Underwood
Eagles
Track
Athlete Handbook
2016
USE COMMON SENSE, AND GO BY ALL SCHOOL POLICIES.
Eligibility Policy:
Track members are responsible for being familiar with all eligibility rules stated in the Student
Activities Policy found in the Student Handbook. First and foremost you are a student, athlete
second!
Use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited. Including any athlete that is in the
mere presence of alcohol or drugs without adult presence will be considered an offense.*
Violation of this policy will result in being declared ineligible for participation as spelled out in
School District Board Policy.
Ineligible students are expected to take part in all phases of track including practices, meetings,
etc. as determined by the coaching staff.
Ineligible students do not leave early or travel with the team.
Ineligible students do not wear school-issued uniforms at home meets, but are expected to attend.
Attendance Policy:
Track members are responsible for being familiar with all attendance policies as stated in the
Student Activities Policy found in the Student Handbook.
Promptness is a must. Be ready at set time. Practice starts at 3:45.
All athletes and managers must be in attendance at school by 9:00 a.m. or have a prior in order to
participate in practice or a track meet for that day.
Absence from practice will not be tolerated. If you are going to miss practice get excused in
advance. Injured athletes must attend practice. If you are sick call the school (566-2332). This
must be done in advance. If you attend school, you attend practice. If you become sick at 3:30
we will evaluate that at that time.
There are two types of absences: Excused and Unexcused
EXCUSED: Illness, medical appointment, funeral, personal family business and absences in
which the coach has been given prior notification. However, an athlete should always make
every effort to contact the coach. If a coach cannot be notified, the next person to try to contact
would be the activities director. NOTE: Participation in required school events will not carry
any penalty. We do not want to penalize the individual or the team for an excused missed
practice, but want to give those who are in attendance the priority.
UNEXCUSED: The coach has not been notified prior to the absence (not including
emergencies). If the coach is notified prior to the absence and does not believe the reason for the
absence is warranted, the absence may be unexcused (hair appointments, shopping, business
that may be handled at other times, jobs, non-school sponsored activities). Consequence for
unexcused absence from practice: 1st Offense- The athlete will be ineligible for the next
competition. 2nd Offense- The athlete will be ineligible for the next 2 meets, and so on.
Policy On Who Competes At The Varsity Level
We are all a part of the TEAM. Everyone on the team makes valuable contributions toward the
success of the TEAM.
The stopwatch and tape measure will mainly determine who competes at the varsity level.
Example: Athlete A runs a 51 second 400 meter dash and athlete B runs a 55 second 400 meter
dash. Athlete A will compete ahead of athlete B. This is an objective decision. Practice
attendance and consistency will also determine who competes at the varsity level. If the athlete
cannot be trusted to be at practice or run/throw/jump consistently the athlete may not be able to
compete at the varsity level.
If you ever have a question or concern regarding track and the progress of yourself or your
athlete please contact any member of our coaching staff. The decision of who competes is solely
one of the coaching staff. The coaches are at practice every day and are the track professionals.
Lettering Requirements
1. Athletes must be alcohol and drug free. Any athlete that is in the mere presence of
alcohol or drugs without adult presence will be considered an offense. *
2. Athletes must participate in 75% of the varsity meets during the season.
3. Coach reserves the right to letter an athlete who he feels would have lettered due to
injury.
4. Coach reserves the right to letter an athlete who falls short of the meet participation
criteria but who is vital contributor to the team.
5. Any senior that has participated in track for all four years will receive a letter,
assuming they abide by the team rules and expectations.
* In “the mere presence of” phrase is open to interpretation. The intent of the rule will be followed.
There may be exceptions to this rule. Situations and circumstances will be considered. An example can
be if an athlete goes to a place, discovers alcohol is being served with no adult supervision. Athlete
immediately leaves the property. Although the athlete was technically in the mere presence of alcohol,
they will not be considered to be in fraction of the training rules since he left immediately. Although
these questions would be considered: What is immediate? What if he stayed 5 minutes or 15 minutes?
What if a friend who drove him uses the rest room and then left? What if the police issued them a citation
as they were leaving the driveway? Again, the intent of this rule will be followed. All requirements will
be at the discretion of the coaching staff.
General Information
Respect yourself, your teammates, managers and coaches. Managers are part of the team and
help the team succeed. Treat them with the utmost respect.
Please bring any questions or concerns to the coaching staff. Your wellbeing is our number one
concern. If you need anything feel free to come to us. We are here because we love what we do.
The calendar is always subject to change. Please be flexible.
An athlete may leave an event with his parents/guardians after the parents/guardians have signed
the sign out sheet. Coach Ridder or Coach Knowlton will have this. No students driving
themselves or riding with friends to or from an activity will be approved.
All members of the track team will be issued one uniform, which will be worn at all track meets.
All clothing worn under our uniforms will be white, blue or black. Each athlete is responsible
for the school issued uniform. Any lost items are the responsibility of the person to whom it was
issued to and he will be responsible for paying for that item.
General Conduct
1. This is your team and you must be concerned with its morale.
2. Team spirit is essential to any winning team. Contribute something to both team spirit
and morale. Do or say nothing that will break them down.
3. Pride is essential. Pride in one’s self, family, team and school. Be proud to be a member
of this team. Not everyone has what it takes.
4. Loyalty is essential. Never say anything bad about your teammates or coaches behind
their back. Never second-guess a teammate or a coach.
5. All for one and one for all. We will not tolerate arguments and hard feelings between
team members. Have love, pride and respect for each other.
6. You must be a gentleman off the track. We will not tolerate athletes causing trouble
around school or in the classroom. Do not expect special favors because you are an
athlete.
7. Only young men of high character will be on this team. Others could not pay the price.
8. Show respect for the managers. Theirs is a hard task.
9. Dedicate yourself to being the best. Show that “burning desire” to succeed.
10. Discipline is the key. You must show a tremendous amount of self-discipline to be
mentally tough. Never, ever break. Only you know if you are giving your best efforts.
11. Turn down things that will keep you from being a champion, even though you may
subject yourself to criticism for not “going along with the crowd.” This takes courage
sometimes. Show that you are made of the necessary stuff.
12. Remember that what you do on and off the track reflects on parents, teammates and
school. Be a credit to each of them.
13. Delete from your dictionary the words, “easy, can’t, soft, or quit.” If you have anything
to get off your chest, bring it to the coaches, in their office.
14. Last but not least, keep up your grades. Remember that your primary interest is in
education and track is secondary. Athletes who let down in their studies are usually the
ones who let down on the track.
Qualities Of A Great Underwood Track Athlete.
1. He is in school primarily to get an education. He attends class regularly and has regular
study habits. He is completely aware that it takes as much courage to excel academically
as to excel athletically.
2. He maintains good physical condition year around.
3. He is not merely a “meet athlete,” but one who has the will to prepare to win during the
week.
4. He is a team player who glories in a team victory.
5. He is disappointed by a defeat, but he reacts to defeat by making a more determined
effort, rather than by making excuses for the loss.
6. He has a burning desire to be a standout track athlete. He knows the great track athlete is
more relentless, better conditioned, more confident, has better poise and takes better
advantage of the breaks than the man against whom he is competing.
7. He constantly strives to improve by working on his weaknesses.
8. He goes into every practice session with enthusiastic reckless abandon.
9. He provides leadership by example and does not try to be an assistant coach.
10. He cooperates with all coaches, managers, custodians and bus drivers.
11. He is extremely punctual, and in fact, is early in attending meetings and practice sessions.
12. He is aware that during the season, the track squad is a brotherhood in itself.
13. He does not criticize teammates, even in jest.
14. He knows that there is no room for social problems on the track. All that is required is a
dedication to track.
15. He has a great desire to excel to win.
16. He has his sights set on a WIC Championship.
17. He has his sights set on a State Championship.