essence, raises their grade and
the grade is acceptable to SMHS it may be counted.
If, in the recomputing of the GPA, it rises to 2.00
or above, the student would be eligible for
participation in the fall quarter. The student shall
remain ineligible until the Vice Principal reviews
the grades. Such a student (summer school student)
shall be permitted to practice but not participate
in events until eligibility is determined after the
receipt of the summer school grades. Note: prior to
attending summer school, students should consult
with the St. Mary’s Vice Principal and Counselor to
ensure that credit will be given for courses taken.
g) Students shall not be permitted or encouraged to
drop classes, change teachers, or otherwise alter
their schedules for the purpose of defeating the
intent of this policy.
h) No student entering SMHS from the 8th grade shall
be affected by this policy until after their first
grading period at SMHS.
i) In all transfer cases, it is presumed that the
student is eligible to participate based upon the
C.I.F. transfer rules.
j) Ineligible students may not participate in
conditioning programs for upcoming sports. They may,
however, continue with weight training if they are
enrolled in the class. Any special case or
extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by the
athletic director and may be deemed eligible by the
athletic director.
Attendance Requirements
a) Minimum attendance for participation in a
practice or game is one-half of the school day.
Parents must call the attendance office to excuse
all absences. The athletic director and Dean of
Students must clear any exceptions.
b) Any student-athlete enrolled in a physical
education class who does not dress and participate
in class on a given day may not participate in
practice or in a game on the same day.
c) A student-athlete who cuts a class as determined
by the Dean of Students, will not be permitted to
participate in any practice or game that day (or as
soon as the athletic director is notified and can
notify the coach).
Uniform/Equipment
a) Any student who is issued equipment or uniforms
is fully accountable for the return, in good
condition, of the items issued. Parents will be held
financially accountable for any items lost, stolen,
or damaged. It is also the policy of the athletic
department for all equipment/uniforms being used in
the previous seasonal sport to be returned before
the athlete will be allowed to participate in the
upcoming sport.
b) Uniforms and equipment issued to the student at
the beginning of the season for use throughout the
sport, shall be stored in a LOCKED locker at school
or kept at home for use on game days. No student
should give out the combination to any other. It is
the student’s responsibility to lock all valuables
and possessions at all times during use of the
locker room for storage. All lost possessions must
be reported to the coach immediately.
Medical Requirments
a) Each student who participates in any sport must
provide evidence of a physical examination by a
licensed physician M.D. or D.O in order to satisfy
C.I.F. and SMHS athletic regulations. Physical
examinations are valid for one calendar school year
and are offered by the school prior to each sports
season in the months of August, October, and
January.
b) Athletes must have a signed “Authorization to
Consent to Treatment” card on file in the athletic
office.
c) Football Insurance: Medical insuranec is required
for competition in interscholastic football. This
requirement may be satisfied through policies held
by the student-athlete that do not exclude
interscholastic football, or by the purchase of
insurance, through St. Mary's that specifically
covers interscholastic football.
d) After an injury which requires medical attention,
a release in writing must be obtained from a doctor
before a player may resume participation. This is
for the protection of the player, coach, and school.
Travel
a) Travel to away contests may be by school vans, a
chartered bus, or other method approved by parental
permission slips. Transportation of students from
their homes to game sites is the responsibility of
the parents. Transportation of students to
off-campus practice sites are also the
responsibility of the parents.
b) Students who travel to a contest by a school van,
a chartered bus, etc. must present a signed note
from their parents if they are to be permitted to go
home with someone else.
c) Athletes are to be dressed neatly and
appropriately when traveling to away contests and as
well as when attending home games.
Outside Competition
a) According to CIF rules, no student may
participate for an outside team (except soccer) and
a school team in the same sport during the same
season.
b) Athletes are not obligated to attend any meeting
when the sport is not in season or when the athlete
is still a member of another school team. Athletes
may however request their coaches’ permission to
attend organizational meetings of another SMHS
sport, especially if it would involve missing a
practice time.
Athletics Awards Policy
a) Block SM letters will be given for varsity sports
only. Athletes must have participated on the varsity
level in approximately half of his/her team’s events
with the final decision being at the discretion of
the head coach or athletic director. Award winners
will be limited to one SM block letter with
subsequent recognition by certificate and emblems
for each sport in which they participate.
b) Awards will be made on the basis of the coach’s
recommendations. Athletes who regularly miss
practices or games will not receive an award.
c) Players who participate will receive a
certificate of participation. All “first-time”
participants shall receive a chenille number
indicating their year of graduation.
d) Student managers will receive Block SM letter
awards with a manager emblem upon the completion of
their duties and the recommendation of the coach.
Statisticians do not receive a Block SM letter, but
may receive a letter of commendation.
e) If an athlete drops out of a sport or is
dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons,
they automatically forfeit any award they might have
received.
Drugs/Alcohol
The athletic department fully supports the policy
set forth in the parent/student handbook concerning
the possession of, selling of and use of
drugs/alcohol on the way to or from school, at
school, before, during or after a school-sponsored
event. in addition to the overall school policy, the
athletic department shall dismiss the athlete from
the sport in which they are currently participating.
The C.I.F. mandates that, “as a condition of
membership, all schools shall adopt policies
prohibiting the use and abuse of androgenic/anabolic
steroids. All member schools shall have all
participating students and their parents/caregiver
agree that the athlete will not use steroids without
the written prescription of a fully licensed
physician (as recognized by the American
Medical Association) to treat a medical condition.”
Saint Mary’s High School affirms and supports this
mandate and encourages all families to discuss this
important issue with their student-athlete.
General
a) A completed participation packet is required of
all students intending to participate prior to the
official starting date for the sport. Packets are
available from the athletic office.
b) Athletes who are forced to try out late due to
overlapping seasons will be given an equal
opportunity to make the team.
c) Any person cut from a team may request an
explanation from the coach involved.
d) After joining a team, a player must finish that
season before going out for another sport, unless
approval is received from the coaches involved and
approved by the athletic director.
e) Athletes and their parents are expected to be
familiar with the policies and regulations of the
SMHS athletic department.
f) Parents of athletes are highly encouraged to join
the athletic sports association club.
g) While in season, athletic teams must attend any
school optional Mass as a team. They will sit
together as a team and dress appropriately. Teams
are strongly encouraged to attend a morning Mass in
the chapel at times throughout their season.
h) SMHS affirms the dignity of every student. Hazing
is unacceptable conduct, as well as illegal, and
will not be tolerated.
Cheerleading
Tryouts are held during the spring semester prior to
enrollment. All cheerleaders are required to enroll
in this class. It is mandatory for each student who
makes the team to attend cheer camp in the summer.
Both parent and student guarantee attendance to all
outside class time practices and performances by
signing a contract. The contract also states that
the student will abide by all the rules. Up to 20
P.E. credits can be applied toward P.E.
requirements.
Drill Team
This performing group acts as a supplement to the
band during halftime shows at football and
basketball home games. General fitness is important
and dance experience is necessary for this class. It
is mandatory for each student who makes this team to
attend Dance/Drill camp in the summer.
There are no exceptions to this rule. A contract
must be signed guaranteeing attendance at all
outside class time practices and performances. This
contract states that the student will abide by all
the rules. This course does not meet GPA
requirements.
Grievance Policy
If an athlete or parent should have a grievance with
a coach or team member, he/she MUST first attempt to
resolve any issues with the coach. When all attempts
with the coach have been exhausted, then the
athletic office should be contacted.
C.I.F. Pursuing Victory with
Honor Athletes' Code of Conduct
Saint Mary’s High School athletes are expected to:
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Do what is right even when it is unpopular.
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Fulfill commitments to the team and school.
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Be loyal to your school and team by putting the
team above personal glory.
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Treat
all people inside and outside of school with
respect.
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Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with
dignity.
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Be respectful; do not engage in disrespectful
conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene
gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature,
trash talking, taunting, boastful celebrations,
or other actions that demean individuals or the
sport.
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Treat game officials, opponents and coaches with
respect.
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Be a student first, knowing that the primary
responsibility of a student-athlete is academic
achievement.
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Remember that participation in sports is a
privilege, not a right.
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Consistently exhibit good character and conduct
yourself as a positive role model on and off the
field.
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Be a positive role model; do not use any illegal
or unhealthy substances, alcohol, tobacco,
drugs, or performance-enhancing drugs.
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Exercise self-control. Do not fight or show
excessive displays of anger or frustration.
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Honor, observe and enforce the spirit and the
letter of rules and regulations.
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Maintain academic eligibility.
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Be at school for a minimum of one-half day in
order to participate in any extra-curricular
activity.
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Abide by and support the parent/student
handbook.
St.
Mary’s Spectator Code of Conduct
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Discourage any dishonest or unsportsmanlike
conduct.
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Treat all participants with respect.
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Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with
dignity.
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Not engage in disrespectful conduct including
profanity, obscene gestures, and offensive
remarks of a sexual nature, trash talking,
taunting, boastful celebrations or other actions
that demean individuals or the sport.
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Treat game officials with respect.
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Let the coaches coach.
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Display respect for all other spectators.
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Exercise self-control.
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Listen to and obey the requests of the public
address announcer and all security personnel in
attendance.
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Be at school at least one-half day in order to
attend any extra-curricular event.
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Parent Code of Conduct
Saint Mary’s High School parents are expected to:
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Let the coaches coach.
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Consistently exhibit good character and conduct
yourself as a positive role model.
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Support the program.
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Encourage communication between your student
athlete and the coach.
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Be loyal to the school and team; put the
interests of the team above your child’s
personal glory.
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Teach your child to live and play with class and
be a good sport.
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Treat game officials with respect.
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Support the concept of “being a student first.”
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Be honest with your child about the likelihood
of getting an athletic scholarship or playing on
a professional level.
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Remember that participation in sports is a
privilege, not a right.
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Teach your child to avoid temptations to gain
competitive advantage through improper
gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest
traditions of sportsmanship.
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Abide by and support the parent/student
handbook.
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