C. The student plays on a professional team or as an
individual professional athlete in that sport.
D. The student signs a contract whereby the student
agrees to compete in any athletic competition for
Consideration.It is not a violation for a high school student
to attend, and participate in a professional try-out camp,
provided that
(1) no compensation or expenses are paid to the student;
(2) the try-out lasts no longer than forty-eight hours; and
(3) if in the sport of baseball, the student’s participation is
otherwise in conformity with the National Federation
Major-Minor League Agreement.
E. The student sells or pawns the student’s athletic
achievement awards.
Section 3. Permissible Awards.
A. Member Schools: A student may accept, from the
student’s school, or a school-affiliated booster club, items
of apparel, a blanket, watch, ring, scroll, carry-on or warmup bag,photograph, medal, plaque, or similar award, with
appropriate institutional insignia or comparable
identification, upon completion of a season of participation
on a Team and/or for earning the official school letter or
award. The fair market value
of items provided to any such student shall not exceed
$200.
B. Sponsors of Athletic Events: A student may accept,
from the sponsor or sponsors of an athletic event or group
of athletic events, items of apparel, a blanket, watch, ring,
scroll,carry-on or warm-up bag, photograph, medal,
plaque, or similar award, with appropriate institutional
insignia or comparable identification, if the student
participated in the athletic event and/or earned an award
for an athletic event or events. The fair
market value of items provided to any such student shall
not exceed $200. Such sponsor or sponsors may also pay
the expenses for a student to participate in educational
programs,tours, and field trips provided by the sponsor or
sponsors in connection with the athletic event or events.
C. Media and Other Public Recognition: A student may
accept, from a non-profit service organization approved by
the Principal of the student’s school, or the news media,
items of apparel, a blanket, watch, ring, scroll, carry-on or
warm-up bag,photograph, medal, plaque, or similar award,
with appropriate institutional insignia or comparable
identification in recognition of the student’s athletic ability
or performance, and present the same at a time
appropriate to such recognition. The fair market
value of items provided to any such student shall not
exceed $200.
D. Banquets: Students may also attend, without charge
of admission, athletic banquets sponsored by the
institutions listed above in this Section 3.
E. Participation expenses: A student may accept, from a
school, and/or the sponsor of an athletic event or group of
athletic events, the reasonable and necessary expenses
for transportation,lodging, and/or meals incurred by the
student and/or the student's
Team for participation in an athletic event or events.
F. Payments to Schools: Nothing in this Section should
be deemed to prohibit the sponsor of any athletic event or
group of athletic events from providing to a school any
Consideration,provided that such Consideration is not
Coaches Handbook ARTICLE I(PIAA Regulations)
AGE
Preamble
The purposes of this ARTICLE are (1) to promote the
safety of traditional school-age participants in
interscholastic athletics;
(2) to prevent a Team from gaining a competitive
advantage by permitting more mature (physically,
mentally, and emotionally)students to participate in
interscholastic athletics; (3) todiscourage schools from
"red-shirting" students; and (4) to give more of an
opportunity for traditional-age students to participate
in interscholastic athletics.
Section 1. Maximum Age Rule.
A student shall be ineligible for interscholastic athletic
competition upon attaining the age of nineteen years, with
the following exception:
If the age of 19 is attained on or after July 1, the student
shall be eligible, age-wise, to compete through that school
year.
Section 2. How to Determine Age.
In determining the age of a student, the date of
birth as recorded in a State Bureau of Vital Statistics shall
be considered as conclusive if filed in a State Bureau of
Vital Statistics within one year after the date of birth. If a
birth record from a State Bureau of Vital Statistics is not
available, proof of a student’s age may be determined by
the submission of (1) a birth certificate which was issued
within one year after birth; (2) a passport with the date of
birth recorded thereon; (3) an affidavit by the parent(s) or
guardian(s) filed not later than one year after the student’s
admission to the first grade of an elementary
school; or (4) the earliest date of birth as recorded in the
records of the school or schools attended by the student.
In the event of the non-existence of any of these
documents, the Principal may rely upon the most credible
available evidence as to the actual date of birth.
AMATEUR STATUS AND AWARDS
Section 1. Amateur Status Required.
To be eligible to participate in an Inter-School Practice,
Scrimmage, and/or Contest, a student must be an
amateur in the sport involved. An amateur student is one
who engages in athletic competition solely for the
educational, physical, mental,social, and pleasure benefits
derived thereof.Where the official rules for a sport
provided for under
ARTICLE XVIII of these By-Laws establish requirements
for amateur status, such requirements shall govern to the
extent inconsistent with this ARTICLE II.
Section 2. Loss of Amateur Status.
A student loses amateur status in an interscholastic sport
whenever:
A. The student or the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s),
receives compensation, other Consideration, or an award
not permitted under Section 3 hereof, for or related to the
student’s athletic ability, participation, performance,
services, or training in a sport.
B. The student receives Consideration for becoming a
member of an athletic organization or school.
17
made with the assurance or understanding that all or
some of such Consideration is to be then conveyed by the
school to any individual student-athletes.
G. College Recruiting: A student may accept from an
institution of higher education which the student visits in
connection with the student’s prospective or possible
attendance there as a college student, reasonable
expenses necessitated by such visit, and free admission
to home athletic events of such institution which occur
during such visit.
Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form ("CIPPE
Form").
Section 2. Certification.
By signing the PIAA CIPPE Form, the Authorized Medical
Examiner certifies that the student is physically fit to
commence Practice and participate in Inter-School
Practices, Scrimmages and/or Contests in the sport(s)
approved by the student's parent.
In certifying whether a student is physically fit to
participate in Practices, Inter-School Practices,
Scrimmages and Contests in a particular sport(s), the
Authorized Medical Examiner (a) is expected to have or, if
not already in possession of it, obtain, a working
understanding of the physical requirements of the
sport(s) in which the student is to Practice and participate;
(b)should review a health history of the student; and (c)
should perform a CIPPE appropriate for the sport(s) for
which certification is being sought.
Section 3. Re-Certification.
Any student who (1) previously participated in PIAA
interscholastic athletic competition pursuant to a CIPPE;
and (2)is seeking to participate in Practices, Inter-School
Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests in subsequent
sport(s) in the same school year, must, not earlier than six
weeks prior to the first Practice day of the next sports
season, complete and turn in to that student’s Principal the
Re-Certification by Parent/Guardian part of the CIPPE
Form. The Principal, or Principal's designee,of that
student's school must review the Supplemental Health
History of that student and, if any Supplemental Health
History questions are either checked yes or circled, shall
require that student to submit a completed Section 6, ReCertification by Licensed Physician of Medicine or
Osteopathic Medicine, to the Principal, or Principal’s
designee of that student’s school prior to that student’s
additional participation in interscholastic athletics.
Section 4. Timing.
The CIPPE may not be performed earlier than June 1st and
shall be effective, regardless of when performed during a
school year, until the next May 31st.
. ARTICLE IV
CONSENT OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN
Section 1. Consent of Parent or Guardian Necessary
Before
Student Begins Practice.
Except as otherwise provided in this ARTICLE, a student
shall be eligible to participate in Practices, Inter-School
Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests in each sport only
when there is on file with the student’s Principal, or the
Principal’s designee, a certificate of consent, which is
signed by the student’s parent or guardian. The only valid
certificate of consent is the PIAA Parent’s/Guardian’s
Certificate
ARTICLE V
HEALTH
Preamble
Participation in interscholastic athletic competition is
intended to develop and strengthen the body and
character of the participant. Participation can also be, and
often is expected to be, demanding and stressful.
Participation in contact sports may further provide
heightened exposure of the athlete to communicable
diseases, illnesses, and/or injuries. While injuries
are an inherent risk of any physical activity, and the
avoidance of all illnesses not realistic, PIAA believes that
the risk of such injuries and illnesses can be minimized
through proper Coaching, training, and supervision. PIAA
further believes that all students should have a thorough
pre-participation physical evaluation, by an Authorized
Medical Examiner, to ensure that there are present no
obvious illnesses and/or injuries, which would place the
student or others of enhanced risk or injury through the
student’s participation in interscholastic athletics.Finally,
PIAA believes that a review and re-certification of some
students is necessary prior to their participation in their
next sport season.
INTERPRETATION
December 29, 1959, as amended May 26 and July 22,
1982;July 22, 1983; July 19, 1996; April 6 and October
5, 2002;July 27, 2006; and July 25, 2008.
The minimum wrestling weight at which a student may
wrestle must be certified to by an Authorized Medical
Examiner no earlier than six weeks prior to the first
Regular Season Contest day in that sport. The minimum
wrestling weight is to be recorded on the CIPPE Minimum
Wrestling Weight form, which is placed on file with the
student’s Principal, or the Principal’s designee.
Section 1. Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation
Physical Evaluation.
Section 6. Feeder Schools for Private Schools.
No student shall be eligible to participate in Practices,
Inter-School Practices, Scrimmages and/or Contests
unless the student has completed a comprehensive initial
pre-participation physical evaluation ("CIPPE") performed
by an Authorized Medical Examiner, and the Authorized
Medical Examiner has completed the PIAA omprehensive
Any member Private senior high School may submit to
PIAA a list designating its Feeder Schools. Such
submission is necessary for the schools to be recognized
as Feeder Schools for a particular school. The list of
designated Feeder Schools shall be signed and submitted
17
by the Principal and shall be certified as correct (a) in the
case of Catholic schools under either Archdiocesan or
Diocesan jurisdiction, by the Archdiocesan or Diocesan
Superintendent of Schools, or (b) in the case of other
member Private senior high Schools, by the
Superintendent or by the President of the Board having
jurisdiction over the member Private senior high School.
Upon any change in its list of Feeder Schools, that
member Private senior high School shall submit to PIAA a
list of those changes,signed and certified in the same
manner as is required for the
original identification of its Feeder Schools. Upon
submission, for purposes of the PIAA Constitution and ByLaws, this list shall constitute the schools in the member
Private senior high
School’s “school district.” Where a Catholic junior
high/middle School under either Archdiocesan or
Diocesan jurisdiction disagrees with its being
designated as a Feeder School for a particular member
Private senior high School, or where such a school is
designated as a Feeder School by multiple member
Private senior high Schools, the designation(s) by the
Archdiocesan or Diocesan Superintendent of Schools
shall control. If any other Private junior high/middle School
disagrees with it being designated as a
Feeder School for a particular member Private senior high
School, the Private junior high/middle School shall so
designate the member Private senior high School(s) for
which it is a Feeder School and such designation shall
control. For the purpose of providing for participation at a
member Private senior high School of seventh and eighth
grade students enrolled at Feeder Schools of that member
Private senior high School, such Feeder Schools may
collectively apply for membership as a single Private junior
high/middle School. In such instance, PIAA shall
recognize the Principal of that member Private senior high
School as the Principal of the collective
member Private junior high/middle School created for this
purpose.
Section 7. Recruiting.
One of the purposes of this ARTICLE is to deter recruiting
which is materially motivated in some way by an athletic
purpose. Recruiting for athletic purposes is directly
contrary to fundamental interests of PIAA and its member
schools and any school engaged in such conduct should
do so with the expectation that it will be treated harshly
upon proof of such conduct. Recruiting which is materially
motivated in some way by an athletic purpose is contrary
to the fundamental objectives of (1) keeping athletics in
their proper place and subordinate to academics; (2)
protecting student-athletes from "exploitation" by
adults and those having interests which might not be
consistent with those of the student; and (3) maintaining
competitive equity and a level playing field among PIAA
member schools. Recruiting which is materially motivated
in some way by an athletic purpose is defined as efforts by
a school, or any of its employees, agents, or
representatives, to engage in, support, or condone
conduct whereby a motivating factor is to seek out one
or more athletes to attend a particular school; to promote a
school's athletic program or personnel other than as part
of the overall program at the school; and/or, to provide
preferential treatment or attention to prospective enrollees
who are athletes.
A. Upon a Regional Panel’s or District Committee’s, within
their respective jurisdictions, receipt of:
either (1) a signed complaint from the Principal of a
PIAA member school, or (2) otherwise credible information
that (a) a representative of a school’s Athletic Personnel,
or any other person affiliated with the school, influenced,
persuaded, or attempted to influence or persuade one or
more students, or one or more parents or guardians of
such student(s), or an adult with whom the student(s)
reside, to Transfer to, or otherwise obtain athletic eligibility
at, that school for the purpose of participating in athletics
at that school, or (b) the school, its Athletic Personnel
and/or
individuals affiliated with the school in other ways engaged
in recruiting of students for an athletic purpose, the
Regional Panel or District Committee shall give notice to
the school of such complaint or credible information and
shall convene a hearing to consider whether any such
individuals or the school, by itself or through its Athletic
Personnel or other persons affiliated with the school, has
engaged in recruiting of students for the purpose of
participating in athletics.
B. The following is an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of
situations which may indicate recruiting which is materially
motivated in some way by an athletic purpose:
1. Placing an advertisement in a newspaper or other
literature directed toward prospective recruits touting the
athletic successes of a school's Teams and/or students.
NOTE: A comprehensive brochure or comparable piece of
literature discussing all or most aspects of the school,
including, but not focusing on, the athletic program, will not
be deemed to constitute recruiting for an athletic purpose.
2. Providing a student-athlete of another school,
including a lower level school, other than a Feeder School
of
that senior high school, with free transportation, tickets, or
admissions to a Contest, unless such free transportation,
tickets, or admissions are made available to all students,
or to all students at the same school, or to all students in
the same grade level at the same school. To promote
interest in youth sports programs, member senior high
schools may also provide free, or reduced-price,
admission to Contests for all members of youth sports
Teams, provided that public senior high schools make
such offer only to Teams based within the geographic
boundaries of their public school district and member
Private senior high Schools make such offer only to
Teams affiliated with that school's sponsoring
entities or organization(s) or where at least 50% of the
Team members attend a Feeder School for that member
Private senior high School.
3. Using AAU or other amateur athletic Coaches to
steer students to a particular school.
4. Offering, to an athlete, scholarships or financial aid
that is not available to other students at the school.
5. Encouraging the parents or relatives of an athlete
attending a school, other than a Feeder School of that
senior high school, to influence the student to enroll at that
school to play sports there.
6. Promising playing time or a position on a Team to a
17
student.
7. Meeting with athletes of a school, other than a
Feeder School of that member senior high school,
individually or as a group, to encourage them to enroll at a
particular school.
NOTE: This does not prohibit meeting with students who
attend a school open house, which is open to all potential
enrollees of that school. This also does not prohibit school
personnel from visiting non-Feeder Schools of that
member senior high school and speaking with entire
classes, which may include athletes. The use of Athletic
Personnel to engage in visits to non-Feeder Schools of a
member senior high school is not prohibited but may be
determined, following a hearing, to be recruiting for an
athletic purpose if a focus of the appearance was on
athletics, athletes, or promotion of the Athletic Personnel's
role as a Coach or member or representative of the
athletic department.
8. Providing transportation or other inducements to
any prospective student-athlete to take a qualifying
examination at a school or to meet with school officials,
unless such opportunities are provided to all students at a
particular school or grade level.
9. Athletic Personnel of a member senior high school
directly, or through another person, encouraging a student
or the parents of a student attending a school, other than a
Feeder School of that member senior high school, to have
the student enroll at the school of the Athletic Personnel.
NOTE: This restriction does not prohibit school personnel
from responding to purely student - or student family initiated inquiries to the personnel about athletic programs
at the school.
10. Providing any item with school advertisement (such
as shirts, pennants, caps, jackets, etc.) unless such offer
is
made to all students of a particular school or class.
11. Athletic Personnel of a member senior high school
attending a lower level school Contest and, immediately
before, during, or after the Contest, speaking to or with the
players from one or both Teams. The Athletic Personnel
are, however, permitted to speak to or with players from a
Feeder School of the Athletic Personnel's school. NOTE:
This restriction does not prohibit Athletic Personnel from
simply attending and observing any Contest nor does it
prohibit Athletic Personnel from having contact with
students on a Team, if the Athletic Personnel's son(s)
and/or daughter(s) is (are) on that Team.
12. Participation by a student in non-school athletics
(i.e. AAU, American Legion, club settings, etc.) on a Team
that is affiliated with any school other than the school
which the student attends, or attended the prior year,
followed by a Transfer by that student to the affiliated
school. A Team affiliated with a school is one that is
organized by and/or coached by any member of the
Coaching staff at, or any other person affiliated with, that
school; and/or on which the majority of the members of the
Team (participants in Practice and/or competition) are
students who attend that school.
13. Organizing, leading, or participating in a sports
camp or clinic or speaking at a sports banquet or function
are not, by themselves, considered to be recruiting for an
athletic purpose. However, if the Athletic Personnel
involved in the camp, clinic, or speech use the opportunity
to promote their own school, such effort may be deemed
to constitute recruiting for an athletic purpose.
C. If the Regional Panel or District Committee, within their
respective jurisdictions, finds that the school, a
representative of the school’s Athletic Personnel, or any
other person, affiliated with the school, approached a
student, or a parent or guardian of that student, or an adult
with whom that student resides, and attempted to
influence and/or influenced that student to Transfer
to that school for the purpose of participating in athletics at
that school, or otherwise engaged in recruiting which is
materially motivated in some way by an athletic purpose,
the offending school will be subject to any of the penalties
described in ARTICLE XIII, PENALTIES, of the PIAA ByLaws.
D. Any person determined to have engaged in recruiting
which is materially motivated in some way by an athletic
purpose shall be disqualified from Coaching any athletic
Teams of PIAA members for a period of at least one year.
INTERPRETATIONS
December 17, 2010.
For purposes of this ARTICLE, participation in a sport is
deemed to include seasons of participation by both
genders in that sport. A student participating in girls'
soccer, for example, is deemed to have also participated
in boys' soccer for that school year. The following sports
are subject to this Interpretation: basketball, bowling, cross
country, golf, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving,
tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), volleyball, and
water polo.
January 29, 2010.
A student who remains in the student’s present school
after the student, the student’s parent(s), legal
guardian(s), or foster parent(s), as applicable, has
changed residence to another public school district shall
retain eligibility at that school until such time as the
student seeks eligibility to participate in interscholastic
athletics at another school.
October 22, 1960; as amended January 31, 2004.
A student, who upon release from a correctional institution
to which the student was assigned by the court, returns to
the school of the student’s home public school district, is
eligible immediately.
December 2, 1983.
A student who Transfers to and attends a school upon the
affidavit of a resident of the public school district is subject
to ARTICLE VI to the same extent as any other student.
Section 1. December 28, 1966; as amended July 25,
2008.
A student enrolled on a full-time basis in a high school,
who takes college courses on a part-time basis, is not
considered to have transferred because of taking the
college courses.
Section 1. April 1, 1950; as amended January 31, 2004.
A student who takes summer school courses is not
considered to have transferred.
17
ARTICLE X
CURRICULUM
Section 1.
To be eligible for interscholastic athletic competition, a
student must pursue a curriculum defined and approved
by the Principal as a full-time curriculum. Where required,
this curriculum or its equivalent must be approved by, and
conform to, the regulations of the State Board of
Education and the Pennsylvania School Code, as well as
any local policies established by the local School Board.
The student must be passing at least four full-credit
subjects, or the equivalent. Eligibility shall be cumulative
from the beginning of a grading period, shall be reported
on a weekly basis, and shall be filed in the Principal’s
office. Where a student’s cumulative work from the
beginning of the grading period does not as of any Friday
meet the standards provided for in this Section, the
student shall be ineligible from the immediately following
Sunday through the Saturday immediately following the
next Friday as of which the student’s cumulative work from
the beginning of the grading period meets the standards
provided for in this Section. Where a school is closed on a
Friday for any reason, the Principal may, at the Principal’s
election, determine whether the student as of that
day meets the standards provided for in this Section.
Section 2.
To be eligible for interscholastic athletics, a student must
have passed at least four full-credit subjects, or the
equivalent, during the previous grading period, except as
provided in Section 5.Back work may be made up,
providing it is in accordance with the regular rules of the
school.
said student shall be ineligible to participate in
interscholastic athletics for at least fifteen (15) school days
of the next grading period where the school has four (4)
grading periods per school year, or for at least ten (10)
school days of the next grading period where the school
has six (6) grading periods per school year, beginning on
the first day report cards are issued, except as provided in
Section 5.
Section 4. New Students Must Meet Eligibility
Requirements On Curriculum.
Students who are enrolled for the first time must comply
with the requirements of the curriculum rules. The
standing required for the preceding week, the preceding
grading period or the preceding year shall be obtained
from the records of the last school which the student has
attended.
Section 5. Use of Final Credits at End of School Year.
At the end of the school year, the student’s final credits in
the student’s subjects rather than the student’s credits for
the last grading period shall be used to determine the
student’s eligibility for the next grading period.
INTERPRETATION
December 7, 1985; as amended May 11, 2002.
Students whose work does not meet the standards
provided for in ARTICLE X, who attend summer school
and correct their deficiencies, shall be eligible.
ARTICLE XII
ATHLETIC RELATIONS
Section 1. Teams which PIAA Member Schools may
Play.
A. No Inter-School Practice, Scrimmage, or Contest may
be played with a Team not sponsored and controlled by a
public school or Private School nor any school not
belonging to PIAA, unless the non-PIAA member school’s
eligibility rules for school, Team, and contestants meet the
requirements of PIAA. All Contests shall be played
pursuant to ARTICLE XVIII, Official Rules for Sports. This
requirement does not apply to Contests played outside of
Pennsylvania where the opponent school is not a member
of PIAA.
B. Regular Season Scrimmages and/or Contests with
alumni, where authorized by the school, are permitted in
all sports except in Football and Wrestling. Such
Scrimmages and/or Contests shall count against the
maximum permitted number of Regular Season InterSchool Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests in the
applicable sport.
INTERPRETATIONS
Section 1-A. July 27, 2006; as amended October 8,
2010.
PIAA member senior high schools may participate in InterSchool Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests against
non-PIAA member senior high schools that (1) are in good
standing with their respective National Federation of State
High School Association (NFHS)-member state high
school associations and (2) have on their Teams’ rosters
junior high or middle school students enrolled in the 7th
and/or 8th grades. However, PIAA member senior high
schools are not permitted to use students
INTERPRETATIONS
Sections 1 and 2. October 6, 2001.
Whenever students spend approximately double the
amount of time in class under "block" scheduling in
comparison to "traditional" scheduling, a credit that a
student is carrying under "block" scheduling would be the
equivalent of two credits under "traditional" scheduling in
determining athletic academic eligibility, except when
eligibility is determined by final credits at the end of the
school year.
Section 2. July 21, 1983; as amended December 7,
1985;
and May 11, 2002.
ARTICLE X, Section 2 sets only the minimum academic
standards for interscholastic athletic eligibility. Since the
standards are minimum ones (passing “at least” four fullcredit subjects), PIAA member schools may adopt higher
or more stringent academic standards, but may not have
lower academic standards.
Section 2. July 22, 1982; as amended December 7,
1985.
A student who has passed subjects which, in the
aggregate, total at least four credits has passed the
equivalent of four full credit subjects.
Section 3.
In cases where a student’s work in any preceding grading
period does not meet the standards provided for in Section
2,
17
Section 1. Expulsion.
A school that has been expelled from membership in PIAA
may not apply for readmission for a period of three (3)
school years following expulsion. Thereafter, and upon
demonstration to the satisfaction of the PIAA Board of
Directors that the reasons for expulsion have been
remedied, the expelled school may be readmitted to
membership. A school may be expelled:
A. If the Principal is not responsible for the control of
interscholastic athletics in the PIAA member school.
B. If it refuses to abide by the decisions of the District
Committee, Regional Panel, or the Board of Directors,
within their respective jurisdictions.
Section 2. Suspension.
Suspension may consist of suspension of a school from
membership in PIAA, or suspension of one or more of a
school’s Teams from interscholastic athletic competition
with PIAA member schools.
A school or its Team(s) may be suspended:
A. For breach of contracts with other schools.
B. For playing a suspended school.
C. For persistent breach of contracts with Contest officials.
D. For knowingly using an ineligible Coach and/or
contestant.
E. For neglecting to provide reasonable safeguards for the
protection of Contest officials and visiting Teams.
F. For flagrant violation of the Constitution, By-Laws,
Policies and Procedures, and/or Rules and Regulations of
PIAA.
G. When the conduct of its administration, faculty,
Coaches, Teams, students, or Team followers is
unsportsmanlike and results in actions which are
detrimental to
individual, school, and/or public welfare and/or which are
prejudicial to the purpose of PIAA.
H. For refusal or failure to abide by the decisions of the
District Committee, Regional Panel, or the Board of
Directors,
within their respective jurisdictions.
I. For violation of terms of probation imposed by the
District Committee, Regional Panel, or the Board of
Directors, within their respective jurisdictions.
A suspension may be for a defined period of time or may
be indefinite. If the suspension is for an indefinite period of
time, the District Committee, Regional Panel, or the Board
of Directors, within their respective jurisdictions, may also
impose conditions which must be met prior to the lifting of
the suspension and the suspended school must apply to
the body imposing the
suspension to lift the suspension.
Section 3. Forfeiture of Contests.
A. Mandatory Forfeiture.
To remedy any possible harm to opponents from
participation by an ineligible student or Coach, and to
remove any incentive for such participation, a school shall
be required to forfeit all Contests in which an ineligible
student participated and/or an ineligible Coach coached
on behalf of the school, regardless of whether the
ineligibility was known at the time of participation and/or
Coaching or discovered later. The burden of
ensuring that a student is eligible to participate and/or a
Coach is eligible to Coach rests entirely on the student,
enrolled in the 7th and/or 8th grades on their Teams in such
Inter-School Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests,
unless otherwise authorized under these By-Laws.
Section 1A. May 11, 2002.
Where it is deemed necessary by the respective School
Boards, and/or Boards having jurisdiction over the
schools, for students and/or Teams from different schools
to share facilities at the same time, those students and/or
Teams are not considered to be engaging in a Contest,
Scrimmage, or Inter-School Practice so long as the
students and/or Teams do not interact by competing
against or Practicing with each other.
Section 1B. July 24, 2009.
Except as provided in ARTICLE XII, ATHLETIC
RELATIONS, Section 1B and ARTICLE XIV, COACHES,
Section
2, What Constitutes Coaching, of the PIAA By-Laws, no
person who has graduated or withdrawn from high school
is eligible to participate in Practices, Inter-School
Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests.
Section 2. Practices, Inter-School Practices,
Scrimmages, and Contests Limited to Six Days Per
Calendar Week During Regular Season.
No Team, no individual member or members of such
Team, and no individual representing any PIAA member
school, may Practice or participate in an Inter-School
Practice, Scrimmage, Contest, and/or Open Gym on more
than six days in any Calendar Week during the Regular
Season.
ARTICLE XIII
PENALTIES
Preamble
As a guiding principle, a penalty imposed by PIAA should
be broad and severe if the violation or violations reflect a
general disregard for the PIAA Constitution, By-Laws,
Policies and Procedures, and/or Rules and Regulations; in
those instances where the violation or violations are
isolated and of relative insignificance, then the penalty
should be more specific and limited. Previous violations of
the PIAA Constitution, By-Laws, Policies and Procedures,
and/or Rules and Regulations shall be a contributing factor
in determining the degree of penalty. All PIAA member
schools shall cooperate fully with PIAA District
committees, Regional Panels, and/or the PIAA Board of
Directors, within their respective jurisdictions, to further the
objectives of PIAA and to investigate incidents relating to
disciplinary matters and application of the PIAA
Constitution, By-Laws, Policies and Procedures, and/or
Rules and Regulations. All PIAA member schools shall
make available, upon request by the District Committee,
Regional Panel, and/or the Board of Directors, documents
relating to a particular incident and shall further make
available for questioning Principals, Athletic Directors,
Coaches, student-athletes, and other school and/or
Team personnel whose testimony may be desired by the
District Committee, Regional Panel, and/or the Board of
Directors.
17
Coach, and Principal of the school. For a Coach,
participation in a Contest, after which the Coach is
disqualified, includes any contact by the Coach with
members of the Team, including other Coaches,
between a reasonable time after the Coach is disqualified
and the conclusion of the Contest.
in applying a Contest rule such that a Coach and/or
contestant was disqualified under a rule not applicable to
that sport or which did not provide for disqualification. The
judgment of the official regarding the conduct of the Coach
and/or contestant may not be challenged.
Misidentification of a person and/or misapplication of a
rule
appeals shall be submitted to, and resolved by, the
Executive
Director. Such appeals will be considered only if they are
brought to the attention of the Executive Director in
sufficient
time to permit reasoned consideration prior to the next
Contest.
Such appeals may be denied for lack of timely submission
of
adequate evidence. The Executive Director's decision may
not
be appealed.
Section 9. Violations by Individuals.
A. Rectifying Action by School.
If it is determined that a school's administration, faculty,
Coaches, Teams, students, or Team followers engaged in
flagrant misconduct and/or conduct which violates one or
more provisions of the Constitution, By-Laws, Policies and
Procedures, and/or Rules and Regulations of PIAA, and/or
misconduct which is contrary to the purposes of PIAA, that
school may be directed by its District Committee, Regional
Panel, or, if the conduct occurred in an Inter-District
Contest, by the Executive Director or Board of Directors,
within their respective jurisdictions, to impose appropriate
discipline upon such persons or to take other rectifying
action for such conduct. PIAA may require the school to
take specified rectifying action and/or to impose specified
appropriate discipline upon such persons as a condition
for not imposing penalties upon the school for flagrant
misconduct and/or violations of the Constitution, By-Laws,
Policies and Procedures, and/or Rules and Regulations by
the individuals enumerated in this Section. The failure of a
school to impose such directed discipline or to take
directed rectifying action may subject that school to the
penalties set forth in Sections 1 through 7 of this
ARTICLE.
B. Punching, Striking, Biting, or Kicking by Contestant
or Coach.
1. A student-athlete who, immediately prior to, during, or
immediately after a Contest, recklessly or with ill will or an
intent to harm, punches (striking with a closed fist), strikes,
bites, or kicks a contestant, Coach, an official, or any other
person attending the Contest; may be disqualified in that
sport by the Regional Panel or District Committee, within
their respective jurisdictions: (1) if the act was reckless, for
a period of time up to and including the remainder of that
sport’s season and, if the incident occurs with 1/3 or less
of that sport’s Regular Season remaining, for a period of
time up to and including one half of the following season in
the same sport, or (2) if the action was a punch or was
with ill will or an intent to harm, for a period of up to
one year from the date of the incident leading to the
disqualification or the date of the Regional Panel or District
Committee hearing. If such conduct occurs immediately
before, during, or
Section 8. Disqualification From Next Contest(s).
A. General Rule.
1. Mandatory Disqualification. Any Coach and/or
contestant who, while Coaching or competing for a PIAA
member school, is ejected from a Contest by a state high
school association recognized and/or registered official in
that sport for unsportsmanlike conduct or flagrant
misconduct shall be disqualified from Coaching and/or
participating for the remainder of the day and in all
Contests on the next Contest day of the same level
(varsity, junior varsity, or otherwise) of competition from
which the Coach and/or contestant was previously
disqualified. For a Coach, participation in the next Contest
includes any contact by the Coach with members of the
Team, including other Coaches, between the time that the
Team arrives at the Contest site and the conclusion of the
last Contest of the day.
Principal shall direct the Coach not to attend all of the
Contest(s).
2. Discretionary Disqualification. Upon the finding by
a District Committee, Regional Panel, or, if the conduct
occurred in an Inter-District Contest, by the Executive
Director or Board of Directors, within their respective
jurisdictions, that a student-athlete, Coach, and/or Team,
while Coaching or competing for a PIAA member school,
engaged in flagrant misconduct while on the premises
where a Contest is conducted, said student-athletes,
Coaches, and/or Teams may be disqualified from
participation in the next scheduled Contest following said
determination.
B. Disqualification From Last Contest of a Season.
Any Coach and/or contestant ejected from the last
Contest(s) in that sport in a sport season shall be
disqualified from Coaching and/or participating in the first
Contest(s) in that sport in the subsequent sport season, at
the same level (varsity, junior varsity, or otherwise) of
competition, at any PIAA member school or, if the Coach
and/or student changes levels of competition, such as
from junior varsity to varsity, the first Contest(s) in that
sport.
C. Reporting of Disqualification.
The official shall file a report with the PIAA Office on the
form prescribed for the sport involved, within twenty-four
(24) hours following the completion of the Contest in which
the ejection occurred. Failure to file such report shall not
affect the validity or consequences of the ejection.
D. Appeal of Disqualification.
Decisions of a Contest official to disqualify a Coach and/or
contestant are generally not subject to appeal. The only
exceptions to this rule are as follows:
1. Misidentification of a person: The person intended
by the Contest official to be disqualified was not the one
actually disqualified. This exception will not be considered
without input from the Contest official.
2. Misapplication of a rule: The Contest official erred
17
B. Neither the Public School Code nor the Regulations of
the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)
currently place restrictions on the hiring or qualification of
persons employed as Coaches in public schools. Upon
satisfactory compliance with applicable laws relating to
completion of required background checks, schools may
engage as Coaches any persons who meet their local
criteria.
C. To encourage the hiring of individuals who have
knowledge of the skills needed to Coach interscholastic
sports, PIAA endorses the National Federation of State
High School Associations (NFHS) Coach Education
Program and recommends that individuals hired as
Coaches successfully complete this or a similar
certification program designed to prepare Coaches in their
respective sports.
Section 2. What Constitutes Coaching.
Coaching is the provision of instruction, training,
conditioning, and/or direction to a Team, for the purpose of
developing athletic abilities and skills. In furtherance of
their responsibilities, and consistent with applicable
standards and practices relating to safety in individual
sports, Coaches may participate as they deem necessary
and appropriate in Practices and may provide sideline
Coaching assistance in Inter-School Practices,
Scrimmages, and Contests.
INTERPRETATION
Section 2. July 24, 2009.
Except as provided in ARTICLE XII, ATHLETIC
RELATIONS, Section 1B and ARTICLE XIV, COACHES,
Section 2, What Constitutes Coaching, of the PIAA ByLaw, no person who has graduated or withdrawn from
high school is eligible to participate in Practices, InterSchool Practices, Scrimmages, and/or Contests.
Section 3. Mandatory Rules Interpretation Meeting.
The head Coach of the Coaching staff of each PIAA
member senior high school Team must attend at least one
PIAA mandatory rules interpretation meeting each year for
each boys’ sport and each girls’ sport coached by that
staff. The Principal of a PIAA member senior high school
may appoint a representative of the Coaching staff to
attend said annual mandatory rules interpretation meeting
if the head Coach of the Coaching staff in the sport has
not yet been designated by the school. A PIAA member
senior high school that fails to have the head Coach of its
Coaching staff, or an appointed representative of the head
Coach of the Coaching staff, attend a minimum of one
PIAA mandatory rules interpretation meeting each year for
each boys’ sport and for each girls’ sport offered by the
school, and in which a PIAA mandatory rules interpretation
meeting is offered, shall pay a fine of $100.00 for nonattendance. Payment of said fine shall be made to PIAA
within 30 days of notification from PIAA that the head
Coach or representative of the head Coach of the
Coaching staff, if the head Coach of the Coaching
staff in the sport has not been designated by the school,
failed to attend the annual mandatory rules interpretation
meeting. If the fine is not paid within 30 days of
notification, the PIAA member school shall automatically
be placed on probation in all sports and shall automatically
forfeit the right to compete in District and
immediately after an Inter-District Championship Contest,
the Board of Directors may disqualify the student for the
remainder of the Postseason and, (1) if the conduct was
reckless, for a period of time up to and including one half
of the following season in the same sport; and (2) if the
conduct was a punch or was with ill will or an intent to
harm, for a period of up to one year from the date of the
incident leading to the disqualification or the date of the
Board of Directors’ hearing Where the punching, striking,
biting, or kicking results in injury to another competitor, the
student engaging in such conduct may further be
disqualified until the injured person is able to return to
competition. For purposes of this Section, an injury occurs
whenever the conduct results in (1) the struck
contestant, Coach, or official being unable to further
participate in that Contest or one or more subsequent
Contests because of the contact; and/or (2) the struck
person obtaining post-Contest medical treatment because
of the contact.
2. A Coach who, immediately prior to, during, or
immediately after a Contest, intentionally strikes, bites, or
kicks a contestant, Coach, an official, or any other person
in attendance at the Contest, or who punches a
contestant, Coach, an official, or any other person in
attendance at the Contest, shall be disqualified by the
Regional Panel or District Committee, within their
respective jurisdictions, (or Board of Directors if the
incident occurred at an Inter-District Contest) for a period
of not less than one year from the date of either the
incident leading to the suspension or the date of the
hearing to consider the matter.
INTERPRETATIONS
October 29, 1945, as amended October 3, 2008.
A Regional Panel or District Committee, within their
respective jurisdictions, has the power to suspend a
school where the school fails to provide police protection
for spectators, officials and competitors.
Sections 3 and 10. May 21, 1987; as amended January
30,
2009.
In sports in which individual events or matches are
conducted, use of an ineligible contestant in any event or
match will result in forfeiture of that event or match by that
student and of the entire Contest by the Team of which the
ineligible contestant is a member. Eligible students from all
involved Teams, who won their individual events or
matches, will not be required to forfeit their individual
victories. Additionally, in all
Contests, statistics for individual contestants, other than
that of the ineligible contestant(s), shall not be affected. All
statistics of the forfeiting contestant(s) shall be voided.
ARTICLE XIV
COACHES
Section 1. Who may Coach.
A. A Coach is a person (including volunteer high school
alumni, professional athletes, and citizens of the
community) engaged, either for an entire season or any
part thereof, by a school to provide Coaching to a Team.
PIAA does not impose any requirements or limitations on
the retention or hiring of paid or volunteer Coaches in
either public or Private Schools.
17
Inter-District Championship Contests in all sports until
such time as the fine is paid. PIAA recommends that the
head Coach of the Coaching staff of each PIAA member
junior high/middle school attend at least one PIAA
mandatory rules interpretation meeting each year
for each boys’ sport and for each girls’ sport coached by
that staff. If the head Coach of the Coaching staff for a
junior/middle school in a particular sport does not attend
the annual mandatory rules interpretation meeting, that
head Coach is required to meet with the respective senior
high school head Coach or appointed representative in
that sport for the purpose of obtaining all of the
information that was presented at the annual mandatory
rules interpretation meeting.
and on a voluntary basis, may participate on Teams that
are not affiliated with PIAA member schools during the
out-of season period. Coaches and other PIAA member
school personnel may not require a student to participate
in a sport or a training program for a sport outside of the
PIAA-defined sport’s season. The participation of students
in any sports activity that occurs outside of its defined
season must be voluntary; and
4. The school’s name, nickname, interscholastic
athletic uniform, interscholastic athletic equipment, and
interscholastic athletic health/first-aid supplies may not be
used by community organizations and groups. The
school’s name, nickname and interscholastic athletic
uniforms may not be used by students; however, the
Principal, with the exception of football equipment, may
permit students to use the school’s interscholastic athletic
equipment and the school’s interscholastic athletic
health/first-aid supplies.
B. Conclusion of Regular Season.
Except as provided below, all activity in a sport, including
Practice, shall terminate by the last Regular Season
Contest day in that sport unless the Team is entered into
District or Inter- District Championship Contests. If the
Team is entered into those Championship Contests, all
activity in the sport must terminate on the day of
elimination from such Championship Contests.
With the approval of the District Committee, Regular
Season Contests which have been postponed may be
rescheduled and played between the last Regular Season
Contest day in that sport and the District Deadline in that
sport. For purposes of the immediately preceding
sentence, the date of playing of the last such postponed
Regular Season Contest shall constitute the last
Regular Season Contest day in that sport.
C. Football.
The following sport-specific rules modify the provisions
otherwise set forth in this ARTICLE. To the extent any
other provision in this ARTICLE is inconsistent with this
Section, this Section controls.
1. For purposes of this Section, “Physical Contact”
shall mean blocking and/or tackling. “Physical Contact”
does not include contact with blocking and/or tackling
dummies, shields, and/or sleds; and/or minimum risk
“form” blocking or tackling.
2. Students who engage in Physical Contact at
football camps and/or during clinics and/or drills, or similar
or comparable functions or activities, and/or during
Practices, Inter-School Practices, Scrimmages, and/or
Contests, outside the PIAA-defined football season, shall
be ineligible to participate in interscholastic football for a
period of up to one year from the date of such
participation. Coaches assisting and/or supervising in
Physical Contact by students from PIAA member schools,
outside the PIAA defined football season, shall be
ineligible to Coach interscholastic football at any PIAA
member school for a period of up to one year from the
date of such conduct.
3. Outside the PIAA-defined football season, the
Principal may permit students of the Principal’s school to
use the school’s helmets, shoulder pads, and shoes for
non-Physical Contact skill related instruction supervised
by
ARTICLE XVI
SEASON AND OUT-OF-SEASON
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 1. Guidelines.
Consistent with the concept that interscholastic athletics
are a part of the educational system, and consistent with
the established goals of health, safety, and
sportsmanship, the following guidelines for out-of-season
regulations are set forth:
1. The basic responsibility of all administrators and
athletic Coaches is to provide students who are
participating in interscholastic athletics with a worthwhile,
educational experience.
2. All sports have a defined-season, and no sport
shall operate to the detriment of any other sport.
3. All students should have the opportunity to
participate in as many interscholastic athletic experiences
as is reasonably possible.
Section 2. Rules and Regulations.
Each sport has a defined-season which includes the first
Practice day, the first Inter-School Practice or Scrimmage
day, the first Regular Season Contest day, the last
Regular Season Contest day, the District Deadline, the
dates for PIAA Championships, the maximum number of
Regular Season Contests and the maximum number of
Regular Season Inter- School Practices or Scrimmages.
All PIAA member schools must comply with the definedseason established for each sport. Within each definedseason, PIAA member schools may sponsor sports
Teams which compete against other PIAA member
schools or schools that follow all PIAA Policies and
Procedures and Rules and Regulations.
A. Out-of-Season Activities.
Outside of the defined-season for sports:
1. PIAA member schools may not sponsor Teams in
that sport;
2. PIAA member schools, Coaches and/or students of
PIAA member schools may be involved with sports
activities such as training programs, recreational activities,
Open Gyms, clinics, and camps provided that any
participation by Coaches and/or students is as private
citizens and is voluntary as described below;
3. Coaches and/or students acting as private citizens,
17
school-approved adults or at instructional camps. This
provision is to promote student safety in football-related
activities that do not include Physical Contact.
4. In recognition of the unique circumstances within
those PIAA member schools that are absent of any junior
high/middle school interscholastic football program,
students enrolled in and attending those member schools
in grades 7 and 8 may annually participate in the out-ofseason interscholastic football program organized and
operated as National Football League (NFL) Junior Player
Development. A student’s participation shall be limited to a
maximum of two weeks per year.
5. Nothing in this Section shall prevent any student
from participating, up through the completion of 8 th grade,
on a community based non-school affiliated youth football
team through completion of that team's fall regular season
and, if applicable, its fall postseason.
Section 3. Reporting of and Procedure for Alleged
Violations.
Alleged violation(s) of PIAA Season or Out-of-Season
Rules and Regulations shall be reported and addressed
as follows:
1. Any person may report a violation via the PIAA
form entitled “Report of Alleged Violation(s) of PIAA
Season or Out-of-Season Rules and Regulations”. The
form must be signed by the complainant. Where the
complainant is a PIAA member school, the form must be
signed by the Principal or Athletic Director. The form must
be submitted to
the District Committee of the District having jurisdiction
over the school allegedly committing the violation.
2. Upon the receipt of a properly completed and
signed form, the Chairman of the District Committee or
executive staff of the District shall mail a copy of the form
to the Principal of the school allegedly involved. The
Principal of the involved school shall have twenty-one (21)
calendar days in which to respond, in writing, to the
alleged violation(s) and to report the actions, if any, the
Principal has taken concerning the alleged violation(s).
3. The District Committee shall consider the report of
the Principal and determine whether the report fully
addresses the alleged violation(s) and satisfies all PIAA
interests and concerns.
4. If the District Committee determines that the report
of the Principal fully addresses the alleged violation(s) and
satisfies all PIAA interests and concerns, it shall close the
matter. If the District Committee determines that the report
does not fully address the alleged violation(s) and/or does
not satisfy all PIAA interests and concerns, it shall conduct
a hearing upon the alleged violation(s).
5. If the District Committee finds that there was a
violation(s) of this ARTICLE, the offending school will be
subject to any of the penalties described in ARTICLE XIII,
PENALTIES, Sections 2 through 7, of the PIAA By-Laws.
17
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Authority and Responsibility
The Board of School Directors shall set policy with regard
to the conducting of the athletic programs within the
Cambria Heights School District and shall make all
decisions as are required by law.
1.
PRINCIPAL
The Principal in each school, in all matters pertaining to
the interscholastic athletic programs of the school, is
responsible to the P.I.A.A. He/she may delegate some of
these powers but such delegation shall not relieve him/her
of responsibility for any infraction by his/her school, of the
Constitution and By-Laws of the P.I.A.A.
2.
3.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
TITLE: HEAD ATHLETIC COACH
Basic Function
As a staff member of the athletic program under the
direction of the Athletic Director, the Head Athletic Coach
implements approved policies of the athletic program;
directs the overall activities of the team; recommends
budget requests for supplies and equipment; provides for
the welfare of the student-athletes; maintains and
enhances the school’s standing in the community through
the conduct and performance of the players; and fulfills
such other duties associated with the team(s) and studentathletes as the Athletic Director may assign.
4.
Scope
The authority and responsibility of the Head Athletic
Coach extend to assistant coaches and all studentathletes specifically involved in the particular sport in
providing for the health, safety, physical, mental, and
athletic development of each student-athlete as the
Athletic Director may assign.
Operation.
A. Plan, coordinate and direct the
training program, practices and
scheduled competitive events for
the team within established
policies.
B. Supervise the student-athletes’
care of the athletic fields,
gymnasium locker rooms,
equipment and supplies as
assigned to the team for its use
and activities.
C. Establish and maintain good public
relations within and without the
school through cooperation with
news media.
D. Attend meetings and conferences
related to coaching activities as
approved by the Athletic Director.
Organization. Recommend the organization
and supervision of the areas of
responsibility to meet the approved
objectives of the athletic program.
Personnel.
A. Develop and recommend policies
for student participation in team
activities regarding the health,
safety and general welfare of the
student-athletes.
B. Instruct and direct athletes in the
mechanics and techniques of the
particular sport; a program of
physical fitness and mental
alertness; the qualities of good
sportsmanship; and the value of
continued personal satisfaction
through competition with others.
C. Direct, supervise and counsel
assistant athletic coaches in their
assigned responsibilities.
Finance. Initiate and develop budget
requests for supplies and equipment, and
justify such needs to the Athletic Director.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
1.
17
The Head Coach of a varsity sport is
charged with the responsibility for providing
leadership, coordination and supervision of
that sport at every level of competition
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
should be turned into the athletic office at the end
of each season.
played (varsity, junior varsity, and junior
high). While delegating authority to
assistants with certain duties and
responsibilities is permissible, this does not
relieve the Head Coach of his/her
responsibility.
To be a teacher of the fundamentals as well
as the fine points of the sport assigned. To
develop the individual and collective skills of
the members of the team. To build strong
men and women, ethically, physically, and
mentally. To provide general supervision
and guidance. To reflect the philosophy of
the school and of the athletic program from
grades 7 thru 12.
Develop and distribute team rules,
regulations, and standards in accordance
with school policies.
Inform all student-athletes of P.I.A.A. rules
and School District Athletic policies.
Properly supervise student-athletes at all
times on the playing area, in locker rooms,
including before and after practice and on
buses.
Submit a post-season report to the Athletic
Director, which includes the following:
a. Season opponents,
record and scores,
b. Inventory of all equipment
and uniforms,
c. Requisition of equipment
for the following season,
d. Number of players
starting the season,
e. Number of players ending
the season,
f. Comments on your
program and season,
g. Letter and award winners
and,
h. Additional information or
comments.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
NOTE: This report will be used to assess the
needs of the program, set goals for the following
season and provide a historical record of sports
programs. In addition, all score books and,
whenever possible, a copy of team statistics
21.
17
Attend or, have an approved designee
attend all mandatory rules meetings.
Determine that all players have obtained the
necessary clearance requirements before
beginning practice.
Complete or have an assistant coach
complete requested forms pertaining to the
evaluation of officials, if applicable.
Observe and cooperate with all School
District policies, including those guidelines
pertaining to the conduct of practices and
scrimmages.
Conduct a pre-season meeting for parents
and student-athletes trying out for the sport.
Inform the Athletic Director of any
disciplinary matters and, of any athletes
who have quit the team.
Ensure that first aid supplies are available
for practices and games by contacting the
Athletic Trainer.
Ensure that scores and information from
home games are reported to the media.
Cooperate with reporters.
Report any unsafe facility conditions to the
Athletic Director and/or Principal.
Maintain team records and statistics.
Report all lost or stolen equipment and
uniforms to the Athletic Director.
Keep an up-to-date file including a schedule
of playing dates with opponents, starting
times, bus departure times and place of the
event, eligibility lists for all student-athletes
and emergency phone numbers and parent
phone numbers. Coaches should make use
of the Emergency Information cards
available to be filled out by the studentathlete and their parents and should be kept
in the team’s first aid kit for easy access.
Along with the Athletic Director, create pre
and in-season practice schedules so that
the availability of facilities may be
anticipated. Do not schedule practices
more than six (6) days per week as per
P.I.A.A. regulations and district policy and
procedures.
Prepare eligibility information and submit to
the Athletic Director no later than one week
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
prior to the first scheduled contest as well
as rosters and numbers where applicable.
Coaches are expected to abide by the rules
in the coaches’ handbook and evaluations
shall reflect the failure to follow said rules.
Coaches shall be in-serviced by the Athletic
Director on rules, regulations and
procedures.
Shall select players for the squad and
develop procedures for squad selection and
consult with the Athletic Director on any
potential cuts, which might be made.
Be responsible for the conduct of all players
at all practices and contests.
Supervise all activities during practices.
Be responsible for the condition of the
locker room, practice area, and team bus or
van and, have players or managers
maintain a clean atmosphere in these
areas.
Develop and refine coaching skills through
any of the following: meetings and
discussions with other coaches, reading
articles, coaching journals or attendance at
workshops, clinics, or other programs
pertaining to coaching.
Consult with and, keep the Athletic Director
informed of all athletic related matters.
Maintain an ongoing knowledge of basic
first aid.
Conduct organized practices. Practices
start when scheduled and end when
scheduled and parents/students are
provided with definite start and end times in
advance.
Serve as a role model for the studentathletes in the areas of demeanor,
language, and conduct during contests,
practices, and all school-related functions
and/or employment.
Remind the student-athletes of the
importance of schoolwork and encourage
them to maintain good grades.
Communicate with student-athletes’
parents/guardian whenever the need arises.
Assign players to the Varsity, Junior Varsity,
Junior High and, Developmental teams.
Be responsible for all equipment and
supplies issued to the program.
Prepare requisitions for needed supplies
and equipment.
37. Inventory all uniforms and equipment and
prepare an inventory summary sheet.
38. Make specific assignments to assistant
coaches, junior high and developmental
coaches.
39. Supervise and communicate in a timely
fashion with the assistant and junior high
coaches and serve as coordinator of the
total program.
40. Conduct a preseason parent meeting
sometime during the first two weeks of
practice prior to the first competition.
TITLE: VOLUNTEER COACH
All Volunteer Coaches MUST be recommended to, and
approved by the Board of Education of the Bristol Borough
School District. Volunteer Coaches must file an ACT 34
Criminal Clearance check and ACT 151 Child Abuse
check through the Pennsylvania State Police and FBI
finger print checks. Copies of these background checks
must be submitted to the athletic office as well as a
completed coaching application, which is available in the
athletic office.
Primary Function:
To assist the coaching staff only and, not be directly
responsible for supervision of any aspect of the athletic
program.
Role Relationships:
1.The Volunteer Coach reports directly to the Head Varsity
Coach who in turn reports to the Athletic Director and the
High School Principal.
Duties and Responsibilities:
17
1.
Be under the direct guidance and supervision of the
Head Varsity Coach.
2.
Not be solely responsible for any student-athlete or
equipment.
3.
Serve as a role model for the student-athletes in the
areas of demeanor, language, and conduct during
contests, practices, and all school-related functions
and /or equipment.
warnings about unsafe techniques and prohibited
practices.
Duty to Condition Properly – Practices must
account for a progression of cardiovascular and
musculoskeletal conditioning, regimens that prepare
athletes sequentially for more challenging practices and
competitive activities. Consideration must be given to
weather, maturational and readiness factors
Nine Legal Duties (Related to Negligence
Litigation) of a Coach
Several obligations or duties have been identified
as absolute requirements for coaches and
athletic program administrators. These
standards have evolved as a result of various
case law proceedings and legal judgments
against individuals and school districts.
3. Provide safe physical environment - Duty to
Maintain Safe Playing Conditions – Coaches are
considered trained professionals who possess a
higher level of knowledge and skill that permits them
to identify foreseeable causes of injury inherent in
defective equipment or hazardous environments.
Courts have held athletic supervisors responsible to
improve unsafe environments repair or remove
defective equipment or disallow athlete’s access. In
addition, weather conditions must be considered.
Athletes should not be subjected to intense or
prolonged conditioning during periods of extreme heat
and humidity or when frostbite may be a factor. In
addition, a plan for monitoring and responding too
dangerous weather conditions is necessary. Building
codes and laws must be observed and implemented
with respect to capacity, ventilation, air filtration and
lighting.
Duty to Select, Train and Supervise Coaches –
Athletic administrators will be expected to ensure coaches
are capable of providing safe conditions and activities.
1. Properly plan the activity - Duty to Plan – This is a
comprehensive requirement that transcends all other
duties. Inherent in this duty is the need to continually
conduct focused analyses and to develop responsive
strategies that prevent or reduce injury and loss in the
following areas: coaching competence; medical
screening; appropriate activities that consider age,
maturity and environmental conditions; facility and
equipment evaluation and improvement; injury
response; warnings to athletes and their families;
insurance of athletes; child advocacy in cases of
alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) or family
neglect or abuse. Plans and policies should be
committed to paper and should be rigorously
implemented unless dangerous conditions prevent
implementation. Plans and policies should be
retained in safe storage. Negligence can be alleged
when an injury loss results from no planning,
inadequate planning or when plans are developed but
ignored.
4. Provide adequate and proper equipment - Duty To
Provide Proper Equipment – Coaches and athletic
administrators must ensure athletes are properly
equipped with clean, durable and safe equipment.
This is especially important for protective equipment,
which must carry a National Operating Commission
on Safety in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)
certification and must be checked for proper fit and
wearing. Athletes must wear protective equipment
any time they are exposed to the full rigors of contact
in practice or competition. Selection of equipment
must also consider the age and maturity of the
athletes.
Duty to Provide Proper Transportation – In general,
bonded, commercial carriers should be used for out of
town transportation. Self or family transportation for local
2. Provide proper instruction - Duty to Instruct
Properly – Athletic practices must be characterized
by instruction that accounts for a logical sequence of
fundamentals that lead to an enhanced progression of
player knowledge, skill and capability. Instruction
must move from simple to complex and unknown to
known. Instructor-coaches must be properly
prepared to provide appropriate and sequential
instruction and to identify and avoid dangerous
practices or conditions. Instruction must demonstrate
appropriate and safe technique and must include
17
competition may be allowable if parents have adequate
insurance coverage for team members other than their
family members. The age and maturity of athletes should
always be considered when allowing athletes to use public
transportation to travel to a local contest. Athletes should
be prohibited from driving to an out of town competition,
scrimmage or practice.
7. Supervise the activity closely - Duty to Supervise
– A coach must be physically present, provide
competent instruction, structure practices that are
appropriate for the age and maturity of players,
prevent foreseeable injuries and respond to injury or
trauma in an approved manner. This duty requires
supervisors to ensure that facilities are locked and
that students are denied access when a competent
staff member cannot be physically present to
supervise. This duty may also require coaches to
control reckless player behaviors. Supervision
responsibilities also pertain to athletic administrators
who are expected to be able to supervise coaching
staff members competently. In addition, athletic
administrators are expected to supervise contests to
ensure that spectators do not create an unsafe or
disruptive environment. A further extension of this
duty is the need to supervise the condition, safe
usage, maintenance and upkeep of equipment and
facilities.
5. Match your athletes - Duty to Match Athletes –
Athletes should be matched with consideration for
maturity, skill, age, size and speed. Mismatches
should be avoided in all categories.
6. Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity - Duty to
Assess Athletes Readiness For Practice and
Competition – Athletic administrators and coaches
are required to assess the health and physical or
maturational readiness skills and physical condition of
athletes. Athletes must be medically screened in
accordance with state association regulations before
participating in practice or competition. Moreover,
some children may require specialized medical
assessment to ascertain the existence of congenital
disorders or the existence of a physical condition that
predisposes the athlete to injury. In addition, injured
athletes who require the services of a physician may
not return to practice or competition without written
permission of the physician. Plans should become
policy documents and updated regularly by
administrators, coaches and experts in specific areas
(e.g.; equipment, emergency response etc.) A new
area of concern that may grow from this duty is the
difficulty of assessing the readiness of handicapped
children who are referred for practice or competition
under the Americans With Disabilities Act or the
Education of All Handicapped children Act of 1975. In
these cases, it is imperative that medical and multidisciplinary team approval and recommendation be
obtained before a handicapped student becomes a
candidate for practice and competition.
Duty to Ensure Athletes are Covered by Injury
Insurance – Athletic administrators and coaches must
screen athletes to ensure that family and /or school
insurance provides a basic level of medical coverage.
Athletes should not be allowed to participate without injury
insurance.
8. Warn of inherent risks - Duty to Warn – Coaches
are required to warn parents and athletes of unsafe
practices specific to a sport and the potential for injury
or death. This warning should be issued in writing
and both athletes and parents should be required to
provide written certification of their comprehension.
Videotapes of warnings to players and parents are
recommended.
9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance - Duty
to Provide Emergency Care – Coaches are
expected to be able to administer approved,
prioritized, standard first aid procedures in response
to a range of traumatic injuries.
Duty To Develop An Emergency Response Plan –
Athletic administrators and coaches must develop sitespecific plans for managing uninjured team members
while emergency care is being administered to an injured
athlete. In addition, plans must be in place to: ensure
access to a stocked first aid kit, spine board and other
emergency response equipment; access to a telephone;
ensure a timely call to EMS; to expedite rapid access by
EMS to the injured athlete by stationing coaches or team
members at driveways, parking lots, entry doors and
remote hallways.
17
Sources: Coalition of Americans to Protect Sports (CAPS) and the
Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA)
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
You are a role model for your student-athletes. They
look to you for direction, discipline, encouragement
and support. What you say to them has much more
influence than you would ever believe.
Because you are a role model, you must be
conscious of your demeanor and your language.
Although the athletic setting is much more informal
than the classroom, it is still a classroom; and you
should keep that in mind when you communicate with
your student-athletes.
Words are like bullets. Once they are fired, they
cannot be recalled. Using obscenities is
unacceptable. There is no motivational benefit, and
you can easily make your point without using them.
The main reason for refraining from using obscenities
is not to shelter our student-athletes from hearing
words that they have never heard before. The main
problem with using obscenities is that it is prohibited.
Secondly, it creates a potential conflict in which our
teachers will attempt to reprimand or discipline a
student for using obscenities, and the student’s
response is: “But my coach uses that language all
the time.”
Treat your student-athletes with courtesy, dignity,
and respect. Although the nature of your position
lends itself to commanding respect, you will receive
more respect by setting a good example in how you
treat your student-athletes.
Be as clear as possible whenever you communicate
with a student-athlete or the team. There is a major
difference between hearing and listening. What you
say can at times be misinterpreted. Strive to
communicate as clearly as possible.
Encourage your players to come to you with
concerns or problems. You can prevent many major
problems by keeping lines of communication open.
Select captains who possess communication skills.
Then, encourage your captains to provide you with
feedback on the conduct of the team, especially in
the areas of conditioning and team morale.
9.
lackadaisical attitude by a student-athlete or the
team. It also serves to raise attention levels as well
as motivation. When you show that you are focused,
the student-athletes will also concentrate on the
immediate goals. In games, “yelling” at the team can
still be productive, whereas “yelling” at an individual
player might be counterproductive. In those
circumstances, you may want to send a substitute in
for the player and have an assistant coach point out
the mistakes to the student-athlete who has been
removed from the game.
With few exceptions, removing a student-athlete from
a contest immediately after making an error tends to
be counterproductive. When student-athletes begin
to associate making a mistake with being removed
form the game, they will play in a very tentative way.
This tends to be detrimental to the performance of
the entire team. Consider waiting until the studentathlete does something positive before removing
him/her. Of course, you are the person entrusted
with doing what is best for the team.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC
INTRODUCTION
Just as teachers should cultivate meaningful
communications with the public, coaches should strive to
have meaningful communications with parents, the press,
and the public. A major difference between the athletic
arena and the classroom is that the athletic arena is open
for all to see. Although this fact contributes to the
excitement of interscholastic athletics, it creates an
additional set of pressures with which the coach has to
cope.
PARENTS AND PUBLIC:
1.
2.
Do not hesitate to raise your voice as situations
warrant. At practice, a coach raising his/her voice
can quickly correct sluggish performance or a
17
Having a meeting with the parents between the start
of practice and the first athletic contest is an
excellent way to establish communication. All high
school head coaches should hold a pre-season
parent meeting.
Encourage parents to call you with any questions or
concerns. Keep in mind that although you are the
designated expert in your particular sport, parents
are the experts in what makes their son/daughter
“tick”. You can learn a lot about how to communicate
with a student-athlete from the student-athlete’s
parents.
3. Regarding topics which are unique to your sport or
are inherently within the scope of the coach’s
authority (strategy, fundamentals, X’s and O’s), only
you can determine if listening to suggestions will add
to your knowledge or add to your
confusion/aggravation. The only reminder in this
area is that if you choose to discuss with and listen to
one parent’s suggestions, then you must be
consistent and be prepared to listen to any and all
parents.
4. Treat your student-athlete’s parents with courtesy,
dignity, and respect, and you should expect the
same treatment in return. However, because of the
subjective nature of interscholastic athletics, there
will be occasions in which your explanations will not
be perceived as being satisfactory.
5. Under no circumstance are you obligated to listen to
rude comments or personal affront from a parent or
any member of the public. If you feel that your
discussion with a person is becoming rude or
personal in nature, then you should politely inform
the person that no positive outcome could be
achieved by continuing the discussion. Encourage
the person to contact the Athletic Director to arrange
a meeting at a mutually agreeable time.
THE PRESS:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pennsylvania Hazing Law
[P.S.] 5352. Definitions
The following words and phrases when used in this act
shall have the meanings given to them in this section
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
1. If you begin with the premise that reporters are
human beings who are simply trying to do their
jobs, you will usually find that they will
cooperate with you if you cooperate with them.
2. . The home team is responsible for contacting
the newspaper with the results of the contest.
Reporters are
interested in box scores,
statistics, and any highlights, which you may
provide.. NEVER criticize your players, your
opponents, or the officials in front of the press. It
serves no purpose and can create problems in
the future.
1.
positive things about that player. Be cooperative and
open.
Be sure to review these points with your players.
There will be occasions when a reporter will want to
talk with a player.
Do not discuss team disciplinary matters with the
press. If a starter has been benched for disciplinary
reasons or has been suspended, that is the limit of
what you should feel obligated to tell the press.
Be very cautious about commenting “off the record”
with a reporter. Although it may help a reporter to
understand a certain situation, it is potentially
dangerous. Unless you have established a
trustworthy relationship with a particular reporter, it is
almost always advisable to refrain from “off the
record” remarks. Generally speaking, nothing is ever
“off the record”.
Never get into a feud with the press because they
always have the last word. If you begin to adopt a
posture of refusing to talk to the press, your players
will ultimately pay the price for your negative posture.
“HAZING.” Any action or situation which recklessly or
intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or
safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes
public or private property for the purpose of initiation or
admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for
continued membership in, any organization operating
under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by
an institution of higher education. The term shall include,
but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature,
such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics,
exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any
food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced
physical activity which could adversely affect the physical
health and safety of the individual, and shall include any
activity which would subject the individual to extreme
mental stress such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion
from social contact, forced conduct which could result in
extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity
Try to say positive things about the team, although
the press usually tries to focus on individual
achievements. However, if a reporter tries to focus
on one player’s achievements, then say some
17
which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of
the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of
public or private property. For purposes of this definition,
any activity as described in this definition upon which the
initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued
membership in an organization is directly or indirectly
conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the
willingness of an individual to participate in such activity
notwithstanding.
games and scrimmages, but all final arrangements and
contracts for those games and scrimmages are the
responsibility of the Athletic Director.
IMPORTANT: Coaches should not give building keys to
student-athletes to use for any reason.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation for all athletic contests, scrimmages and
when necessary, practices will be arranged by the Athletic
Director. Departure times will be scheduled and published
for coaches, players, custodians, faculty and
administration.
N.C.A.A. CLEARINGHOUSE
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), an
organization founded in 1906 that has established rules on
eligibility, recruiting, and financial aid, regulates college
sports. The NCAA has three membership divisions –
Division I, II and III. Institutions are members of one or
another division according to the size and scope of their
athletic programs and whether they provide athletic
scholarships.
Student-athletes MUST use school-provided
transportation to all athletic contests and scrimmages
unless prior arrangements have been made with the
administration. In addition, student-athletes who are
transported by school-provided transportation to events
MUST return by school-provided transportation unless the
head coach receives parental permission personally. Only
a legal parent or guardian may transport student-athletes.
This however, should only occur in emergency
circumstances.
If a high school student-athlete is planning to enroll in
college as a freshman upon graduating from high school
and they wish to participate in Division I or Division II
sports, the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse must
certify them.
Coaches MUST always accompany players on the bus. In
special circumstances with the approval of administration
and arrangements can be made, the coach is permitted to
travel to an event without accompanying his/her players.
The Clearinghouse will analyze the student-athlete’s
academic information and determine if they meet the
N.C.A.A.’s initial-eligibility requirements.
Bus conduct MUST be closely supervised. Infractions of
proper bus conduct should be reported to administration
for appropriate disciplinary action. Student-athletes are
students of the district and are therefore subject to the
rules and regulations of the district approved Discipline
Code.
The certification process for student-athletes planning to
enroll as college freshmen begin August 1st of the
academic high school year. Clearinghouse forms are
available in the high school guidance office.
*Information on college recruiting is available in the
athletic office.
UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
SCHEDULES
The Athletic Director schedules all interscholastic athletic
contests in accordance with Pennsylvania Interscholastic
Athletic Association (PIAA) rules and regulations.
The Cambria Heights Board of School Directors and the
high school administration and the Athletic Director order
equipment and supplies each year through the regular
purchasing procedures as outlined.
As a member of various leagues and conferences CHHS
is obligated to schedule all conference/league teams.
Coaches are permitted to make contacts to schedule
The following steps should be observed as equipment and
supplies are ordered:
17
The Head Coach is responsible for requisitioning all
equipment and supplies for his/her sport. This includes
junior varsity and junior high. Work with assistants and
junior high coaches to constantly ascertain the needs of
your program. Purchase orders, will be prepared by the
Athletic Director.
The Athletic Director will provide the coach with the
necessary requisition forms. These requisitions will be
returned to the Athletic Director.
Athletic equipment is costly and therefore great care
should be taken to order only what is needed and
supervise the use of the equipment so, that misuse does
not occur.
17
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT ACTIVITY
FUND RAISER REQUEST FORM
Sport/Group:_________________________Coach/Advisor:__________
Date of Request:___________
What product or service will be offered?__________________________
___________________________________________________________
Cost of Item:__________ Total # of items___________
Name of Company:_____________________________________
Address of Company:____________________________________
Contact Person:____________________
Telephone #:______________________________
Beginning Date:________________Ending Date:___________________
Expected Per Item Net Profit:______Expected Total Net Profit:________
What is the earned money intended to be used for (be specific)__________
____________________________________________________________
In which Student Activity Account will the funds be
entered?______________________________________________________________________
Will any items purchased with the net profit belong to the school or to the
individuals?___________________________
If approval is granted, all monies collected are to be deposited in a Student Activity Account. Any withdrawals
from this account must be authorized and payments must be made with a school check. No cash is to be
exchanged or withdrawn.
Do you agree to abide by this policy?___________
Signature of Coach/Advisor?____________________Date:_________
Principal’s Signature_____________________________
17
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WARNING BY STUDENT-ATHLETE
I, _____________________, hereby acknowledge that I have been properly advised,
Name of Student-Athlete
cautioned and warned by the proper administrative and coaching personnel of the
Cambria Heights School District, that by participating in the sport of __________________
Name of Sport
I am exposing myself to the risk of serious injury, including but not limited to, the risk of
sprains, fractures and ligament and /or cartilage damage which could result in a temporary
or permanent, partial or complete, impairment in the use of my limbs; brain damage;
paralysis; or even death. Having been so cautioned and warned, it is still my desire to
participate in the above sport, and should I choose to participate in the above sport, I
hereby further acknowledge that I do so with full knowledge and understanding of the risk
of serious injury to which I am exposing myself by participating in the above sport.
____________________________
Student-Athlete Signature
____________________________
Date
17
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WARNING BY PARENTS
We/I, the parent(s) of ____________________, do hereby acknowledge that we/I have
Name of Student-Athlete
been fully advised, cautioned and warned by the proper administrative and coaching
personnel of the Cambria Heights School District that our/my child named
above may suffer serious injury, including but not limited to sprains, fractures, brain
damage, paralysis or even death, by participating in the sport
_________________.
Name of Sport
Notwithstanding such warnings, and with full knowledge and understanding of the risk of
serious injury to our/my child named above which may result, we/I give our consent to
____________________ participating in the sport of ______________________.
Name of Child
Name of Sport
______________________________Parent or Legal Guardian Signature
____________________
Date
17
and less likely to produce an adverse relationship
with your athletes and their parents.
Fundamental Legal Issues in
Coaching
So with the positive viewpoint in mind,
let’s review some of the legal concepts, which can
help you, be a better coach.
Negligence, civil rights, contractual issues,
and intentional torts such as defamation and
battery are all legal concepts which have an impact
on how you as a coach, conduct your professional
life. These and other related legal concepts can be
looked at as problems and areas of danger for
lawsuits or, from a more positive viewpoint, as
guidelines for proper, professional behavior.
Coaching, above all else, should carry with it a
similarly, a positive viewpoint about the legal
issues which relate to coaching is more productive
Over the years, lawsuit decisions have
added a lot of details to the picture of what society
considers acceptable behavior. The picture
created by past decisions is called case law and is
always subject to change as future lawsuits provide
decisions, which add even more details. Making
17
legal concepts even less exact is the fact that
definitions and interpretations of concepts in
negligence, contracts of any other legal issue
(except federal laws) may vary between states. So,
when you read about a case in Seattle or Boston,
remember that the details of the decision don’t
automatically add to the case law picture in your
state. For instance, the picture of assumption of
risk (a defense to the claim of negligence which
says that the injured person knowingly and
voluntarily assumed the risk of injury when they
participated in an activity) is very different in
Pennsylvania than it is in New York. In
Pennsylvania, the court will look at what the
specific injured party truly, completely, actually
understood about the risks of injury. In New York,
the court will look at what the injured part ought
to have known about the risks based on what an
average person know from living in society
(watching baseball on TV, walking on the sidewalk,
etc.). The effect of the different interpretations of
“knowing” by the two states in this example is
massive. In Pennsylvania, the interpretation
means that the defense of assumption of risk is allbut-dead while in New York, the defense thrives.
So, it is important for you to realize that what you
read about legal issues may apply differently in
your state.
prepared to obtain appropriate first aid for an
injured athlete, (4) to be up-to-date concerning
contraindicated exercises, safety rules and
protective equipment, and among other duties, (5)
to be experienced and alert enough to be able to
see and avoid potential accidents before they
happen.
In a negative sense, if we breach our duty
to protect our athletes and that breach causes
injury or harm to our athletes, we have been
negligent and thus we are liable for any damages
(money) which the court may decide we owe to
compensate our athlete for the injuries caused by
our negligence.
There are defenses to a claim of
negligence. Among the defenses are: assumption
of risk, and contributory/comparative negligence.
We talked a little about assumption of risk before
but there are more elements, which you, as coach,
would try to prove in order to be relieved of your
liability for negligence. The required elements of
assumption of risk are: voluntary acceptance by
the athlete of the known, reasonable risks of
participation. If you make participation in a
particular activity prerequisite to acceptance on
the team you may have destroyed your ability to
prove the ‘voluntary acceptance’ element and thus
preclude your use of the assumption of risk
defense. Similarly, if the risk is unreasonable you
will also lose the defense.
With the caveat of state differences in
mind, let’s look at the legal issue we read about
most frequently – NEGLIGENCE. Society has
decided that as coaches we have a duty to protect
our athletes from an unreasonable risk of
foreseeable harm.
It is popular these days to try to set up an
assumption of risk defense even before you start
practice by using ‘risk statements’. Risk
statements, signed by the athlete and/or parent
tell about all the risks which might be involved.
Because of the difference in the interpretation of
‘knowing’ the risks, these risk statements are not
the panacea, which they are purported to be.
In a positive sense, that duty means that
we need to know our coaching profession well
enough (1) to teach correct skills and skill
progressions, (2) to provide adequate supervision
based on such things as the athlete’s age, skill
level, and dangerousness of the activity, (3) to be
17
However, even though such documents are often
unlikely to be useful in setting up an assumption of
risk defense, they can be worded in a positive way
to inform the athlete and parent about the type of
activities involved and to let them know that
injuries are possible. They can even be used as a
positive public relation’s tool by indicating that
you, as a trained coach try to run a safe program
and to minimize hazards.
If you are coaching as a volunteer in a nonscholastic setting you should check to see if your
state is among the 18 states which have recently
been considering legislation which would make you
immune from liability for some types of negligence.
Some of the state immunity laws required that you
have a coaching certificate. Others protect you
only from claims arising from your ‘ordinary’
negligence but not from ‘gross’ negligence. These
laws do not apply to your coaching activities in
school settings or even non-scholastic settings if
you are paid.
Risk statements differ from waivers and
releases. Risk statements tell of risks. Waivers and
releases have as their purpose the relief of liability
for injuries. Don’t make the mistake of thinking
that having your athletes or parents sign away
their right to sue if an injury occurs will work. It
generally won’t. Most of your athletes will be
minors. Even if you have your athletes or their
parents sign away the right to sue, such
waiver/release documents generally will not be of
legal use in court.
The CIVIL RIGHTS of coaches and athletes
are protected in the United States Constitution,
federal legislation such as Title IX and similar
legislation within various states (such as
California’s law banning corporal punishment in
the state). An understanding o f constitutional law
is not easily acquired, but it is safe to say that our
rights are generally found in the Bill of Rights (First
10 amendments). Basically, the rights guaranteed
within the Bill of Rights, are only guaranteed from
invasion by the government (federal, state, local)
or by some agency which functions in a
governmental way (called “state action”). So, in
the absence of state or local laws, which for
instance prohibit the invasion of your privacy
through drug testing or the loss of your job on a
discriminatory basis, the rights of privacy and equal
treatment under the law are only guaranteed when
attempts to violate them are made by the
government or an agency having ‘state action’.
The other common defense for negligence
claims is contributory/comparative negligence.
You, as coach, have a duty to your athletes. But
each athlete also has a duty to her/himself to
protect her/himself from an unreasonable risk of
harm. If, in addition to your breach of duty, your
athlete breached their duty to themselves and
both breaches contributed to the injury, the
defense of contributory/comparative negligence
might be available. In effect, you are saying that
the athlete was also negligent and needs to take
some responsibility. Some states still use the
concept contributory negligence in which some
degree of negligence on the part of the athlete will
totally block any financial recovery they might
receive from you. More and more states are
changing to the fairer concept of comparative
negligence, which provides that the financial award
is reduced by the percentage of negligence on the
part of the athlete.
Furthermore, it is important to understand
that your constitutional rights CAN be violated,
even by the government, IF the violator has a good
enough reason. How good the reason has to be
(‘rationally related to a legitimate state interest’)
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depends on the type of right, which is being
violated.
Contractual issues are more
straightforward than negligence issues. But there
are a few specifics, which might be of assistance to
you. Coaches often order equipment from
catalogs. Catalogs are not considered ‘offers’ and
so when your order something from a catalog you
are making the offer rather than the acceptance.
That’s why prices can change and you cannot hold
the seller to the catalog price merely by placing an
order. ‘Consideration’ means that something of
value has been committed by both sides to a
contract. If you have agreed to accept an offer to
coach the field hockey team for the season for X
dollars, a contract exists. You cannot be asked to
take less money at midseason. The party, which
hired you, is also already committed to pay you X
dollars for your coaching duties. The
‘consideration’ cannot be changed unilaterally.
Title IX is a federal law, which prohibits sex
discrimination in educational settings, which
receive federal funds. Title IX was enacted in 1972.
In 1984, a U.S. Supreme Court decision referred to
as “Grove City” ended the jurisdiction of Title IX in
many physical education and athletic programs,
but in 1988, the Civil Rights Restoration Act
restored jurisdiction. Title IX’s provisions are
important and you need to stay alert to its impact,
especially now that its jurisdiction has been
restored.
When you accept a job as a coach or
purchase equipment you are making CONTRACTS.
Other than some specific types of contracts (such
as land purchases, or long term employment) a
contract exists whenever there has been an offer,
an acceptance, and consideration, whether or not
the contract is in writing. So does it matter if a
contract is in writing? Yes! The terms of a contract
are much easier to prove if a written document
exists. If a dispute about your salary develops part
way through the season, a written contract makes
it much easier to resolve the dispute. If you order
field hockey equipment and the balls arrive with
purple and yellow stripes even though you ordered
white ones, a written contract makes it much
easier for you to resolve the issue. You can’t go
back in time to create a written document once a
dispute arises.
BATTERY and DEFAMATION (libel ad
slander) are intentional torts (wrongs) and have an
impact on coaching behaviors. Battery is the
intentional and unprivileged, harmful or offensive
contact of another person. The coach who uses
corporal punishment would find it difficult to show
that the contact was privileged (unless used for the
preservation of discipline – an argument which is
getting harder and harder to use successfully) and
thus might be successfully sued for battery. The
coach who teaches and instructs their players to
hurt or ‘take an opponent out of the game’ might
be found guilty of battery via the principle of
agency. The athlete who follows their instruction
would be considered to be acting as an agent of
the coach.
Follow the prudent practice and put your
contractual agreements into writing. In addition,
read the terms. A printed contract from does not
mean that the terms are fair. Don’t sign a contract,
which is not an accurate reflection of your
agreement.
Defamation, a changing area of the law,
reminds us to ‘always speak the truth’ and “if you
can’t say something nice, there is wisdom in saying
nothing at all.” Basically, the elements of
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defamation are that the statement (written or
spoken) must be untrue, hold up the person to
ridicule or loss of reputation in the community
and the statement must be conveyed (the law uses
the term published but what is meant is ‘read or
heard’) to a person other than the person being
defamed. The statement, unless it has to do with
professional behavior, loathsome disease,
unchastity or crimes of moral turpitude, must also
result in demonstrable damage to the person being
defamed. So you need to be sure that you have
“clean hands and a pure heart” when you write
letters of recommendation or give interviews
about another coach or official.
Innocence is not free. Although most large
school districts will protect you and defend you in a
lawsuit, coaching elsewhere place you in jeopardy.
Even if you’re exonerated in a lawsuit, you still
have to pay your attorney. Get insurance thru
professional associations or organizations that
provide low cost professional liability insurance.
Their policies don’t cover everything so read them
carefully, but some coverage is better than none.
Get insurance. Get certified. Stay up-to-date.
Taken from the article:
Prepared by
Linda Jean Carpenter, Ph.D., J.D.
Professor (retired)
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York
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This information is reprinted with
permission from NCAA for
informational purposes and is
also contained in the “Sports
medicine Guidelines” section of
the PIAA Handbook.
At least 1 year of additional courses in English, math
or natural or physical science;
At least 2 years social science; and
4 additional academic core courses from our list of
approved courses.
NONQUALIFIER (Does not meet the standards for
qualifier or partial qualifier)
No practice or competition during freshman year;
Three seasons of competition;
May receive institutional need-based aid during
freshman year, but it may not be from an athletic
source;
Non-qualifiers may earn the fourth season of
competition back if they complete at least 80% of
their degree prior to the start of their fifth academic
year.
NCAA DIVISION I
Freshman - Eligibility Standards:
All students must register with the
NCAA Eligibility Center
For students who enter a Division I college in 2008 or
later, they must complete 16 core courses and meet all
other requirements listed below.
QUALIFIER
CORE GPA/Test Score Index
Eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletic
scholarship as a freshman.
(to be used with 14 core courses)
Core GPA
REQUIREMENTS
Satisfy high school graduation requirements;
Complete 16 core-courses as described below; and
Achieve a core-course grade-point average and ACT
or SAT test score as described in the index at right:
(Note: The highest scores achieved on the verbal
and mathematics section of the SAT or the
highest scores achieved on the four individual
tests of the ACT may be combined to achieve the
highest scores)
HIGH SCHOOL CORE COURSES
At least 4 years of English;
At least 3 years of math (at the level of Algebra 1 or
above;
At least 2 years of natural or physical science
(including 1 lab course, if offered by any high school
you attended);
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ACT
SAT
3.550 & above
37
400
3.525
38
410
3.500
39
420
3.475
40
430
3.450
41
440
3.425
41
450
3.400
42
460
3.375
42
470
3.350
43
480
3.325
44
490
3.300
44
500
3.275
45
510
3.250
46
520
3.225
46
530
3.200
47
540
3.175
47
550
3.150
48
560
2.175
80
950
3.125
49
570
2.150
80
960
3.100
49
580
2.125
81
960
3.075
50
590
2.100
82
970
3.050
50
600
2.075
83
980
3.025
51
610
2.050
84
990
3.000
52
620
2.025
85
1000
2.975
52
630
2.000
86
1010
2.950
53
640
2.925
53
650
2.900
54
660
2.875
55
670
2.850
56
680
2.825
56
690
2.800
57
700
2.775
58
710
2.750
59
720
2.725
59
730
2.700
60
730
2.675
61
740-750
2.650
62
760
2.625
63
770
2.600
64
780
2.575
65
790
2.550
66
800
2.525
67
810
2.500
68
820
2.475
69
830
2.450
70
840-850
2.425
70
860
2.400
71
860
2.375
72
870
2.350
73
880
2.325
74
890
2.300
75
900
2.275
76
910
2.250
77
920
2.225
78
930
2.200
79
940
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NCAA DIVISION II
Freshman - Eligibility Standards
All students must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
QUALIFIER
Eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletic scholarship as a freshman.
REQUIREMENTS:
Satisfy high school graduation requirements;
Have a grade-point average of 2.000 in 14 core academic courses; and
Must achieve a 68 (sum of scores on the four individual tests) on the ACT, or an 820 on the SAT.
(Note: The highest scores achieved on the verbal and mathematics section of the SAT or the highest
scores achieved on the four individual tests of the ACT may be combined to achieve the highest scores)
High School Core Courses:
At least 3 years of English;
At least 2 years of math (at the level of Algebra 1 or above);
At least 2 years of natural or physical science (including 1 lab course);
At least 2 years of additional courses in English, math or natural or physical science;
At least 2 years of social science; and
3 additional academic core courses from our list of approved courses (listed in page 10)
PARTIAL QUALIFIER (Does not meet the standards for qualifier)
Eligible to practice at institution's home facility during freshman year. No competition during freshman year. Will have
four years of eligibility during college career. May receive institution financial aid, including an athletic scholarship,
during freshman year.
REQUIREMENTS:
Does not meet requirements for qualifier;
Satisfy high school graduation requirements;
Successfully complete the 14 core courses (see above) with a minimum 2.000 core course grade point average;
or
Attain minimum 68 ACT (sum of scores) or 820 SAT.
NONQUALIFIER (Does not meet the standards for qualifier or partial qualifier)
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Cannot practice or compete during freshman year. Will have four years of eligibility during college career. May not
receive an athletic scholarship freshman year, but may receive regular need-based financial aid if the school certifies
that aid was granted without regard to athletics ability.

For more information about the NCAA initial-eligibility requirements, please refer to the NCAA web site at
www.ncaastudent.org.
If you have additional questions, you may consult the 2012-13 NCAA Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes.
Copies of these guides are available to check out in the Athletic Office, Student Services Office, the IMC, or they may
be found on the internet at www.ncaastudent.org. You may also receive one free copy of an NCAA general
information brochure or the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete by calling (800) 638-3731.
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