For the Parents/Guardians
of Madera Unified School District’s
Student-Athletes
Parent/Coach Communication
We are very pleased that your son/daughter has chosen to participate in the Athletic Programs of the Madera
Unified School District. Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult jobs. By establishing an
understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater
benefit to students.
Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Philosophy as a coach.
Expectations the coach has for your child.
Location and times of all practices and games.
Team requirements: practices, equipment, off-season training, etc.
Procedures to follow should your child be injured during participation.
Participant conduct code and consequences for not following these guidelines.
Communication coaches expect from parents:
1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach first.
2. Specific concerns with regard to coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.
3. Notification of any illness, injury, or missed practices.
As your child becomes involved in athletic programs, he/she will experience some of the most rewarding
moments of his/her life. It is also important to understand that there will be times when things do not go the
way your child wish. These situations also create opportunities for lifelong learning. At these times, discussion
with the coach may be the quickest and most effective way to clear up issues.
Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches:
1. The treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.
At times it may be difficult to accept the fact that your child is not playing as much as you or he/she would like.
Coaches are professionals who make judgment decisions based on what they believe is best for the team and
all involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with the coach.
We ask that other things such as those that follow, be left to the discretion of the coach.
Coaches’ Decisions:
1. Playing time.
2. Team Strategy.
3. Matters concerning other student-athletes.
If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, please follow the procedure below:
1. Have your child talk to the coach 1 on 1. (It is part of growing up.)
IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM:
2. Call the school and request a return call or meeting with the coach.
PARENTS SHOULD NOT:
 Confront the coach before or after practice.
 Confront the coach before or after a game.
(Practices and games are highly emotional times for everyone involved; players, coaches and parents.
Meeting concerns DO NOT get resolved during emotional times.)
3. If the coach cannot be reached after a reasonable amount of time, call the site Athletic Director. He/she
will make an appointment for you.
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach, athlete and parent(s). To resolve a
problem, we must have everyone’s help and involvement.
Athletic Eligibility
Madera South High School Athletics is governed by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and since
we are a member school, all of our student-athletes must meet the requirements listed below.
1. Student-athletes must maintain a 2.0 GPA at each grading period.
2. Student-athletes must be on track to graduate with the appropriate amount of credits.
3. Academic Eligibility is checked each year at the following times: End of 1st semester, End of 2nd
semester, 9 week progress in October and March.
4. An Academic Probation period can be granted for GPA purposes only if the student-athlete is available
to receive it and has met all other academic requirements.
5. Student-athletes must pass a minimum of 4 classes (20 credits) each semester.
6. Student-athletes must attend 4 periods of class on the day of a competition.
7. Student-athletes are required to have a current physical on file in the Athletic Department each year
before participating in one of our sports programs.
By signing below, I have read and understand the Parent/Coach Communication Information and the
Athletic Eligibility Requirements.
__________________________
Student Signature
__________________________
Parent Signature
__________________
ID #
_____________________
Date
_____________________
Date