Athletic Team Information

I) Standards for Participation

In order to participate in organized athletics, all student-athletes must have the following:

• Signed release forms (Part A) which includes an Updated Medical Clearance form, Permission of Parent to Participate, Emergency Information, Concussion form and Student Agreement. These documents must be signed and will be held on file at the start of each athletic season. This packet can be found on the WHS website.
• A Valid physical examination completed within thirteen months/395 days of seasonal participation dates, and Part B of the school form, signed by the examining physician to be held on file in the Nurses' Office.
• Drug and Alcohol Policy (Part C) signed by both a parent and athlete, to be held on file.
• Satisfaction of all eligibility requirements of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Weston Public Schools.
• A confirmation of receipt and understanding of this handbook (Part D).

II) Program Goals

Though the unique nature of each sport dictates its specific objectives, all teams will attempt to

• Emphasize the development of basic skills, appropriate attitudes, values and team concepts.
• Allow as many students as possible to participate and share the experience and benefits derived from team membership. 
• Compete competitively with Dual County and non-league opponents.

Participation at the Varsity level is generally limited to the most highly skilled players and those with the ability to interact constructively with other players for team success. The coaching staff will determine the level of play for each student-athlete (Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshman) based on what would be most beneficial to the development and progress of each player and team.  It should be understood that playing time could be limited.

III) Athletic Offerings

Fall Sports
The fall season begins sometime around August 20th and ends in late October.  Varsity teams that qualify for the postseason tournament may participate into the month of November. Football concludes its regular season on Thanksgiving Day.  Informational meetings will be held in June. The following sports compete in the Fall:

 
•  Girls/Boys Soccer (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
•  Football (Varsity and Sub-Varsity)
•  Boys/Girls Crew (Cooperative team with Wayland)
•  Girls/Boys Cross Country
•  Field Hockey (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
•  Golf (Varsity)
• Girls Volleyball (Varsity, JV)
 

Winter Sports
The winter season begins the Monday after Thanksgiving and ends in late February.  Varsity teams that qualify for the post-season tournament may be participating into March. Informational meetings will be held in November.

• Girls/Boys Basketball (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
• Boys/Girls Winter Track
• Boys/Girls Swimming/Diving
• Wrestling
• Girls Hockey (Cooperative Team with Wayland)
• Boys Hockey

Spring Sports
The spring season begins the third Monday of March and ends in late May.  Varsity teams that qualify for the post-season tournament may be participating into June. Informational meetings will be held in February.

• Baseball (Varsity, JV)
• Softball (Varsity, JV)
• Girls/Boys Lacrosse (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
• Girls/Boys Outdoor Track
• Boys/Girls Tennis (Varsity, JV)
• Girls/Boys Crew (Cooperative Team with Wayland)

IV) Levels of Play

FRESHMAN: 
At the entry level for high school athletics, athletes and their parents should expect the following concepts to be emphasized:

• Developing fundamental skills
• Providing equal practice opportunities for all participants
• Having the coach's evaluation of an athlete's attitude, skills, and team role determine game time, working toward equitable playing time for all participants
• Learning the rules of the game
• Developing an orientation toward and appreciation for team effort in each athlete
• Demonstrating sportsmanship and fair play
• Developing the ambition to achieve at the next level of competition
• Prioritizing skill and character development over winning

JUNIOR VARSITY: 
This is a transitional level for high school athletics, and athletes and parents should expect the following concepts to be emphasized:

• Reinforcing and refining fundamental skills.
• Having the coach's evaluation of an athlete's attitude, skills, and team role determine game time
• Demonstrating sportsmanship and fair play
• Developing more sophisticated athletic strategies
• Specifically defining an individual athlete's role within the team concept
• Refining and reinforcing the concepts of commitment and team play.
• Focusing on physical conditioning and development 
• Developing the ambition to achieve at the next level of competition
• Prioritizing skill and character development over winning

VARSITY
At the highest level of athletic competition in high school athletics, athletes and parents should expect the following concepts to be emphasized

• Developing a high level of proficiency in the physical skills of the sport
• Having the coach's evaluation of an athlete's attitude, skills, and team role determine playing time
• Developing sophisticated strategy, situation analysis, and other mental aspects of the sport
• Specifically defining an individual athlete's role within the team concept
• Fostering maximum commitment to the athletic team
• Understanding and valuing the physical conditioning components of one's sport
• Understanding the importance of individual sacrifice for the good of the team
• Winning within the rules of sportsmanship and fair play.

There are many decisions made on a regular basis by members of our coaching staff that may include which athletes should start a contest, which athlete should play at what position, and the amount of playing time an athlete will be given.  Only members of our coaching staff make these very difficult coaching decisions after weighing a considerable number of factors.  Generally, the most competitive, skilled team members will play the major portion of contests; however, teams cannot be successful without committed substitutes.  These athletes must work as hard as they can to help make their respective teams as competitive as possible and be ready at all times to step forward to compete. They must also demonstrate the perseverance and commitment to strive to advance to a starting role.

V)

VI) Team Tryouts / Selection

During the tryout period, each coach will provide an explanation of his/her expectations.  It is the duty of the student to demonstrate to the coach that they can fulfill these expectations.  If a student is not selected for a team, he/she may contact the coach personally for an explanation.  Students who are not selected are encouraged to explore other WHS athletic opportunities on teams that have not finalized their rosters.  Please note MIAA Rule 35 which states that a student athlete participating in any sport must have at least 10 days of practice (Football players must have 15 days of practice) before competing in an official game. For this reason, an athlete will not be allowed to join a team after its third official practice without the approval of the Athletic Director and Coach. Switching sports is also not allowed after the first contest.

The coaching staff of each sport has the sole responsibility for selecting members of the team, determining the level of play, and apportioning the amount of playing time for each student athlete. 

VII) Commitment

Each member of an athletic team MUST:

• Commit to being present at all team activities, including try-outs, practices, meetings and contest with other schools.
• Dedicate himself/herself to becoming an excellent team member and school citizen.
• Strive to continually improve as an athlete.
• Demonstrate pride in team performance and in himself/herself as members of a team.

VIII) Game/Practice Sessions
Practices are held daily for approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours, or as appropriate to the activity.  Some practices and games may be held on weekends. Most practice sessions do not begin before 3:15 PM. Any team member who must be late or miss practice, games, or meetings must confer with his/her coach. Practice and game schedules, particularly in the case of winter and spring sports, include school vacation weeks.  Students and families should take this into consideration when deciding to try-out for our teams.

VIIII) Absence Policy
Unexcused absences from practices may jeopardize retaining a position on the team, an opportunity to earn a varsity letter, and/or playing time at the coaches’ discretion.

Excused absences from practices may impact position on the team and playing time, not as a punitive measure, but for the safety of that individual, fairness to the rest of the team, and strategic reasons. 

X) Team Captains

Captains are elected by team members and/or appointed by coaches. Prior to the selection, coaches will inform the team members of the selection criteria and obligations of the position. The position of team captain or officer is one of honor, leadership, and responsibility.  As a result, students serving in that capacity are expected to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner both in and outside of school.  Any student who is involved in a violation of WHS rules (this includes the MIAA Chemical Health Rule) and regulations resulting in a suspension from school, or any student who is found to be involved with drugs, alcohol, weapons, or crimes outside of school will lose the ability to serve as captain or to be appointed or elected to the position of captain of any school sponsored team for the period of one calendar year. Any sitting captain of a WHS team will have that position rescinded and will be ineligible to serve for a period of one calendar year.

XI) Weston High School Criteria for Athletic Honors and Awards

To be considered for a team award presented by the coach, a student must:

• Display upright conduct and a spirit of fair play at all times.
• Exhibit respect for school personnel, coaches, game officials, and opponents.
• Not violate the MIAA Drug and Alcohol Policy
• Return all equipment at the completion of the season
• Meet criteria established by the coach. 
• Finish the season as a member in good standing on his/her team, which includes being academically eligible.

Honors such as ALL-STAR selection are awarded to WHS students from time to time by the Dual County League (DCL) and other organizations outside of the school. It must be understood that while coaches may nominate students for some of these awards, they have no control over the final selection. Students who have violated the MIAA Chemical Health Rule will not be eligible for nomination.

VARSITY LETTER:  Receiving a varsity letter for programs that are composed of a Varsity and a JV teams or programs that have a Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams is an honor reserved for those student athletes who have demonstrated excellence in performance and the commitment and sacrifice appropriate for membership on a varsity team.  Students who are on the varsity team for eighty percent of the season and complete the season shall receive a varsity letter, as long as they have excellent attendance, work ethic and not have violated the MIAA Chemical Health Rule.  The standard for receiving a varsity letter for programs that only have one team (e.g. Hockey) will be determined by the coach.  Numerous factors including but not limited to contribution, attendance, work ethic, academics, and number of years of participation are weighed when making this determination.

SUB-VARSITY CERTIFICATE: Athletes who do not receive a varsity letter, but have excellent attendance and work ethic, and have not violated the MIAA Chemical Health Rule will be awarded a Sub-Varsity Certificate to acknowledge their contribution.

MANAGER LETTER: As an integral, non-playing member of a team, managers may also be recognized for the valuable role they play. In order to be considered, managers must:

• Adhere to all general rules and regulations of athletes.
• Fulfill all the duties as outlined by the coach.
• Adhere to all rules and regulations that bind student athletes.

WESTON BOOSTER AWARDS: Scholar-Athlete Awards are given annually to individuals who:

• Earn a place on the honor roll for four consecutive quarters
• Actively participate on two interscholastic teams during a given school year and
• Earn at least 4 points from any combination of the following:

o 1 - Point for each quarter of academic high honors in current school year
o 1 - Point for each varsity letter earned in current school year
o 1 - Point for active participation on a third team (season). This point can be awarded even if a student has received three varsity letters.

Freshman Class Information- Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the student’s freshman year will be used for honor roll and high honor qualifications.  Certificates will be handed out the following September during class meetings.

Sophomore Class Information- Quarter 4 of the student’s freshman year and terms 1, 2 and 3 of their sophomore will be used for honor Roll and high honor qualifications. Certificates will be handed out at a June class meeting.

Junior Class Information- Quarter 4 of the student’s sophomore year and terms 1, 2 and 3 of their junior year will be used for honor roll and high honor qualifications. Certificates will be handed out at a June class meeting.

Senior Class Information- Quarter 4 of the student’s junior year and terms 1, 2 and 3 of their senior year will be used for honor roll and high honor qualifications. Certificates will be handed out at Senior Award Night.

ALL-STAR CERTIFICATES: One individual certificate per year will be presented to athletes achieving FIRST TEAM all-star status in the Dual County League (DCL) or other Eastern Massachusetts organization in which Weston competes.

SENIOR CERTIFICATES: A certificate listing all varsity letters earned will be presented to each Senior student athlete at Senior Award Night.

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAQUES: A picture plaque listing the team's accomplishments will be presented to teams winning the Massachusetts State Championship/SUPER BOWL in their sport.

THEODORE CHANDLER MEMORIAL AWARD: This award is presented to the Senior boy and girl who have best exemplified the qualities of athletic ability, scholarship and leadership during their high school career. In addition to the individual plaque presented at the Senior Award Night, the recipients will have their names inscribed on a permanent plaque in the High School.

COACHES' AWARDS

THE JOHN PROCTOR AWARD: This award is presented to a Senior boy and girl for outstanding athletic achievement, leadership and sportsmanship during their high school career. In addition to the individual plaque presented at Senior Award Night, the recipients will have their names inscribed on a permanent plaque in the High School.

THE FATHER GRAF AWARD: This award is presented to a Senior boy and girl for outstanding school spirit, enthusiasm and sportsmanship during their high school career. In addition to the individual plaque presented at Senior Award Night, the recipients will have their names inscribed on a permanent plaque in the High School.

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