Teacher Template

MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21

Coach's Handbook
Philosophy
In addition to fully participating in the academic program, all students are encouraged to
participate in athletics. The athletic experience is an essential part of many students overall
education. Athletics plays a significant role in developing positive self-esteem and a sense of
well-being. To this end, the goal at every level of athletics is to strive for excellence. Student
growth and development is positively impacted when students engage in a strong academic
program and participate in a strong athletic program.

While learning fair play, teamwork and self-discipline, student-athletes must be challenged at the
level or skill they bring to the sport. Student/athletes, male and female, shall be afforded the
opportunity to participate at the most appropriate level to achieve optimal personal growth.
Student/athletes must have the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their maximum
potential in a well-coached environment.

The athletic program must be flexible and reflect School District #21 vision, mission, values
and culture in order to address the needs of its entire student population. Athletics is to teach an
appreciation of other's skills and contributions, commitment towards a common goal, and
enjoyment in physical activity. Athletics promotes physical and mental health and contributes to
the ability to interact socially. Athletics nurtures friendships where one might not expect it and
fosters a sense of pride in self and the community that lasts far beyond life at school.

Division of Skill
Middle school athletic programs are developmental and yet offer students competition.

Freshmen are eligible to participate in all Freshman athletic programs. If the school offers C-team Athletic
programs, Freshman and Sophomores are eligible to participate.. The focus at this level is to develop
individual and team skills, sportsmanship and having fun.

The Junior Varsity level develops advanced skills and abilities in students in grades 9-11 in
preparation for the Varsity program. Sportsmanship is a high priority and winning is a goal.

The Varsity program is an advanced program. Students in grades nine through twelve who
compete at the Varsity level must have high level skills and abilities. Varsity athletes are
program leaders both off and on the field/court. Exemplary sportsmanship and winning are high
priorities.

Coaching Code of Conduct
It is the duty of all coaches involved in middle school and high school athletics to adhere to the
following:

1. Uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with student-
athletes, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic
association, the media, and the public. The coach shall strive to set an example of the
highest ethical and moral conduct.
2. Emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play.
3. Eliminate all negative behaviors which detract from the values of the competition.
4. Conduct yourself in a professional manner, i.e. (1) no foul nor profane language; (2) do
not allow oneself to reach a state of anger.
5. Be cordial and courteous to visiting teams, officials and fans.
6. Respect the integrity and judgement of the sports' officials.
7. Understand and accept the rules of the sport and standards of eligibility.
8. Develop leadership in students and motivate through positive incentives, recognition and
good judgment.
9. Include all team members in activities and maintain an appropriate, professional
coach/athlete relationship at all times.
10. Believe that athletics are to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional
well-being of the individual players in a safe and supportive environment. Never belittle
or demean a player.
11. Respect and honor the beliefs and sensitivities of all players, coaches, parents,
administrators, and referees. Any dissatisfaction I want to express will be stated in a
private forum and in a restrained and civil manner. I recognize that all players on my
team have value, both as players and as a people.
12. Remember that an athletic contest is only an event and not a matter of great importance
for the player, coach, school, official, fan, community, state or nation.
13. Adhere to all IHSAA rules (Code of Ethics), School District #21 policies and school athletic code.
14. Answer directly to the athletic director who will evaluate your performance during the
season and no more than two weeks following the season.
15. Scheduling of games will be coordinated with administration and athletic director.
Always be concerned about late travel nights on weeks days and distances traveled.
16. Maintain a standard of zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying,
intimidation, hazing, initiation and report any incidents of such to the administration.
17. Teach student athletes safe and healthy fitness techniques.
18. Maintain a standard of zero tolerance for drug enhanced body building.
19. Lead by example and respect all persons regardless of ethnicity, culture, race, religion,
national origin, gender or disability.

Pre-season Checklist for Head Coaches
1. Attend preseason coaches meeting.
2. Attend preseason officials meeting (or have sufficient representation).
3. Be knowledgeable of School District #21 coaching manual and school athletic code.
4. Arrange schedule of tentative practice times for season.
5. Meet with potential student/athletes to gather and give pertinent information including
written training rules. Submit all written training rules to administration.
6. Clear all fund raising activities through building principal and handle all money in
accordance with District procedures. (See Attachment).
7. Know the budget and work within it according to District purchasing procedure . (See Attachment).
8. Establish the requirements to earn a varsity letter (varsity only).
9. Check out keys to assistant coaches as needed.
10. Adhere to the standard that all paid and volunteer coaches are authorized through Human
Resources, pass a background check, and in compliance with state First Aid requirements prior to
participation.
11. Evaluate practice areas for usage, availability and safety. (Schedule space with administration)
12. Submit maintenance needs in a timely manner to administration for any maintenance necessary to
indoor/outdoor facilities.
13. Ensure that all equipment is safe and ready for start of the season.
14. Ensure that all assistant coaches have a clear understanding of their duties.
15. Submit bus requests for all away games or contests requiring transportation.
16. Restock the medical kit as needed.
17. Prepare trip itineraries for students, administration and parents.
18. Develop criteria for selecting student athletes (if a cut sport) and a selection rating form.
19. Ensure that all athletes participating have valid physicals prior to the first practice.
20. Ensure that all athletes and parents have signed interim questionnaires, attached athletic
contract, participation waivers and other required paperwork.
21. Compile from student receipts, a list for transportation fees and make sure students have paid before
the first game.

In-Season Checklist for Head Coaches
1. Develop and maintain a current team roster inclusive of all pertinent information
regarding the team.
2. Conduct a parent meeting to review academic expectations, training rules, travel
plans/procedures and the code of conduct.
3. Ensure that all athletes are academically eligible to participate in extracurricular
activities.
4. Review athletic academic expectations, rules, code of conduct, the criteria and process
for team selection, and all other expectations with student/athletes.
5. Maintain a record of wins and losses of all competitions.
6. Provide stats and contest results to media as needed (varsity only).
7. Prepare organized daily practice schedules (be organized).
8. Know the facility and report to administration any problems and maintenance issues that
may arise.
9. Confirm preparations regarding the facility, equipment, special requests, training and
personnel needs with the athletic director.
10. Keep administration informed of any student-athlete disciplinary problems or parent
issues.

Post-Season Checklist for Head Coaches
1. Complete an end of the season report which includes a record of varsity letter recipients
as well as the supporting documentation.
2. Complete the records upgrade for the sport (overall record, individual records, etc.).
3. Present awards to athletes at the end of the season (formal or informal).
4. Prepare a uniform and equipment inventory and store all equipment and uniforms; submit
inventories to administration, and submit any items for repair to administration before
scheduled evaluation.
5. Submit to administration a requisition for all items needed for the next season.
6. Recommend to administration any program improvements such as, scheduling, field
work and staff needs.
7. Meet with administration to review program goals, expectations, and evaluations.
8. Collect keys from assistant coaches and submit to administration.
9. Make sure all donations of time and money are appropriately acknowledged.

Conflict Resolution
Participating in athletics can be an emotional and time consuming experience. From time to
time, conflicts between student athletes and coaches may arise. The following process is in
place for student athletes and their parents to follow to resolve conflicts and/or issues between
coaches and athletes.

Step 1: Individual Student - Coach Contact
The student involved is to speak to the coach about the problem as soon as possible.

Step 2: Parent/Student - Coach Contact
The parent/student should set a time to meet individually with the coach.
Meetings will not be scheduled:
• 24 hours prior to or immediately following a contest,
• during an active practice session, or
• during a time when other coaches, parents or athletes are present.

Step 3: Parent/Student - Athletic Director contact
If satisfactory resolution is not reached through direct contact with the coach, the parent/student
athlete should contact the athletic director. If the meeting with the parent/student athlete and
athletic director does not result in a satisfactory conclusion, the athletic director will schedule a
meeting involving all concerned parties in an attempt to reach a satisfactory resolution.

Any comments, concerns or issues brought to the attention of the Athletic Director will be
addressed. While there can be no guarantee that all parties will agree with all resolutions
or findings, a thorough, respectful airing of different perspectives and experiences can lead
to more productive relationships and clearer understanding in the future.

Step 4: Parent/Student Athlete- Administrator/AD/Coach contact
If after Step 3, satisfactory resolution has not been reached, the parent and student athlete should
contact the building principal, unless they are the current athletic director, in which case contact
the superintendent to schedule a meeting with all concerned parties.

Step 5: Parent/Student Athlete – Board of Trustees
If there is no resolution at Step 4, the parent/student athlete must ask to be put on the board
agenda to address the Board of Trustees in executive session in an effort to resolve the issues.

Retribution
There is a perception by some that when one voices an opinion or concern about a coach or the
Athletic Program, the student athlete will be subject to retribution by either a coach or other staff
members. The Athletic Director and coaches are committed to ensuring there shall be no
retribution, in any form, against any student athlete for raising an issue or concern. If at any time,
a student athlete/parent suspects that some form of retribution surfaces as a result of voicing a
concern, or opinion, he/she should contact the schools Athletic Director immediately.

Selecting a Team/Cut Policy
A program's coaching staff has the sole responsibility to select the members of any particular
squad. Team members will be selected in accordance with the philosophy of District #21, the
respective school, skills and abilities. Those athletes not selected will be privately informed by
the coaches as to why they were not selected and coaches will be prepared to communicate with
parents if required

MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 21

Athletic Contract

As a student athlete, I understand my responsibilities for participating in __________________
_______________ (school name) School athletic program. I also understand the consequences
for violating any of the expectations outlined in this contract.
As a student athlete, I, _____________________________________________ pledge to:
• Communicate my sports schedule well in advance to my parents and teachers.
• Schedule my personal life so that it does not conflict with team expectations.
• Give my coach notice well in advance of any commitments I have that conflict with the
team schedule.
• Discuss issues of concern with my coach, team captains and parents before they become
problems.
• Maintain academic eligibility.
• Abide by all the training rules set forth by my coach, the athletic department, and District
21.
• Make a commitment to my team mates and coaches to continually strive to contribute to
the program and exercise responsible sportsmanship.

________________________________________________ ________________
Signature of Student Athlete Date

As a parent/guardian, I, _______________________________ pledge to:
• Grant permission for my daughter/son to participate in the program.
• Stay informed about my daughter/son's athletic schedule to minimize conflicts between
our family schedule and the athletic schedule.
• Support my daughter/sons decision to commit to the team by attending as many team
meetings, contests and special events as my schedule will permit.
• Work closely with all school personnel to assure an appropriate academic and athletic
experience for my daughter/son throughout her/his school career.
• Discuss issues of concern with my daughter/son and the coach before they become
problems.
• Assure that my daughter/son attends all practices, contests, special events and follows all
training rules.
• Affirm that it is the responsibility of the coach to determine strategy and player selection.
• Work cooperatively with coaches, other parents, and school personnel to assure a
wholesome and successful athletic program for the school.
• Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players,
coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other sports event.

___________________________________________________ _________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian
Date
Fund-raising Procedures (Athletics and all school activities)

Prior to the fund-raisers:

All fund-raisers will be approved by the building administration. Please submit a description of the
fund-raiser and how the money will be utilized in your program (pay for camps, uniforms, equipment etc.).
If a cash box is needed, request a cash box from the office at least one day in advance of your event
Make arrangements with the finance secretary to pick up the cash box

At the conclusion of the fund-raises:

Count the money and fill out the "Cash Box Money Sheet"
Return the cash box with revenue to the finance secretary or an administrator
If you have an event that covers more than one day, the money should be
secured in the safe each night. All revenue and funds are considered school account funds

Bills are not to be paid out of the cash box. The office manager will provide upon request an accounting of
the fund-raiser.

Purchasing Procedures

Prior the purchase of items that will be paid for by school account funds, you MUST request a
Purchase Order. The Request for Purchase form may be obtained at the office. If you do not obtain a
purchase order, the school WILL NOT be obligated to pay the invoice or offer reimbursement to cover any
receipts. You will be held personally responsible for the expense. It is mandatory that all invoices and
receipts are turned into the office for accounting purposes when expense is incurred. Purchase orders
must be issued before the order is placed.

Fill out a requisition with the following information:
• Name and address of company
• Phone Number
• Fax Number
• Quantity
• Item description and number
• Total price (including shipping and handling)
• Sign the request
• Obtain approval from the Principal for the order by his/her signature on the
requisition
• Give the requisition to the office finance secretary.

You may request the PO be faxed to the company, or you may obtain the PO number and phone in your
order.

Student $$ Payments

Advisors and coaches will not collect money unless previously approved by the
administration.
All payments by students are to be made to the office by the student or parent.
The student will be given a receipt to show the advisor as proof of payment.
Items should not be distributed to students until they have provided proof of payment.

MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21

Coaches Commitment

As a coach, I understand my responsibilities for coaching in the Marsh Valley District #21 athletic programs.
I have received, read, and understand the coach's handbook. Failure to
comply with the guidelines outlined in this Coaches Handbook will result in probation,
suspension, or termination.

I, _________________________________, will follow the guidelines outlined in this Coaches
Handbook.

___________________________________________________________
Coaches Signature

___________________________________________________________
Administrator