Welcome to our sports program! As a student at St. Joseph your son/daughter has the privilege of participating in any or all of the athletic programs offered at this school. Although sports are "fun" there are rules to all sports and rules to follow when he/she becomes a member of a team.

COMMITMENT: If your son/daughter makes a team, it is expected that he/she will finish the season with that team. It is important to teach our students that he/she must often make choices and must make a commitment to the choice he/she has made.

For each individual sport, the coach has his/her own set of rules which the athletes are expected to follow, but there are general rules all athletes will be required to live by:

1. All athletes must be academically eligible as described in the handbook.

2. If an athlete is absent from school, he/she may not participate in any athletic event that day.

3. All students are required to change their clothes for physical education (gym) class. All students will wear shorts, sweats, t-shirts and sneakers to class. Not changing for class will reflect in their effort and conduct grade on their report card.
**** If an athlete does not participate in gym class (for any reason) he/she may not participate in any athletic event that day. No food or drinks are allowed in the gym and jewelry may not be worn at any time during gym class or any athletic event.

4. All athletes are representatives of our school. When traveling, all are expected to behave respectfully and courteously. At home games, all are to be "ambass- adors" welcoming the visiting teams and answering any questions or giving di- rections when necessary.

5. All athletes who make a team will be issued a uniform. Uniforms are to be worn for games only. Although most uniforms are "on loan" some uniforms must be bought. The athlete is responsible for the uniform loaned to him/her. All uni- forms must be returned in good, clean condition.

6. All athletes are responsible for their own water supply.

7. It is recommended that all athletes wear a mouth guard.

8. Most athletic events take place right after school.

9. All athletes must be picked up within 10 minutes after any practice and within 15 minutes after any away game. Our coaches work very hard and should be able to get home at a reasonable time after practices and games. Any athlete that is not picked up on time will not attend the next game, meet or tourna- ment. Please make every effort to pick up your son/daughter on time.

10. All athletes must have had a recent (within the past year) physical and must have full medical coverage.

11. All athletes will travel to away games on a bus. A bus fee will be assessed for each sport. Parents may take their own child home after any away game. If an other athlete wishes to go home with you he/she must have a note from his/her parent. This must be given to the coach. No student will be permitted to go home with someone else without a parent note. Return time from an away game will be estimated by the coach and told to the team. It is the responsibility of the athlete to bring this information home to his/her parent.

12. All athletes need your permission to participate in any of our programs and travel to away games. You need only to complete the Parent Form of the Ath- letic Policy. This form covers all sports.

SOCCER: Season begins in August. Athletes must tryout for the varsity and junior varsity teams. The coaches for both teams will lead tryouts. Those who make the team will be loaned a shirt. He/she will have to get his/her own black shorts and shin guards. Socks will be purchased at the school.

CROSS COUNTRY: Season begins in August. Shirts are purchased at school. Athletes need to get their own black shorts.

BASKETBALL: Season begins in November. Athletes must tryout for the varsity and junior varsity teams. Coaches for both teams will lead the tryouts. Varsity players will be loaned a complete uniform. Junior varsity players will be loaned a shirt. Athletes need to get their own black shorts. Girls and boys travel together during the season. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays the girls play at 3:30 p.m., the boys at 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, the boys play first.

CHEERLEADING: Season begins in November. The "Pep Squad" will cheer at home basketball games. The Competition Team will be chosen from this squad. Uniforms and bags to carry them in will be loaned. Body suits, bloomers, scrunchies and sneakers must be purchased at school.

HOCKEY: Season begins in March. Uniform shirts will be loaned. Players must provide all their own equipment.

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL: Season begins in April. Tryouts are conducted by the coaches. The complete uniform will be loaned to the players. Boys will have to buy a hat at school. Girls will have to buy a visor at school.

TRACK: Season begins in April. Track shirts will be bought at school. Athletes must provide their own black shorts.
***It is impossible to estimate when a track meet will end. Athletes need to bring phone money so they can call home when they return to school from a meet.

GOLF: Season begins in April. Paid lessons can be taken by anyone. The team will be chosen by the coach.

Games dates may change. Coaches will inform their team if there are any changes. It will be the responsibility of the ATHLETE to inform their parents of any changes.