Athletic Communication:

The Union County Athletic Department promotes an open line of communication between coaches, student-athletes, and parents. All coaches have a different style, but they all care about our student-athletes. When a problem arises, in order to get to the source of the problem, the Athletic Department endorses the following procedure.

1. Have your son/daughter speak directly to his/her immediate coach at an appropriate time when the coach is not coaching or teaching.

2. If a concern still exists, you as a parent should set-up a meeting with your son/daughter and the coach(es) who directly work with your child. This should be set-up ahead of time with an appointment. Attempting to talk to a coach before or after an athletic event is NOT considered an appropriate time, and the Athletic Department does not expect our coaches to participate in a meeting with a parent during these times. Confrontations after an event are unproductive and unacceptable. Talk to coaches at an appropriate time, which is scheduled in advance.

3. If a concern still exists after steps 1 & 2, contact the Athletic Director. Schedule an appointment to ensure availability. The student-athlete, coach(es), parent(s), and Athletic Director will meet in an effort to resolve the situation.

REMEMBER:

When a concern arises,

follow these steps:

1. Student-athlete talks to coach(es).

2. Parent and student-athlete talk to coach(es).

3. Student-athlete, Parent(s), Coach(es) &    Athletic Director meet together.

Helpful Contact Information:

Ryan Overholt

Athletic Director

(765) 458-5808

roverholt@uc.k12.in.us

UNION COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL

Athletic

Communication:

A key to the enjoyment and understanding of

high school athletics.

Our Athletic

Philosophy Statement:

The philosophy of the Union County High School Athletic Department is to offer as many students as possible a safe opportunity to participate in high school athletics under the direction of a knowledgeable coach who will also serve as a positive role model. Athletics can teach a student discipline, commitment, leadership, citizenship, and how to deal with adversity and success. We acknowledge that not all of the lessons learned from athletics come from success, and athletics at times can be painful and unfair. We recognize that sports are played to win, but at no time will sportsmanship, scholarship, or the integrity of the school community be sacrificed to preserve a victory.  Athletics at Union County is a privilege; we therefore have the right to expect higher standards of behavior from our athletes than we do the general student body.

Attendance Policy:

Athletes must be in school for the last three periods of the day to be eligible for that evenings practice or game. Exceptions to this rule may be granted to student-athletes who are attending a funeral, academic field trip, leave school early to attend a doctor's appointment (doctor’s note required), or other circumstances. A student-athlete may miss a practice or contest for academic reasons, illness and extenuating family circumstances that are beyond the student's control. The student-athlete is expected to notify the coach in advance for missing a scheduled practice/event. Student-athletes may be required to make up missed practice to work on the skills missed.

Inclement Weather Policy:

If school is canceled for the day or dismissed early due to inclement weather, the coach can use his/her judgment to hold a VOLUNTARY practice for those that can safely attend.  No punishment can be administered to a student-athlete who cannot get to practice on these days.

Transportation Policy:

We expect our student-athletes to ride the team bus/van to and from all athletic events. ONLY if the student-athlete has another school related event or an extenuating family circumstance, and can not ride the school's transportation, will he/she be released ONLY to his/her parents. Under no circumstance, without written permission, will a coach release a student-athlete to someone other than his/her parents. Arrangements with the coach should be made in advance.

Academic Eligibility:

Students must have received passing grades at the end of the last grading period in at least seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full credit subjects (or the equivalent) that a student can take and must be currently enrolled in at least seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full credit subjects (or the equivalent) that a student can take.

Athletic Sports Physicals:

Every student-athlete is required by IHSAA to have a sports physical, complete with parental signatures. Sports physical forms can be picked up in the Athletic Department.

Varsity Award:

All coaches are to explain the requirements for receiving a varsity award at the start of the season. A student-athlete must earn one varsity award to receive a varsity chevron. Student-athletes may purchase the athletic jacket at anytime.

Citizenship Standards:

All student-athletes are expected to be law abiding citizens and avoid the consumption and selling of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products. Any violation of citizenship, alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse standards will be punishable as defined by the student handbook.