2015-16 LCDS Athletic Department handbook
Athletic Department Mission Statement
Revised 7-15-15
LCDS is committed to building an athletic department that supports the overarching mission of the school: to promote students’ intellectual, creative, physical, and emotional development. A rigorous athletic program refines the skills cultivated within the classroom; inspires a sense of community and school pride; challenges students to explore hidden talents. Regardless of the sport or level, coaches, parents, and program administrators are engaged in a partnership designed to provide a quality experience for every student-athlete. The LCDS Athletic Department believes this quality experience is most readily achieved through a focus on three key areas: accountability, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence.
Accountability
Representing LCDS through athletics is an honor and a privilege. Parents, players, coaches, and administrators must hold each other accountable to the highest of standards.
Sportsmanship
We will handle success with humility and failure with grace. Ours will be a culture that promotes respect for teammates, opponents, officials, fans, and for the game itself.
Pursuit of excellence
We pursue excellence in athletics, just as we pursue excellence in academics and the arts.
While subvarsity programs are developmental by nature, our goal for varsity athletics is to compete at the highest level possible.
Athletic Council
The Athletic Council is comprised of the Upper School varsity coaches, the head trainer, and Athletic
Department administration. The Athletic Council is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and implementing athletic policies and for making recommendations to the school’s administrative team on any school matters that have an impact on athletics. The goal of the Athletic Council is to promote consistent standards and policies within and among the Lower School, Middle School and Upper School athletic programs.
PIAA Policies
Coaches must be familiar with all PIAA policies concerning their sports. Coaches should consult the PIAA bylaws for information regarding start dates, allowable off-season activities, scheduling parameters, etc.
Some varsity coaches must attend PIAA rules clinics; coaches who don’t attend the rules clinics are responsible for paying their own fines.
Rosters
Once teams have been finalized, coaches need to turn in rosters for all levels to the AD. Rosters will be posted on each team’s individual web page. Once the rosters are set, there can be no additions.
Uniforms
Once rosters are set, coaches should meet with the AD to plan distribution and collection of uniforms.

Parents’ Pre-season Meeting
We’ll have an Athletics Parents’ Night before the school year begins. All coaches are expected to attend this meeting. Fall coaches will meet with their parents at this time. Topics to cover include expectations for players and parents, requirements for earning a varsity letter, academic monitoring, the
“chain of command” for parents to follow if they have any problems during the season, schedule of practice and games and attendance expectations, game day procedures, and the care of uniform/practice gear. Coaches should also stress the importance of good sportsmanship—from players, coaches, and parents. Winter and spring coaches are encouraged to schedule their own parents’ meetings to cover the same topics.
Financial Procedures
Coaches should check with the AD before purchasing something with the expectation of being reimbursed.
Practices
Coaches are expected to have well-organized practices that feature a variety of instructional methods.
Coaches should have a written practice plan, should be on time, and should not exceed the scheduled practice times. Coaches need to check with the AD when scheduling facilities. The coach whose team practices last on the fields should check that all storage sheds are locked. Coaches should not leave campus until all players are picked up after practices (or games). Any changes in practice times should be given to the AD as far in advance as possible. Occasional days off and shorter practices are certainly appropriate at times; however, players and parents need to be informed of all changes so that they can arrange for transportation home.
Equipment
Coaches are responsible for working with the AD regarding the ordering, maintaining, and storing of equipment. Coaches must stress to their players that they are not to use equipment without supervision.
Wayward children
Please tell parents to pick up their kids in front of the school after games and practices. Head coaches should check in the front of the school (or designate an assistant coach) before leaving to be sure everyone is picked up. If a player hasn’t been picked up and you have to leave, call me, and I will come wait with him.
Trainers
The trainers will supply coaches with medical kits for their season. Coaches are responsible for bringing this kit to away games and for checking with the trainer periodically to replenish the kit. Coaches need to fill out injury reports for all injuries that happen both at LCDS and at away games. Players’ medical forms should be accessible during all practices and contests in case of injury.
Reporting scores
Send scores to… sports@lnpnews.com sports@pennlive.com
Scores@pennlive.com
sports@readingeagle.com

sports@patriot-news.com
hannisa@lancastercountryday.org
Team Pictures
Team pictures will be taken by our communications office (for most teams, before a home game). A schedule will be posted on the coaches’ webpage.
Multiple Sport Athletes
To maintain a well-rounded and competitive athletic program, LCDS coaches need to understand the importance of the multiple sport athlete to our program. Coaches should support and encourage athletes to participate in as many sports as they are interested in. Coaches should never claim
“ownership” of a student athlete, nor place students in conflict between coaches who might vie for their participation. LCDS coaches must support the multiple sport concept wholeheartedly.
Coaches’ webpage
Here coaches will find team picture schedules, meeting dates and agendas, information about varsity letters, evaluations, injury policies, etc.
Program Coordinators
The upper school varsity coach is considered the “program coordinator” for his sport. These coaches are responsible for all aspects of their programs on all levels. They should play an active role in monitoring, staffing, and evaluating their teams. These program coordinators will represent their sport on the
Athletic Council.
Varsity Sport Head Coach/Program Coordinator Responsibilities
Work with AD to set up schedules for middle and upper school teams.
Meet with all players individually or in small groups in the preseason and postseason to discuss expectations, roles, etc
Work with AD to secure game day support staff (clock keeper, announcer, bookkeeper, concessions, etc).
At home games, meet with visiting teams, coaches, and officials to welcome them, and to inform them about locker room facilities, filming areas, security, and administrators on duty.
Ensure that all teams in the program have proper, safe equipment.
Meet frequently with all coaches in the program to ensure that there is consistency in coaching, expectations, and strategy throughout the program.
Account for all equipment at the conclusion of the season. Clean and store the equipment so that it will last for a reasonable amount of time.
Check on the progress of student-athletes in the classroom.

Actively search for ways to enhance the program so that all participants strive to be the best that they can be (clinics, books, summer camps, etc.)
Communicate with AD, parents, and athletes frequently to keep them up to date on plans, changes to schedule or practice, workouts, or banquets.
Support the Booster Club
Support all programs within the LCDS Community in a positive way.
Attend all department meetings
You are responsible for creating and sharing a program identity (which will be posted on your page). Your practice and game planning, execution, and evaluation should all be closely aligned with your program identity.