Athletic Handbook
Think Well | Live Well | Life Together
Message from the Athletics Director Welcome to Triton Athletics. For most of you, participating in athletics is an opportunity to play a sport you love. For others it is a chance to spend time with friends, or to try something new. At Pacifica Christian, my hope and goal is to have each and every one of you participate in the athletic program. Athletics is an integral part of the high school experience, allowing you to develop qualities which conform to how we are called to live our lives. Hard work, dedication, loyalty, respect, perseverance, commitment, integrity, diligence, servant-hood, humility, work ethic, and passion; all biblical qualities that will lay the foundation for who you will become. Success in athletics is not only determined by wins and losses, but in the personal development in all of these areas. Furthermore, athletics is not self-seeking. All who put on a Triton uniform will have the unique opportunity to use their experiences to represent their school, their sport, and ultimately bring glory and honor to God. My prayer and desire for each of you is to do just that, allowing God to mold and shape you into just the person He intends.
Pacifica Christian Athletics Philosophy 1. Mission Statement The Mission Statement of Pacifica Christian Athletics is to support the mission of the school in all we do. Pacifica Christian High Schools mission is to teach students to think and live well. We do this by providing a rigorous, college-preparatory, liberal arts education for students from all backgrounds and neighborhoods.
2. Vision Statement
The Vision statement for Pacifica Athletics is clear: “To create and maintain a program that balances participation, competitive and non-competitive success, individual player development, and an overall positive experience. We want to develop an athletic department that helps mold a well-rounded student-athlete, and more importantly, the individual that God intends.” We believe that following through with this vision allows us to accomplish the mission of the school, in teaching our student-athletes to think and live well.
3. Philosophy
Through athletics, The Pacifica Athletic Department strives to develop men and women of strong moral character. This department believes in creating an environment in which each student-athlete will be challenged to develop his or her mental and moral faculties, alongside his or her physical skills. Students have a great opportunity to integrate faith and learning, while building Christian character. Athletics afford each student an atmosphere of hard work and discipline, as they explore their own unique God-given gifts. At Pacifica Christian High School, we believe that all students should be given the opportunity to participate in Athletics. As a result, we have created a “nocut policy” which allows every student the opportunity to turn out who is willing to make the commitment.
Sport Offerings and Registration During our inaugural year, Pacifica Christian will be participating as a free-lance school, competing at the Frosh/Soph and JV level, in a number of sports in conjunction with CIFSS member schools.
In order to be eligible to play, you must complete the registration packet, have a current physical release on file, and be in good academic standing. You may not begin participation in your sport until you have all of your paperwork on file and are cleared by the Athletics Department. If the appropriate paperwork is not submitted by the deadline, you will not be eligible to participate in athletics until all paperwork is turned into the athletic department. Coaches may not accept registration paperwork on behalf of the athletics department.
Upper School A. Fall Sports
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Girls Volleyball
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Boys Cross Country
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Girls Cross Country
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Boys Sand Volleyball
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Rowing
B. Winter Sports
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Girls Soccer
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Boys Basketball
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Rowing
C. Spring Sports
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Girls Sand Volleyball
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Boys Track & Field
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Girls Track & Field
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Boys Golf
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Boys Volleyball
Responsibilities of a Pacifica Christian Athlete: Student Participation Agreement All players are expected to follow the rules outlined below in addition to any team rules that the coach puts into place. You are expected to know and understand all policies and guidelines contained in this student participation agreement. Ignorance is not an excuse. Above all, each student-athlete must understand that playing for Pacifica Christian is a privilege that is earned, and not a right. All participants are subject to CIF-SS, Pacifica Christian, and team rules and regulations.
1. Attendance
a. Team Attendance
Practice is essential for success. You are expected to attend every practice. Practice begins at the time scheduled by the coach and you are expected to be on time. If you work, schedule your hours around practice. If you can’t, or have another conflict you may need to decide which is more important. Coaches should be notified by the player of any conflicts regarding practices or matches as soon as possible. Consequences for missing practice/game are at the discretion of the coach. Missed practices/games may result in a suspension for a period of time determined by the coach and Athletics Director.
b. School Attendance
Pacifica Christian student-athletes are not allowed to participate in a practice or match unless they have been in attendance for three full class periods in a given day. School-related absences such as class field trips do not count. If a player misses more than three full classes, he/she is not eligible for participation in that day’s practice/game. Doing so may result in a forfeiture of that contest for your team.
2. Transportation
Transportation will be provided to and from practices when necessary. Transportation will be provided to applicable home games, and roundtrip transportation will be provide to all away games. Parents are not allowed to take players home from away games unless given permission by the Head Coach.
3. Injuries
Injuries of any nature should be reported to the coach at the time they occur. If a player sees a physician for treatment of an injury, he/she must present to the coach a note signed by the doctor, stating that he/she is physically able to practice or play.
4. Dress
Students must wear the appropriate attire for each individual sport.
5. Squad make-up
Pacifica Christian believes that being part of a team is equally important as the success of the team. Teams with enough participants will be divided into Varsity, Junior Varsity, and a “C” team if necessary. The team selection is at the discretion of the coaching staff, but will largely be based on ability, attitude, and level of commitment.
6. Academic requirements
Per CIF-SS guidelines, any student who is below an unweighted 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, is deemed ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics and is subject to academic probation. However, Pacifica Christian eligibility guidelines require each student to maintain a 70% or higher in all academic classes in order to be eligible to participate in Pacifica Christian athletics. Classes lower than 70% will be addressed on a case-by-case bases. 7. Equipment/Uniforms/Facilities
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The athlete is responsible for the proper care and security of equipment (including uniforms) issued to him/her. All athletic equipment is considered property of Pacifica Christian High School and is not for the use of any other organization or for personal use. All equipment not returned in good condition at the end of the season will be subject to a financial penalty (the cost to replace the equipment). All equipment issued to a player should only be worn at practice, or scheduled games. Exceptions must be approved by both the coach. Pacifica Christian is not responsible for lost or stolen equipment. Additionally, student-athletes will be held responsible for damage done to school property, including rented gym facilities, uniforms, and athletics equipment.
8. Personal Conduct
All student-athletes are expected to represent themselves and the school in the highest manner at all times. All school rules and discipline take precedence over athletics. Practice or games do not excuse you from detentions. If you are suspended from school, you may not practice or play with your team until you have returned to class. Coaches, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, teammates and fellow students should be treated with the utmost respect at all times. During road trips, team members are to conduct themselves appropriately. Vulgar language, obscene gestures, and a general lack of respect for others will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Athletes are held to the highest of standards as their conduct is closely observed in many areas of life. It is important that your behavior be above reproach in all of the following areas.
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In the classroom – Strong academics reinforce strong athletics. As a studentathlete, you must plan your schedule so that you give sufficient time and energy to your studies. Any students that are involved in school discipline may be denied the privilege of participation in all athletics activities for a period determined by the Principle, Athletics Director, or head coach.
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On the field – In the area of athletic competition, a true athlete does not use profanity or illegal tactics and understands that losing is part of the game. You
should be gracious in defeat and humble in victory. It is always courteous to congratulate the opponent on a well-played game after the contest, whether in defeat or victory. Sportsmanship is a key component of any contest and should always be shown to the best of your abilities.
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With your team – Always treat your teammates and coaches with the utmost respect and dignity. Under no circumstances, should hazing occur between students. It is the policy at Pacifica Christian to provide a safe environment – both mentally and physically for all of our athletes. Hazing will be defined as: “Any act committed against someone joining or becoming a member or maintaining membership in any organization that is humiliating, intimidating or demeaning, or endangers the health and safety of the person. Hazing includes active or passive participation in such acts and occurs regardless of the willingness to participate in the activities. Hazing creates an environment/climate in which dignity and respect are absent.”
9. Communication
Being part of a team includes a responsibility to communicate properly with your coaches, teachers, and family. The student-athlete should be the main communicator of information between the team and family. If a conflict or perception of a conflict arises with a coach, the first responsibility is for the athlete to discuss the situation with the coach. This should occur before the parent speaks with the coach, Athletics Director or the Head of School. Students should also be in constant communication with their teachers regarding their athletics schedule to make sure that work is assigned and collected appropriately.
Pacifica Christian Student-Athlete Code At Pacifica we believe that athletics is an important part of a student’s education. The Pacifica athletics program will encourage discipline, excellence, sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, community, development of physical skills, a commitment to physical health, and healthy competition as the department encourages the growth of good young men and women. We believe that the development of good sportsmanship through the practice of Christian behavior is one of the goals of athletics. We therefore expect athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, spectators, and anyone involved with an athletics contest to embrace the following fundamentals of sportsmanship.
1. Sportsmanship Guidelines
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Respect should be demonstrated for athletics opponents and for their school at all times. As a school, we should treat visiting teams and their supporters as guests and accord them the consideration everyone deserves. As a visiting team, we should always show respect to the team and school which is hosting the athletic contest.
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Shake hands with opponents and wish them a good game when appropriate.
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Exercise self-control at all times, accepting the judgment of the officials as just that, the best judgment they could make given what they know and see. Never argue or make gestures indicating lack of respect for the officials’ judgment. All participants should strive to maintain self-control at all times. The desire to win cannot be accepted as a reason for irrational behavior.
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Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion. Congratulate opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat.
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All participants and spectators should use positive cheers which are encouraging to their own team while not demeaning to the opponent. Never attempt to distract opposing players or in any way interfere with their performance. Always give encouragement to injured players on both teams.
Because of the public nature of athletics provided by Pacifica Christian students who participate in these activities are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will reflect the high standards and ideals of their team, school, community and our Lord. It is only through the observance of these high personal standards for conduct that individuals and teams can attain maximum achievement, show their commitment to excellence in health and conditioning, and fulfill their responsibilities as leaders by setting a positive example for other students.
Interscholastic Sports require a serious commitment of time and energy. Students must train and prepare for the season, learn how their bodies respond to the specific demands of their sports, and manage their time effectively to meet academic and other obligations. Students interested in participating on a Pacifica team should contact the team’s coaches before the season to gain a full understanding of the commitment required.
Please be advised that winter and spring athletes will be expected to attend practices and games during vacations that fall in their seasons.
2. Guiding Principles
“Guiding Principles are designed to help Pacifica Christian student-athletes understand the expectations for behavior. The athletics program will incorporate these expectations as well for all student-athletes as well as coaches, parents, and fans.
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Dignity – In keeping with a Christian worldview, we believe that every human life is sacred, created in the image of God, and therefore possesses dignity and intrinsic worth. Every individual has the right to be treated with respect and appreciated for his/her unique contributions to our school, community and work, even during competition.
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Discipline – A sincere desire to learn and become better is an essential requirement for participation. Skills that develop self-control are taught to assist students in becoming competitive, maintaining a high moral standard and learning how to achieving life goals.
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Faith – Our school community and athletic program is built on biblical values that reveal God’s love for us and our need to love and care for our neighbor as ourselves, even during competition. Emphasis is placed on essential beliefs of the Christian faith, not on those differences which separate denominations, or non-believers.
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Respect – Respect for self, others, and authority is expected and nurtured. Just as those in authority treat students with respect. Student-athlete interactions during practice and games are guided by respect for one another.
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Responsibility – Respect demands responsibility. Each student-athlete is held accountable for his/her actions. The integrity of the individual during competition, who must learn to discern and apply right from wrong, is reinforced and affirmed.
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Sportsmanship – All athletes shall abide by the sportsmanship philosophy set for by Pacifica Christian; which will give God glory and respect to the athlete which he/she is represents as a competitor in interscholastic sports and activities. Any conduct that results in dishonor to God, the athlete, the team, or the school will not be tolerated. A Pacifica Christian athlete should be diligent in preparation, relentless in effort, disciplined by nature, respectful in action, selfcontrolled with works, humbled in spirit, and aggressive in pursuit of excellence, without regard to the score, opponent, time, referees etc.
3. Steps in the Disciplinary Process
Any participant in athletic activities who willfully performs any act that substantially interferes with or is in opposition with the Pacifica Christian Student Participation Agreement, Sportsmanship Philosophy, or Guiding Principles will be subject to discipline, suspension, or expulsion. Pacifica Christian may discipline student-athletes for infractions of the behavioral expectation regardless of whether these occur on or off school grounds: before, during or after the school hours; and whether or not they occur at school functions. All of a student’s life constitutes his/her testimony and has an effect on his/her peers.
Minor infractions will be dealt with by informal discipline which is handled by the coach and Athletics Director but does not necessarily go to the Division Head. Major infractions require formal discipline which will be decided upon by the Athletics Director, Principle, and/or Head of School. Disciplinary steps may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Benching of participant
2. Removal from practice/contest
3. Suspension for a portion of the season
4. Restitution
5. Conference/hearing with Athletics Director, and/or Division Head
6. Expulsion