HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BRONCOS ATHLETICS 2020 2021 COACHING

HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BRONCOS ATHLETICS 2020 -2021

COACHING STAFF • Rusty Drye(Coordinator) • Matt Cooke • Freddie Higgins • Ralph Landau • Kyle Legg • Amy Heilhecker (Tennis) rustin. drye@gcisd. net

AGENDA • Introduction • Goals • What we expect of our Athletes • What you can expect of your Coaching Staff • Frequently Asked Questions • Seasons Step by Step • Paperwork / Physicals • Policies • Clothing • Booster Club • Summer Camps • CHHS S&C

GOALS OF BRONCOS ATHLETICS • To develop overall as well as sport specific skills for the young men to move on and be successful at the next level • To build winning teams and programs • Most importantly, to develop strong character traits in self-discipline, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, and citizenship to name just a few

WHAT WE EXPECT OF OUR ATHLETES • On time • Dressed Out, Hair Up, No Jewelry • Give 100% at all times • Represent our program on and off the court at all times positively • Be an upstanding member of the school and community

WHAT TO EXPECT OF YOUR COACHES • • • 100% of our best effort day in and day out We will push you to do your best and we will test your limits We will make you stronger and improve your skills We will prepare you to move on to the next level We will be involved in your overall day, not just Athletics • Academics • Behavior • Etc. • Communication • Don’t be afraid to ask

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. When do they begin Athletics? Athletics does not begin until the 7 th grade school year by UIL guidelines. Practices will begin the first day of school. There can not be an early start during the summer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2. Is it required? No. Students in 7 th grade are required to take a fitness course of some sort and may choose between Physical Education or Athletics. For 8 th grade students, it is strictly an elective course.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 3. What sports are there to participate in? Volleyball (girls only) Football Basketball Cross Country Track Tennis Soccer Wrestling

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 4. When are the different seasons? Football / Volleyball August – October Basketball / Cross Country February Wrestling November – November-January Track / Tennis February – Soccer April - May April

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 5. When are the tryouts? Tryouts for each sport happen at the very beginning of each season. For example, football and volleyball tryouts will begin the first week of school. Basketball tryouts will begin after the conclusion of the previous seasons. Cross Country and Track tryouts are ongoing weekly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 6. How many people make each team? This varies based upon each sport. Football- Any and All. 3 teams if numbers allow Basketball - 27 -30 maximum Cross Country – 7 “A” team, No limits for “B” Track – 3 people per event each meet Tennis – 10 -15 maximum (combined grades) Soccer – 14 -16 “A” team, Numbers vary for “B” team

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 7. What do they do if they are not in a certain sport? Students must participate in one of the sports that is in season at all times. If he does not play football, he will participate in cross country. We do not have an “Offseason”.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 8. Are there before/after school practices? Yes. Students must be prepared to practice before or after school during each season. 7 th grade teams begin practice at 6: 45 a. m. 8 th grade teams begin practice during the last period and may stay as late at 5: 00 p. m. after. Cross country practices have options of before or Track field events are until 4: 30. Tennis/Soccer/Wrestling are all after school.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 9. What nights are the games? Schedules vary by sport and are determined by the Athletic Directors of the three school districts in which we compete. We will not have these schedules until sometime in May/ June. Please check the website after that time for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 10. How many sports do they have to participate in? Every student must participate in one of the sports that are in season at all times. They must compete in order to receive credit for Athletics and be eligible to participate the following year. Football and Cross Country are both non-cut sports – students will participate. All students complete a Track workout during the period for credit. (Participation in competitions may have additional minimum requirements).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 11. Can they just take one semester of Athletics? NO. Athletics is a two-semester course. Students may not drop out of Athletics at any time throughout the school year. Students not completing an “off-season” will not be allowed to tryout for sport the following year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 12. What if they are in band/choir/dance/cheer? Other school related activities will not be affected by participation in Athletics and your role in Athletics will not be affected by them. As coaches, we work closely with the sponsors of these other groups in order to make sure students can participate in all activities that they would like to experience and to be able to benefit from each one.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 13. Do they run every day? YES. 7 th grade trains at 1. 5 - 2 miles per day. 8 th grade trains at a minimum of 2 miles per day. (If you do not want to run, Athletics is not the right fit. )

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 14. Do they have to be a good athlete? No. They simply must be willing to participate and work hard every day. As middle school coaches, we are here to teach the athletes the skills and sports to prepare them for high school and future athletic endeavors. It is a learning and developing process. However, they must put forth their best effort daily and they will improve and not all students will be developed in every sport if they do not make a travel team (i. e. basketball, tennis)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 15. When do they get a physical? Every student in Athletics must have a physical on file before being allowed to participate in any practices or tryouts. They are good for the following school year only. The window for next school year begins March 27 th, 2020 and they are valid until July 31 st, 2021. DO NOT get it before this date…we cannot accept it!

There is a specific physical form that must be signed by the physician and may be found on the HMS website under “Athletics” and “Forms. ” These may be submitted before the end of this school year or you may bring them with you to Registration Day in August. DO NOT MAIL THEM over the summer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 16. Do I have to be in Athletics to play ______? Only students who make a football, or basketball team MUST be in the Athletic period to participate due to practice times. However, missing out on the Athletic period also means missing out on key conditioning and strength training to improve your abilities in other sports. This could lead to not making the travel squads in those.

THE YEAR IN ATHLETICS Step by Step

The year / seasons – step by step First day of school – Football Practice Begins - 11 days of acclimation - We will decide teams during this time - 1 st game is typically the third week of school, so we don’t have much time

The year / seasons – step by step August – November - Football season - Those in Cross Country will begin an overall conditioning program 2 -3 days a week to begin preparing for Cross Country season.

The year / seasons – step by step ~ November 1 st (approx. ) - Basketball tryouts - Cross Country begins - Anyone who does not play football will automatically participate in Cross Country. There are no options. - You can do both sports!! - Cross country requires 4 practices per week (8 opportunities to choose from) with a minimum number over the whole season. - Everyone will have the opportunity to attend at least one cross country meet during the season.

The year / seasons – step by step January - Basketball Continues - Cross Country begins overall conditioning as the season has concluded. Preparation for track season will begin as well.

The year / seasons – step by step Mid- February - TRACK season begins - Athletes will be timed in all running events and placed into workout groups based on qualifying times - Running workouts are during the class period - Field events take place before and after school only (optional) - TENNIS season begins after school only

The year / seasons – step by step Mid- April - Soccer begins after school (7 th and 8 th grade combined teams) - Off season preparation workouts begin - 7 th grade reviews of Football - Strength and Conditioning training - 8 th grade begins CHHS crossover

BOYS ATHLETICS POLICIES

PAPERWORK & PHYSICALS Required forms* will be on Rank. One. Sport for you to fill out. They must all be completed before students may participate. - HMS Boys Athletics Policies (HMS webpage) - Extra / Co-Curriculur Activity Pledge* - UIL Acknowledgement of Rules* - Steroid Agreement* - Concussion Acknowledgement* - Sudden Cardiac Arrest / Heat Illness Acknowledgement* - Physical Exam (cannot be dated before March

Physicals - Must be the mandated UIL form only - May be completed by any licensed physician - Earliest date to complete is March 27 th, 2020 - Valid until July 31, 2021 - HMS and CHHS Physical Days - more information will be provided as soon as it is received

MAKING IT INTO ATHLETICS Prior to getting into 7 th grade Athletics, students must demonstrate that they are prepared to handle the physical demands of the course. 6 th grade boys MUST demonstrate that they can run a 1 mile course without walking. (7 th grade competes at 1. 5 miles). Athletics is a difficult class. It comes with a lot of hard work and often times seems like very little reward. Students must be willing to continue to work hard, regardless. While it may not always pay off with a spot on a team, it does reap greater benefits in different ways in the long run.

GRADING POLICY Students will be given a grade every 3 week grading period. Students start with a "100" and points are earned/deducted daily on the following scale: Participation = 5 points Preparation = 5 points **preparation means correct clothing, hair up, no jewelry, and on time.

CLOTHING Boys Athletics and PE clothing are the same: - White or Gray Athletics shirt (or may be plain) - Team t-shirts that are sold are acceptable - Shirts from previous years are also acceptable - Shorts must be navy blue or black - No prints (brand logos are ok) - Guidelines apply to Athletics ONLY

CLOTHING - Navy Blue, Gray, or Black sweats ONLY (no other colors will be accepted) - Proper Athletic Shoes - Socks may - Sport specific equipment will either be issued or you purchase your own - Colors need to be neutral (white, black, gray, navy) - Shoes are an exception

CLOTHING STORE The HMS Boys Athletics Store will be open online during the month of MAY. Please check the website for the links. An email will also be sent out notifying you that it is open.

STUDENT ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT Members of the Heritage Middle School Athletic Program need to conduct themselves in a manner that will bring pride and honor to HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, the athletic program, and the Grapevine. Colleyville Community. No athlete has the right to do or say anything that might hurt, embarrass, or degrade themselves, his/her family, teammates, coaches, teachers, or school. Detrimental conduct will be handled with the appropriate disciplinary action.

PR 1 DE BOYS CORE VALUES Preparation – Be prepared for the day, situation, opportunity Respect – Yourself, teammates, coaches, teachers, the sport 1 Team, 1 Family – FAMILY, Brotherhood Dedication – Dedicated to the classroom, each other, improving Expect Greatness- Expect to be great in all things

STUDENT ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT Penalties for Inappropriate Player Conduct: 1. Physical Conditioning 2. Game or games Suspension 3. Player Contract 4. Dismissal from team 5. Dismissal from program

TRYOUTS STATEMENT Tryouts for teams at Heritage Middle School are highly competitive. With this in mind, team members should understand that the HMS teams take priority over any club team affiliation. HMS players should never miss a practice or game due to a club team obligation. Any player who violates this rule could be subject to immediate dismissal. There are many boys trying out for the teams. Making the team means making a commitment and often times sacrifices for others and for the whole. Inability to meet the time expectations will not be accepted. Essentially you are taking a spot from someone else who is willing to make the sacrifice.

INJURY/ILLNESS EXCUSES Students MUST have a note from a parent to sit out of an athletic practice. There are no exceptions. Acceptable Notes Unaccepted Notes Injured Asthma during cold (1) Has been ill Feeling ill Sore from weekend (2) Didn’t sleep (1) We work with asthmatic students to teach them how to be proactive rather than reactive. (2) Exercise aides with sore muscles. **Rest assured, we would never put your child in danger!

Injury/illness excuses cont… Students sitting out are still expected to dress out in their Athletic gear for the day. Students on a travel squad are still expected to be in attendance for the full practice time. Parent notes will excuse participation for up to two days maximum at a time. Only two parent notes are allowed per grading period. If a student will be out for more than two days, a doctor's note is necessary for their well-being.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION GUIDELINES This section is included for conflict resolution purposes between PLAYER and COACH or PARENT and COACH. Any conflict should be addressed in accordance to the following protocol: 1. Meet with the specific coach directly at a mutually appointed time (not after a game or practice). 2. Meet with the Head Coach of the sport at a mutually appointed time. 3. Meet with the Campus Athletic Coordinator and Principal at a mutually appointed time.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

BOOSTER CLUB Please join our amazing Booster Club! Cost $25 annually per household Money goes towards providing HMS student-athletes with the best resources available. This comes in the form of equipment and uniforms as well as tournament entry fees to name a few things. We are always looking for new board members and volunteers!! If interested, please contact Coach Drye or Richard Webb (HMS Athletic Booster President).

SUMMER CAMPS Any camps are a good idea! Play in a league or on a team!! CHHS camp information will be made available online through Peachjar as it comes to us and fliers will be in the locker room by the white board.

CHHS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING There will be a summer strength and conditioning program through CHHS. Incoming 7 th-Seniors Once we have more information, it will be sent out. Not required but highly encouraged. HMS Coaches will be there along with CHHS coaches to work with all athletes in attendance.

QUESTIONS? Please feel free to contact Coach Drye with any questions you have or if you would like to schedule a time for a meeting or phone call. Rustin. Drye@gcisd. net