North Plainfield HS

1. North Plainfield HS Sports Information Night

2. Estimated Probability of Competing in Athletics beyond the HS Interscholastic Level There are more opportunities to play in HS Sports Nationwide: 7,713,577, Statewide: 270,123 • 5.9 % of HS athletes participate in college sports, 3.01% play professional sports. • Example: Football-1,109,278 HS athletes, 66,313 play in college (6.0%), professional (1.7%). • Reality: though the HS participation numbers are high, very low percentages of those participate in the college and professional levels.

3. Purpose of Athletics • Offer a wide variety of athletic activities, more choices increase participation opportunities. • Seeks athletes that are willing to dedicate a portion of their lives to the sport(s) of their choice, thereby enhancing the team, the school, the community, and themselves. • Participants will accept the responsibilities of being a Canuck with pride and dignity, humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

4. Purpose of Athletics (cont.) • Exhibit the highest level of competition and sportsmanship. • Dedicated to sport, respect for opponents and officials.

5. Athletic Program Goals • Athletes are required to maintain academic standards consistent with the eligibility policy. • Participation in athletics is a privilege and not a right. • Athletes must abide by team rules, regulations, and decisions associated with their particular sport. • Coaches have the responsibility to determine the athlete’s ability and talent. Will also determine the coaching techniques and strategies that will be employed.

6. Athletic Program Goals (cont.) • Mutual respect for coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials. • Participation helps develop character, cooperation, moral and ethical values that lead to good citizenship. • Through participation, develop a healthy body, sound mind, and appreciation of individual differences. • Valuable lessons are learned through competition, winning and losing helps athletes to mature and develop.

7. Responsibilities of Sportsmanship • The Coach: • Treats players with respect. • Inspires players to love the game and compete fairly. • Disciplines those on the team who display unsportsmanlike behavior. • Respects the judgment and interpretation of the rules by the officials. • Coaches teach and understand that the athletic arena is the classroom.

8. Responsibilities of Sportsmanship (cont.) • The Player: • Treats opponents with respect. • Plays hard, but within the rules. • Exercises self-control. • Respects officials. • Wins without boasting, loses without excuses, and never quits. • Remembers that it is a privilege to represent the school and community.

9. Responsibilities of Sportsmanship (cont.) The Official: • Knows the rules and interpretations. • Treats players and coaches courteously and demands the same from them. • Is fair and firm in all decisions. • Places welfare of participants above all other considerations.

10. Responsibilities of Sportsmanship (cont.) The Spectator: • Supports the team and coaches. • Applauds positive performances. • Does not heckle, jeer or distract players. • Avoids the use of profane and obnoxious language and behavior. • Respects the judgment and strategy of the coach, does not criticize players or coaches for loss of a game.

11. Responsibilities of Sportsmanship (cont.) • Sportsmanship Bias Statement –”Any verbal, written, or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion shall not be tolerated”. • Penalties – disqualification from the game, and possible suspension or removal from the team. • Read to players prior to contest. Read to spectators through the public address system.

12. Expectations of Athletes • Follow school rules for behavior. • Concentrate on academics. • Lead by example. • Not permitted to participate if there are chronic behavior problems(suspensions), excessive absences (school and practice), and disqualifications (ejections). • No hazing, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

13. Parent/Coach Communication • It is important that coaches and parents communicate so that there is an understanding of the expectations that are placed on your child. • Communication from coaches: Philosophy, locations and times of practice and games, team rules, procedures for injuries, and discipline for failure to abide by the rules.

14. Parent/Coach Communication (cont.) • Communication coaches expect from parents: Concerns expressed directly to coach, notifications of any schedule conflicts well in advance, specific concerns in regards to philosophy and expectations. • Discussions with coach: The treatment of your child, mentally and physically, ways to help your child improve, concerns about your child’s attitude, academic support, college opportunities.

15. Parent/Coach Communication (cont.) • Things that should be left to the discretion of the coach: Team strategy, other student athletes, playing time. • Procedures for Coach/Parent Conferences: Call school to set up appointment, if coach cannot be reached, call Athletic Director. Please do not attempt to confront coach before or after practice or contest. • If the meeting doesn’t provide a satisfactory solution, call AD to set up a meeting to discuss.

16. NJSIAA New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association • Governing body of high school athletics. • Controls all sports, provides the rules and regulations for each sport. • Sets academic requirements for participation. • Establishes guidelines for health and safety issues and concerns. • Disqualification regulations for flagrant violations during play.

17. NJSIAA (cont.) Academic Eligibility Requirements: • Age restriction- has not reached the age of 19 prior to Sept. 1 of that school year, 16 for freshman(can participate on the V-JV level). • To be eligible for 1st Semester (Sept. 1 to Jan. 31) must pass 25% (30 credits) of the credits needed to graduate (120 credits), from the preceding academic year for Fall/Winter Sports. Eligible for 2nd Semester (Feb. 1 to June 30), must pass 13.75 % credits (15 credits) for Spring Sports.

18. NJSIAA (cont.) • An athlete who is ineligible for Spring Sports can become eligible on May 1 of that season if he/she is passing the required amount of credits as previously stated. • All in-coming Freshman are eligible for the 1st semester (Sept. 1-January 31). Must follow eligibility requirements for the 2nd semester (Feb.1-June 30) for Spring Sports Participation.

19. NJSIAA (cont.) • Example # 1: • Student Report Card/Transcript at the end of the previous school year: • Passes 7 classes at 5 credits each= 35 Credits • Student is eligible (needs 27.5 or 30 to play). • Passes 5 classes, fails two classes. • Student is ineligible (25 credits, needs 30 to play).

20. NJSIAA (cont.) • Example # 3: • End of 1St Semester (Spring Sports Eligibility) • Passes 7 classes (35 credits divided by 2 =17.5 credits) Since it is based on ½ year totals. • Student is eligible (needs 13.75% or 15 credits to play). • Passes 5 classes, fails 2 classes (25 credits divided by 2=12.5 credits. • Student is ineligible (need 13.75% or 15 credits to play).

21. NJSIAA (cont.) • Transfer Requirement- eligible immediately if there is a bona fide change of residence from one public school district to another. There is a 30 day wait from the 1st contest if the move is not a bona fide change of residencyand the student participated on the varsity level. • Transfer Waiver with the NJSIAA.

22. NJSIAA (cont.) • Not eligible after the completion of 8 semesters following a students entrance into the ninth grade. • Consent to random Steroid testing. • Driver Safety-GDL Requirements-Probationary License Restrictions (17 years of age, only transport one person other than parent or guardian, or teen’s dependent children. • Go to www.njsiaa.org for any information concerning HS sports.

23. College Bound Athletes Information • NCAA Eligibility Center- www.eligibilitycenter.org • If you plan to participate in intercollegiate athletics at a NCAA Division 1 or 2 levels. • Academic and amateurism status certified by the eligibility center. • Meet academic eligibility and core-course requirements. • Check with coach and counselors for assistance.

24. Athletic Training • Athletic Trainer-Jeanne Fleming, deals with injury prevention, assessment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of athletics. • Impact Testing (concussion management) • ECG Testing- Possible heart defects. • Sports Physicals-all athletes need to participate. • School Physician-Dr. Fernando Sitoy, MD • Football Team Physician-Kevin Dunne, MD • NP Fire Dept. EMS for Football game coverage.

25. Sports Offerings Fall We compete in the Skyland Conference: • Football – Varsity, JV, and Freshman • Soccer (Boys) – Varsity, JV, and Freshman • Soccer (Girls) – Varsity, JV, and Freshman • Field Hockey – Varsity, JV • Tennis (Girls) – Varsity • Cross Country (Co-ed) - Varsity • Cheerleading – Varsity

26. Sports Offerings (cont.) • Winter • Basketball (Boys) – Varsity, JV, Freshman, MS • Basketball (Girls) – Varsity, JV, MS • Wrestling – Varsity, JV, MS • Winter Track - Varsity • Cheerleading – Varsity, JV

27. Sports Offerings (cont.) • Spring • Baseball – Varsity, JV, MS • Softball – Varsity, JV, MS • Track (Boys) – Varsity, JV • Track (Girls) – Varsity, JV • Track (Co-ed) – MS • Tennis (Boys) - Varsity

28. Athletic Department • Mr. Karl Gordon – Athletic Director karl_gordon@nplainfield.org 908-769-6000, ext. 3143 • Mrs. Paula Della Fortuna –Athletic Secretary paula_della_fortuna@nplainfield.org 908-769-6000, ext. 3101 • Mrs. Jeanne Fleming – Athletic Trainer jeanne_fleming@nplainfield.org

29. Athletic Department (cont.) • Sports Schedules and other information: Athletic Department Web Site: www.nplainfield.org Go to schools, click on High School Click on Athletics Updated weekly and seasonal schedules Physical Forms