Bishop Guertin High School believes that athletics is an important component of the high school educational experience. Qualities such as sportsmanship, competitiveness, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership can be gained from participation in interscholastic athletics. The administration and the department of athletics believes that it is important for all parents and athletes to realize that in addition to minor bumps and bruises, there exists the potential for severe and debilitating injury in the playing and practicing of all sports at all levels of competition. The potential for injury is minimized when proper techniques and skills are utilized. To this end, Bishop Guertin High School endeavors to employ coaches with a knowledge and interest in their particular program and an athletic trainer who is knowledgeable and committed to the wellbeing of student athletes. Each coach is happy to provide you with more information about his/her program. You are encouraged if and when you have a question with respect to any injury to contact the athletic trainer, who will provide answers to your questions or will refer you to someone who can. Be assured that this is not an attempt to discourage your son/daughter from participating in the athletic programs at Bishop Guertin High School, but to alert you to the realities of competitive athletics. If you have any questions regarding the athletic program at Bishop Guertin High School, feel free to contact the Director of Athletics at 603-889-4107 x347.

Athletic Programs

FALL	WINTER	SPRING
Cross Country B	Basketball B	Baseball B
Cross Country G	Basketball G	Lacrosse B
Cheerleading G	Cheerleading	Lacrosse G
Football B	Ice Hockey B	Softball G
Golf	Indoor Track B	Tennis B
Soccer B	Indoor Track G	Tennis G
Soccer G	Skiing B	Outdoor Track G
Volleyball G	Skiing G	Outdoor Track B
	Swimming B
	Swimming G
	Wrestling B

Physical Examinations

1. To be eligible to participate in interscholastic activities at Bishop Guertin High School, every athlete must receive a complete physical examination by a certified medical physician. This must be done prior to participating in any practice session or playing in any game or scrimmage. The examination must be completed on an annual basis after June 1 for the next athletic year.

2. This physical report along with health history and permission from medical treatment form (yellow card) must be on file at Bishop Guertin High School in the head trainer’s office.

3. The cost for athletic physical falls on the parent/guardian.

4. Any athlete who is treated by a physician for any reason must produce a release note from that physician prior to resuming participation. This process will be coordinated by the athletic trainer. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Eligibility

Eligibility for athletes at Bishop Guertin High School is governed by the rules of the NHIAA and the standards of Bishop Guertin High School. This eligibility requirement is set for all levels of competition (varsity, Junior Varsity, freshmen). An athlete at Bishop Guertin High School must meet these requirements.

1. An athlete must have successfully passed a physical examination after June 1 and have completed the health history and permission form provided by the Bishop Guertin athletic department prior to playing or practicing a sport at Bishop Guertin.

2. An athlete must not be 19 years of age prior to September 1.

3. An athlete is eligible for interscholastic competition for no more then eight consecutive semesters once he/she enters grade 9.

4. An athlete is not eligible to participate for the following quarter if he/she has received one F or two or more D’s in the preceding academic quarter. If the failure or two or more D’s occur in the fourth quarter, the ineligibility continues to the first quarter of the next school year. Eligibility cannot be earned through successful completion of summer school.

5. If an athlete at any time receives any type of financial renumeration for participating in sports that are sanctioned and approved by the NHIAA, his/her athletic eligibility will be terminated from all high school sports from the date of the infraction.

· Accepting a nominal fee for instructing, supervising, or officiating in any organized sports program, recreation, playground or camp activities shall not jeopardize his/her amateur status.

· If an athlete signs a professional playing contract, he/she will lose his/her amateur status in the sport involved.

6. Athletes certified to participate in high school sports, may not be a member of, nor play on any other team in the same sport, while a member of a school team and while that school team has remaining contests on its schedule or is eligible for NHIAA tournaments or NECSSP competitions. Violation of this rule shall render the athlete ineligible in all sports for 90 school days from the date of the violation. It is strongly recommended that an athlete on a school team not participate on any other team at the same time he/she is a member of a school team.

7. Students who have transferred to Bishop Guertin High School from another high school, after the ninth grade, must consult the Athletic Director, to determine compliance with regulations that govern transfer students.

8. If an athlete competes in any NHIAA event under a false name, he/she will be declared athletically ineligible for a period of 365 days from the date of the infraction.

9. During the school calendar year, the athlete may not have any contact with his/her coach for the purpose of planning, preparing, or playing at any time other then within the limits of the season as described by NHIAA rules.

Care of Equipment

1. Bishop Guertin High School provides its athletes with uniforms and other equipment. The athlete is responsible for the uniforms or equipment issued to him/her.

2. All athletes are expected to wash their game uniforms after each use.

3. All athletes are expected to wash their practice gear at least twice per week.

4. Bishop Guertin High School will provide each athlete with a locker to protect his/her equipment and valuables. The athlete is responsible for his/her equipment and valuables.

5. All uniforms and equipment issued to athletes will be collected at the end of the season. If an athlete leaves the team for any reason during the season, it is his/her responsibility to return his/her equipment to the coach. Bishop Guertin High School does not give away any equipment or uniforms.

6. If an athlete loses any of his/her equipment, issued to him/her, he/she will be expected to reimburse Bishop Guertin High School for the cost of replacing it. An athlete will be subject to school discipline if his/her equipment, is not returned or if he/she does not reimburse the school for the lost equipment. The athlete will not be allowed to try out for any other sport until the issue of non-returned equipment has been resolved.

Care of Facilities

Bishop Guertin High School has many athletic fields and facilities. Each of the areas is for the benefit of the athlete and his/her program. Any athlete who abuses any of the indoor or outdoor facilities will be subject to discipline by the school. It is obvious that the respect for the property and facilities of Bishop Guertin High School, is applicable to the property and facilities of the schools with whom Bishop Guertin athletes compete.

Rules and Regulations

The following regulations have been set forth by Bishop Guertin High School to govern participation in school athletic programs.

1. The student-athlete must be physically fit.

2. The student-athlete is expected to be loyal and dedicated to his/her family, team, teammates, school, and coaches.

3. All athletes are expected to abide by the code of ethics, moral conduct, use of controlled substances, consumption of alcohol, use of tobacco, and all Bishop Guertin High School rules, policies, and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook. All disciplinary actions will follow the guidelines set forth in the Student Handbook. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, the Director of Athletics and Vice Principals will determine if additional discipline is necessary.

4. A student-athlete must comply with the coach’s procedures for pre-season practice.

5. All student-athletes are expected to attend all practices, scrimmages, and games, meets or matches. Acceptable absences are limited to: illness, college visitations, doctor appointments, religious holidays, and school sponsored activities approved by the administration. Teacher sponsored trips (e.g., trips taken during vacation periods to Europe, Canada, etc.) and family vacations will NOT be considered excused absences. All athletic teams practice and compete during school holidays and vacations. Consequently, all student-athletes will be expected to participate for their respective teams during school vacations. Fall sports practice and compete over Labor Day weekend, and Thanksgiving break. Winter sports practice and compete during Thanksgiving break, Christmas vacation and February (Winter) vacation. Spring sports practice and compete during April (Spring) vacation and Memorial Day weekend. If you are going to participate on an athletic team, you will be expected to be present for all practices and games. If you choose to go away on vacation during school breaks; you can not participate in interscholastic athletics. Parents and student-athletes are asked to take these activities into consideration, prior to beginning of the sports season, in making appropriate decisions. Realizing special situations not covered by this rule may occur, the coach will have the final say in excusing an athlete from practice or a competitive event, providing notification is given prior to the absence.

6. A student-athlete cannot participate in school sports or practice unless he/she is present in school on that day. If the event is scheduled for Saturday or a school vacation period, the student-athlete must be present the Friday prior to Saturday, or the last school day prior to the vacation period. If absent, student-athletes must also attend one practice prior to returning to game competition. If the violation becomes known at a later date, it will be enforced at the next practice or game following the disclosure. (Absence on the day following a game will be pursued by the Dean of Students and Athletic Director. Appropriate action will be taken if deemed necessary.)

7. A student-athlete cannot participate in school sports, games or practices, on the day that he/she is tardy for school.

8. A student-athlete who is on a team roster and quits that team or is removed from that team’s roster by the school or the coach cannot become a member of, nor try-out for, any other team until the original team has completed its season. Season is defined as the period from the first day of practice as set by the NHIAA until the final day of activity as sanctioned by the NHIAA.

9. Student-athletes who are legitimately excused from class for the day, must first report to school on that day in order to participate in practice or games that school day. Any extenuating circumstances relating to absences or tardiness should be referred to the Dean of Students and the Director of Athletics.

10. Bishop Guertin High School student-athletes are to follow the school dress code or previously determined attire when traveling to other schools for athletic events.

11. All student-athletes must travel to and from away games and scrimmages by the transportation provided by Bishop Guertin High School. For a legitimate reason, a student-athlete may be released only to his/her parent/guardian, providing notification was received by the Director of Athletics and permission granted by the Director of Athletics prior to the day of the game.

12. Any player who is disqualified from a game at the Freshmen, Junior Varsity, or Varsity level for exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct, shall not participate in the next scheduled interscholastic event, including NHIAA tournament contests. If any player receives a second game disqualification during the season, that individual will be required to forfeit any participation in that interscholastic sport, at any level, for the balance of that season. If the game disqualification is administered in the final contest of the season (including tournament play), the penalty shall be carried over in that sport and invoked at the first regular season game the following academic year. (NB: If a disqualification is administered to a graduating senior in his final game for the school, it is the expectation of the NHIAA that the school will take immediate and appropriate disciplinary action.) If a player is disqualified from a game for fighting, the following disciplinary action will take place: Automatic suspension from the team for two weeks, consisting of: 1. No contact with the team for the first week. 2. After the first week, the student-athlete may participate in practices. 3. At the end of the suspension, the student-athlete may return to game competition.

13. Any student-athlete or parent having a concern or problem related to any athletic program should first contact the appropriate coach of the specific team. If the student-athlete and/or parent is not satisfied with the decision of the coach, the student-athlete and/or parent should contact the Director of Athletics to express their concerns and discuss the matter with him/her. The Director of Athletics will review the facts of the case, and will make a determination within five school days. If the student-athlete and/or parent’s concern has not been sufficiently satisfied by determination of the Director of Athletics, an appeal can be made to the Headmaster. The Headmaster will conduct a hearing with the student-athlete, his/her parents/guardians, the coaches involved in the particular case and the Director of Athletics, to gather information regarding the issue(s). The Headmaster will review the information presented and will make his/her decision within five school days of the hearing. The decision of the Headmaster is final.

14. Bishop Guertin High School does not condone the use of sport or energy supplements as part of a training regimen due to the lack of knowledge regarding the long term effects of the use of sport supplements. Sport supplements include, but are not limited to creatine and androdiostenone. The Bishop Guertin High School administration, coaching staff, and medical staff do not promote the use of sport supplements. The National Federation of High Schools and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association also do not promote the use of sport supplements. Therefore, sport supplements are prohibited at Bishop Guertin High School and at any school-related functions.

Awards
Requirements for all athletic awards presented by Bishop Guertin High School:

I. Varsity Letter – Requirements

1. Varsity letters are awarded to student-athletes who participate in an NHIAA recognized sport.

2. A student-athlete who participates in 50% of the quarters, halves, periods, etc. in his/her Varsity sport is eligible for a Varsity letter in his/her sport.

3. Any Varsity student-athlete who plays a team sport (football, soccer, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, softball, lacrosse) will be eligible for a Varsity letter if he/she is on the varsity team for the full season and he/she participates in no sub-varsity contests.

4. Because of the uniqueness and different expectations of some programs, the criteria for a Varsity letter in cheerleading, skiing, golf, tennis, wrestling, track, cross country, and other team/individual type sports explained by the coaches of those individual sports at the beginning of the respective seasons.

5. Managers, trainers, and statisticians are eligible for a Varsity letter. The coach, head trainer, and the Director of Athletics will make the decision on the awarding of these Varsity letters based on their evaluation of the students performance, availability, and service.

6. Student-athletes must be academically eligible at the conclusion of their season to be eligible for a Varsity letter.

7. Any student-athlete who was an active member of a team for four years is eligible to receive a Varsity letter.

8. To earn a Varsity letter, a student-athlete must complete his/her season. School vacations are considered to be part of the sport’s season. If a student-athlete cannot complete the season due to injury, awarding of a Varsity letter is left to the discretion of the coach.

II. Awards

1. The first time a student-athlete earns a Varsity letter, he/she will receive a chenille “BG” as well as a metal insert designating his/her sport.

2. If a student-athlete earns another letter in another sport (his/her second or third different sport) for the first time, he/she will receive a metal insert designating his/her sport.

3. If a student-athlete earns more than one letter in a single sport, he/she will receive a metal insert each of the succeeding years.

4. Three sport athletes at all levels will receive an appropriate recognition award.

5. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all team members who complete their sport season.

III. Sub-Varsity Awards- Requirements

All team members who complete the season and are academically eligible at the conclusion of their season will receive a certificate of participation for the appropriate team/level.

IV. Other

Since many of our students participate in a variety of athletic activities that are not NHIAA sponsored, as a school, Bishop Guertin High School will recognize these individuals and/or groups by introducing them and their superior accomplishments at the Athletic Awards night.

V. All Athlete Award - Requirements

1. Candidates must have earned a minimum of six Varsity letters during his/her career at Bishop Guertin.

2. Candidates must have earned two Varsity letters during their senior year.

3. Candidates must exhibit good sportsmanship.

4. Candidates must have good school attendance in and out of season, are responsive to school policies and procedures, and conduct themselves as a role model for other student-athletes.

5. All-athlete awards are selected by the Director of Athletics and the Vice-Principals of Bishop Guertin High School with input from the coaching staff.

VI. All Academic-Athlete Award - Requirements

1. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or better

2. Candidates must have earned two Varsity letters during their senior year.

3. Candidates must exhibit good sportsmanship.

4. Candidates must have good school attendance in and out of season, are responsive to school policies and procedures, and conduct themselves as a role model for other student-athletes.

5. All academic-athlete awards are selected by the Director of Athletics and the Vice-Principals of Bishop Guertin High School with input from the coaching staff.

Athletic Insurance
Your son or daughter has indicated an interest in participating in Bishop Guertin High School athletics. All athletic endeavors involves some risk of injury and Bishop Guertin High School wants you to be sure you understand these risks before your son/daughter participates in this activity and that you agree that Bishop Guertin High School shall not be liable for any injuries incurred by your son or daughter nor for any expenses or losses related to such injuries.

Further information about insurance may be obtained from:

Student Plans Inc.
PO Box 1390
Wheaton, IL 60189-1390
630-778-1900