Athletic Handbook

B.B. Comer Athletic Handbook

 

Purpose: The purpose of this organization is to promote and uphold school spirit, to develop good sportsmanship among students, to support the athletic programs, and to develop better relationships in the community and among schools during athletic events. The organization’s goal is to work with the administration, faculty, band, athletic teams, and all other school organizations to uphold our purpose.

 

Eligibility Requirements: 

1. The candidate must comply with the guidelines for eligibility and participation as set by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), as well as the guidelines in the B.B. Comer Athletic Handbook. The guidance office and coach will review the transcripts of each candidate.
2. You may not have any balances left from the previous year.
3. The above requirements must be completed before tryouts

 

Tryouts:

1. Tryouts are held annually. 
2. All skills will be scored based on the level of perfect execution. 
3. THE PARTICIPANT MUST ATTEND ALL TRYOUT DAYS unless they receive prior approval from that sports head coach. 
4. ALL parts of the tryout process will be CLOSED to the public.
5. If a candidate makes a team their responsibilities, terms and commitments will last one year, beginning with tryouts. 

 

Membership:

1. JH/JV teams will consist of the top candidates from current 6th-11th graders. The coach may choose to move any athlete up to varsity if the participant scores fall within the scale of the members who made the varsity team. 
2. All athletes must maintain grade eligibility. 
3. Members of teams are REQUIRED to attend any team camps. Information on camps will be given ahead of the actual camp date(s). 

 

Financial Responsibility: 

1. All athletes will purchase their personal spirit pack. These items include, but are not limited to, uniforms, socks, shoes, knee pads, bags, game day wear, etc. Fundraising activities may be available for those who wish to defray their expenses. Some fundraising activities, such as car washes, Krispy Kreme, calendar fundraisers, etc., may be REQUIRED by all members of the team.
2. Most spirit packs will be online through a team shop from BSN Sports.
3. The cost for ALL required items from the spirit pack will vary. Most range from $150 to $225. 
4. Balances must be paid in full. If your balance is not paid in full, you will not be allowed to play another sport and/or graduate.

 

Attendance Requirements:

1. Athletes will be expected to attend ALL athletic events, practices, or other events designated by the coach. An athlete should not miss a scheduled event except in the cases of an emergency or prior approval of the coach. All routine dental, doctor, and other appointments are not considered emergencies and may not be considered an excused absence. 
2. A parent call or doctor's excuse is required BEFORE the event to excuse any absence. If the coach does not hear from the member before the event, the absence may be considered unexcused, and consequences will take place.
3. Out-of-school activities and planned school activities (field trips) are not considered excused UNLESS prior approval has been given. Approval should be requested before the day of the planned event. 

 

Practices:

1. One person being absent affects the entire team. Missing practices with a valid excuse may still lead to being removed from a rotation or lineup.  Absences should be avoided when at all possible. Athletes must be in attendance at school for one-half day to play or practice that day. The coach has the authority to excuse a volleyball player from practice. Excuses will be granted only in case of illness or emergencies.  
2. The coach will determine the practice schedule. Summer practices and workouts will be determined by the coach. The summer practice and workout schedule will be given to all athletes before the end of school. 
3. If an injured athlete is cleared to come to school, then they must come to practices and games.
4. Athletes will be required to attend summer workouts and summer practices. A schedule will be given in advance.
5. Practice is closed to the public. (No parents or siblings are allowed.)

 

Transportation:

1. Athletes must have transportation to and from practices, games, and events. Talladega County school buses will be used for away games. Athletes MUST ride the bus to games; parents MUST sign out their athlete if they are not riding the bus home. 
2. Guardians must pick their child up at the designated time for every event.
3. Parents/guardians may transport only their child home, as long as they have signed out with the coach. 

 

Playing Time:

1. No coach will discuss an athlete’s playing time with another athlete OR their guardians. 
2. If you have concerns about your athlete’s playing time, we may discuss how your athlete can improve. 
3. It is a privilege to be on a team and have playing time, not a right. 
4. Absences, EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED, can result in a player receiving less playing time due to not being at practice.
5. A coach should be notified at least 1 hour in advance if you will not be at practice/games.

 

Conduct: 

1. Athletes must display good sportsmanship throughout the entire activity.
2. There should be no talking to fans, relatives, friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends during the events. There should also be no excessive talking among team members during events.  You are at the event to compete—not to socialize. Athletes earn their spot in lineups. It is not based on seniority. Decisions will be made to benefit the team, not individual athletes.
3. Athletes are not to have cell phones for calling, texting, or taking photographs while competing at any event, including, but not limited to, games and practices. Cell phones should not be used during practice. 
4. Outright disrespect to a teammate, coach, faculty member, or administration by an athlete will not be tolerated. A chance will be given for the athlete to correct their behavior immediately (Consequences will still be given). If the member does not correct the behavior, they will be asked to leave the event, and parents will be notified of the situation. A second offense will result in the immediate dismissal from the team.
5. Parental interference with coaching or the operation of the team will not be tolerated. In the event that a parent disagrees with a decision made or if the parent has a concern, a meeting should be scheduled to meet with the coach and discuss the situation.
6. Athletes are expected to be good role models, in and out of uniform, throughout the season. 

 

Appearance: 

1. Athletes should be in full uniform and ready to perform at the scheduled time.
2. Athletes should be in the correct spirit pack clothes for traveling to and from games and events. 
3. Athletes of sports that possess their uniforms should keep them in good condition. 
4. Per AHSAA rules, jewelry is not allowed during participation. No hoops, dangles, necklaces, bracelets, rings, or taped jewelry are permitted. All illegal jewelry must be removed before tryouts, practices, and games.
5. Hair should be worn back from the face and up when in uniform.  No hair should fall in the face. This rule will be enforced during practice and games (AHSAA rule). Short hair must be pulled back off the face. Hair wraps need to be a natural hair color. 
6. When athletes are on the playing surface or acting as a team, they will be in complete uniform. This means the same socks, warm-ups, etc. No bra straps or undershorts should be visible while players are in uniform.  Failing to dress in the correct uniform attire may result in the athlete sitting out during that event.

 

Suspension from an Athletic Event: 

1. Grades
   • When report cards are received, members of both teams must present a copy to the coach following practice or game. Failure to do so will result in the athlete sitting out until a copy is presented to the coach.
   • D’s - (Team Service - extra cleaning duty, attending extra study sessions, conditioning, etc.)
   • F’s -  (Game suspension)
2. Excessive inappropriate behavior 
   • Determined by the coach, athletic director and administration

 

Dismissal from Team:

1. Not attending practices, participating in fundraising, or the required amount of workout sessions in the summer
2. Conviction of a felony or any other criminal activity. Possession or use of alcohol, stealing, illegal drug paraphernalia, or other conduct that reflects upon the reputation of the school and/or your team.
3. Referral to Genesis
4. An athlete provokes or instigates a physical altercation resulting in school disciplinary action.
5. The student becomes pregnant. 
6. The student uses social media to write or say disrespectful comments or has inappropriate behavior such as:
   1. Derogatory language or remarks that may harm teammates or coaches; other B.B. Comer student-athletes, teachers, or coaches; and student-athletes, coaches, or representatives from other schools, including comments that may be disrespectful to opposing teams. 
   2. Incriminating photos or statements depicting violence, hazing, sexual harassment; full or partial nudity; inappropriate gestures; vandalism; stalking; underage drinking, selling, possessing, or using controlled substances; or any other inappropriate behavior (including the use of profanity) 
   3. Creating danger to the safety of another person or making a credible threat of serious physical or emotional injury to another person. 
   4. Indicating knowledge of an unreported school or team violation regardless of whether the violation was unintentional or intentional.

 

Before dismissal, a panel composed of the principal, assistant principal, athletic director, and the specified sports coach will meet to discuss dismissal with the athlete.

Money will not be refunded if an athlete is dismissed from the team, and the member will still be responsible for the remaining balance owed.  

 

BBCMHS Athletics Demerit System

 Team Discipline

 

 

In addition to other infractions listed, demerits may be given for other conduct determined unacceptable by the coaches, athletic director, or administration.

All athletes will be notified and required to initial the demerit book after receiving a demerit. Athletes can request to look at their demerit records at any time during the season.

 

Consequences:

• Accumulation of 5 demerits will result in required extra conditioning.
• Accumulation of 10 demerits will result in the athlete being suspended for two games.
• Accumulation of 15 demerits will result in the athlete being suspended for three games. 
• Accumulation of 20 demerits will result in automatic removal from the team. 

During the suspension, the athlete will not be allowed to participate in games. They will still dress in uniform and sit with the coach during their suspension. The player will be required to attend all home and away functions 

• Comer Athletics will follow the school's drug testing policy and consequences.
  • Athletes, band members, and students that drive to school are subject to random drug testing.