Expectations

FOREWORD
This material is presented to you because as a student athlete, you and your parents should have an understanding of the goals and expectations of the Colonial School District and the William Penn Athletic Department.

ATHLETIC GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
Our Goal: the goal of athletics is to help improve the achievement of all student athletes.

Specific Objectives:
1. Sportsmanship: To accept and defeat like a true sportsman, knowing we have done our best. We must learn to treat others as we would have them treat us. We need to develop desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation and dependability.
2. To be successful: Out society is very competitive. We do not always win, but we succeed when we continually strive to do so. You can learn to accept defeat only by striving to win with earnest dedication.
3. To improve: Continual improvement is essential to good citizenship. As an athlete you must establish a goal and you must continually try to reach that goal.
4. Enjoy athletics: it is necessary for us to acknowledge all of the personal reward we derive from athletics, and to give sufficiently of ourselves in order to preserve and improve the program.
5. To develop healthy habits: To be an active, contributing citizen, it is important that to obtain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits.
6. Teamwork: To work with others in a democratic society a person must develop self-discipline, respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice. To place the team and its objectives higher than personal desires.
7. Responsibility: To be responsible for dedicating yourself to making the team and school as successful as it can be. You are responsible for maintaining you academic standing, behavioral standards and exemplary school/practice attendance to e sure you do not let those people down who are depending on you.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Becoming a member of William Penn High School athletic team is a long time dream of many student athletes. The attainment of this goal carries with it many traditions and responsibilities that must be maintained. A great athletic tradition is not formed easily; it takes hard work of many people over many years. As a member of the William Penn High School Athletic Department you have accepted the responsibility of maintaining and building these great traditions.

Our tradition has been to win with honor and to lose with pride. We desire to win with honor to ourselves and community.

It will not be easy to contribute to such a great athletic tradition. To compete for your school may mean you have to say “NO” to pleasures that an athlete cannot afford, and will not be tolerated in any form. When you wear the Cherry and Black, we assume you not only understand our traditions, but are willing to assume the responsibilities that go with them.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE:

To Your School: A responsibility you accept as a squad member is to your school. William Penn can not maintain its position as having an outstanding school unless you do your best in whatever you wish to engage. By participating in athletics to the best of your ability, you are contributing to the positive reputation of your school.

To Yourself: You owe it to yourself to get the greatest possible good from your high school experiences. You studies, your participation in other extracurricular activities as well as in sports, help prepare you for you life as an adult.

To Your Community: As a member of the William Penn Athletic program you are representing more than yourself at all times. You are representing your team, your coaches, your school, your parents, and your community. Without the continuous support of the William Penn community many of our programs would not be what they are today. Any actions you take on or off the playing field can reflect both positively and negatively on your family, your school and your community.

CONDUCT OF AN ATHLETE:

The conduct of an athlete is closely observed in many areas of life. It is important that your behavior be above reproach in all of the following areas:

On the Field: In the area of athletic competition, a real athlete does not use profanity or illegal tactics, and learns fast that losing is part of the game and that you should be gracious in defeat and modest in victory or defeat.

In the Classroom: In the academic area, a good athlete becomes a good student. A person can not be a classroom laggard and think he/she can be an outstanding athlete. If you are lazy in the classroom you will be lazy in practice and will never reach your full potential. In addition to maintaining good scholarship, a student-athlete should give respectful attention to classroom activities and show respect for other students and faculty at all times. A student-athlete should always have an exemplary attendance record, never cutting classes or school.

On the Campus: The way we act and look on campus is important. Athletes should be student leaders; others should respect and follow them.

In the Community: The way we look and act around our community is also important. Our communities continued support for William Penn’s programs is crucial. If, as representative of school, you do not act as a positive role model in the neighborhoods, the communities support will diminish.

SPORTSMANSHIP

The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA), the Colonial School District, and William Penn High School have always maintained a high standard or sportsmanship. It should always be remembered that the goal of high school athletics is to help improve the achievement of all students.

High school students, parents, and spectators should set a good example of sportsmanship, and should quickly condemn unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of other students or adults. To this end we should:

1. Remember that a spectator represents his/her school the same as does an athlete.
2. Recognize that the good name of the school is more valuable than any game.
3. Accept the decision of the officials without comment.
4. Recognize and applaud an exhibition of fine play or sportsmanship.
5. Insist on the courteous treatment of the visiting team and spectators.
6. Advocate that any spectator who continually displays poor sportsmanship be prohibited from attending any future events.
7. Appreciate the efforts and dedication of all student-athletes both in the classroom and on the playing field

ELIGIBLITY

To be eligible to participate in athletics at William Penn High School, students must meet all requirements prior to participating in any practice or event. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for athletics:

• Students must meet all of the academic standards set forth by both the Colonial School District and the DIAA.
• All required forms must be completely filled out, signed by a parent/guardian, and on file with the Athletic Director. These forms include: an insurance form, parent permission form, emergency card, address verification form, and a drug/alcohol pledge card.
• A full physical must be completed by a physician not previous to May 1st of that year. The attending physician and parent/guardian must have completed and signed the form, and this form must be on file with the Athletic Director.
• May not be on any administrative “Behavior Contracts”, suspensions, or probationary agreements which prohibit that student from athletic participation.
• Must be living with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within the Colonial School District.
• Must be legally enrolled with William Penn High School and are in regular attendance.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to participate in any extracurricular of after-school activity at William Penn High School, all students must meet both of the following requirements statuses. Any questions concerning a student’s eligibility should be brought to the attention of the Athletic Directors Office at (302) 323-2843.

William Penn Coaching Staff

If you have any questions, interests of concerns regarding a specific athletic team or your athletic eligibility please contact any of the following William Penn High School faculty members at: Main office (302) 323-2800 or Athletic Office: (302) 323- 2843.