LISA Academy Athletic Hand Book
The LISA ACADEMY Jaguars Athletic Information Guide is presented to you because you
have indicated a desire to participate in the athletic program of LISA Public
Schools. It also serves as an information guide for all concerned and consent
form for parents who have expressed a willingness to permit their child to
participate. Participation in interscholastic sports provides a wealth of
opportunities and experiences which assist students in personal growth and
maturation.
As educators, coaches and administrators, our goal is to organize and administer a
broad-based athletic program that will allow students with athletic interest an
opportunity for safe participation in the sports of their choice. Our programs
will provide experiences that enhance each student’s growth and maturity
academically, socially, and physically. The LISA athletic program will also
serve as a source of pride for participants, our school district, and our
community.
Our staff is committed to providing;
1. An opportunity to earn a roster position through a tryout process of 1 day.
2. Adequate equipment and facilities.
3. Well trained coaches.
4. Equalized competition.
5. An atmosphere of fairness and sportsmanship through competition.
Likewise, as a student-athlete, you must commit to a standard of conduct and effort that
exemplifies the fulfillment of certain responsibilities and expectations of the
proud tradition of the LISA Jaguars Athletic Program. While this handbook merely
serves as an overview and does not attempt to cover every situation that could
arise, it is our hope that through this information guide our students and
parents will have a better understanding of these responsibilities.
Many other policies and procedures are covered in the LISA
Student Handbooks and are obviously applicable to all students.
*After reading this information guide, please sign and detach the consent form and
return to the Athletic Director.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
Remember that as an athlete you are not eligible to participate in any sport until the
following items have been completed.
1. Physical examination completed and on file in athletic office.
2. Proof of Insurance on file in athletic office.
3. All eligibility requirements have been satisfied as established by the Arkansas Activities Association.
4. Signed confirmation and consent forms from Athletic Information Guide.
TRAINING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco
It is the overwhelming opinion of health educators and coaches that athletes
perform best when they follow intelligent training rules which include
restrictions on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Medical research clearly
substantiates the fact that use of tobacco, alcohol and any type of mood
modifying substances produces harmful effects.
The coaches of LISA High School, concerned with the health habits of the student
athletes, are convinced that athletes and the use of these substances are not
compatible. It is also a fact that when students have a strong interest to
participate in athletics, their desire to use these substances is greatly
reduced.
There will be no tolerance for the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. Violation
of this rule will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the school
handbook. Coaches
may take additional disciplinary action that could result in dismissal from the
team. The district’s athletic director will determine if a student is allowed to return to
athletics after a suspension or expulsion from school has been completed.
Absences
Athletes will not be allowed to participate in athletics on the day they have been absent
from any class without just reason and prior approval. Notify Head Coach and Building
Principal for authorization for participation if absence occurs.
Compliance
Specific programs within the LISA Athletic Department will set rules, regulations and
expectations in which athletes that participate in those sports are expected to
comply. These rules may or may not be in writing but will be clearly
communicated.
Violations
The importance of enforcement of all regulations in this book should be apparent. A
firm and fair policy of enforcement is necessary to achieve the goals and
objectives of the program. The school administrators, the coaching staff, the
alumni, and community, feel strongly that high standards of conduct and
citizenship are essential in maintaining a sound program of athletics. It is our
intent to preserve these rules which reasonably pertain to the health and safety
of the players. The welfare of players is our major consideration.
In the event an athlete fails to comply with these necessary standards, it will be
interpreted by the coaching staff as an indication that the athlete does not
have sufficient desire to participate in the interscholastic athletic program.
Therefore, the athlete will be denied the privilege of participating until such
time he or she can prove this desire.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT POLICIES
- Athletic
Participation
The philosophy of the LISA Athletic Program is to provide a broad-based program that
will allow students with athletic interest an opportunity to participate in the
sports of their choice.
Students will be encouraged by the coaching staff to participate in any sport they desire.
The head coach in each sport has complete discretion as to who plays, how long they
play and under what circumstances they play or do not play.
Try-outs: Sports that are limited in number of participants will conduct try-outs based
on ability, potential and grade level. Selection of the team will be at the discretion of the
coach.
- Dropping
And Transferring Sports
Student who drops a sport may not rejoin the team until the next tryout period.
(Exceptions will be granted for reasons deemed worthy of appeal)
An athlete who quits a sport is not allowed to participate in another sport without
the consent of both coaches involved or until the season of the sport he/she
quit has ended.
- Equipment
School equipment issued to a student athlete is the athlete’s responsibility. Each
athlete is expected to keep it clean and in good condition. Loss of any
equipment is the athlete’s financial obligation. Remittance will be determined
by replacement costs.
- Missing
Practice
Athletes should always communicate with their coach prior to missing any practice or team
activity. Practice attendance is an expectation and requirement for continued
participation in the program. Emergencies will occur from time to time that
prevent notification of absence prior to occurrence but every effort should be
made notify the coaching staff.
- Travel
Travel will be set up by the coach of each sport. Parents are the only way we have of getting our players to and from away games. Without parent participation we would not be able to do the things we do. It is imperative that every effort be put forth by each player to try and get their parents to drive to as many away games as possible. NOTE: There may be an instance where enough transportation is not available and some athletes may be required to stay behind and not participate in that event. TO BE DETERMINED BY COACH OF SPORT.
- College
Recruitment Policy
The LISA Athletic Department and our coaches will work with college coaches to
provide them with the information and material needed for a complete evaluation.
Our staff does not make decisions regarding who gets recruited or offered
scholarships. We have multiple college coaches that evaluate LISA athletes in
all sports every year. Ultimately, it is their decision as to who they recruit.
- Injuries/Illness
Notification
In an effort to provide safe participation in all athletic activities, it is of the
utmost importance that our coaches and training staff be informed of all
injuries or illnesses no matter how minor. Please provide timely notice of any
doctor’s orders or recommendations pertaining to participation.
- Conflicts
In Extra-Curricular Activities
An individual student who attempts to participate in too many extracurricular
activities will, undoubtedly, be in a position of a conflict of obligations.
Coaches recognize that each student should have the opportunity for a broad range of
experiences in the area of extra-curricular activities; and to this end, will
attempt to schedule events in a manner so as to minimize conflicts.
Students have a responsibility to do everything they can to avoid continuous conflicts.
This would include being cautious about participating in too many activities.
When conflicts do arise, coaches will do their best to work out a solution. If it
becomes obvious that a student cannot fulfill the obligation of a school
activity, the student should withdraw from that activity.
- Eligibility Highlights
A student’s eligibility for interscholastic athletics shall be in the public
school district of the parent’s domicile.
A student may meet the domicile requirement at another AAA member school after
attending said member school for one calendar year.
A student can also meet the domicile requirement if the student receives a legal
transfer that takes place prior to July 1 before a student enters grades 7-10.
A student transferring or attempting to transfer from one school to another due to
recruitment or inducement may be ineligible for interscholastic competition for
a period of up to one full year from the date of transfer or attempted transfer.
A student is limited to eight consecutive semesters of opportunity for eligibility
beginning with the student’s first enrollment in the ninth grade.
A junior high student is not eligible for junior high competition if the student’s
16th birthday is on or before September 1.
A senior high student is not eligible for interscholastic participation if the
student’s 19th birthday is on or before September 1.
A student promoted from the seventh to the eighth grade automatically meets the
academic eligibility requirements for the first semester.
The second semester eighth grade student and the first semester ninth grade student
meet the academic eligibility requirements for junior high by successfully
passing four academic courses the previous semester, three of which shall be in
the core curriculum areas.
First semester ninth grade students must pass four academic classes to be eligible
second semester of the ninth grade.
Ninth grade students must meet senior high academic eligibility by the end of second
semester in order to be eligible to participate the fall of their tenth grade
year.
The requirement for senior high (10-12) eligibility shall include passing four
academic courses; and a minimum GPA of 2.0, based on the previous semester.
Students passing four academic courses but failing to meet the 2.0 GPA requirement must
be enrolled in and attending tutoring for no more than 2 consecutive semesters
until GPA rises above 2.0.
A student who is a member of a school’s athletic team and who has engaged in
interscholastic competition may not try out for, practice with, or otherwise
participate with, or be a member of a non-school athletic team in the same
sport, in season, without losing eligibility for up to a full year (365 days)
from the date of such participation with the non-school team.
This limitation shall apply to the team sports of basketball, volleyball and soccer.
However, a member of an interscholastic soccer team may try out for or practice
with a non-school team on days when the school team does not practice or play.
Players from school teams may play in out-of-season leagues or games outside the season,
but may not be school sponsored in anyway. These non-school teams may not use
school equipment or uniforms.
A student who is a member of a school’s athletic program as a participant in a
sport and who has engaged in interscholastic competition in that sport may enter
non-school competition as an individual during or outside of the school season
for that sport. These individual sports include:
Tennis and golf.
In any year that a student engages in interscholastic competition, the student
shall be required to present to the coach verification of a physical examination
prior to beginning practice which shall be valid for one calendar year.
A student must remain an amateur. Students may not compete under an assumed name,
accept monetary awards, expenses or compensation, accept gifts or awards
exceeding $100.00 unless given under the auspices of the school or amateur
association, receive pay for coaching or instructing except for compensation
from a youth organization for offering skills instruction or appear in a
competition before or during a professional event.
Complete eligibility rules can be accessed online at www.ahsaa.org.
Dealing with Issues and Concerns
The following procedures should be followed in reporting an issue or concern:
1. Contact the coach who had direct supervision of the athlete at the time. If
satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then
2. Contact the head coach of the sport in which the athlete was participating. If
satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not made, then
3. Contact the athletic director of the LISA School District. If satisfactory
resolution of the complaint is not made, then
4. Contact the building principal of the school. If satisfactory resolution of the
complaint is not made, then
5. Contact the Superintendent of the LISA School District.