Evangel Christian School Athletic Policy Manual
Purpose
The purpose of the Evangel Christian School Athletic Program is to provide a challenging and enjoyable sports environment for our students that is distinctively Christian, and that will point them and those who observe them to Christ.
"Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)
It is our hope that striving to please and enjoy God in athletics will be a blessing to our student athletes and their families and will have eternal significance on their lives and the lives of those they in which come into contact.
Organization
The program will be organized by and under the authority of Evangel Christian School and their Board. The directors of the athletic program will consist of:
Head Coaches will be staffed by volunteers who are chosen by the Athletic Director and approved by the School Board. The ECS Board may designate a Sports Oversight Committee to advise and review all athletic policies and decisions. This Sports Oversight Committee would be made up of the school administrator and 2 to 3 members of the ECS Board.
The Athletic Director will be a member (parent) of Evangel Christian School and provide the primary interface between sports activities and any league of teams and/or schools that we compete against. The Athletic Director's responsibility will also include various administrative matters.
The Head Coach assumes responsibility for organizing the team, working with the Athletic Director in selecting and maintaining facilities, and will be responsible for all training and coaching related activities in support of a specified sport activity. He/she will be responsible to oversee player conduct and provide for player discipline as required.
Evangel Christian School, through its Board and Athletic Director will confirm that each sport complies with ECS standards of excellence and conduct, approve the selection of various sport specific positions, and provide for disciplinary action as required.
Each sports team under this program will be segregated by gender (e.g. boys' baseball team, girls' softball team, etc.). Each team will compete within an approved conference or will play an independent, non-conference schedule as approved by the Athletic Director and School Board.
Support and Funding
The Evangel Christian School Athletic Program will be financially self-supporting if possible and will not operate out of normal school tuition fees and operating budget. Each specific team will charge individual participation fees and may engage in additional fund raising activities in order to meet the operating expenses of that team.
Associations with Conferences
In order to facilitate a more structured organization with available competition, it is desirable to be associated with a league or conference of similar schools or athletic organizations. To support the stated purpose, it is important that such a league be Christ-centered. The Evangel Christian School Board and Athletic Director will pursue such association as long as it benefits the players, families, and school. Any association of this program or its teams with a State or Government-Sponsored Athletic Association will be closely examined by the Evangel Christian School Staff and School Board to ensure that no inappropriate entanglement results.
Teams under this program may periodically compete with other teams that do not specifically have a Christian purpose. The Evangel Christian School Staff will pursue such competition with discretion, and with a desire to show Christ to those who do not know Him.
The Athletic Staff, as approved by the Athletic Director and School Board, may pursue funding through sponsors which may involve advertisements on team facilities or printed programs or other visibility. Such relationships will only be with organizations that do not detract from Christian ideology or conduct.
Eligibility
Participating athletes will be Evangel Christian School students of an appropriate age for the specific team or league. The following eligibility guidelines will apply:
Player Selection and Playing Time
The Coaching Staff for each individual sport will determine player selection for that team. A tryout may be required to assess player talent and select an appropriate team for each sport.
Each player is required to attend all practice sessions unless circumstances prevent attendance. In these cases, the player is expected to communicate the reason for his absence to the Coaching Staff. A player who does not regularly attend practices should be allowed little or no playing time in games unless there is a shortage of players or an injury situation that may require that such a player be allowed to play.
Coaches will make an effort to allow every player on the team to get some playing time but there are no minimum playing time requirements. Player substitution is at the discretion of the Coaching Staff.
Behavior and Discipline
Family Code of Conduct
Certain behavior detracts from the honor we owe God, and the spiritual development of each team and participant. Each player and his/her family members will submit to the following code of conduct:
(for us as hosts and fans)
Departure from this code of conduct will be addressed according to our Lord's guidance in Matthew 18:15-17 and may result in disciplinary action such as game suspension or dismissal from the team and program. Each Coach is responsible for communicating these rules and expectations to each participating family and for requiring written agreement from each family as part of player registration. More specific disciplinary guidelines follow.
Discipline of a Player or Family Member
Any issue which may call for the discipline of a player or family member will be handled at the discretion of the Coach or delegated team leader. Issues of significance will result in consultation with the player's parents. If inappropriate behavior continues, disciplinary action may include suspension or expelling the player from the team. If a player or parent wishes to question the disciplinary action they should first meet with the Coach. If the issue cannot be resolved in consultation with the Coach, the family should then approach the Athletic Director. If issues cannot be resolved at this level, then a meeting with the ECS Board and all parties concerned will be arranged.
Discipline of a Coach or other adult leader. Any issue which may call for discipline of a Coach will be handled on a case-by-case basis using Biblical guidelines and with Christian love. This action, if required, will be initiated by the Athletic Director and require concurrence by the ECS Administrator and Board.
Modification of Athletic Policy: Modifications to this athletic policy may be suggested by any of the Athletic Program Coaches, adult leaders, Athletic Director, or ECS Board members. The Athletic Director will submit the final revision to the Evangel Christian School Board for approval.
The purpose of the Evangel Christian School Athletic Program is to provide a challenging and enjoyable sports environment for our students that is distinctively Christian, and that will point them and those who observe them to Christ.
"Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)
It is our hope that striving to please and enjoy God in athletics will be a blessing to our student athletes and their families and will have eternal significance on their lives and the lives of those they in which come into contact.
Organization
The program will be organized by and under the authority of Evangel Christian School and their Board. The directors of the athletic program will consist of:
- Head Coach for each sport
- Athletic Director
- School Administrator
- Evangel Christian School Board
Head Coaches will be staffed by volunteers who are chosen by the Athletic Director and approved by the School Board. The ECS Board may designate a Sports Oversight Committee to advise and review all athletic policies and decisions. This Sports Oversight Committee would be made up of the school administrator and 2 to 3 members of the ECS Board.
The Athletic Director will be a member (parent) of Evangel Christian School and provide the primary interface between sports activities and any league of teams and/or schools that we compete against. The Athletic Director's responsibility will also include various administrative matters.
The Head Coach assumes responsibility for organizing the team, working with the Athletic Director in selecting and maintaining facilities, and will be responsible for all training and coaching related activities in support of a specified sport activity. He/she will be responsible to oversee player conduct and provide for player discipline as required.
Evangel Christian School, through its Board and Athletic Director will confirm that each sport complies with ECS standards of excellence and conduct, approve the selection of various sport specific positions, and provide for disciplinary action as required.
Each sports team under this program will be segregated by gender (e.g. boys' baseball team, girls' softball team, etc.). Each team will compete within an approved conference or will play an independent, non-conference schedule as approved by the Athletic Director and School Board.
Support and Funding
The Evangel Christian School Athletic Program will be financially self-supporting if possible and will not operate out of normal school tuition fees and operating budget. Each specific team will charge individual participation fees and may engage in additional fund raising activities in order to meet the operating expenses of that team.
Associations with Conferences
In order to facilitate a more structured organization with available competition, it is desirable to be associated with a league or conference of similar schools or athletic organizations. To support the stated purpose, it is important that such a league be Christ-centered. The Evangel Christian School Board and Athletic Director will pursue such association as long as it benefits the players, families, and school. Any association of this program or its teams with a State or Government-Sponsored Athletic Association will be closely examined by the Evangel Christian School Staff and School Board to ensure that no inappropriate entanglement results.
Teams under this program may periodically compete with other teams that do not specifically have a Christian purpose. The Evangel Christian School Staff will pursue such competition with discretion, and with a desire to show Christ to those who do not know Him.
The Athletic Staff, as approved by the Athletic Director and School Board, may pursue funding through sponsors which may involve advertisements on team facilities or printed programs or other visibility. Such relationships will only be with organizations that do not detract from Christian ideology or conduct.
Eligibility
Participating athletes will be Evangel Christian School students of an appropriate age for the specific team or league. The following eligibility guidelines will apply:
- The student must be regularly enrolled in Evangel Christian School and must not have graduated before September of the current academic year.
- The student's family (represented by at least one parent) must agree to the Evangel Christian School Family Covenant and Statement of Faith, and must agree with the Purpose of this program and subscribe to its Code Of Conduct.
- At least one parent and the student athlete must sign a Parent/Player Contract and/or a Participation Form for each sport in which they will participate.
- Validate the above guideline pertaining to Statement of Faith and Conduct Agreement.
- For J.V. (Junior High) team participation, a student must be in grades 6 through 9, and must be at least 12 years of age and can not turn 16 on or before September 1 of their 9th grade year. Exceptions to this can be made upon agreement between ECS coaches (with approval of Athletic Director) and the coaches and schools of the opposing team on a game-by-game basis.
- For Varsity team participation, a student must be in grade 9 through 12 and be at least 15 years of age and cannot turn 19 on or before September 1. A student who is younger than 15 and is in grade 7, 8, or 9 may be considered for varsity team membership if they are deemed physically qualified as agreed upon by the player's family, the coaching staff, and the Athletic Director and if this does not violate any specific rule by the conference of which we are a member.
- All student athletes must be in satisfactory academic standing and passing all subjects as determined by the teaching parent or cooperative instructor.
- This program is intended to enhance education and not detract from it. Parents have ultimate responsibility for their children's education. Any parent who believes that this program's activities detract from their child's academic performance is encouraged to discuss the particular issues with the Evangel Christian School Staff or School Board members.
Player Selection and Playing Time
The Coaching Staff for each individual sport will determine player selection for that team. A tryout may be required to assess player talent and select an appropriate team for each sport.
Each player is required to attend all practice sessions unless circumstances prevent attendance. In these cases, the player is expected to communicate the reason for his absence to the Coaching Staff. A player who does not regularly attend practices should be allowed little or no playing time in games unless there is a shortage of players or an injury situation that may require that such a player be allowed to play.
Coaches will make an effort to allow every player on the team to get some playing time but there are no minimum playing time requirements. Player substitution is at the discretion of the Coaching Staff.
Behavior and Discipline
Family Code of Conduct
Certain behavior detracts from the honor we owe God, and the spiritual development of each team and participant. Each player and his/her family members will submit to the following code of conduct:
- I will conduct myself in a Christ-like manner and will abstain from inappropriate behavior while representing my team and my school in any sports related function, including travel to and from events.
- I will submit to the authority of the coaches, Athletic Director, School Administrators, and the Evangel Christian School Board in all matters pertaining to athletics.
- As a witness for Christ and as an example to others, I will work to promote unity among team members by being an ambassador for Christ, reaching out to those who have needs and treating all team members with respect.
- I will demonstrate personal integrity by obeying all game and ECS rules at all times.
- I will view my membership on any athletic teams of Evangel Christian School as an opportunity to grow close to God, and share the love of Christ with others such as teammates, members of opposing teams, officials, and fans.
- All Coaches and adult leaders are expected to abide by the following code of conduct:
- I will model accountability to all players by remaining active in my local church.
- I will subject myself to the authorities that God has placed in my life, including my church, the ECS Board and Administration, game officials, etc.
- As a witness for Christ and as an example to youth while serving as a Coach (Leader), I will exhibit conduct which provides an example of excellence.
- I will demonstrate personal integrity by obeying Evangel Christian School Rules And Policies at all times.
- I will treat players and other adult leaders with respect and expect the same in return.
- I will help build team spirit by encouraging every player, including those whose abilities may not be as great as others.
- I will exhibit Christ-like behavior and expect it from others in their conversation, in their treatment of each other, and in their actions at sports events.
- I will help protect the safety of the players at all times and provide appropriate supervision of players while traveling to and from each game.
(for us as hosts and fans)
- The following artificial noisemakers are not allowed at an ECS athletic event:
- containers with rocks, marbles, etc. inside, which might be used for rattling purposes.,
- power systems, i.e., horns, microphones, etc.,
- cowbells, and
- others disallowed as needed.
Departure from this code of conduct will be addressed according to our Lord's guidance in Matthew 18:15-17 and may result in disciplinary action such as game suspension or dismissal from the team and program. Each Coach is responsible for communicating these rules and expectations to each participating family and for requiring written agreement from each family as part of player registration. More specific disciplinary guidelines follow.
Discipline of a Player or Family Member
Any issue which may call for the discipline of a player or family member will be handled at the discretion of the Coach or delegated team leader. Issues of significance will result in consultation with the player's parents. If inappropriate behavior continues, disciplinary action may include suspension or expelling the player from the team. If a player or parent wishes to question the disciplinary action they should first meet with the Coach. If the issue cannot be resolved in consultation with the Coach, the family should then approach the Athletic Director. If issues cannot be resolved at this level, then a meeting with the ECS Board and all parties concerned will be arranged.
Discipline of a Coach or other adult leader. Any issue which may call for discipline of a Coach will be handled on a case-by-case basis using Biblical guidelines and with Christian love. This action, if required, will be initiated by the Athletic Director and require concurrence by the ECS Administrator and Board.
Modification of Athletic Policy: Modifications to this athletic policy may be suggested by any of the Athletic Program Coaches, adult leaders, Athletic Director, or ECS Board members. The Athletic Director will submit the final revision to the Evangel Christian School Board for approval.
