Prairiland High School

Athletic Handbook

 

Prairiland ISD

Handbook

of

ATHLETIC

Policies and Procedures

 

 

Dear Parent or Guardian:

 

Welcome to the University Interscholastic League. The UIL is the governing body for 1,345 public high schools and nearly 4,000 middle and junior high schools in Texas. The UIL, which began in 1910, is the largest interschool organization of its kind in the world, offering 23 athletic activities to more than one million student-athletes.

 

The purpose of the UIL is to organize and properly supervise contests that assist in preparing students to become better citizens. Our aim is to provide healthy, character building, educational activities carried out under rules providing for good sportsmanship and fair play for all participants.

 

Contests could not exist without rules. Therefore, UIL rules are adopted and modified by public school administrators whose responsibility is the overall educational program of the local school district rather than individual contests. The superintendent ensures that contests remain strictly amateur and educational in nature.

 

The UIL athletic program is based on the premise that athletes are students first and that athletic participation is a privilege rather than a right. Students learn teamwork and group responsibility.

They also learn to deal with success and to overcome adversity. Research shows those who participate in extra-curricular activities tend to make better grades and have fewer discipline problems than those who do not participate.

 

Throughout this publication you'll notice references to your "student athlete", rather than your "athlete" because we believe that your children are students first, and athletic participation is a privilege.

 

Here are some statistics to keep in mind:

  • There are over one million high school football players and almost one million basketball players in grades 9-12 nationally. Of those numbers, about 250 make it to the NFL, and about 50 make an NBA team.
  • The odds of a high school football player being selected to play for an NFL team are about 6,000 to 1.
  • The odds of playing in the NBA are even greater.
  • The NCAA is made up of 977 schools classified in three divisions, and less than 25,000 student athletes

compete for NCAA titles annually, most of whom are not on athletic scholarships.

 

With this in mind, it is important to focus on your student's academic career in addition to their success on the playing field or court.

 

This manual is provided to assist in guiding you and your child through the UIL process. Please take time to read each section and feel free to visit our extensive web site at www.uil.utexas.edu.

 

Of course you may also call any of our staff members for clarification of any questions you may have.

 

Cliff Odenwald

UIL Director of Athletics

 

UIL GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS

Rules:  For Your Sake

Participants in University Interscholastic League contests are expected to abide by rules and regulations.  A summary of rules which may affect high school eligibility is presented in this document.  We urge you to read this and learn the League rules.  If there are rules you do not understand or want explained in more detail, or if there are rules you would like to see changed, we suggest you discuss the matter with your superintendent, principal, athletic director coach, or sponsor.  Answers to many questions can be found in the Constitution and Contest Rules, which is the final authority for all UIL rules.  A copy is available a every member school.

General Eligibility Rules

According to UIL standards, students are eligible to represent their school in interscholastic activities if they:

>have not graduated from high school,

>are full-time, day students in the school, and have been in regular attendance at the school since the 6th class day of the present school year, or have been in regular attendance for 15 or more calendar days before the contest or competition,

>were not recruited,

>are not in violation of the awards* rule, and

>meet the specific eligibility requirements for academic, music and/or athletic competition.

 

Eligibility for Academic Contests

>meet all the requirements above, and

>have not changed schools for the purpose of participating in a UIL academic contest.

 

Eligibility for Music Contests

>meet all the requirements above, and

>have not changed schools for the purpose of participating in a UIL music contest.

 

Eligibility for Athletic Contests

>meet all the requirements above,

>are less than 19 years old on September 1 preceding the contest,

>live with their parents inside the school district attendance zone their first year of

  attendance (see your school administrator for exceptions),

>have not moved for athletic purposes,

>have not violated the athletic amateur rule*,

>were eligible according to the fifteen day rule and the residence rule prior to district certification.

            *See the amateur rule and awards rules in this document.

Awards rule

Protect your UIL eligibility by checking with your principal or contest sponsor before you accept an award or prize for competing in any UIL contest.  For example, you could lose your eligibility if you accept awards or prizes (such as certificates, merchandise, trophies, etc.) based on your performance in UIL contests from a local booster club, civic group, newspaper, etc.

Students who participate in school tournaments or meets may accept symbolic trophies, medals, plaques, or ribbons provided they are presented by the organization conducting the tournament or meet.

What parents can do

>Help the UIL conduct fair and equitable competition by adhering to rules, upholding the law, and respecting authority.

>Realize officials are human and will make mistakes, but their decisions must be respected.

>Delegate authority to schools and then back up the decisions made by the schools.  If you desire a policy change, determine at what level the change should be made (with the coach, principal, superintendent, school board); then discuss your point of view reasonably at that level.

>Help your children and their friends understand that competition is a learning experience and should be fun, and that those who do their best are winners.

>Be aware of capabilities and limitations of young people; don't have undue expectations.

>Let your children live their own lives, not relive your life.

>Be involved in areas other than those of your own child, thus contributing to overall school unity and spirit.

>Show respect for your children's opponents.

>Be careful not to criticize other youngsters.

>Be attentive to the needs and wants of other students who may not have parents who care.

>Help your children and their friends develop integrity through the intensity of competitive activity.

 

 

Hello PATRIOT Parents,

This letter is to let you know of team rules and expectations and schedules.  Your signature is required and is to be returned before your son or daughter can participate.  This is high school athletics, not college or the pro's.  It is also a lot different from youth or community leagues.  Here are some things you may expect:            * players will be treated fairly

            *coaches will have a desire and enthusiasm to work with young people

            *coaches will provide a high level of instruction

            *coaches and the school will emphasize academics over athletics

            *the environment will be safe.

 

Parents have no say in the following:

            *the team's style of play

            *who starts, what position or how long they play

            *team rules

            *schedule of practices or games

 

Junior Varsity

The purpose of the JV is to do the following:

            *further develop the skills of the athlete

            *increase the intensity of competition

            *prepare for varsity level

            *place more emphasis on winning, but not to the extent of the varsity level

            *provide opportunities for playing time as game conditions merit

 

The JV team will consist primarily of freshmen and sophomores.  They must exhibit the proper skills and attitudes that indicate a potential varsity performer over the next two years.  In some circumstances a junior who shows the potential to be a varsity starter or key contributor as a senior may play on the JV if the varsity is particularly strong at his/her position.

Varsity

The purpose of the varsity is to do the following:

            *develop skills and conditioning of the athlete

            *allow the talented athlete the chance to excel to the next level

            *provide opportunities to learn to set goals, strive to achieve them, and serve as role models for  younger athletes

            *the focus of the program is to win

 

The varsity will consist of primarily juniors and seniors, but freshmen and sophomores who have demonstrated the ability to be starters or key contributors also may be on the varsity.

 

Regardless of the level, each year every player must demonstrate the skills needed to be a member of the team.  No player is guaranteed in a position in the present year simply because he was on the team the previous year.

 

 

Off-Season Rules

 

1.     All students must go through off-season to participate in next years sports.

2.     If a student gets out of athletics for any reason he/she may not get back in without the Athletic Director's approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent/Student

Acknowledgment Form

 

I, the undersigned have read and acknowledge the rules set forth in this manual by the administration and staff at Prairiland High School for the students participation in the various UIL athletic events provided at PHS.

 

The Prairiland Coaches will work to provide the very best opportunities for all athletes to achieve their individual highest level of success. When the athletes do this, the programs will be more successful. Coaches need the support of all parents. The coaches are always happy to visit with parents concerning the best possible way to work with their child. HOWEVER, AFTER A GAME IS NOT A TIME FOR A PARENT/COACH MEETING. REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME, THE COACH HAS MANY THINGS ON HIS/HER MIND AT THAT PARICULAR TIME. IF THE ISSUE INVOLVES A QUESTION PERTAINING TO THE CHILD'S PLAYING TIME OR A PROBLEM INVOLVING A COACHING DECISION, THE PARENT USUALLY NEEDS SOME TIME TO TALK TO THEIR CHILD AND THINK ABOUT THE ISSUE BEFORE TALKING WITH THE COACH. PARENTS YOU MAY CALL THE OFFICE THE DAY AFTER A GAME AND SET UP A CONFERENCE WITH THE COACH.

 

 

______________________________________      _________________________________________

Student's Signature                                                Parent's Signature

 

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