2022-2023
Student-Athlete Handbook
WELCOME TO SAGEMONT ATHLETICS The purpose of this handbook is to educate our Sagemont student-athletes and their parents on the policies and procedures regarding participation on a school-sponsored athletic team. These guidelines are implemented and enforced by The Sagemont School, Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), and the Independent Athletic League (IAL). The main goal of the Sagemont Athletic Department is to provide quality experiences that enrich individuals within a safe and healthy environment. We encourage all students to participate in one of our programs creating memorable school experiences that will last a lifetime.
- Mr. Shane Marcey
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS smarcey@sagemont.com
ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT STAFF DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
smarcey@sagemont.com
emartinez@sagemont.com
Mr. Shane Marcey
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Ms. Julianne Vecere jvecere@sagemont.com
Ms. Estefania Martinez
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Mr. Jeff Mangus mangusj@ccf.org.
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
heytalis@sagemont.com
talentedtenthathletics@gmail.com
Ms. Hannah Eytalis
Mr. Ken Stuppard
COACHING STAFF BOYS' BASKETBALL
COMPETITIVE & SIDELINE CHEER
droe@sagemont.com
tlafleur@sagemont.com
Mr. David Roe
Mrs. Tamra LaFleur
GIRLS' & BOYS' VOLLEYBALL
BOYS' BASEBALL
Mr. Shane Marcey
Mr. Jason Stettner
BOYS' SOCCER
BOYS' & GIRLS' GOLF
jvecere@sagemont.com
jgil@clublink.ca
smarcey@sagemont.com
Ms. Julianne Vecere
jstettner23@gmail.com
Mr. Julian Gil
COACHING STAFF BOYS' & GIRLS' CROSS COUNTRY
BOYS' FLAG FOOTBALL
smarcey@sagemont.com
kvega@sagemont.com
Mr. Shane Marcey
BOYS' & GIRLS' SWIM
Mr. Shane Marcey
smarcey@sagemont.com BOYS' & GIRLS' TRACK & FIELD
Mr. Shane Marcey
smarcey@sagemont.com
Mr. Kenny Vega
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Sagemont Athletics...2
Conduct & Participation...16-18
Administration & Staff Support...3
24-Hour Policy...19
Coaching Staff...4-5 Athletic Mission Statement...7 Register My Athlete (RMA)...8 Sportsmanship...9-10 Physicals, Fitness, and Injuries...11-13 FHSAA Student Eligibility...14-15
SAGEMONT ATHLETICS Mission Statement
The Sagemont Athletic Department is committed to providing our studentathletes with a competitive and safe environment where they can develop their physical, mental, and emotional skills. We pledge to honor the game by respecting opponents, officials, coaches, teammates, the school, and ultimately ourselves. The athletic staff will serve as positive role models while working to instill the core values of integrity, commitment, self-discipline, community service, and sportsmanship while placing an emphasis on excelling both on and off the field of play.
REGISTER MY ATHLETE (RMA) All student-athletes are required to create or update your RegisterMyAthlete.com (RMA) account. If you currently have an account, simply log in and select the 2022-23 school year and ALL sports you intend on trying out for. For our new athletes, detailed instructions for creating an RMA account are available on the website's home page. Have your FHSAA sports physical (EL2) filled out and uploaded to your RMA account BEFORE tryouts or practices begin. NOTE: You will not be allowed to practice or try out without these forms turned in. All forms can be accessed via your RMA account.
CLICK HERE TO CREATE YOUR RMA ACCOUNT
SPORTSMANSHIP Expectations It is the duty of all student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators concerned with interscholastic athletics to: Remember that an athletic contest is only a game, not a matter of life or death. Emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. Stress the values derived from playing the game fairly. Establish a cordial relationship between visitor and host. Respect the integrity and judgment of the officials. Achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility. Encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by all student-athletes on the team. Recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of individual student-athletes. Any type of “hazing” or initiation activity is not endorsed by The Sagemont School and is strictly prohibited.
SPORTSMANSHIP Responsibilities of a Sagemont Student-Athlete Being a member of a Sagemont athletic team is a privilege and an honor. To many athletes, it is the fulfillment of an early ambition. The attainment of this goal carries with it certain traditions and responsibilities that must be upheld. A great athletic tradition is being developed by the hard work of many people over these next several years. As a member of an athletic team at Sagemont, your actions will reflect not only on those with whom you are now associated with, but also with those who have contributed to our school in the past. The benefits of athletic competition are achieved through hard work, dedication and discipline and are rewarded with the development of fond memories and personal achievements.
Parental Involvement Parents are strongly encouraged to be involved in the athletic program by attending athletic contests, end-of-season receptions, banquets, and parent information meetings. Supporting the student-athletes and coaches can help make interscholastic athletics an extremely rewarding experience for everyone involved.
PHYSICALS, FITNESS, & INJURIES Required Athletic Forms
Each student wishing to participate in the interscholastic athletic program at Sagemont must have the following completed and signed forms on file and approved in their RegisterMyAthlete.com account. 1. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (EL2) 2. Consent and Release from Liability Certificate (EL3) 3. Student-Athlete Handbook Note: All of these items must be submitted BEFORE the first team practice, preseason conditioning session, or open gym. Athletes will not be permitted to participate in any team activities until all forms are complete. There are NO exceptions to this policy.
Injuries In order for the coach to make the best decision for both the student-athlete and the team, it is extremely important to report all injuries a student-athlete suffers immediately to the coach. Medical expenses resulting from any injury must first be submitted to your own insurance carrier. Any remaining balance can be submitted to the school's accident insurance carrier by processing a claim form that can be obtained from the athletic director.
PHYSICALS, FITNESS, & INJURIES Fitness and Training Student-athletes are STRONGLY advised to include enough physical preparation prior to the start of the season so that they minimize the risk of injury. If unsure of proper preparation, consult your coach, athletic director, or PE teacher. Note: For all sports, off-season clubs and leagues are available in the local area. Although participation in such clubs is not mandatory, it is encouraged as a means of building an athlete's physical fitness and sport-specific skills. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are properly hydrated before, during, and after a practice or athletic contest.
Risk Factors in Sports Participation by a student in athletic activities involves a certain degree of risk of physical injury. Such physical injury can occur in any type of activity be it a contact or a non-contact sport. By choosing to participate in a school-sponsored interscholastic athletic activity, a student and his/her parents/guardian assume the risks for injuries that may occur.
PHYSICALS, FITNESS, & INJURIES Returning After an Injury Any athlete who is seen by a doctor for an illness or injury must obtain a signed physician's release in order to resume participation with their team. If you have to go to an emergency room for care, a written release should be obtained either before leaving the hospital or from the athlete's family physician at the time of a follow-up examination. The release should clearly indicate that the athlete may participate in school athletics, or the minimum time before an athlete may resume playing, e.g., "no strenuous exercise or sports for two weeks". This release must be submitted to the athletic director. It is the student athlete's responsibility to get the release to the athletic director prior to team participation. Note: Head injuries are a great cause for concern. Recent findings of post-concussion syndrome have led to an increased awareness of the long-term dangers associated with severe head injuries. For these reasons, athletes participating in varsity volleyball, flag football, basketball, soccer, and baseball will be required to complete an Impact Baseline test administered on campus by our athletic trainer from Cleveland Clinic. In cases where the coach is aware of a potentially significant head injury suffered by an athlete, the coach will request that the athlete see a physician. The athlete will not be permitted to participate in the sport until examined and released by a physician and submitted a signed copy of the FHSAA form AT10 to the Athletic Department.
FHSAA STUDENT ELIGIBILTY Academic Requirements
According to FHSAA by-laws, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA upon entering the 9th grade. An incoming 9th grader will be deemed eligible and will not be held to a cumulative 2.0 until after the first semester of their freshman year. This cumulative GPA will be verified by the athletic director prior to the first semester, in between the first and second semesters and following the second semester of any given school year. If a student-athlete is deemed academically ineligible, they will not be permitted to participate in interscholastic athletics until they can achieve one of the following: 1. Raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher on the next GPA verification period. 2. Sign an academic performance contract with the school (9th and 10th grade only). Middle School students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the previous semester to attain athletic eligibility. They are eligible for one year each in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. A middle school student who turns 15 years of age before any given season will be deemed ineligible for competition on a middle school team. If they turn 15 years of age DURING a season, they will be allowed to finish that season but will be ineligible for any subsequent middle school team. The beginning of a season is defined as the first date of tryouts for that team.
FHSAA STUDENT ELIGIBILTY Age & Grade According to FHSAA Regulations, a student is eligible for varsity athletic competition for eight (8) consecutive semesters upon the student's entry into the ninth grade or entry into the US equivalent of 9th grade. The FHSAA does permit students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades to compete in varsity competition provided that they meet the standards of that program. A student shall be eligible for interscholastic competition in grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 but may not be 19 years of age before September 1st. Note: If any of the above are not satisfied prior to the first team practice, the student-athlete will be ineligible until they can produce the missing documents.
CONDUCT & PARTICIPATION Conduct
Exemplary conduct and behavior is expected at all times of students representing Sagemont through participation in athletics. We expect our athletes to set the standard, not simply meet it as being a Sagemont athlete is a privilege, not a right. A teacher or supervisor may refer continued or severe discipline problems to the principal or athletic director. Insubordination, profanity, destruction of personal or school property, fighting, habitual removal from class or uniform infractions, and other unacceptable behavior may result in removal from a team by the coach, athletic director, or principal.
Coach's Authority
Each coach has the authority to establish additional rules pertaining to the organization and efficient operation of the program. The coach will review any such additional rules with student-athletes. Violations of team rules that may warrant suspension or their dismissal from the team, will be discussed with the athletic director. After due process has been granted by the athletic director, the coach may dismiss or suspend any member for insubordination, unsportsmanlike conduct, repeated tardiness or absences from the practices and competitions.
School Attendance An athlete must be present in school for a minimum of 50% of their scheduled class time on the day of a contest. If a student is absent from school, excused or unexcused, or is not present for at least 50% of their class school, they will not eligible to participate in team practice or an athletic contest on that day. NOTE: To the extent possible, prior notice should be given to the coach and athletic director, at least one day prior to the absence. Exceptions include school-based field trips, activities, or programs.
CONDUCT & PARTICIPATION Participation
An athlete is obligated to contribute the necessary time and effort to the sport in which he/she is involved. Athletes are expected to begin the season on the scheduled start dates unless participating on a team in the previous season. In this case, a conversation with both head coaches is required in order to communicate the conflict and come to an agreement by all parties. Failure to begin on time may result in the inability to participate in that season. All practice sessions and competitions are mandatory unless specifically stated otherwise by the coach. Team members must be present and on time for all scheduled practice sessions and games. Any athlete who is present in school, but absent or late to the athletic activity (practice or game) without prior permission from the coach will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. That action ranges from a warning, to suspension, to dismissal from the team. It is the responsibility of the athlete to inform the coach in advance, prior to being tardy or absent from a practice or game. It should be noted that the Sagemont athletic department realizes that unusual situations may arise. These are excused but should be limited to emergency appointments (doctor, dentist), court appearances, college visitation, funerals, religious obligations, special examinations and tests, and overlapping seasons. Once committed to a sport, the student-athlete is expected to remain a member of the team for the entire season. Commitment is defined by starting the season on time, participating in practices, being added to the official FHSAA roster, and dressing for the first competition. Athletes not fulfilling this obligation (quitting a team) will be ineligible to participate in any other sport during that season. The athlete will also be ineligible to start a sport in the season following until the conclusion of their previous sport (including preseason workouts). Athletes will be ineligible to try out/participate the following year in the sport he/she quit unless a meeting is scheduled with both the Athletic Director and Head Coach prior to the start of the season. Finally, if at any time during the season an athlete quits the team, he/she will forfeit all awards, recognitions, and records.
CONDUCT & PARTICIPATION Transportation
Each student-athlete will be transported to and from all away athletic contests by school-sponsored methods only. Driving personal vehicles is not allowed without specific permission granted by the Athletic Director. The only exception to this policy is if a student-athlete is transported by their parent/guardian - not siblings, themselves, friends, etc. It is stressed that this is to be an exceptional case. Travel time is an integral part of being on an athletic team. It affords time for the coaches and student-athletes to prepare prior to the contest and to reflect on the contest afterward.
Return of School Clothing and Equipment
It is the responsibility of the athlete to return to the coach all clothing and equipment issued during the season. Failure to do this will result in an obligation for the missing articles and the athlete will not be eligible to start another sport/season. Athletes not paying the obligation will have their report cards (and diploma if applicable) held until return or payment and will forfeit their right to receive any school clothing for the next sports season.
Conflict with Other School Activities The athletic department recognizes that each student should have the opportunity for a broad range of experiences in school activities and, to this end, will attempt to schedule events in a manner so as to minimize conflict. Athletes have a responsibility to do everything they can to avoid continuous conflicts and to notify the coach immediately when a conflict is recognized. NOT the day of the conflict.
24-HOUR POLICY Parent Communication
The “24 Hour Policy” requires parents to wait 24 hours prior to addressing any issues with the coach concerning their child’s involvement on the team. Knowledge of the appropriate manner and timeframe in which to speak to coaches is important in moving forward with a positive solution while avoiding emotional and inappropriate confrontations.
Note: For the full 24-Hour Policy, please click here.