A message to the Athletes - The coaching staff of Warsaw Central School welcomes all candidates who will have the privilege of representing the Warsaw Central School in the inter-scholastic athletic program.

The Team

• In general, any student may try out for any sport offered in the program, provided he/she meets the required local and state eligibility regulations. No candidate may participate in any practice session without a “Permission Slip” signed by either parent or guardian, denoting that the parent or guardian is fully aware of and willing to abide by the athletic requirements. A physical exam prior to practicing is also required.
• We expect that students will do everything in their power to maintain the high standards of attitude, appearance, conduct and sportsmanship, which are required in our athletic program. All candidates must conform to all the rules and regulations governing team participation as stated in the student handbook and by individual coaches at the beginning of a season.

Tryouts

• The coaches will meet with their perspective squad members at the beginning of each sport season and inform them of team plans for the season. In sports where “cuts” are required, the coach will post a final list of team members before the first inter-scholastic contest. Players are cut only for lack of ability, poor team spirit, attitude, conduct, or absences from practices. Any player whose name appears on the final list will be considered a member of the squad for that season.

Scholastic Requirements

• Any bonafide student of the Warsaw Central School who meets the requirements established by the local Board of Education, State Commissioner of Education and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association is eligible to participate in inter-scholastic athletics, providing he or she maintains satisfactory scholarship standards. These standards require taking at least five subjects, pass physical education each term, and maintain satisfactory academic work according to the standards set by Warsaw Central School.  Each head coach and the Athletic Director will be responsible to the High School Principal for preparing the squad list and for checking the eligibility.

Athletic Injuries

• Any injury, no matter how small it may seem, must be reported to the coach immediately. The insurance company may not honor medical bills if injuries are not reported to the coach prior to seeking medical attention. In case of an emergency or if the coach cannot be reached, injuries should be reported to the coach as a soon as possible but no later than 48 hours after the injury occurs. Students may go to their family physician or the school physician. School insurance covers the majority of the expenses not covered by the insurance of the family.

Quitting the Team

• Prior to the final team player selection date or the first contest where cuts are not made, a player may withdraw from the squad, after they have discussed the matter with the coach. After this date, any player quitting the squad will be ineligible for any sport during that season or thirty (30) calendar days, whichever is longer, exclusive of summer vacation, unless they leave for some reason acceptable to the Athletic Director and the coaches involved.
• In cases of sports where tryouts are held, athletes will be ineligible to try out after the final player selection date has taken place unless they have a reason acceptable to the Athletic Director and coaches involved and prior permission is granted.  Students who transfer into the Warsaw School District during a season will have the right to tryout for a team.
• Quitting the team during an athletic contest will result in ineligibility for any sport for the remainder of that season or sixty (60) calendar days, whichever is longer.

Team Travel

• On team trips, each player must leave with the team and return with the team unless the coach releases the player to the personal custody of the parent or guardian. Requests to release a player to someone else other than the parent or guardian must be given to the principal in writing at least one day before the athletic contest. Failure to follow the preceding requirements will cause the player to be dropped from the team.
• Violations of Rules and Regulations- Violations of rules and regulations for practice sessions, use of equipment, and team participation violations will be disciplined by the coach, chaperone, or Athletic Director (in either a contest or practice session). An athlete violating rules and regulations such as citizenship, team travel, training rules, scholastic requirements or substance abuse will be subject to disciplinary action. Students failing to participate in physical education class because of injury or sickness, may not participate in practice or contests on that day.

Dignity for All Students Act – (DASA Act)

• The DASA Act is an amendment to New York State Education Law went into effect July 1, 2012 and states that NO student shall be subjected to harassment (including but not limited to, bullying and hazing) or discrimination by employees or students on school property or at a school function based on their actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex.  An overview of the DASA Act has been provided in this packet. 

Concussion Management and Awareness Act 

• Went into effect July 1, 2012 and requires Warsaw Central School to provide concussion management information and have a parental sign off on this permission slip.  A Student and Parent Information Sheet has been provided in this packet.