TEMPLE ACADEMY
STUDENT ATHLETE
HANDBOOK
Athletic Department Statement of Philosophy
Athletics at Temple Academy play an integral part in the school program. Representing the Temple
Academy “Bereans” as a member of an athletic team is a privilege, not a right.
In harmony with our Christian philosophy of education, the goal of the athletic program at Temple
Academy is to provide our students in grades five through twelve with opportunities to develop godly
character, self-discipline, and athletic skill. Athletics is a valuable component of Temple’s overall
program because it has the potential to build character and self-discipline through commitment to a
team and an activity. It provides a vehicle for interaction and testimony to other students and schools,
and it provides a wholesome release for adolescent energy. Athletics can also foster healthy self-esteem
as well as school spirit. It enhances parent and alumni loyalty as well.
The student athletes will learn to take responsibility for personal growth by developing loyalty, pride,
integrity, and commitment. Athletics provide the opportunity for the student athlete to exhibit a
progression of physical skills and knowledge of a particular sport, enabling him or her to apply these
skills and knowledge to new situations and a variety of learning formats.
The school administration is responsible for ensuring three things:
1. That the athletic program stays in balance with the other aspects of the school’s program.
2. That the spiritual development of the students continues to receive proper attention in the
athletic program.
3. That the values and standards that distinguish a “Christian” sports program from a secular
one are reinforced continually.
Rules for all Athletes
Temple Academy student athletes are bound by the Maine Principals Association Interscholastic
Rules/Regulations as well as the Temple Academy Student Handbook Rules/Regulations. Although a
coach may have additional rules/guidelines for his/her athletes playing to obey, the following rules apply
to all student athletes participating in the athletic program at Temple Academy:
1. Physical Examination: Athletes must have written permission from a parent/guardian
indicating the date of their son/daughter’s most recent physical examination by a doctor.
Students in grades 5-8 must have a physical every other year, and students in grades 9-12
must have had a recent physical examination prior to the start of their sports season, every
year. It is strongly recommended that an annual examination be scheduled between June
and August each school year.
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2. Conduct Forms: All student athletes must return to the Athletic Director signed copies of
the following: extracurricular consent, parent agreement, student athletics agreement, and
the student athlete handbook.
3. Emergency Card: parents/guardians must fill out the Temple Academy Athletic Permission
card indicating all of the required data about their son/daughter. Please indicate home,
work, and cell phone numbers to be reached in case of an emergency. In addition, please list
an Emergency Contact person with phone numbers.
Sports Season
It is the responsibility of the Temple Academy Athletic Department to offer a well-balanced program of
athletic activities. To prevent overlapping of seasons and excessive demands on student athletes, the
MPA has assigned each sport a clearly defined time frame for the three Fall, Winter, and Spring sports
season. There is also a “hands-off” period mandated by the MPA which all schools and coaches must
follow. These time frames change during each year and the exact dates are available from the Athletic
Director.
Schedules
The Athletic Director will schedule all athletic contests. Coaches are encouraged to participate in
formulating interscholastic schedules, scrimmages, and the rescheduling of postponed contests.
Coaches should not commit to scheduling a contest or a facility without the prior approval of the
Athletic Director. The head coach, with the approval of the Athletic Director may schedule pre-season
and exhibition games.
Coaches are strongly encouraged to provide practice schedules to their student athletes on a weekly
basis. Changes in practice schedules should be communicated to the team, athletic office, and school
administrative assistant as soon as they are known. Weather cancellations should be completed by
12:00 p.m. on school days.
Responsibilities of an athlete on the field
In the area of athletic competition, a real athlete does not use profanity or illegal tactics. A real athlete
learns fast that losing is part of the game, and that he/she should be gracious in defeat and modest in
victory. It is always courteous to congratulate the opponent on a well-played game after the contest.
The same courtesy applies to the officials of the game, regardless. A hand shake is a sign of respect.
In the Classroom
In academics, a good athlete becomes a good student. A person cannot be a classroom laggard and
think he/she can be an outstanding athlete. If you are lazy in the classroom, you will be lazy on the
practice/game fields and thus never reach your full potential. As an athlete, you must plan your
schedule so that you give sufficient time and energy to your academic studies to ensure acceptable
grades.
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Communication and Conflict Resolution
Communication between the coach and the team will be done verbally, through group email, or text
message with parents/guardians permission.
Athletic involvement can be highly emotional and very time consuming. From time to time conflicts and
issues between a student athlete and his/her coach may arise. It is imperative that any conflict and/or
issue be addressed immediately and as directly as possible so that it can be resolved promptly. Every
effort should be made to resolve all issues at the lowest possible level. The process that needs to be
followed is as shown:
1. Student athlete contacts coach
2. Parent of student athlete contacts coach
3. Athlete or parent contact the Athletic Director (the AD will inform the coach that a meeting
will take place). If the discussion with the athlete or parent does not result in a satisfactory
conclusion, then a meeting will be scheduled with all parties involved.
4. Athlete and/or parent contact Head of School. The Athletic Director should be informed that
this contact will take place.
In order for the discussion between student or parent and the coach to be productive, the
following times to approach a coach should be avoided:
a. either prior to or immediately following and athletic contest,
b. during a practice session,
c. during a time when other teammates are present, or
d. during a time when it is apparent that there will not be sufficient time to allow for a
complete discussion.
Guidelines and Regulations
1. All participants in the Athletic Department programs should understand that they are a member
of a team and they are representing God, the school, their family, and the community.
2. A student athlete is a student, player, or non-player who participates on an athletic team, and is
considered to be an athlete from the first day of the season until the last team practice, game,
and/or team awards banquet (if one is held).
3. Commitment to the team is very important. Student athletes are expected to attend all
practices, scrimmages, and games; unexcused absences will not be tolerated. Absences may be
excused at the coach’s discretion, with input from the Athletic Director if necessary.
4. The sports season is defined as that period of time from the first team meeting/practice to the
last team practice, meeting, game, and/or awards banquet.
5. Student athlete’s dress should be neat, clean, and appropriate. In addition, it should not glorify
the use of drugs/alcohol, contain vulgar or obscene language, or imply sexual connotations.
6. Boys team members are required to wear shirts or tank tops when at practice.
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7. Regular school attendance is required of all participating student athletes. Students must be
present in school by 11:30 a.m. on the day of a game to be eligible to participate. If a student
accumulates four tardies in one quarter, they will be ineligible to play.
8. Each student athlete will be responsible for his/her equipment/ uniform and will be assessed for
any lost or damaged item. He/she will not be allowed to try out for another sport until he/she
has turned it in or paid for the equipment/uniform.
9. Vulgar language will not be tolerated and is just cause for discipline and possible dismissal from
the sports program. Student athletes suspended from school, either in house or out of school,
will not be allowed to practice or participate in any contests while on suspension. Student
athletes absent from practice the day before a contest due to disciplinary action by the school
may participate the day of a contest only with approval from the administration.
10. Student athletes must be full time students, pursuing a minimum of four courses. Students
attending the vocational school must be enrolled simultaneously in at least two courses at
Temple Academy. For the academic policy, please see attached forms “Eligibility Made Easy”
and “Academic Eligibility Policy”.
11. We require students to refrain from the use of those things which are detrimental to their
physical and spiritual well-being. Because of the harmful nature and illegality of tobacco,
marijuana, alcohol, and illicit drugs, any use or possession of these items, whether at school, an
athletic function or elsewhere, will be grounds for dismissal from the team. This includes being
present at parties which include student use of alcohol or illegal substances. This dismissal will
be in effect for the rest of the calendar year. Parties with alcohol or illegal substances cannot be
present at any athletic functions/competitions. If any clarification or further guidance is needed,
please see the Temple Academy Parent/Student Handbook, pages 28-29.
12. A student athlete who becomes ineligible, dismissed, or quits a sports team will receive no
awards or recognition for that sport.
13. All Varsity student athletes are required to travel to and from all contests in school provided
transportation. Students violating this procedure may be suspended by the coach from
participation. Permission will be granted for the student to travel with his/her parent(s) and/or
legal guardian(s) only in the case of extenuating circumstances (for example, in the case of a
weekend game and the student lives closer to the field than Temple Academy) and only after a
written release is presented to the Athletic Director. Varsity coaches will not transport student
athletes in their personal vehicles.
14. Junior Varsity players are allowed and may be required to travel in parent vehicles.
15. If a student athlete is ejected from a game or if for any other reason he/she must leave the field
of play, the player must be accompanied by an adult and taken to the designated area for the
remainder of the athletic contest. The coach and player must immediately report the incident
to the Athletic Director. The ejected player will follow the MPA guidelines and, in addition, be
subject to team discipline for his/her actions.
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16. If a student athlete is injured or has other medical circumstances that may affect his/her
participation in a sport, he/she must be cleared by their family physician in order to return to
play. The athlete must have a signed note (documentation) from the physician stating that the
athlete has been evaluated and may return to normal athletic activity. If there are any
restrictions imposed, a second note (documentation) will be needed before the student athlete
will be able to fully participate. This should be confirmed with the parents or guardians prior to
the student athlete’s return to participation. Any student athlete sustaining a head injury
(including concussions) MUST have written documentation form a physician stating the athlete
is medically cleared to participate prior to the student athlete being allowed to practice and/or
play.
Fundraising
All fundraising projects involving student athletes must have prior approval from the Athletic
Director and the Head of School. Fundraising can only happen during the school sports season
time in which the student athletes are competing under MPA guidelines. Fundraising can be
done during the off school sports season but still must have prior approval from the Athletic
Director and Head of School.
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TEMPLE ACADEMY
STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK
2014-2015
We have read and understand the Temple Academy Student Athlete
handbook.
Sport_________________________________________________________
Athlete’s name_________________________________________________
Athlete signature_______________________________________________
Date_______________________________
Parent/Guardian name___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature________________________________________
Date________________________________