Athletics

Parent/Coach Relationship:

By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefits to our children. As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.

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Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:

1. Philosophy of the coach.
2. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players of the squad.
3. Locations and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e. fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning.
5. Procedure should your child be injured during participation.
6. Discipline that result in the denial of your child’s participation. 

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Communication coaches expect from parents:

1. Concerns expressed directly to coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.

As your children become involved in programs at Glenelg, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

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Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

1. The treatment of your child, mentally or physically.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.

It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may want. However, playing time is earned in the estimation of the coaches and is not an entitlement. Coaches are professionals and they make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you have read from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with the coach.

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Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:

1. Playing time

2. Team strategy

3. Play calling

4. Other student-athletes

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others’ position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

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Procedures to follow to discuss a concern with a coach:

1. Wait 24 hours before you make initial contact with the coach.
2. After you have waited 24 hours call or email the coach to set-up an appointment.
3. If the coach cannot be reached, email/call Dan Sageman, the Athletics and Activities Manager, and a meeting will be arranged for you.

Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution. This is why waiting 24 hours before the initial contact with the coach is such a crucial step in the resolution process.

Parents are encouraged to discuss issues and problems with the Athletics and Activities Manager. However, if a parent has specific complaint regarding a coach, then the coach must have the opportunity to be present to meet with the parent.

Academic Eligibility

A full-time high school student earns academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for the marking period which governs eligibility for that activity. If a student withdraws from a course, the grades at the time of withdrawal will be used in determining academic eligibility.

At all Howard County athletic events, we strive to provide a pleasant and safe environment for all spectators and participants. We ask fans to refrain from:

• Intimidating or harassing the players, coaches, officials, or fans
• Using profanity
• Throwing objects
• Entering the playing area
• Loitering in the hallways or on the grounds
• Those who fail to abide by the Rules of Conduct will be asked to leave the contest, and could result in a trespass letter banning the spectator from future athletic events at the school.

Admission is a privilege to observe a contest, not a license to display insensitive or offensive behavior. Enjoy the event! Be a fan, not a fanatic!