Welcome to the Home of the Lakers Athletic Page
Prior to the start of tryout sessions or practice of each sport season, each participant must have:
An updated sport’s physical filed with the school health office.
A FinalForms account with all documents completed.
The link for Final Forms is
https://hammondsport-ny.finalforms.com/
Directions for the Final Forms
Athletic Director Dan Conley
Contact Information:
dconley@hport.wnyric.org or by phone at (607) 569-5200
CODE OF CONDUCT
Participation in athletics is both a privilege and a responsibility. Athletes earn recognition for their achievements as representatives of the school, team, student body and the community. When an athlete accepts the privilege, he/she must live up to the Code of Conduct beyond that of a general student body member, on and off school property during the athletic season as well as in the off season.
As a prerequisite for participation, athletes and parents must sign a statement that commits the athlete to follow the established training rules and requires parents to do everything in their power to make sure the athlete abides by the established Code of Conduct. Even if an athlete plays more than one sport, this Code of Conduct is applicable during the entire year.
Athletes are expected to exemplify good citizenship in both school and in the community. The athlete will display good behavior both in practices and games. Athletes will allow officials to deal with abusive opponents during competitions. Under NO circumstances will an athlete provoke or otherwise engage in verbal or physical confrontations outside the rules of the sport. The sole exception to this rule is the protection of oneself from bodily harm, through self defense. It is expected that athletes maintain excellent class attendance. Absences, cutting and tardiness to class can result in the athlete being dropped from the team. Academic standards must be maintained as well and will be checked periodically during each sport season.
Athletes are encouraged to participate in other school activities and to respect the abilities of all students in the school. “Hazing” activities are prohibited. “Hazing” includes any action or situation, which recklessly or intentionally cause embarrassment to an athlete, endangers the athlete’s mental or physical health, or involves the forced consumption of food or other matter, alcohol, or drugs by an athlete for the purpose of initiation into an organization or a team.
Athletes are expected to follow the rules and policies of the Hammondsport Central School District and Athletic Department as stated in the student handbook and the “training rules”
Failure to meet the standards of the Hammondsport Central School’s Code of Conduct could lead to a suspension from athletics from one contest to up to one year.
It is permissible for coaches to establish specific expectations for their team. These expectations may not supersede the above mention “Code of Conduct.
Athletics Policy
Interscholastic sports at Hammondsport Central School are an integral part of the district’s educational program. Students need to have outlets to stimulate their minds as well as their bodies. This process requires coaches that are positive role models, knowledgeable of their sport and have great interpersonal skills for dealing with athletes. The final proof of our efforts is sending athletes out into the world that will maximize their potential as well as being modest in their victories and steadfast in defeat.
To this end the sports programs are geared to be demanding and progressive, leading to success at each level.
MODIFIED SPORT PROGRAMS
Modified sport programs are available to only seventh, eighth and ninth graders. There are two different programs for sports involving athletes in modified sports. One program is open to seventh and eighth graders and the other program is open to seventh, eighth and ninth graders. The determination of the program's make-up is made by the county athletic directors and the home school.
The modified program focuses on developing athletic skills, understanding the rules of the sport, learning the fundamentals of team play, and developing social skills with team members and sportsmanship with opponents and officials. Play is based on the NYS Athletic Standards as well as the coach’s standards. Basically, equal play time for all athletes.
Exceptional athletes may be provided the opportunity to compete at the JV or Varsity level by receiving permission from their parent(s), having passing a medical evaluation, being a necessary asset to the advanced program and satisfactorily passing a fitness screening (NYS Selective Classification).Selectively classifying an athlete just to have that athlete fill a roster is not the intent or the philosophy of this program.
JUNIOR VARSITY PROGRAMS
Junior varsity programs are intended for athletes in the ninth and tenth grades as well as some juniors who might need some additional development.
At this level of competition, athletes are expected to make a commitment to the program and to work hard to achieve team and personal goals. Emphasis will be placed on physical conditioning, advanced sport specific skills, additional strategies for individual and team play, and greater emphasis on team interaction and sportsmanship in all facets of the contest.
Playing time will be more competitive based on NYS Athletic Standards, as well as the coach's standards and requirements. An effort will be made to have all team members contribute to the team effort and an attempt to win [not at all cost] will be a team goal.
VARSITY PROGRAMS
Varsity programs are open to the best athletes and will require the greatest dedication to a sports program. Members of any high school class [and selectively classified junior high athletes] can try out for a place on a varsity program. The coach of the sport program will make the final decision in selecting the team members for a varsity program. Generally, individual sports [cross country, track, wrestling, tennis, golf and cheerleading] may have team members from all six secondary grades.
Commitment at this level is very demanding and absolute. All outside activities will become secondary to the commitment to the varsity sport. At this level, advanced sport strategies and play are the norm for these athletes. Conditioning will be demanding, with an emphasis on endurance and strength. Practices and competitions maybe held on Saturdays during vacations. Athletes have to be committed to the sport and team. Playing time is not guaranteed, athletes will be used to maximize their assets and provide the best opportunity for the team to win. Playing time is the sole decision of the varsity coach.
The varsity coach is also the director of the sports program. It is his/her job to coordinate the direction of the program, the skills to be developed, and the strategies to be practiced, as well as to establish protocol for the teams and to give direction to the Athletic Director as to how the program should be scheduled. Team goals and activities should be the result of the collaboration of all the coaches in the program.
ATHLETIC CHAIN OF COMMAND
It is important that information and concerns about the sport programs proceed through a logical level of authority. Problems may be resolved at an initial level and would not need to involve the principal or superintendent. Parents are advised that they should address their concerns and requests using the same format.
1. Coach
2. Varsity Coach
3. Athletic Director
4. Principal
5. Superintendent
6. Board of Education
Your concerns about possible problems or complains should be passed on to at least the Varsity Coach and the Athletic Director. The time required to correct a problem would be facilitated with advanced preparation.
It is of the utmost importance to maintain open communication lines between all members of the coaching staff and the administration. Problems that arise between staff members should be kept within the school and not discussed in the community. Problems that are discussed outside the school create hardships, a lack of confidence and animosity.
ATHLETE’S ELIGIBILITY
According to the Commissioner’s Regulations, a pupil shall be eligible for inter-scholastic competition in a sport during a semester, provided that he/she is a Bona Fide student, enrolled during the first 15 days of the semester, and is registered in the equivalent of four regular courses. Hammondsport also requires; enrolled in a regularly schedule Physical Education class as well. The pupil must also be meeting the age requirement and be in regular attendance.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association standards on eligibility for inter-scholastic competition, limits participation to Bona Fide students in 9, 10, 11 and 12 grade who have not reached their nineteenth birthday prior to July 1 of that school year.
The 15 year old student in a grade less than 9th grade may participate by satisfactorily passing the Selective Classification maturity standard at that high school level of Competition.
A student is entitled to four continuous years of participation in athletics
The pupil must maintain an amateur status in any and every high school sport that he/she competes in.