St. Mary's Ryken Swimmer Handbook 2022-23

Communication:

Communication between the coaching staff and swimmers (and/or parents) will be accomplished primarily through email. Email the Head Coach @ [email protected] Should the head coach be unavailable please contact the Athletic Director [email protected]

Team Expectations:

Commit yourselves fully to the sport for the duration of the season

Demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve

Support your teammates

Compete at your highest level

Display respect at all times

Be a Scholar Athlete

Practice Attendance & Attitude:

Swimmers are expected to attend all practices. Ryken places a high priority on the academic success of our athletes and swimmers may be excused to meet academic needs. Coordinate with the coaching staff in these circumstances. Swimmers with poor attendance may become ineligible to receive a Varsity Letter. USA Club swimmers may count their attendance at club practice towards daily practice requirements but must attend practice with the team one day per week. This policy is in place to support the Ryken mission as a college prep school and provides the flexibility to pursue increased training while balancing academic study time.

Meet attendance is expected, failure to attend a swim meet may result in loss of Varsity Letter. Swimmers who cannot attend a swim meet must notify the coaching staff and request a pass to continue to be considered for a Varsity Letter. Swimmers that have travel arrangements over the winter Christmas break will receive a pass for missed meets but will need to have their parents provide an email notifying the coach. Meet entries are worked out several days in advance between the teams so the earliest possible notice when not attending is requested.

All Ryken Athletes must complete medical and other administrative forms found in the Healthy Roster app.  Visit the Athletics page found under parent resources on Veracross.   A direct link is available in the resources page of the swimtopia website.  

Transportation:

Ryken will provide transportation to and from the pool utilizing a minibus. Space is limited and swimmers needing transportation should notify the coach to reserve space. Transportation after practice will return to campus prior to the late bus departure. Athletes that have a driver's license and vehicle will need to complete a Transportation form utilizing the healthy roster application. Parents may pick-up athletes from swim meets but must inform the coaching staff. All swimmers are expected to ride with the team to swim meets, if a schedule conflict exists, please work with the coaching staff.

Cuts:

Our team size is constrained by available pool space at the Leonardtown Swim Pool and the coaching staff will make cuts should they be necessary during initial tryouts. That said, many of the athletes that have participated over time have never been on a swim team or only when much younger. Athletes that have a willingness to work hard will have a good shot at making the team and the coaching staff will spend the time developing them into competitive swimmers. Tryouts will be completed during the first week of practice.

CONDUCT OF ST. MARY’S RYKEN PARENTS/SPECTATORS GUIDELINES

WCAC Sportsmanship Creed:

“Admission to interscholastic athletic events in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference entitles spectators to enjoy a competitive exhibition of skills in a Christian educational setting. Spectators, please give the athletes positive encouragement and support. Show respect for opposing players, coaches, spectators, and support groups. Please refrain from booing, taunting, or intimidating the officials and opponents. Such behavior is unfriendly and unacceptable. Please respect the integrity and judgment of game officials; they are doing their best to promote the student athlete and the game. Be a positive representative of your school community.”

Athletic Chain of Command:

If there are any questions or concerns involving some aspect of our athletic program, the athlete should first contact the appropriate person. If there is no resolution he would follow the chain of command.

Players

Captains

Assistants/JV Coaches

Head Coach

Athletic Directors

Principal

Expressing Concerns:

When expressing an occasional concern with a coach, an individual should refer to and use the following guidelines:

1.Never approach a coach immediately after a contest. This is not the proper time or place for a discussion concerning your son, daughter, or team. A 24 hour cool off period is a best practice.

2.Call the following day and make an appointment, which is convenient for both you and the coach to meet.

3.Raise your concerns in a calm and civil manner and have them written down so nothing is forgotten or left out. Yelling, being rude, or using foul language is unacceptable.

4.Once you have stated your question or concern, listen to the explanation. Often a parent may be blinded by emotion, and this overrides logic and reason. Listening receptively may really help you to understand any explanation which is given.

5.Always keep in mind that sports teams are exactly that, “a team”. Decisions will be made in light of the concept and school. They may not be the best for you or your son or daughter but in the best interest of the team or school.

SMR spectators will:

1.Remember that their conduct reflects upon the reputation and good name of SMR.

2.Be sportsmanlike at all times.

3.Control their temper to the best of their ability.

4.Without comment, accept the decision of game officials.

5.Treat officials, and an opposing school’s players, coaches, cheerleaders and fans with respect, consideration, and courtesy, at the scene of the game or elsewhere; and at home games, making them all welcome.

6.In victory be gracious to the losers; in defeat, be sportsmanlike.

7.Recognize, and be willing to applaud, the achievements and competitive spirit of opposing teams and their players.

SMR spectators will not:

1.Possess and/or consume alcohol.

2.Use tobacco products on the campus.

3.Be allowed on the track or field.

4.Have pets on the campus.

5.Use profane language or indecent gestures toward officials or opposing players, coaches, cheerleaders or fans.

6.Boo or razz anyone at any time.

7.Enter the playing field or court during the contest.

8.Damage, deface, or litter the property of an opposing school when attending a game.

9.Bring noisemakers of any kind.

10.Display posters or signs which are offensive to others

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STUDENT ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

• A student will be deemed ELIGIBLE to take part in athletics if he/she has:

• Earned a grade point average of 2.0 or above AND earned no more than one failing grade.

• A student will be deemed INELIGIBLE to participate in athletics if he/she has:

• During the previous quarter, earned two or more failures and/or a GPA below 2.0.

• If a student is judged academically ineligible at the end of the fourth quarter, he/she may not participate in athletic activities during the first quarter of the following academic year.
• A student who is academically ineligible will not be declared eligible until he/she is academically reinstated. This is only done when the new list for the next quarter or interim is published and distributed. Coaches are responsible for ensuring that this process is followed. Any athlete who attempts to violate this policy will be suspended from all Athletic Department activities for the remainder of the year.
• The ineligibility to participate in athletic activities extends to attending meetings, banquets, practices, games, etc.

ATHLETIC AWARDS

Athletic Awards are presented to athletes at the Sports Awards Night which are held following the completion of each season. The awards given out are as follows:

LETTERS

1.In each varsity sport, letters will be given to the recipient for their first varsity letter. Any letter won after the first will be given a sport pin.

2.Varsity letters will be awarded to athletes who, according to their coach, participate sufficiently on a varsity team. Any discrepancies will be decided upon by the Athletic Director.

POST-SEASON AWARDS

1.Each varsity coach will give the following post season awards and only these awards. There will be only one award in each category per team.

a.Varsity MVP Award

The St. Mary’s Ryken MVP award goes to the Most Valuable player of the season. This award was either chosen by the coach or the team. The MVP award is an award of respect. This award is given to those athletes who best performed on the field or court for the good of the team.

b.Varsity Coaches Award

The St. Mary’s Ryken Coaches Award is given to individuals who show great commitment and determination. Chosen by their coaches, these student athletes show up ready to play every day with a great attitude… A winner’s attitude.

c.Varsity Ryken Award

The St. Mary’s Ryken Mission is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory school community operated under the Xaverian Brothers’ sponsorship dedicated to academic excellence and individualized student growth. These scholar/athletes were chosen by their coach or by team vote. These individuals’ best represent our mission both in and out of the athletic arena.

d.Most Promising Player Award

The St. Mary’s Ryken Most Promising award is chosen by either the coach or by team vote. The most promising award goes to an underclassman who exhibits strong fundamentals and a good understanding of the game. These student/athletes have the potential to lead their respective programs to future triumphs.If you have an existing team handbook, you can simply link to it using the "File Attachments" snippet. Go to Manage Site > Edit Page Content, click on the +Add Snippet link and drag the "File Attachments" snippet into place on your page. If you want the file to open in a web browser use a PDF file, or use a document format, like .doc, if you want visitors to download the files to their computers.

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