MCHS Athletic Handbook

Athlete Defined

The Muncie Central High School athlete is defined as and includes all young men and women who represent a team that engages in interscholastic competition and further includes cheerleaders, mascots, student managers, student trainers and statisticians.

Residency Requirements

Student-athletes, managers, student staff or support groups must be eligible to attend Muncie Central High School, have legal settlement, or be sanctioned through court mandate in order to participate in athletics at Muncie Central.  Students must conform to the legal settlement statutes as defined in Indiana Code 20-26-11-2.

Academic Eligibility

Every student-athlete, manager, student trainers, cheerleader, and mascot must be passing in six (6) credits each nine weeks grading period (semester ending grades take precedence) in order to continue to participate as a team member.  Coaches and sponsors can check progress of students by talking with teachers, issuing periodic grade checks and checking grade cards at the end of grading periods.  It is the policy of the athletic department to work closely with the academics of each participant to try to affect them in a positive way.  Students with failing grades may attend practice during the periods of ineligibility, but may NOT participate in contests.

 

What Must Be Done Before First Official Practice

The following items are to be completed by the athlete and parent/guardian before the first practice with any team:

1. Take and pass a physical examination and have supporting student, parent and doctor signatures.
2. Meet academic requirements.
3. Attend team meetings or meet with the coach before first practice.
4. Have an athletic transfer filed (transfer students to Muncie Central High School cannot compete in interscholastic contests until an athletic transfer is complete.)
5. Read and sign the Code of Conduct agreement that you and your parent/guardian understand will abide by the athletic handbook code of conduct.
6. Have completed the concussion information sheet during the registration process or a separate form if not done during registration.

Physicals / Final Forms

Every Muncie Central athlete, student manager, student trainer, cheerleader and mascot is required by Muncie Central and the IHSAA to have a physical examination completed and on file with the athletic office before practicing any sport.  Physical exams are the responsibility of the athlete and his or her parent. Physicals may be administered between April 1^st the preceding year and the student’s first practice. Muncie Central has partnered with FinalForms, an online registration system to allow you to register your students and easily transfer information from one school year to the next. This allows us to register multiple students as well as upload all student medical/insurance information for emergency medical information. FinalForms also allows our athletic training staff to track and communicate progress of student-athletes injuries and recovery. 

Register Through FinalForms here

 

Code Of Conduct Statement

The following rules are in line with the Indiana High School Athletic Associations Constitution that states: "Contestants' conduct, in or out of school, shall be such as: 1) not to reflect discredit upon their school or the Association or, 2) not to create a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment in a school.  It is recognized that principals, by the administrative authority vested in them by their school corporation, may exclude such contestants from representing their school."  Rule 8, Section 1, IHSAA by-laws.

Enforcement Of The Code Of Conduct

The principal and athletic director shall enforce all rules and regulations as described in the code of Conduct for Athletes.  All rules regarding behavior and/or training as outlined in IHSAA regulations apply.  The coach of each sport will enforce the code throughout the school year.   Parents and athletes are asked to sign the Code of Conduct agreement document stating that they understand the Code and the athlete is subject to disciplinary measures should he/she violate the Code.

The code is enforced twelve months of the year, grades nine through twelve. 

Any alleged violation of the code shall be reported first to the principal or his/ her designee and then is to be followed by an investigation by the coach, sponsor, principal, or his/her designee and the athletic director.

Important:  Muncie Central High School is not asking athletes to make sacrifices. Sacrifice implies giving up good things. We are asking our athletes to do the opposite: live clean, think clean and do those things that make them keener, finer and more competent individuals and team members.

Appeals

An athlete and his/her parent(s) guardian have the right to appeal a ruling by so notifying the Principal in writing within five (5) business days after notification of the decision, if written notification is not received within five (5) business days requesting a hearing, the right of appeal is forfeited.

The athletic Appeal Board is composed of the Principal, Athletic Director, Assistant Athletic Director, and two school officials not affiliated with the athletic department, and the coach of the sport involved with the athlete in question.  The coach of the sport involved with the athlete in question is a non-voting member of the Athletic Appeal Board.

The purpose of the appeal hearing is to inquire into the athlete’s alleged violation and to allow the athlete and parent(s) guardian to present evidence on the student’s behalf, the entire hearing will be tape recorded with copies available upon request to the parties involved.

Within five (5) days after the hearing the parent(s) guardian will be notified of the Athletic Appeal Boards decision, the athlete in question is not eligible for competition during the appeal process. 
 

Contestants’ conduct, in and out of school, shall be such as (1) not to reflect discredit upon their school or the Association, or (2) not to create a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment in the school.

NOTE:  It is recognized that principals, by the administrative authority vested in them by their school corporation, may exclude such contestants from representing their school.

Expected Standards Of Conduct For Athletes

• The good of the team is first and foremost.  Once a team is eliminated the individual becomes the most important.
• No player(s) will ever employ illegal tactics to gain an undeserved advantage.  All players will devote themselves to being a true sports person.
• All athletes will care for all equipment as though it was their own personal property.  If equipment is destroyed through practice, the school will replace it.  If equipment is lost or stolen the athlete(s) will fulfill their responsibility by paying for replacement of item(s).
• All athletes will obey the specific training and practice rules of their team as given to them by the coaching staff of that team.
• Athletes should not engage in doing negative things. Drinking alcohol, taking controlled drug substances, using tobacco products, using profanity and being disobedient are harmful to athletes and their team.  Maximum effort and performance cannot be attained doing these things.
• Athletes must pass six (6) credits each grading period to be eligible to participate in athletics.  (This is the same as the I.H.S.A.A rule). Team members should plan their time so that they devote energy to their studies to ensure passing grades that represent their true abilities.
• An athlete should be a positive influence in all that they try to do.  Work for the betterment of Muncie Central and what is right for all activities and yourself.  Set a good example by always doing what is right and good.
• Officials deserve courteous respect.  An athlete should appreciate that coaches, teachers, and school officials have the best interest of all athletes in mind as they equip, schedule and conduct the athletic program.
• All Muncie Central athletes must comply with standards of our athletic Code of Conduct and school rules or be subject to disciplinary action or dismissal from a team as determined by the rules, coaching staff, athletic director, and/or principal of Muncie Central High School

Muncie Central Training Rules

Participation in school athletics is a privilege that carries with it varying degrees of responsibility, recognition and reward.  Participating students represent their school and other members of the student body, and it is their duty to conduct themselves in a manner that is positive for themselves, their families, their school and their community. The following training rules shall apply to all athletes, cheerleaders, mascots, student managers, student trainers, or any other Muncie Central student associated with athletic teams in grades 9-12. Training between seasons is important. The following training rules apply at all times throughout the calendar year.

RULE 1:  An athlete's actions which result in criminal arrest, conviction, or produce evidence of criminal wrongdoing including felonies, misdemeanors, and acts of delinquency or acts result in status offenses.

Penalty: The athlete may be excluded from athletics for 365 days from the day the violation is confirmed. The length of the penalty is to be determined by the athletic council. Any student arrested, or detained as a juvenile, because of such actions will be suspended from any participation pending investigation of the incident.

Rationale:  Rule 8, Section 1 of the IHSAA by-laws states that the conduct of an athlete in and out of school shall be such as (1) not to reflect discredit upon his/her school or association, or (2) not to create a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment in the school.

RULE 2: Athletes shall not possess, use, transmit or be under the influence of narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, stimulants, depressants, marijuana, counterfeit caffeine pills, steroids, or alcohol. This includes Vape or e-cigarette devices, as well as THC based cartridges which shall not be used or possessed on or off the grounds of Muncie Central.  In addition, athletes shall not possess, use or transmit paraphernalia for use of such substances.  (Use of an authorized drug as prescribed by a registered physician shall not constitute a violation of this rule.)

PENALTY:

• FIRST VIOLATION: Suspension 25% of the total scheduled athletic competitions or contests.
• SECOND VIOLATION: Suspension 50% of the total scheduled athletic competitions or contests.
• THIRD VIOLATION:  Suspension for 365 calendar days from participation in any athletic competitions, contests, and activities.
• A student may reduce his/her first or second offense suspension by 1% per hour of verified professional counseling if the student follows the recommendations of the treatment center or other appropriate Health Care provider.  To be eligible for such reduction, the Athletic Council or designee must approve the counselor or other Health Care provider, in advance.  Any assessment, counseling, or treatment by the student or parent/guardian will be at the expense of the student or parent/guardian.  This is the only basis for reduction of any suspension period. This reduction can only amount to 10% of the total suspension on the first offense. The reduction can only amount to 10% of the total suspension on the second offense.

RULE 3:  Use or possession of tobacco products (any form)

PENALTY:

• FIRST VIOLATION:  The student may be excluded from athletics 25% of an athletic season.
• A student may reduce the penalty to 10% of an athletic season by submitting to a tobacco use education program approved by the Athletic council or designee, the student will serve the entire 25% suspension upon notification that the student violated any of the conditions of the tobacco use education program.  The cost of the program is the responsibility of the student and/or his/her parents or guardians.
• SECOND VIOLATION WITHIN 365 DAYS:  The student may be excluded from all athletics for 50% of an athletic season, on the second offense the athlete may reduce the suspension to 30% of said season by completion of 10 hours of community service approved by the athletic council or designee.
• Rational:  The use of tobacco is injurious to one's health and in many cases is prohibited by law.
• THIRD VIOLATION:  Suspension for 365 calendar days from participation in any athletic competitions, contests, and activities.

RULE 4:  Violation of School Rules

PENALTY: Students may not compete, practice or participate in any way with an athletic team during suspension or expulsion from school.  Less serious violations of school rules are to be handled by the head coach.

RULE 5:  Any athlete who commits acts of theft at school or as a member of an Muncie Central High School athletic program shall:

PENALTY:

• FIRST VIOLATION:  If more than 50% of the regular season remains, the athlete is removed from the team for the remainder of the season.  If less than 50% of the regular season remains, the athlete is removed from the team for the remainder of the season and will serve a suspension carrying over to the next sports season which will total 50% of regular season contests.
• SECOND VIOLATION: 1 calendar year of suspension from athletics.
• THIRD VIOLATION: Removal of all athletic privileges for the remainder of the high school career
• PROBATION- Any student who violates any provision of this policy shall be considered to be on probation or a period of 365 days from the day that the violation is confirmed.  A second or subsequent violation of any training rule while on probation may result in the student being excluded from all athletics for 365 days from the day that the second or subsequent violation is confirmed.  The principal or designee shall determine the penalty of a second or subsequent violation of the policy while on probation.

Rules, Consequences And Procedures

Students who do not represent Muncie Central High School in a becoming manner or whose habits, conduct, or character IN OR OUT OF SCHOOL, are such as to reflect discredit upon our school shall be subject of disciplinary measures.  This could result in suspension to dismissal from an athletic team as determined by the coach, athletic director or principal.

Specific Team Rules may be put forth by the coach of each sport. These rules and the penalties attached will be given to the athletes by the coach at the first meeting or practice of that sport. These written rules will be on file with the Athletic Director, and will not supersede the Muncie Central Athletic Code of Conduct. 

Suspensions Via Due Process

A due process suspension (in school or out of school) makes a student athlete ineligible for competition and practices for the duration of the due process

Out-Of-Season Violations

Violations of rules 1, 2, 3 and 4 will result in a percentage suspension in the athlete’s next sports season.  Athletes violating these rules will be suspended for a percentage of the regular season beginning with the first regular season contest.

Athletic rules and consequences are cumulative and in effect year-round.

For Example:  If an athlete is caught consuming alcoholic beverages during the summer that would be his first offense. Since the offense occurred out of season, the athlete would be suspended for 25% of the regular season contests in his next sport’s season; the same athlete is then caught smoking.  This is his/her second offense and he/she would be suspended from all athletics for 50% of the calendar year. Third offense he/she would be suspended from all athletics for one calendar year.

If the athlete does not complete the season in good standing, he/she will forfeit any award(s) earned.

When serving a percentage of a season suspension, the athlete is expected to be present at all athletic contests and practices involving his/her team or squad. The athlete is a member of the team and is expected to fulfill this responsibility.  If the athlete does not attend the contest, credit will not be given toward fulfilling the requirements of the suspension, the athlete must also complete the season in good standing for credit to be given toward fulfilling the requirements of suspension.

 

Awards System

• Freshman Award- Certificate
• JV Award- Certificate
• 1^st Varsity Award- Letter/Chevron/Certificate
• 2^nd Varsity Award- Certificate/Chevron/Numerals *(if 2^nd varsity in same sport, right to order jacket, or 3 overall)
• 3^rd Varsity Award- Certificate/Chevron/Numerals if 3^rd letter overall.
• 4^th Varsity Award- Plaque/Certificate/Chevron
• 5^th Varsity Award- Certificate/Chevron.
• 6^th Varsity Award- Certificate/Chevron
• 7^th  Varsity Award  Certificate/Chevron
• 8^th Varsity Award   Certificate/Chevron
• 9^th Varsity Award  Picture on Wall of Fame** Certificate/Chevron/9^th Award Plaque
• 10^th Varsity Award  Blanket/Certificate/Chevron
• 11^th Varsity Award  Desk Clock/Certificate/Chevron
• 12^th Varsity Award  Watch/Certificate/Chevron

Participation Awards

Certificates of participation will be given to athletes who complete the season in a sport to the coach’s satisfaction and requirements and do not receive a major varsity award.

• All Final Lettering Decisions Are Determined By The Head Coach And The Athletic Director
• Transfer Students Can Transfer Varsity Letters From Their Previous Schools With Proper Documentation.
• All Athletes Must Complete The Season In Good Standing.

Accidents/Injuries

All accidents or injuries home or away are to be reported to the certified athletic trainer and/or coach immediately. An acknowledgement of receipt pertaining to concussion information must be signed by both the student and parent.

Attendance: School And Game Day

Daily attendance to school and practice is expected.  All student-athletics must have attended classes for

The entire day, the day of or the day before a Saturday contest to be able to participate in his/her next athletic event. Approved field trips or school activities constitute attending school.  Any exceptions must 

be approved through the principal’s office and/or the athletic office. Excessive tardiness to class and or excessive absences from school can result in a reduction of playing time or dismissal from the team.

Carry-Over Suspension

If the violation of the Code occurs in the last part of a sport season, and the violator cannot fulfill the terms of the suspension, the suspension does carry-over until the suspension is fulfilled. This includes their next sport season or the same sport the next year. For example: if the suspension is for two (2) football games with only one (1) remaining, the athlete must also miss the first basketball game/wrestling match/etc until the suspension has been served. NOTE: After an athlete’s freshman year, they may not join a new sport that they have never participated in during high school to serve a suspension. For example, a Junior that receives a suspension during the last game of the soccer season, may not join wrestling to serve that suspension before their Senior Soccer season UNLESS they have previously participated in Wrestling.

Changing Sports

An athlete is considered a part of a team once they complete the 8 “official” practices to become competition eligible in that sport. If an athlete is cut from a team, he/she may join another team or program in that sports season. Athletes will also be allowed to transfer from one sport to another during a given season if mutually agreed upon by both coaches and the athletic director. However, an athlete cannot quit one sport to join another sport until that sport season is concluded. Example: the athlete cannot quit football to go out for basketball until football season is completed. Mutual consent by both coaches can waive this rule if the student athlete and the team are better off for the change.

Class Release

There are a few times or reasons why a student-athlete should miss class. State series practice/contests, conference tournaments and rain outs are examples of excusable releases by the school. Excused release from class is handled through the attendance office and may require a field trip form to be on file in the athletic office.

College-Bound Athletics And Recruiting

College recruiters will visit Muncie to talk about athletics.  NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse rules determine who is eligible for scholarships.  Student-athletics must maintain a “C” average in core classes as determined by the NCAA, score well on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or the American College Test and have the recommendation of his/her coaches.  These booklets and applications are available online @ www.eligibilitycenter.com.  There is time set aside for recruiter-athlete visitations.  Your coach and guidance counselor will arrange the visitation.  Transcripts will be provided to the University through the guidance office or registrar’s office.

Completing A Suspension

Athletes that are suspended for a violation of athletic or school rules shall not be permitted to dress as a member of a team at an athletic contest. Coaches may require that suspended players travel with, and sit with the team at athletic events. The athlete will be allowed to practice at the discretion of the coach and depending on the severity of the suspension.

Equipment

All athletes will care for all equipment as though it was their own personal property. If equipment is destroyed through practice, the school will replace it. If the equipment is lost or stolen, the athlete will fulfill their responsibility by paying for replacement of the item(s). Remember that stealing or wearing stolen equipment is a violation of the Code of Conduct and punishable by suspension from athletics. Equipment may not be worn during the school day without the approval of the coach for that sport.

Participation In Two Sports In One Season

Athletes may participate in more than one sport during the season.  Coaches involved with athletes wanting to do this will meet and discuss the possibilities. Practice schedules will be worked out between the coaches involved.  The student must declare a primary sport and a secondary sport. If contests conflict, the primary sport will take precedence over the secondary sport unless it involves a conference opponent or a state series contest. The athlete must realize the extra time for practice that is necessary to compete in two sports in one season. The athlete must meet the requirements of both sports. If the requirements of one or both sports are not met, the athlete may be cut from the team(s). Only one Varsity letter towards the Wall of Fame Requirements will be awarded during each season (Fall, Spring, and Winter).

Parties

Attendance at social events such as parties, dances, etc. is up to the athlete and parent or guardian. Athletes are expected to leave social events immediately where illegal use of chemical substance materials is allowed by the host. Do not be found guilty by association!

Practices; Regular, Vacation And School Closing

All team members are expected to attend all practices. The coach sets practice schedules during school vacations and only the coach can excuse an athlete from practice. The Muncie Community School’s policy states that if we are under a weather emergency there are to be no practices. Other weather-related practice cancellations are to be determined by the administration.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is something that should be exhibited at all times before, during and after contests. As players are admired and respected your actions can exert a great deal of influence over the actions and behaviors of your teammates, opponents and spectators. Things that you can do include:

1. Treat opponents with the respect they deserve as guests and fellow human beings
2. Shake hands with opponents and wish them good luck before and after the contest.
3. Exercise self-control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding by them.
4. Respect the integrity and judgement of officials. Never argue or make gestures indicating the dislike of a decision.
5. Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, being neither boastful nor bitter.
6. Congratulate opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat.

Student Hazing

The MCS School Board believes that hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational process and prohibits all such activities at any time in school facilities, on school property, and at any corporation sponsored event.

Hazing shall be defined for purposes of the policy as performing any actor coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any class, group, or organization that causes or creates a risk of causing mental, emotional, or physical harm. Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in the policy.

Technology

Any student-athlete found to be improperly utilizing technology (ex. Smartphones, appearing on the internet/social networking websites or applications) in an inappropriate manner or engaging in illegal behavior or behavior prohibited under this Athletic Code of Conduct, the School District Code of Conduct, or other District policy applicable to student-athletes may be considered in violation of the Athletic Code of Conduct and subject to discipline or suspension in accordance with this Code. This includes cyber-bulling such as harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing of another student or staff member or an opposing school district’s student(s) or staff member(s).