Harold A. Meyer Award Application

1. Harold A. Meyer Award Application June 27, 2011

2. Criteria item #1 • A written board of education policy on sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in extracurricular activities was adopted on May 5, 2004. • See below the Resolution and the Statement of Beliefs.

3. ATHLETIC RESOLUTIONRESOLVED, that St. Ursula Academy recognizes the value of interscholastic and intramural athletics in the educational process and the values that students develop when they have the opportunity to participate in an athletic activity outside of the traditional classroom; andThat participants, coaches, staff, spectators and other responsible adults involved in board-approved, extra-curricular athletic activities are expected to demonstrate the same level of responsibility and behavior at practice and competitions as is expected in the classroom; andThat integrity, fairness and respect are inherent principles of good sportsmanship and integral to the Mission of the Academy and that with them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of the results; andThat all student-athletes should be challenged to excel academically and in displaying principals of sportsmanship; andThat student-athletes who are “good sports” are positive role models within the school and the community at-large; andThat a “good sport” knows that athletic competition builds character and shapes lifetime attitudes.RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Principal and Athletic Director are hereby directed to adopt such rules, regulations and policies as they deem necessary and appropriate to implement the foregoing principles and philosophy.Approved by Board of Trustees May 5, 2004

4. Statement of BeliefsWe believe that St. Ursula Academy shares in the mission of the Catholic Church to preach the Gospel by word and example.The words and actions of coaches and athletes should reflect respect for all engaged in the sport: their own teammates and coaches, the opposing team and coaches, the referees and spectatorsThe cheers and actions of the fans should be respectful of their own team, the opposing team, the referees and spectatorsGrudge matches have no place in the St. Ursula Academy athletic programStudents who are not selected on one of the teams should be treated with respect, dignity, understanding and compassion so that their self-esteem is maintainedWe believe and trust in God’s goodness and in the goodness of life despite its difficulties and hardshipsOur teams do not have a no-cut policyCoaches should inform the Athletic Director of students who are not selected for a teamThe administration will make every effort to help a student find alternative activities to replace the activity for which she was not selectedCoaches and athletes should regard each game as a game; they compete fairly, give it their all and accept winning or losing with equal graceWe believe that being united with one another by the bonds of charity, and esteeming, aiding and supporting one another in Christ, is the basis of our school community.Athletes are members of teams and should play for the glory of the team and the school, not themselvesCoaches lead the athletes to be the best they can beAthletes are encouraged to come to a realistic and accurate perception of themselvesAthletes have a special role in the school community and should realize that they contribute either good or ill to the school and its reputationThis Christian charity also motivates how the athletes, coaches and the entire student body reacts to the opposing school

5. We believe that each student is capable of academic achievement and that it is our role to challenge and motivate her to do her very best.Athletics take second place to the academic programOnly students who are passing every subject can participate in inter-scholastic competitionWe believe that faculty and staff relationships with the students are essential in ensuring success for every St. Ursula student.Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend sporting events to show their support for the teamsThe actions and words of faculty and staff at athletic events should be a good example of good sportsmanship to the students and parentsWe believe that cultural, geographical and economic diversity enriches our school community.Athletes and non-athletes alike should be esteemed and appreciated for the gifts they bring to the AcademyAthletes should, when possible, support other groups who perform as representatives of the school communityThe student body is encouraged to show support for all the teams, even the ones that are “low-profile”We believe that commitment to service is an essential element of living the Christian life.Athletes serve the school community by representing the school by playing according to the precepts of good sportsmanshipAthletes serve the school community by encouraging good sportsmanshipWe believe that education in an all-girls school promotes the recognition of the dignity and gifts of womenParticipation in athletics encourages positive self-esteem among young womenParticipation in athletics encourages girls to adopt a positive body imageTeam captains and senior team members play a significant role in welcoming younger players to the teamsApproved by Board of Trustees May 5, 2004

6. Criteria 1 C • St. Ursula Academy takes its responsibility to promote the ideals of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity as central to its mission as a Catholic, college-preparatory school for young women. Our mission statement, as revised by the Board of Trustees in the spring of 2004, states that our mission is to prepare women of faith, integrity and courage to meet the future with moral values and standards of excellence. In the 2003-04 school year we inaugurated a program entitled, Women of Integrity, Women of Courage. The goals of the program were to challenge our students to reflect more deeply on personal and social issues that affect their character and ethical behavior; to desire to lead a life based on the virtues of integrity and courage; to support the students in these endeavors, and to cultivate an atmosphere in our school that encourages respect for self and others. This program has continued each year with regular speakers and presentations to the entire student body. • In addition, the Principal and the Athletic Director meet with all the coaches at the beginning of the school year in a daylong meeting when the mission of the school is discussed. The documents reviewed include the Mission Statement; our Statements of Belief, the characteristics of an Ursuline education, the OHSAA rules on sportsmanship and ethics and those of our league, the GGCL and the St. Ursula Academy Athletic Handbook. • Before each sport season begins, the Athletic Director holds a mandatory meeting of all parents and student-athletes. One of the primary points on the agenda is the need for parents and athletes to support the school’s emphasis on sportsmanship and ethics. This is also emphasized on a regular basis in the Weekly Bulletins sent by our Principal to the parents and also in our Student/Parent Handbook. • The Principal promotes these ideals in addresses to the whole student body and faculty and to the individual classes.

7. Criteria 1 D • The policy on Sportsmanship and Ethics adopted by the Board of Trustees is reflected in the above-cited materials that are distributed to the students, parents, faculty and staff. To guarantee that the Student/Parent Handbook is read, the parents and students must sign a statement verifying that they have read all contents of the handbook. • See signature page by clicking here. • The Athletic Handbook is distributed not only to student-athletes but instead to all students and their parents and both must sign a statement verifying that they have read the book. • See athletic handbook by clicking here.

8. Criteria item #2 • The SUA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity committee formed in the winter of 2004 continues to meet at least four times a year. • Committee Members during the 2010-2011 school included: • Past parents – Heidi O’Connor, Tom Keefe; Judy O’Donnell, Principal; Mike Sipes, Athletic Director; Judy Wimberg ’58, President; Julie Thoman Perry, coach; Liz Curran’96 and Sara Lanham’93, faculty; and Nicole Cabell and Meghan Winter- students. • Meeting Dates: • November 16, 2010 • January 25, 2011 • March 15, 2011 • May 17, 2011 • Agendas and minutes are included on the next slide. • Some of the programs implemented to promote sportsmanship, ethics and integrity are listed below:

9. Meeting Agendas and Minutes • Meeting Agenda and Minutes for November 16, 2010 • Meeting Agenda and Minutes for January 25, 2011 • Meeting Agenda and Minutes for March 15, 2011 • Meeting Agenda and Minutes for May 17, 2011

10. Criteria 2 D • One of the more effective programs at SUA has been the development of our “Parent Representative Training Program”. We have found that in addition to our other efforts to promote sportsmanship, ethics and integrity having at least one parent leader in the stands at every game to help set the proper tone for a positive atmosphere has really helped in this area. After the teams are chosen, we ask one parent from each team to be the point person for their team as far as answering questions that may arise and to be that “positive force” on game day. Each of the parent representatives must attend a training session where we review step-by-step their training notebook. This session is designed to coach them on being positive all the time and to help ensure the experience remains positive for the members of the team and the other parents. The other positive aspect of this training offers guidelines as to how to help the athletic department in a positive way so that we are all on the same page from the beginning of the season through the end. • See picture of Parent Rep Binder by clicking here. • Table of Contents to follow on next slide.

11. Booster Board and Parent Representatives Parent Representative Responsibilities Athletics Booklet for Incoming Freshman Booster Constitution and By-Laws Year-By-Year Tabs 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 Ball Girls Booster Meeting Information Coaches Gifts Contact Information for Players and Parents Directions Emails & Phone Tree How Parent Representatives are Chosen Meals and Snacks Parent Meeting Info Program Ideas Program Philosophy Schedules and Scores Seasonal Summary Senior Night Spirit Spirit wear Uniforms and Distribution Victorian Christmas Videos and Photos Volunteer Duties Criteria 2 D (Continued) Parent Representative Binder Table of Contents

12. Criteria 2 D (Continued) • For the 10-11 school year, we continued with our posting of the posters in our gym lobby and the playing fields to remind students and fans of the importance of our well-roundedness outside of the sports arena. These posters were intended to be a softer reminder of the school mission as a whole, not just in the sports arena.

13. Criteria 2 D (Continued)

14. Criteria 2 D (continued) • In 2007-2008 the committee revised the previously adopted prayer to be said by the teams at practice and over the PA system before the singing of the National Anthem at all home athletic contests and we continue that practice at each game. • The prayer reads as follows: • Creator God, we thank you for the talents you have given these athletes. May they compete with courage and integrity. Through the model of Angela Merici, may they pursue excellence and self-discipline and teamwork.

15. Criteria 2 D (Continued) • The programs for the Sports Recognition nights held at the end of each season contain letters from the President of the Academy and the Booster Club President. These letters promote the ideals of sportsmanship and ethics espoused by St. Ursula Academy. At these banquets, student athletes are honored for their achievements in their sports but also for their good sportsmanship. Academy President Letter: March 2011 Dear Friends of St. Ursula Academy Athletics, We gather this evening to celebrate the athletic teams who competed in the winter sports of swimming and diving, bowling, and basketball. We honor these young womenand their coaches for their dedication and commitment to their respective sports. Their tenacity showed true Bulldog spirit and exemplified the good sportsmanship that is the hallmark of St. Ursula Academy athletics. The Bulldog teams this winter showed unstoppable spirit and for that we are very grateful. The basketball team tied with McAuley High School for the GGCL Scarlet Division Championship. The swimming and diving team placed second in our league and won a Sectional championship. Swim Team Coach Ann Haas Gartner ' 77 was named Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year. McKenzie Loesing was named League Basketball Player of the Year. All the athletes wore their St. Ursula uniforms with pride and competed with faith, integrity and courage. Congratulations to all. Once again we come to the end of a sports season and are grateful for the athletes, coaches and parents who contributed to the continuation of the Bulldog spirit. The athletes devote long hours to perfecting their sport; the coaches instruct and inspire these young athletes; the parents are ever-faithful fans. All of you bring honor to St. Ursula Academy and we salute you. Sincerely, Judith A. Wimberg ’58 President

16. Criteria 2 D (Continued) • The Athletic Booster Club President letter from the winter program. Welcome to St. Ursula Academy Winter Sports Recognition Night. Tonight we will celebrate our teams’ (Basketball, Bowling, Swimming/Diving) accomplishments. We’ll share some memories, talk about the “what ifs”, and share a few laughs. Here are just a few of our teams accomplishments: -Basketball:  Co-champs of the GGCL for the first time since 2002, finished with a 12-8 record, had four players named to the GGCL all-star team along with the Scarlet Division Player of the Year. -Bowling: Improved from the previous years, finishing very strong winning the last 4 matches of the season to improve to a 6-10 record. -Swimming/Diving: League Runners-up, Scarlet Division Coach of the Year, Sectional champs, 4th place at Districts qualifying 10 athletes to the State meet and then finished 7th at the State Championships. I want to thank our parents, coaches, and administration for all that you do to keep our athletes on top of their game. It’s through your dedication and hard work that has enabled our athletes to compete at a division one level. To our seniors, we hope you have enjoyed these past four years as much as we have. We love you and wish you all the best as you begin college. Together Saint Ursula’s athletic community continues to exceed expectations making us one of the most visible and recognized athletic programs in the area. This does not happen by chance. We will continues to strive for excellence in every sport we play. Your support of all the teams and your school spirit is second to none. On behalf of the Saint Ursula Booster Board I want to thank you again and congratulations to all the teams. Go Bulldogs!       Sincerely yours,       Terry Lyons, SUA Booster President

17. Criteria 2 D (Continued) • Copies of our end of season Sports Recognition Night programs are able to be viewed by clicking one of the links below. Fall Winter Spring

18. Criteria 2 D (Continued) • It has long been our custom to honor not only our seniors but also the seniors on our opposing teams on the SUA Senior Nights that end each sport season. We post visiting team specific “welcome” signs on the visiting team locker room doors to greet visiting teams for all on-campus home contests. • When we begin the game or contest as a part of introductions, we take the time to acknowledge the visiting seniors and our players present them with some sort of a token gift acknowledging their contribution during their four years at their respective high school.

19. Criteria 2 D (Continued) • In 2009 our committee developed criteria to add a new award called the “Respect The Game Award” to be chosen by the committee and awarded at each of the three seasonal awards nights. • This past year one of our award winners was our retiring President who was a long time supporters of our athletic programs. • Another was a past parent who despite having daughters who have long since graduated, stayed on as a volunteer in charge of our Meet The Team nights offering a tremendous amount of support to our athletic program. • The final award was offered to a graduating senior who served in many capacities during her four years at SUA including serving as a team manager and statistician during all three seasons and during her senior year served on our Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee before graduating. • We honored each of these three recipients in front of the student body as an additional method of promoting sportsmanship and the importance we place on it.

20. Criteria 3A • In addition to the previously stated mandatory pre-season coaches meetings and parent-athlete meetings, we have each coach, athlete, and parent sign a pledge sheet which includes issues pertaining to sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. • The schedule of presentations varies since the coaches meet one day, the parents with their daughter another and all of the students meet in a school-wide assembly. The coaches usually meet on one of two days before the fall try-outs in August. The parents meet three times per year within a week of the team selections for the fall, winter and spring teams. For 2010-2011, the schedule was as follows: • Mandatory coaches meeting: August 1, 2010 from 8:00am to 4:30pm • See Agenda by clicking here • Mandatory coaches meeting – make-up: August 5, 2010 from 5:30 - 9:30pm • Mandatory fall parent/athlete meeting: August 17, 2010 at 6:00pm • Mandatory Parent Representative Training: August 25, 2010 at 6:30pm • Mandatory winter parent/athlete meeting: November 22, 20010 at 6:00pm • Mandatory Parent Representative Training: March 15, 2011 at 6:30 pm • Opening school wide assembly: August 20, 2010 at 2:00am • Women of Integrity school-wide Assemblies: • September 16, 2010 • March 29, 2010 • April 12, 2010 • See sample agenda of Parent/Athlete Meeting by clicking this link.

21. Criteria 3B, 3C, 3D • Student-athletes and at least one parent are required to attend the Pre-season meetings and students and faculty are required to attend the school-wide assemblies. • Most of the school-wide assemblies specific to athletics are coordinated through the school administration, with the assistance of the officers from Student Council and the Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) and are facilitated by the athletic department. Other assemblies that cross the boundaries outside of athletics and pertain to all of the SUA community are coordinated by the school administration. • Of the presentations listed above, we feel we were able to reach a very broad audience through one meeting or another. The only possible group that is missed is the occasional fan who is not a member of the student body, the faculty, a coach or a parent.

22. Criteria 3E, 3F • Materials are provided to those attending most every presentation and these presentations are evaluated annually for effectiveness and continuous improvement. • As an example, the coach’s folder has a number of parts including: • Training Agenda • The Coaches Handbook • School Calendars • School and Athletic Forms • Evaluations are done formally through surveys when appropriate and informally though conversations with constituents in groups and individually.

23. Criteria 4A • Utilizing many of the materials supplied by OHSAA, in 2010-2011 we did the following: • A leadership video promoting sportsmanship, ethics and integrity was shown at one of our school-wide assemblies. • Game day announcements, scripted by the athletic department, are read by the announcer over the public address system at all home basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball games. • Other team sports are held at off-site facilities without public address systems: Welcome to this evening’s/today’s Girls Greater Cincinnati League basketball game between the Saint Ursula Academy Bulldogs and the ____________________. The officials for today’s game have been selected and assigned according to the procedures of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and have been accepted by both schools. Saint Ursula Academy, represented by athletic director Mike Sipes, and ________________________, (Visiting AD) represented by ________________________, want to remind you that the highest standards in sportsmanship are expected. GGCL contests are conducted to promote Christian values, good sportsmanship and mutual respect among athletes, the officials, and the spectators of the Communities in attendance tonight/today. The officials for today’s game are ___________________________ and _________________________________. Please welcome the players for today’s game. (Announce all the non-starters beginning with the visitors and then followed by the bulldog non-starters.) Now, please welcome the starting line-ups for today’s / tonight’s game. (Announce the starters beginning with the visitors and alternating between home, visitor, home, visitor, home, visitor, etc. The ____________________________, are coached by _______________________and assisted by ___________________________________________. The bulldogs are coached by Jim Leon and assisted this evening by Deon Edward, Kelly Misleh & Demitrius Wilson. And now please stand, we would like to take a moment for a brief prayer: Creator God, we thank you for the talents you have given these athletes. May they compete with courage and integrity. Through the model of Angela Merici, may they pursue excellence by their self-discipline and teamwork. And now please remain standing for the playing of our National Anthem.

24. Criteria 4A • Following the design of the OHSAA sportsmanship, ethics and integrity posters, we partnered with a local printing company to print large 4’x7’ posters for use at home games. We updated the original pictures with ones of SUA student athletes, coaches and fans to personalize the poster for our community and our visiting opponents. We have also added smaller 11” x 17” framed copies in our coach’s offices and another set in our team multipurpose area which is used primarily for team meetings, team meals and viewing game films, etc. (see pictures). • We utilized the OHSAA messages that are read by our student-athletes and occasionally by our student-fans to remind all in attendance of the importance SUA places on respectful behavior on and off the courts and fields of play (see pictures of scripts). • As part of our SUA Senior Nights, we pay special attention to recognizing the visiting team seniors as part of our Senior Night activities. This is a practice that we started about seven years ago and we are now beginning to see some schools deciding to reciprocate which is a great reminder to all of the importance of “respectful behavior”. • We hold a special bi-annual Bulldog “Hall of Fame” Bash which is an evening designed like many of the men’s “sports stags” but adapted to better fit the “all-girls school” model. We include Athletic Hall of Fame recipients as well as highlighting at least one of our past “State Championship teams”. Players from past championship teams as well as the inductees offer wonderful speeches from past players and coaches with the intention of inspiring those in attendance with their accomplishments and stories about the positive impacts that sports and sportsmanship have meant in their lives. The inductee offers great inspiration to the athletes and parents in attendance. The inductee offers words of wisdom and tells of his/her own experiences while at SUA and beyond. Many stories involving examples of good sportsmanship, ethical choices, and lived integrity are woven through the experiences shared that night. The speeches are often the highlight of the evening’s celebration. • We offer a special athletic program booklet for all incoming freshmen in February as they register for their classes. In the booklet we include pages supporting the importance of sportsmanship and suggestions of how to become a respectful fan at all athletic contests. • We continue to spread the message in a variety of printed materials as well as meetings and school sponsored gatherings such as:Coaches manuals, training materials and Booster events such as: Meet The Teams, Seasonal sports recognition nights, Annual Golf Outing, Monthly meetings, Mandatory forms requiring student and parent signatures, Student/Parent Handbook, Athletic Handbook, Parent Pledge, Athlete Pledge and Coach Pledge.

25. Criteria 4B • Our gymnasium and convocation center includes a special lighting system that allows us to showcase our athletes for all home basketball and volleyball games. Just before we take the floor for warm-ups, we are able to turn off the gym lights creating a very dark atmosphere that allows us to showcase the athletes and coaches. We used to use this system to showcase only our home team. • We now use the idea to showcase “big-time women’s sports” showcasing both teams in a very high profile way. We bring out both teams under the lights and then upon introducing the players and coaches we shine special spot lights on each of them as they are introduced. We now have people from both sides of the stands thanking us for putting on a great show for both teams and it has worked to showcase sportsmanship as well as the sport itself. • We have continued the practice at home basketball and volleyball by supplementing the introductions and substitutions of the visiting teams by showing the player name and jersey number on our large video scoreboard. Prior to the beginning of each game, regardless of level, we build individual slide for each player and coach and display them each time that players name is called over the public address system. For instance: When the announcer says, “#3 Kelsey Nurre at the line shooting a foul shot” we show the slide of Kelsey as we do when we announce her name at the beginning of the game. • In addition, we pay special attention to recognizing our visiting teams in a number of ways: • We utilize our electronic video scoreboard to script “welcome messages’ for the visiting team. • We assign a parent or coach to act as the “greeter” so that opposing teams and also the officials not familiar with our facility know exactly where to go. • We have a separate locker room for our visiting teams and display their mascot name in school colors to make them feel more welcome. • We have continued our practice of sending “Congratulations” candy or cookie baskets to any team in our league when they win a State Championship. This will mark the eleventh year of this program.

26. Criteria 4C • Most of the planning and executing falls to the school administration, the athletic department and the coaches but many of the ideas come from ideas shared within our Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee. Each year we have had a number of great ideas developed and they are implemented each school year by the student-athletes and coaches at the individual team level.

27. Criteria 5A • Our annual evaluation process is outlined below: • The Varsity Head coach performs the coaches evaluations in their sport and the Athletic Director reviews them with the Varsity Head coach. The Athletic Director does the evaluations of each of the Varsity Head Coaches. • See sample of our coaches evaluation by clicking here.

28. Criteria 5B, 5C • The expectations for all coaches are clearly delineated by the Principal and Athletic Director at an all-day workshop/retreat in August before school begins. • Time is devoted to the sportsmanship sections of the Ohio High School Athletic Association rules and those of our league, the Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League. • In addition, school documents that give guidelines for teacher and coach behavior are presented. • The coaches understand that the highest ideals of sportsmanship and ethics are expected of them at all times and that this will be part of their yearly evaluation by the Athletic Director. • A great deal of attention is given to the issue of sportsmanship during the initial interview with each prospective coach. In addition, significant time is given at the beginning of each school year at a day-long mandatory coaches meeting. It is also part of our continuous School Improvement Plan. • Before a coach is hired we spend time reviewing our Coaches Handbook which offers strong insight to the type of school we are as well as the role each coach plays in assisting us in carrying out the mission of our school. • See sample of Coaches Handbook by clicking here.

29. Criteria 5D • What are the guidelines on sportsmanship, ethics and integrity that are included in a coach, athletic or student handbook? • For coaches: We review the OHSAA “Sportsmanship for Coaches” brochure and require each coach to sign that form. • We also distribute copies of and review the pages in the “Athletic Department Programs” booklet. This is given to each family of an incoming freshman and has 12 pages specifically dedicated to “sportsmanship”. • All students are required to return a form stating that they and their parents have read and understand the two SUA handbooks (Student/Parent Handbook and the Athletic Handbook). • Both handbooks spell out the importance and expectations of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. The athletic handbook has specific pages dedicated to the importance of sportsmanship.

30. Criteria 5E • Cite one or two examples of how a coach or coaches have demonstrated sportsmanship, ethics and integrity during the past school year. • One of the most visible examples is probably in our cross country program. Our coach demands that all of his athletes cheer for all of the runners in each of the races where we compete. The parents are encouraged to do the same but many do not at the beginning of the year. The fact that they see many of their daughters practicing this habit and now have seen athletes and parents from others schools cheering for their daughter, they catch on quickly and by season end is setting another great example of genuine sportsmanship. • A second example comes from our varsity soccer team who began five years ago by finishing every game, win or lose, by having the captains seeking out the officials to shake their hands to thank them for their officiating of the game. Now we have a number of our sports teams following suit with a similar practice. Last season we received a letter from an official reporting how impressed they were when our volleyball team continued this practice of shaking the hand of an official following a very tough 5 set match to one of our league opponents. Our girls continued this practice even though the players from the opposing school were making fun of us as we did this. Our girls have learned that “doing the right thing” isn’t always easy but it is always the right thing to do.

31. Criteria 6A • For years we printed and distributed to the parents at the mandatory parent meeting a brochure titled “Parent, Athlete, Coach Communication Guide”. This guide outlined the procedures for registering a concern as it related to the student-athlete with her team or her coach. This information is now a part of our Athletic Handbook and is reviewed at each of the mandatory parent meetings. • Parental Procedures for Registering a Concern • Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children. As parents, when your children become involved in an athletic program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. • If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, what procedure should you follow? • 1. First be sure the student athlete has taken the opportunity to speak with the coach about the concern. • 2. Make an appointment with the coach. Never approach the coach after a game unless the coach requests this. • 3. The meeting with the coach should include the student athlete. • 4. If the coach cannot be reached, call the athletic director to set up a meeting. • 5. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, during, or following a contest or practice. These can be busy and emotional times for both the parent and the coach and this time period does not promote objective analysis of the situation. • What should you do if the meeting with the coach does not result in a resolution to the problem? • Call and set up an appointment with the athletic director to discuss the situation. • At this meeting the appropriate next step can be determined.

32. Criteria 6B • Complaints in the area of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity usually come to the attention of the Principal and/or the Athletic Director in several ways. • One is by personal observation by them. • Another would be a report from another administrator, teacher or staff member. • Another would be from parents or from an opposing school’s Athletic Director or even parents. • The Principal and the Athletic Director confer immediately and determine who will investigate the complaint. Usually it is the responsibility of the AD to investigate the matter and then report to the Principal and together they determine what, if any, disciplinary reaction is warranted.

33. Criteria 6C • One or two examples of how such a complaint has been satisfactorily handled. • A couple of seasons ago, our volleyball team was participating in the post-season tournament and one of our over-zealous parents decided to video tape a game of one of our potential future opponents. At the game, a club coach informed our parent that taping was not allowed so our parent called our head coach very late that evening to let her know she had taped the game. Very early the next morning, our coach called our AD at home to explain what had happened and he then took the following steps. • Our AD immediately called to inform our Principal of the incident. • Our AD called the parent and went to her home to get the video tape from her that morning. • Our AD then called the OHSAA and the school that won that game to report what had happened. • Our AD then met with the other school AD and head volleyball coach to apologize for what had happened. He explained that neither our school nor our head coach had any knowledge of the taping, nor had anyone viewed the tape. • He then handed them the original tape for their viewing. • Following that meeting and a follow-up call with Deborah Moore at the OHSAA office, our Principal wrote a letter to the opposing school’s Principal.Our Principal and AD then met with the SUA parent, to ensure she clearly understood the seriousness of her actions and had the parent write a letter of apology to the other school’s Athletic Director. A copy of that letter was also sent to Deborah Moore in the OHSAA office. • This past season we had a complaint from a player and her parents about one of our coaches who had used profanity during a player meeting involving three coaches and two players. • Our AD immediately called to inform our Principal of the incident.Our AD called the parents and the coaches and set up a meeting for the next afternoon. • After listening to all parties, it was decided that despite understanding how the coach may have been pushed to a level of frustration that had never existed before, it was time to part company and the coach voluntarily resigned his position as a coach with our school. • Following the resignation, we called a team meeting with the players and the parents and named an interim head coach to take over the team.

34. Criteria 7A, 7B • We do have a plan in place for dealing with critical situations such as heated rivalries, overflow crowds or unruly spectators and our athletic administrator is the person responsible for implementing the plan. • Our league has a policy regarding this situation in its By-Laws as developed and adopted by all fourteen schools. For home or away contests both schools now share in the monitoring of the activity from their respective schools and the policy states as follows: • BY-LAW VII: Crowd, Player and Coach Control • 1. The Athletic Director of the home school is responsible for the crowd, player and coach control as well as security and seating arrangements. • 2. Lack of crowd, player, or coach control at any competition may result in the rescheduling of the next contest between the two schools under the condition that the contest be held in the afternoon with admission limited to the respective teams and their coaches, administrators from the two schools, League President, and the Superintendent or his/her designee. The decision to implement this rule will be made by the President and the Superintendent after a thorough investigation.

35. Criteria 7C • The Athletic Director of the home school is responsible for implementing the plan with the expected support and cooperation of the visiting school administrators. • We do not involve students of visiting teams in implementing the plan but we may seek assistance when and if needed from the opposing school athletic administrator as well as paid security on site for home contests. • We have only had one occasion when our gym had an overflow crowd. That occurred in the 2003 volleyball season when we played our archrival in our last home game in an undefeated season. Our gym was packed to capacity – 1000 in attendance. • The Athletic Director had three security officers here for the evening, arranged a pre-sale of tickets to ensure fairness for both schools, preferred seating for the parents of both teams as well as faculty stationed at the bottom of the stands to hold off the crowd at the end of the game. • Due to the importance of the game and the unusually large attendance, following the team introductions we appointed one of our senior athletes to address the crowd with one of the OHSAA scripts pertaining to respectful behavior. (see addenda) It was a very exciting and well-controlled event. • In the case of unruly spectators, the AD is very watchful and takes care of problems as they arise. The AD or his representative is present for all home games. • If, for some reason, he is unable to be present, the Principal or the President is in attendance to make sure that all rules of decorum and sportsmanship are observed. • We do not allow our fans to spill out of the stands at the end of a win no matter how big the game or contest might be and our student body understands and accepts this practice.

36. Criteria 8A • Yes, the league annually offers an award for a person who demonstrates great sportsmanship while giving their time and talents to their school’s athletic program. The award winner is usually not an athlete but one who serves the good of the program or team and demonstrates an unselfish desire to assist where needed. Students are nominated by the Athletic Director at their school. Selections are made at the April league meeting by a vote of the entire league Athletic Directors. If there are two deserving students, often both are recognized as winners. • In addition to the above awards we also offer the following: • At the end of the fall season, the Wilbur Scott Award is given to a Cross Country runner. • WILBUR D. SCOTT, EXCELLENCE IN RUNNING AWARD: During his 21st year as the Cross Country and Track & Field coach at Saint Ursula Academy, Coach Scott lost his fight with the leukemia he had fought for many years. Wilber was always positive and he instilled that into his runners at St. Ursula Academy. He made running up a hill look easy. He did it with the grace, with zest, and with the belief that he would get to the top and rejoice in his victory. The Wilbur Scott Award is given annually to the person who best displays Wilbur’s love of running, desire for excellence, and undying determination. • At the end of the winter season the Tami Naber Award is given to the swimmer who has shown outstanding team spirit. • THE TAMMY NABER AWARD: The Tammy Naber Award is given each year to a swimmer who exemplifies a strong dedication to the sport through hard work, great sportsmanship, strong work ethic and continues to show great enthusiasm for the team in and out of the pool. This award is presented in honor of a past student at Saint Ursula who was killed in an automobile accident in her sophomore year at Saint Ursula. • And at the end of the spring season, the Julia Schmidt Award is given to a Lacrosse player for her spirit of the game. • JULIA SCHMIDT AWARD: Julia Schmidt was a member of the St. Ursula Academy Varsity Lacrosse Team. She died tragically in an automobile accident on January 18, 2002. In life, and in death, Julia made an impact on the Lacrosse team. She was a most special young woman. Julia played Lacrosse with skill and with heart. She encouraged other players to practice and improve. She shared her wonderful sense of humor, and made others laugh. She shared her vibrant spiritual life, making others feel special and loved. Each year an award is presented to the Lacrosse player who keeps alive the spirit of Julia Schmidt, and who embodies these attributes: skill, heart, encouragement, laughter, and soul.

37. Criteria 8B • Our school does utilize the award certificates provided by the OHSAA each year although we only offer the Courageous Student Award when we feel we have a fitting student. Our general criteria are as follows: • Ohio High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award: Presented to the female senior athlete with the highest scholastic average (GPA) at the end of the first semester of their senior year. The recipient must have a minimum of four varsity “letters” in all sports combined. • Ohio High School Athletic Association Courageous Student Award: Presented to the student who has overcome great adversity in a positive way and a very special student who has been involved in or supportive of, the interscholastic athletic program and who deserves recognition for courage. • Ohio High School Athletic Association Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award: Awarded to recognize students who display exemplary sportsmanship. • Ohio High School Athletic Association State Award for Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity: We present this award to a senior student who we feel is deserving but may not be a perfect fit for any of the other senior awards we present each year. This past year it was merited by a three sport athlete who served two years on our Sportsmanship Committee.

38. Criteria 8C, 8D • Annually we recognize the following as part of the end of year Senior Awards: • Girls Greater Cincinnati League Scholar Athlete Award Nominee: Our league has developed criteria for establishing a point system for a combined score of athletic and scholastic accomplishments. Each member school nominates a student-athlete and the student with the highest point total merits the League award. • St. Ursula Academy 2009-10 Outstanding Senior Athlete Award: This award is presented to the athlete who is considered a most valuable player in their respective sport(s) and is generally regarded as an unselfish player. • In addition, following each sports season, at our sports banquets we recognize two players on each team with special awards. One is a “Bulldog Award” and the other is a “Coaches Award”. These are given to athletes who promoted the team spirit during the season and who put the team before themselves. These awards are most often given to the athlete who exemplifies a very high regard for sportsmanship, effort and team, not necessarily the most talented or valuable athlete. • Our Athletic Director, Principal and President are all very visible and attend a great many of the home and away sports contests and therefore see many examples of sportsmanship by our students. We always make a point to compliment the girls on their actions but we have not developed any special recognition awards since we expect that behavior from all of our athletes. • One example of such recognition is the pictures we have used of many of our athletes and coaches in the remake of the posters used to promote sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. • We promote and publicize examples through media releases through our public relations department.

39. Optional Criteria • Saint Ursula Academy has an extensive community service department staffed by one full-time and one part-time staff member who coordinate all the various community service activities. • While most every student is engaged in some sort of community service, the athletic department encourages the head coach of each sport to coordinate a team specific activity. • In the spring of each school year, the community service department holds a school wide assembly to display celebrate and review all of the activities and accomplishments of the student body.