CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
ARROWS
CROSS COUNTRY
POLICY HANDBOOK
2012 – 2013
The following pages consist of the Policies and Guidelines for Clinton Cross Country.
Members of the Cross Country team are expected to adhere to all policies and guidelines herein.
COACH'S STATEMENT
The sport of cross country running is a unique avenue for teaching our students many
important life lessons and values. Among these are Hard Work, Honesty, Tradition,
Good Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Self Confidence, Self Sacrifice, Discipline, and
Commitment to a Goal. We cannot overlook the importance of these values. A student
who learns these ideals through athletics has a distinct advantage in life over someone
who does not. More than that, these values and lessons learned through the sport of
running are the key ingredients to my personal coaching philosophy. I coach to teach,
because I believe in the importance of educating our children, and because I believe in
the sport of running. More than anything, I want my athletes to learn these virtues, and
the sport of cross country running can help teach them.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
1. The main objective is to help produce excellent citizens through teaching the
values that running cross country instills.
2. To win. The word winning means different things to different people, but the
main objective of our program is to produce winners in life. As a program, our
goal is to produce district and state champions by pursuing true excellence in each
individual who runs for Clinton High School.
ACADEMICS
1. Grades will be checked regularly to ascertain eligibility.
2. Student athletes must attend all classes. Truancy will result in disciplinary action
or dismissal from the program.
3. Consistently poor conduct or grades may result in disciplinary action or dismissal
from the program.
PRACTICE
1. BE HONEST WITH YOUR EFFORT. TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR EFFORT. WE
DO NOT WALK IN RACES, BECAUSE IT IS DISHONEST TO DO SO.
Unless directed by a coach, or unless illness or injury forces you to walk, athletes
are required to run, not walk their workouts. Athletes who walk or who are
unable to complete workouts will not be allowed to attend competitions.
2. All student athletes are expected to attend all mandatory practices! Student
athletes are expected to be on time every day. Student athletes are expected to
complete their workouts. If possible, we ask that parents make appointments
(medical/dental) that do not conflict with practice or competition.
3. Unless you are absent from school, athletes who are injured or sick are still
required to dress out for practices and are required to participate in practice to the
best of their ability. Injured or sick runners will have an abbreviated workout.
4. If a student athlete is ill, injured, or unable to attend practice or compete in a meet
due to extenuating circumstances, he or she must notify one of the coaches prior
to practice or competition. Failure to notify a coach will result in disciplinary
action, and athletes with an unexcused absence from practice will not be
permitted to compete at any level (varsity or sub-varsity) during the week of the
unexcused absence. An excused absence is determined by the head coach on an
individual basis.
5. All practices are held at Butts Park, Choctaw Trails, Traceway Park, or the
Clinton High School Track. Running off campus without a coach’s permission is
unsafe and is a violation of the CPSD rules. In addition, all athletes are expected
to “check out” with a coach before leaving practice. In other words, don’t “just
leave!” A coach will dismiss you from practice.
6. Tardies to practice will result in discipline. Excessive tardies will result in
discipline write ups or possible dismissal from the program.
7. Headphones (walkmans, ipods, and other electrical devices) are NOT permitted at
practice.
GROOMING
1. Jewelry will not be worn during races, this includes sunglasses.
2. Visible tattoos must be covered with athletic tape.
DRESS
1. Students are expected to wear athletic gear to daily practice and to competitions.
Students who are not appropriately dressed will not be allowed to run.
2. These items should not be worn to practice or competition: Equipment or
clothing from another school, equipment of clothing advertising tobacco or
alcohol, equipment or clothing advertising pornography.
3. Sandals, flip-flops, or other open toed shoes may not be worn at practices, or at
competition until after the team has attended the awards ceremony.
CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Be a positive influence on your teammates. Student athletes representing Clinton
will reflect good sportsmanship during practice and competition. Absolutely no
profanity, derogatory remarks, or disrespect towards teammates, competitors,
coaches or school or meet officials will be tolerated. Offensive remarks will
result in disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the program.
2. Using Facebook as a mechanism to divide the team will not be tolerated. Making
comments about coaches or teammates in a derogatory manner will result in
dismissal. Athletes will be held accountable for making poor choices while
corresponding with teammates and others on social network sites.
3. No inappropriate loudness will be tolerated. This includes practices and meets,
team camps and team buses. Radios are not permitted at practice or competition.
4. Cell phones may not be used at meets until after the awards ceremony.
Cell phones may not be used until after practice.
5. Using cameras to take pictures on the school bus while traveling in the dark is not
permitted. A warning will be issued for the first offense and a second offense will
result in dismissal from the team. This action could result in serious injury for all
passengers on board the school bus.
6. Frisbees, footballs, tennis balls and other nuisance items are not permitted at
competitions. If a student athlete is found playing with any such item the object
may be removed by the coach and returned at the conclusion of the season.
7. Horseplay will not be tolerated. Inappropriate actions will result in possible
dismissal from the program.
8. Display of affection are not appropriate and will not be allowed. Infractions will
result in discipline. Boys and Girls will NEVER share seats on a school bus at
any time.
9. Team camp areas should be reserved for the Clinton Cross Country athletes and
parents. Individuals from other teams should NEVER be in this location.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM MEETS
1. Transportation to and from meets is provided.
2. Students are required to be on time for departures.
3. Students are expected to ride the team bus back to campus after competition. If
parents have extenuating circumstances, the student may be released to a Parent.
EQUIPMENT
1. Athletes are required to furnish their own:
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Running shoes (training shoes).
Digital running watch
Gatorade Or Powerade
2. Suggestions for care and for keeping up with gear:
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Don’t leave equipment unattended at meets
DO NOT DRY UNIFORMS IN THE CLOTHERS DRYER!!!
TRAINING ROOM/INJURIES AND ILLNESS
1. If a student is well enough to attend class, he or she is well enough to dress out
and participate in athletics to the best of their ability and will be expected to do
so.
2. If an injury occurs, first seek medical aid/advice from our Athletic Trainers. Then
upon their recommendation, seek the advice of a medical doctor.
3. Do not gather socially in the training room. Do not play in the training room.
Be polite and respectful, sign in, get treated, and get out.
COMPETITION
1. Before an athlete is allowed to represent Clinton High School in a cross country
meet outside of the JPS meets, he or she must meet a minimum standard in
practice. Minimum standard for girls is the ability to complete an 8:00 mile.
Minimum standard for boys is the ability to complete a 7:00 mile.
2. The head coach makes the final decision on who will run varsity each week. This
decision is based on both objective and subjective information, but is ultimately
the decision of the head coach.
3. After arriving at the cross course it is important that parents show encouragement
to athletes, but do not hinder them from focusing on their race. Runners need to
be ready to race 10 – 15 min. before the final call. It would be embarrassing to
spend months training for a race and to be disqualified for not reporting to the
starting line when given instructions by meet officials.
4. To earn a varsity letter, a runner must be selected to represent Clinton in the
MHSAA Championship meet or serve as one of three alternates.
* Seniors who have made a sufficient contribution to the team may be considered for a
varsity letter even if they do not meet this requirement.
TRAINING
1. Success in running is gained through a combination of hard work and recovery. It
is vital to get 8 hours of sleep each night, eat nutritionally sound meals and always
drink plenty of fluids. A distance runner’s diet should be high in complex
carbohydrates (between 300 – 400 grams each day) and protein and low in fats
and simple sugars. A non-athlete needs 64 ounces of water a day to maintain
hydration, but endurance athletes need more. Proper rest, nutrition, and hydration
will make a huge difference in your performance as a runner. Avoid bad habits
like eating a lot of junk food and staying up all night. These life styles can lead to
decreased performances, illness, and even injury.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUGS
1. Use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (including steroids) will not be tolerated.
Athletes found using these substances will be dismissed from the team and severe
disciplinary action will result.
2. If you do not use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs, but have “friends” that do, we
are asking you to reconsider your association with these friend of acquaintances.
You can get in just as much trouble as someone who does it, if you’re in the
wrong place at the wrong time. Be a good influence on your friends, and avoid
people who are making the wrong decision.
If you have any questions or concerns about the cross country program or its policies,
please contact one of the following coaches:
Geary Howell
Boys and Girls Cross Country
Assistant Boys and Girls Track & Field
Science Department
School (601) 924-5656
ghowell@clinton.k12.ms.us
Bill McIlwain
Assistant Cross Country
Junior High Track & Field
Career Complex
School (601) 924-0247
bmcilwain@clinton.k12.ms.us
Clinton High School Principal: Dr. Eddie Peasant
Athletic Director: Mr. Clay Norton