ATHLETICS
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OKLAHOMA UNION
COUGAR
ATHLETIC HANDBOOK
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OKLAHOMA UNION SCHOOL
RT 1 BOX 377-7
SOUTH COFFEYVILLE, OK 74072
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OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the athletic program is to do more than provide competition between two individuals and/or two schools. It is to teach fair play, sportsmanship, and understanding and appreciation of teamwork, the teaching of discipline and that to quit means failure and hard work means eventual success. We will attempt to accomplish this general objective as outlined below.
· Higher moral and ethical standards.
· The desire to excel and succeed.
· Better health and physical fitness.
· Self-discipline and emotional maturity.
· Social competence.
· The ability to think as an individual and as a member of a team.
· Realization of the value of team ideas.
· Respect for authority and rights of others.
· Knowledge of values that athletics have for the individual and for the society.
· The realization that athletic competition is a privilege that carries definite responsibilities with it: eligibility, grooming, training, loyalty, improvement, courage, and perseverance.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COUGAR ATHLETES
Each member of our athletic program is expected to understand and follow the code of conduct rules. He/She
· Understands that alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are harmful to the body and hinder maximum effort and performance; their use will not be tolerated.
· Does not use profanity.
· Realizes that officials do not lose a game but are there for the purpose of insuring that both teams receive a fair deal. For this, they deserve courteous respect.
· Plans his/her time so that he/she devotes sufficient energy to his/her studies to ensure grades, which represent his/her true abilities.
· Has a good attendance record and should never be truant from classes or school.
· Works for the betterment of the school and what is right and good for his/her fellow students.
· Obeys the specific training and practice rules of the coach.
· Directly represents the community, school, coaches, and should conduct themselves properly when traveling.
· Cares for all equipment as though it were his/her own personal property.
· Is neat and well groomed at all times.
· Appreciates that coaches and administrators have the best interest of the participants in mind as they plan and conduct the activity program.
· Appreciates the importance of proper rest, diet, and exercise.
· Practices healthful habits of cleanliness and personal hygiene in all his/her daily activities.
· Complies with the standards of this code or is subject to dismissal from the group or its
The coach may determine disciplinary action as.
THE PLAYERS’ RESPONSIBILITY
· Do not question the authority of the game officials.
· Know and adhere to the rules of the sport.
· Keep physical contact within the rules of the game.
· Play the sport with a minimum of talk and comment.
· Each player has a responsibility to control his teammates.
· No verbal abuse will be tolerated.
· Only the team captain should talk to the officials.
· The atmosphere of the game should be both competitive and friendly with respect shown to your opponent and coaches.
· Players must respect the property and facilities of their hosts.
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Proper conduct if trouble occurs:
Players must realize that their behavior, language and appearance not only reflect upon the team and school, but also directly influences the mood of the crowd.
Players control themselves first, and then help to control the team.
Walk away from trouble (do it in practice). Players should go to their bench and stay there; those on the bench should remain there.
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All athletes must travel with the team. No athlete may be allowed to drive him/herself to the site of the contest. All athletes must return with team unless parent personally requests supervision of son or daughter.
LETTERING
A permanent record should be made of the athletes who letter each year. All athletes must attend all practices and all games unless the coach or administration excuses him, and he/she must complete the season of that sport. This rules constitutes lettering in one sport.
QUITTING
An athlete will not be allowed to participate in another sport until the sport he/she quit is completed. Upon quitting the student athlete will now be in the off-season weight program or enrolled in an academic class.
OFF-SEASON
The off-season program is designed primarily for athletes not participating in another sport in season. Emphasis should be placed on improving the following: strength, agility, competitiveness, individual skill and technique, quickness, attitude, and with particular emphasis on running skills.
TIME ALLOTMENT FOR EACH SPORT
Football, Cheerleading, Fast Pitch Softball, and Volleyball will start in July 15.
Basketball will start in October 1.
Baseball will start March 1.
Athletes will only practice the sport he/she is in during the time that particular sport is in session. Exception: football and basketball will be allowed to have up to two weeks of spring practice after the spring sports are completed.
GRADING
Each athlete will receive a letter grade (A,B,C,D,F) for that athletic hour which he/she is in.
OKLAHOMA SECONDARY SCHOOL ACTIVITY ASSOCIATION
All coaches and athletes will adhere to the OSSAA handbook of rules and regulations.
ENROLLING
A student may NOT enroll in athletics unless he/she is a participant of a particular sport.
OKLAHOMA UNION CHEERLEADING BYLAWS
· NO gum or jewelry allowed during games. NO exceptions.
· Must keep above a 3.0 GPA.
· Must maintain a well-behaved attitude towards teachers and classmates.
· The use of alcohol or tobacco is prohibited to all cheerleaders especially in uniform.
· Must keep hair nicely tied back with ribbons and out of face.
· Make sure you match! Wear the uniform assigned to you (which includes top, skirt, socks, shoes, bloomers, and hair ribbon). All cheerleaders must wear glitter so we all match. Keep it to a minimum so it doesn’t look too tacky.
· Keep uniform and shoes in good condition, neat, and clean. We want to look sharp!
· Visible tattoos must be covered. All body piercing must be taken out.
· (High School Only) Attend a good majority of lifting sessions and must, IN ADVANCE, be excused by sponsor if unable to attend. We also practice after lifting!
· Be at games 30 minutes before game time starts!
· During games we will have assigned times to go to the concession and take bathroom breaks together. This time will be during halftime, after any performances we perform.
· Be on time for scheduled practices unless excused IN ADVANCES by sponsor.
· EVERYONE must stay at all practices until dismissed by sponsor or captain, unless you have permission, from the sponsor (prior to practice to leave early).
· Cheerleaders must attend summer camp/clinics.
· Must participate in ALL fundraising activities unless excused IN ADVANCE by sponsor. (Example: Bake sales, 50/50 donation, car washes, etc.)
· (High School only) Must help make signs every Thursday’s after school unless excused IN ADVANCE by sponsor. We will make signs for the weight room, locker rooms, the gym, and hallways.
· (High School only) Must participate in locker buddies EVERY WEEK! (Football every Friday and Basketball every home game on Fridays) Locker signs must be up no later than Tuesday mornings. The signs will be given to you the Friday before so you will have the whole weekend to work on them. If you will not be able to finish them, ask someone to help you out, don’t hesitate to ask!
· (High School only) Must have locker buddy snacks in locker Friday morning. If you attend Tech, ask someone to cover for you or try to have it in the lockers Thursday after school.
· Cheerleaders must ride to any activity on a bus or provided transportation and must have a physical signature from a parent or guardian to be able to ride only with a parent, guardian, or family member. Cheerleaders will not be able to ride with friends before or after games.
· MOST Importantly…. SHOW SCHOOL SPIRIT AND HAVE FUN!!!!
Cheerleading takes teamwork. In accomplishing this, we all must work together to help one another learn cheers as well as teach them to new cheerleaders. That’s why it is important to be on time and stay for the whole practices and not leaving early unless pre-approved by the sponsor.
Cheerleaders must have a legitimate reason fro missing any cheerleading activity. They must have a signed note from a parent or guardian starting why they were unable to attend, date, and the parent or guardian’s signature. The sponsor must approve this, if not the proper punishments will be enforced. If a cheerleader does not have a legitimate reason for missing and is only late, the cheerleader will receive a minor punishment. If a cheerleader misses one game without pre-arranging it with the sponsor, they will be benched for the nest game and pep assembly if one is arranged. This will mean the cheerleader will dress in street clothes but must sit by the sponsor fro the entire game and assembly. If another game is missed with out pre-arranging with the sponsor, the cheerleader will receive full dismissal of the squad. After being dismissed from the squad, he/she will not be allowed out tryout the following year.
Maintaining grades is important to the squad as well. If a cheerleader is on the failing list, they will not be able to cheer for the week they are on the list. If they return for the following week on the failing list, that would make the second game missed, followed by a full dismissal of the squad.
MINOR PUNISHMENT POSSIBILITIES:
Tardy/wearing jewelry, chewing gum during games, not having locker signs up before Tuesday, not having snacks in lockers before Friday, uniform not nicely kept, failure to wear all cheerleading attire, or on the probation list will result in 25-50 crunches or push ups (keep in mind this can only help, not harm!)…. Clean up!!! After Thursday sign making you must stay after and make sure everything is cleaned up and put away nicely.
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THE STORY OF LIFE REPEATEDLY ASSURES YOU THAT IF YOU WILL USE WHAT TALENT YOU HAVE, YOU WILL BE GIVEN MORE TO USE. LIFE ALSO TELLS YOU IF YOU DON’T USE YOUR TALENTS, YOU’LL LOSE THEM.
OKLAHOMA UNION
COUGAR ATHLETICS
I _________________________ have read and
(STUDENT ATHLETE)
Understand the Cougar Athletic Handbook and will comply with the aforementioned. I pledge my loyalty to the Cougar Athletic Program
ABLILTY IS IMPORTANT --- DEPENDABILITY IS CRITICAL