Edina Girls Lacrosse
Policies and Expectations
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer
of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose
face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and
again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the
deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at
the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails
while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither
victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Vision
To continuously strive for excellence as an organization. To be a model High School Lacrosse program in the
state of Minnesota, by addressing the student academically, athletically and individually.
Coaches Philosophy
To be a respectful, knowledgeable, and inspiring coach, a coach that leads by example, one whom the
athletes see as a role model and they can look up to and respect.
Team Philosophy
To take full accountability for the outcome of this season. We will take ownership for ourselves and our
team, on and off the field. We will be self-reflective, and continuously refine our practices to achieve
desired outcomes.
Team Breakdown
Varsity
15 – 18 players; this team is essentially the Varsity starting lineup that would be picked at the end
of tryouts.
Junior Varsity
20 – 25 players; this team is comprised of players who are eligible to be moved up to varsity, but
are also playing JV to allow for more playing time and skill development.
10A
20 – 25 players; this is a competitive team for freshman, sophomores and juniors where playing
time will be based on skills and commitment.
Schedule
Varsity/Junior Varsity
Practice:
Varsity – EHS Turf, Monday – Friday, 3:45 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays, 9:00 – 11:00 am
JV – EHS Turf, Monday – Friday, 3:45 – 6:00 pm
Games:
JV will play and Varsity will follow; JV players should be prepared to stay for Varsity games. (When
home, JV plays on EHS Turf and Varsity at Kuhlman)
10A
Practice:
EHS Lower Fields, Monday – Friday, 3:45 – 6:00 pm
Games:
Generally start between 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Home games are located on the lower fields
Expectations
We believe that everyone involved in our program needs to have a team first attitude that includes respect
between players, coaches, parents, officials, and opponents. We will be a program that carries itself with
class and integrity.
I. Coaches
a. Coaches will be upfront and honest with players.
b. Coaches will be positive role models for the players.
c. Coaches will teach the girls about the game of lacrosse as well as teach the girls as many
life lessons along the way as possible.
d. Coaches will be prepared for every game and practice so that we can be efficient with the
time we spend together.
e. Coaches will be approachable for players, parents, and officials.
f. Coaches will follow all Minnesota State High School League Rules.
II. Players
a. Players in the Edina lacrosse program are expected to carry themselves in a way that
represents Edina in a positive way both on and off the field.
b. Players in the Edina lacrosse program are to know that school comes first. If they are not
performing in the classroom, there will be consequences on the field.
c. Players are expected to be at all games, practices, and other meetings unless discussed
ahead of time with the coaching staff.
d. Players are expected to come to lacrosse every day with a positive attitude and ready to
work hard.
e. Players are expected to be committed to this team, to their individual and our team’s goals,
and to have a team first attitude.
f. Players are expected to be respectful of everyone and everything (this includes equipment).
g. Players are expected to follow the Minnesota State High School League rules.
h. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are not tolerated. These things are illegal and there is no place
for them as an athlete.
i. Please follow the proper chain of communication when addressing any issues: 1) player
to coach, 2) parent/player to coach, 3) parent/player to athletic director and coach.
j. Players will be smart with their use of social media. Players will adhere to the School Board
Policy referring to Edina Public Schools Policy 634. Remember these rules:
1. Nothing is private.
2. You can’t take it back.
III. Parents
a. Parents are expected to represent Edina in a positive way.
b. When at games parents are to provide positive encouragement for our team and for all of
the players. Negative comments will not be tolerated.
c. Conversations with coaches will be respectful and will never focus on another player or
playing time.
d. Parents may not approach a coach in a negative way after a game. If you are upset about
something that happened, you need to set up a meeting with the player & coach at a later
time.
e. Email is not an appropriate way to voice an issue or concern.
f. Please follow the proper chain of communication when addressing any issues: 1) player to
coach, 2) parent/player to coach, 3) parent/player to athletics director and coach.
Policies
I.
Attendance
a. Attendance at all practices, games, and meetings is mandatory. We understand that there
are circumstances with school, church, and family that are unavoidable. In these
circumstances you must talk to the coach ahead of time to discuss the situation.
b. If you miss a practice for an unexcused reason or without consulting with the coaching
staff, or if you are late for a practice, game, or meeting, there will be consequences decided
on by the coaching staff.
i. Practice Rules
1. If a player is late to practice or leaves early, they will sit out one half of a
game.
2. If a player misses practice, they will sit out one game.
ii. Game Rules
1. If a player misses a game, they will sit out one game.
2. Excused absences: school, religious, family emergency, etc…the player
must notify the coach at least two hours in advance.
c. Unexcused absences from school are not tolerated. You must be in class to be successful in
school, and you must be doing well in school to play lacrosse!
d. Players are expected to be in school ALL DAY, every day during lacrosse season. Any missed
classes or days must be discussed with Coach Duke Miller.
II. Behavior
a. Each behavioral issue will be dealt with on a case by case basis, but there will be
consequences if players are not following the guidelines of representing the Edina lacrosse
program well.
III. Violations
a. Chemical/Substance Abuse:
i. First Violation: After a violation has been determined, the student athlete shall
lose eligibility for the next two consecutive interscholastic contests or two weeks,
fourteen calendar days, of a season in which the student is a participant, whichever
is greater. In addition, the student athlete will be required to perform six hours of
school or community service prior to having eligibility restored.
ii. Second Violation: Out of Season: After a violation has been determined, the
student shall lose eligibility for the next six consecutive interscholastic contest or
three weeks, 21 calendar days, whichever is greater. In addition, the student
athlete will be required to perform 12 hours of school and/or community service
prior to having eligibility restored.
iii. Second Violation: During Season “ZERO TOLERANCE:” The season starts after the
individual student athlete registers and signs forms. A student that uses or
possesses during his or her season will be dismissed from the team for the
remainder of the season. With less than six contests remaining, penalty will carry
over to the next season of participation. Twelve hours of school/community service
must be completed before any participation or practice in another activity. After a
second violation, a student/athlete forfeits any opportunity to be a captain of a
sport. With any violation after being named a captain or during the season, the
position of captain will immediately be taken away.
iv. Third Violation: No further participation permitted on any interscholastic teams for
remainder of high school years.
v. Accumulative Penalties: Penalties shall be accumulative beginning with the student
athlete’s first participation in a League activity and continuing through the student
athlete’s high school career.
vi. Denial Disqualification: A student athlete shall be disqualified from all
interscholastic athletics for nine additional weeks beyond the student athlete’s
original period of ineligibility when the student athlete denies violation of the rule
is allowed to participate and then is subsequently found guilty of the violation.
b. Racial/Religious/Sexual Harassment and Hazing: Minnesota State High School League
Rules and the EHS Policy will be enforced.
c. Students who are ineligible to play due to academics, attendance, or violations through the
MSHSL may be placed on a team in a probationary status. No student with an outstanding
violation will qualify for Varsity, but will be eligible to qualify once the violation has been
served.
IV. Multiple Activity Participation
a. Participation in multiple co-curricular activities can contribute to a more complete and
well-rounded education of the whole student. Students who choose to participate in
multiple activities should expect to make some additional sacrifices that students in only
one activity may not have to make. Students should not use participation in one activity as
an excuse to perform inadequately in another activity. Coaches, directors, and advisors
should avoid penalizing students who participate conscientiously in multiple activities.
Coaches, directors, advisors, and parents should help students make responsible time
management and planning decisions, especially with regard to curricular work. From the
onset, a student should inform the applicable coaches, directors, and advisors of the
student’s participation in multiple activities and any known or potential conflicts or issues
which may arise by virtue of participating in multiple activities. Coaches, directors, and
advisors should communicate with each other and agree upon a plan to proactively reduce
the conflicts, issues and inevitable stress and strain, both physically and otherwise, on
students who choose to participate in multiple activities. One of the coaches, directors, or
advisors should inform the student of the agreed upon plan to reduce the conflicts, issues,
stress and strain from participating in the multiple activities. The student should advise his
or her parents about the agreed upon plan and continue to inform the parents of any
conflicts or issues which may arise in the implementation of the plan. As a general rule,
contests and performances should take priority over practices and rehearsals. Reasonable
exceptions may be made through communication between coaches, directors and advisors,
depending on a student’s role and importance to other students involved in an activity.
V. Injuries
a. If you have any kind of injury you must make the coaches aware of it.
b. Steve Tschida is the head athletic trainer at Edina High School. If you have an injury make
sure that you see him and are following through with his instructions.
c. If you go to the doctor for an injury, you will not be allowed to practice or play again until a
doctor’s release has been given to the coach saying that you were cleared to play. There
will be no exceptions to this rule.
VI. Post-Game Bus
a. It is expected that a player take team transportation to and from all away games (be 10
minutes early for departure). Junior Varsity players who wish to stay for the entire Varsity
game will be able to ride the Varsity bus home.
b. The only way a player cannot ride the team bus home after an away game is if they are
going with their OWN parent, and there is a reason they are unable to ride the team bus.
The school policy on this will be followed which means that the parent has to see the coach
after the game and give written permission to have her daughter released.
c. The only exception to this is if a parent permission form has been filled out and submitted
to the athletics office the morning of a game in which their daughter will be riding home
with another parent (the athletics office strongly discourages this and only signs off in
extreme cases).