The Academy of the Holy Names is committed to providing a competitive interscholastic athletic program with the belief that participation in athletics can build individual character, appreciation for the value of teamwork, and school spirit. AHN’s Athletic Department carries out the mission of the school by developing the physical and personal growth of each student-athlete. The Athletic Department is committed to providing a safe environment that promotes the physical and emotional health of all participants.

The Athletic Department is dedicated to providing athletic options for as many students as possible while maintaining competitive, high-quality programs. AHN’s athletic program strives to enhance individual growth and skill while also emphasizing the numerous benefits of participating in team sports, such as camaraderie, character-building, responsibility, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and teamwork.

The Athletic Department seeks highly qualified coaches who teach life skills and values to their student-athletes. AHN coaches nurture the commitment and self-discipline in each student-athlete to help them reach individual and team goals. While striving for victory is an important component of athletic competition, winning is only one element of success.

The Athletic Department strives to provide each student-athlete with a memorable and rewarding experience through athletics. It is a privilege to represent an AHN athletic team and student-athletes must be prepared for athletic achievement without sacrificing academic standards or Christian values.

FHSAA

AHN is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, which is the state governing body for interscholastic athletics.

FWCL

The AHN middle school athletic program has been a member of the Florida West Coast League since 2009-2010.

The AHN athletic website is a primary source of information for the AHN Athletic Department. Please check the athletics page of the website regularly for all your AHN athletic needs. This includes schedules, updates, changes, news, contact information, tryout dates, etc.

Before a student-athlete can participate in AHN athletics, he/she must complete and submit the following forms to the Magnus Health Online Portal:

• EL2 (Physical)
• EL3 (Consent and Liability)
• AHN’s Athletic Travel Waiver and Liability Release
• Student-Athlete & Parent Handbook Affirmation

These forms can be accessed on Magnus Health or the athletics page of the AHN website. These forms must be updated annually.

Concussion Procedures

The Academy of the Holy Names prioritizes the health and safety of our students. The following is from the FHSAA’s Policy 40 on concussions:

"A concussion is a serious brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Concussions can also result from a fall or from collisions between one or more individuals or with obstacles. The signs, symptoms, and behaviors of a concussion are not always apparent immediately after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body and may develop over a few hours. 

Any student athlete who exhibits the signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion including, but not limited to, loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from play and may not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

When a student athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, the coach or athletic trainer will follow a return to play protocol.”

With the prevalence of concussions and the importance of proper diagnosis and recovery, in addition to the FHSAA’s Return to Play Protocol, AHN has developed a policy to assist with the academic support of a student who is experiencing symptoms as a result of a concussion.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can have a serious effect on a young, developing brain. While most teens diagnosed with a concussion recovery quickly and fully, some will have concussion symptoms that last for days, weeks, or even months. Not giving the brain time to heal after a concussion can be dangerous. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain heals from the first, usually within a short amount of time, can slow recovery or increase the chance for long-term health problems.

• If a student is suspected in any way of being concussed, they must see a physician the following day, and cannot come to school unless they have been seen by a health care provider.
  • The physician would be required to complete AHN’s Concussion Plan document.
• The Athletic Trainer/School Nurse will inform the Concussion Support Team that the student may have possibly been concussed and is being referred to a physician/health care provider.
• When the student returns to school, the family must provide documentation from a physician that they are cleared or require accommodations to the school nurse.
• If accommodations are necessary during the school day, the family will need to have the physician complete AHN’s Concussion Plan document, and the document will be shared with the Concussion Support Team and accommodations will be granted.
• Students who have sustained a concussion cannot participate in certain activities such as dances, pep rallies, etc.

AHN student-athletes are under the direct jurisdiction and supervision of a coach, and they will conduct themselves in the manner set forth by the coach of their sport. The Athletic Director has final authority in matters relating to student-athletes; any appeals can be made to the principal. Furthermore, student-athletes shall be under the complete jurisdiction of the policies of the Academy of the Holy Names and the FHSAA. Failure to abide by the following guidelines can result in suspension or dismissal from the team.

AHN Student-Athletes Will:

• Conduct themselves with the class, integrity and high principles established for AHN students. It is a privilege to represent AHN in an athletic contest, not a right. If a student-athlete misrepresents the school, they can be suspended or removed from the team.
• Behave in sportsmanlike fashion and respect teammates, coaches, officials, opponents and fans. Refrain from using inappropriate language or gestures.
• Attend all practices and contests and inform the coach as soon as possible if they cannot attend for any reason. Student-athletes also will inform the coach as soon as possible if injured, whether during practice, competition or otherwise.
• Fulfill all academic and eligibility requirements.
• Abide by any additional behavior codes or rules established by the coach of their sport.
• Serve any detentions at the designated date/time regardless of any practices or games that day, even if the missed time with the team will result in less playing time or any sort of team discipline. If the detention results in missing the team bus, the student-athlete is responsible for transportation to the contest.
• Try to schedule appointments, college visits, etc., on dates that do not interfere with practices or competitions.
• Will not consume alcohol, use drugs or tobacco. Not only is the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco by student-athletes a particularly serious violation of Athletic Department and AHN school rules, it is illegal. Student-athletes determined to have used alcohol, drugs or tobacco, may be subject to AHN Administration suspensions as well as Athletic Department suspensions.

 The administration reserves the right to prohibit a student from participating in an activity because of an ongoing conduct or effort problem or in the case of a serious disciplinary matter.

Parents of AHN Student-Athletes Will:

• Attend the preseason parent meeting arranged by the athletic director. The meeting will be held after tryouts but before the first contest. It will explain numerous important details about the upcoming season and the expectations for team members and parents.
• Pick up their child on time or arrange for their child to be picked up on time, at the end of practices and competitions. Though the coach is required to remain until every team member is accounted for, if your child is not picked up in a timely manner they could be suspended or dismissed from the team.
• Treat officials and coaches with respect and in a manner that sets a positive example.
• Allow your child to work through problems or conflicts; however, if an issue remains unresolved or becomes more urgent, arrange to talk to the coach at an appropriate time and place. Do not accost the coach after a game unless there is an emergency. If you have a question or concern, follow this protocol sequence:
  • Ask your child about it. Have your child discuss the matter with the coach.
  • If the issue is unresolved, discuss the matter with the coach.
  • If it remains unresolved, then arrange to discuss it with the Athletic Director.
  • The final step is to schedule an appointment with the principal.
• Maintain a balanced view of your role. Enjoy it. Don’t get too caught up in wins, losses, playing time, etc.
• Abide by the coach’s rules.
• Help your child meet his or her commitment to the team by trying not to schedule vacations, doctor’s appointments and other non-mandatory activities during the season.
• Do not criticize your child’s teammates.
• Attend as many games as possible. Support your child’s efforts and support their team.
• Encourage and praise your child and remember that growth often occurs through mistakes and adversity.
• Help your child organize/balance time between academics, sports and social events.
• Adhere to the Rights and Responsibilities listed in the “Sportsmanship Guidelines and Policy’’ section of this handbook.

The Academy of the Holy Names is committed to providing a competitive interscholastic sports program in the belief that participation in athletics can build individual character, appreciation for the value of teamwork and school spirit. The conduct of players, parents, coaches and spectators contributes significantly to the success of the program.

As representatives of the school, all are expected to hold themselves to the highest standards of sportsmanship by treating other coaches, athletes, officials and spectators in a respectful, courteous and Christian manner. We encourage the enthusiastic support of family and friends, and we expect that the conduct of all spectators will reflect the standard of respectful behavior expected of our students. As guests in our school, opposing teams and fans will be treated with customary hospitality.

Everyone involved in AHN athletic events has certain rights and responsibilities.

Rights:

• To participate in, coach, officiate or watch an athletic contest in a comfortable and safe environment without interference from others.
• To be treated in a courteous and respectful manner.

Responsibilities:

• To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional development of the student-athletes, and that the behavior of parents and spectators can adversely affect the performance of athletes and the attitudes of officials.
• To remember that these are middle school and high school athletic contests and should be treated as such. Student-athletes are not professionals. Always refrain from booing, jeering, ridiculing or antagonizing.
• To understand that young athletes can be embarrassed by inappropriate actions or remarks of spectators.
• To show respect for the integrity and judgment of officials by refraining from threatening statements or actions. Do not “ride’’ or berate officials, and do not use profanity.
  • Any parent who chooses to confront an official will lose his or her right to attend any home or away contests for the remainder of the respective season.
• To treat all student-athletes and coaches with respect and courtesy, for example by applauding good performance by either team or congratulating those who have made a good effort.
• To respect the integrity of the game by staying off the field of play and in a proper location for spectators.
• To leave the coaching to the coaches.

Let the players play, let to the coaches coach, let the officials officiate and let the parents and spectators be positive and supportive.

The Academy of the Holy Names reserves the right to request that anyone at an AHN athletic event - including the student-athletes, parents, coaches, officials and spectators - comply with AHN’s and the FHSAA’s guidelines or leave the premises. AHN has the right to ban any of the aforementioned parties from home or away athletic events.

FHSAA Sportsmanship Policy

The FHSAA is composed of high school principals united for the purpose of promoting and directing interscholastic contests. The association assures that policies, standards and regulations democratically developed by school leaders will provide maximum benefits consistent with sound educational practices for every student in every school which is a member. The FHSAA has set up the necessary machinery to establish uniform playing rules, maintain eligibility standards for students and conduct in-service training programs for coaches and contest officials. The FHSAA stands firm in its resolve to safeguard the physical, mental and moral welfare of Florida high school students and protect them from exploitation. Good sportsmanship is a demonstration of generosity and genuine concern for others. It is a concrete measure of the understanding and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. The development of good citizenship demands a sound academic and activities program. The concept of “sportspersonship” must be taught, modeled, expected and reinforced in the classroom and on the playing field by all participants, including fans. Sportsmanship is good citizenship in action.

For complete information on the FHSAA and its rules and guidelines, go to www.fhsaa.org.

As a member of the FHSAA, the Academy of the Holy Names will abide by all FHSAA regulations regarding sportsmanship/unsportsmanlike conduct, ethics, crowd control and disqualification of athletes as outlined in the FHSAA Handbook, some of which are excerpted below. 

FHSAA Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Student-athletes who commit unsportsmanlike acts before, during or after a contest will be subject to the following suspension levels:

Level 1 Suspension. A student-athlete who commits an unsportsmanlike act or a flagrant foul for which he/she is ejected from the contest will be ineligible to compete for the remainder of that contest and for a minimum of the next two contests, at the same level of participation in the sport of the suspension and in any interscholastic athletic contest in any sport, at any level, during the period of suspension, in all sports except football. If the unsportsmanlike act or flagrant foul occurs in the last contest of a season, the student will be ineligible for the same period of time as stated above in the next sport in which the student participates; or

Level 2 Suspension. A student-athlete who receives a second Level 1 Suspension or commits an unsportsmanlike act will be ineligible to compete in any interscholastic athletic contest in any sport, at any level, for a period of up to 12 contests; or

Level 3 Suspension. A student-athlete who receives a second Level 2 Suspension or commits an egregious unsportsmanlike act, as determined in the sole discretion of the Executive Director, will be ineligible to compete in the next interscholastic athletic contest in any sport for a period of up to one (1) year; or

Level 4 Suspension. A student-athlete who receives three (3) or more Level 2 Suspensions or commits an egregious unsportsmanlike act, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, will be ineligible to compete in any interscholastic athletic contest in any sport for the duration of the student-athlete’s high school career.

FHSAA Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct

A student who commits an act of malicious and hateful nature toward a contest official, an opponent or any other person attending an athletic contest shall be guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, profanity, striking or threatening a contest official; physical contact with an opponent which is beyond the normal scope of competition; spitting on a contest official or opponent; directing gender, racial or ethnic slurs toward a contest official, an opponent or any other person attending an athletic contest; or other such acts deemed to be unacceptable conduct according to the principal of the member school the student attends or this Association.

The Academy of the Holy Names strictly adheres to the FHSAA’s policies regarding athletic recruiting. The information included in this portion of the handbook has been taken from the FHSAA’s GA4 form, regarding compliance with their policy on athletic recruiting.

Definition of Athletic Recruiting

Athletic recruiting is any attempt by any employee or athletic department staff member of an FHSAA member school, a representative of the school’s athletic interests or a third party to pressure, urge or entice a student who does not attend that school to change his/her attendance there for the purpose of athletic participation. This occurs when the school employee, athletic department staff member or representative of the school’s athletic interests makes improper contact with the student or a member of his/her family in an effort to pressure or urge the student to go to that school OR promises, offers or gives the student an impermissible benefit in an effort to entice the student to go to that school.

“A Representative of the School’s Athletic Interests:”

The FHSAA classifies this as any person, business or organization that participates in, assists with, and/or promotes a school’s athletic program is considered to be a representative of the school’s athletic interests. This includes, but is not limited to:

• A student-athlete or other student participant in the athletic program, such as a team manager, student trainer, etc., at that school;
• The parents, guardians or other family members of a student-athlete or other student participant in the athletic program at that school;
• Relatives of a coach or other members of the athletic department staff at that school;
• A volunteer worker in that school or that school’s athletic program;
• An athletic booster organization of that school;
• A member of an athletic booster organization of that school;
• A person, business or organization that makes financial or in-kind contributions to the athletic department or to an athletic booster organization of that school; and
• Any other person, business or organization that is otherwise involved in promoting the school’s interscholastic athletic program.

Improper Contact

Any contact or communication of any kind with a student who does not attend a particular school, or a member of the student’s family, in attempt to pressure, urge or entice the student to change attendance to a different school for athletic reasons is improper. The improper contact can either be in person, through written or electronic means such as letters, flyers, e-mails or text messages, or through a third party.

Impermissible Benefits

An impermissible benefit is any benefit that is promised, offered or given to a student or a member of his/her family but is not offered or generally made available to all students who apply to or attend the school.

Penalties for Violations of Athletic Recruiting for FHSAA Member Schools

• A member school that violates athletic recruiting rules will be assessed one or more of the following penalties:
• A public reprimand;
• A financial penalty;
• Forfeiture of all contests and awards won in which the student who was athletically recruited or received an impermissible benefit participated or contributed;
• One or more forms of probation (administrative, restrictive or suspension) for one or more years;
• Prohibition against participating or coaching in certain competitions, including state playoffs, for one or more years in the sport(s) in which the violation(s) occurred;
• Prohibition against participating in any competitions for one or more years in the sport(s) in which the violation(s) occurred;
• Restricted membership for one or more years during which some or all of the school’s membership privileges are restricted or denied;
• Expulsion from membership in the FHSAA.

Penalties for Athletically Recruited Students

A student who is athletically recruited or receives an impermissible benefit will be ineligible for athletic competition for one or more years at the school where the violation occurred, and may be declared ineligible for athletic competition at all FHSAA member schools for one or more years.

Many AHN student-athletes compete on sports teams outside of AHN, such as AAU basketball or club soccer, swimming, volleyball, etc. Club sports, like school sports, can provide a great opportunity to participate in athletics and improve your skills.

Typically, the club season and school season within the same sport complement each other, so there is no direct conflict. For example, the club volleyball season and school volleyball season are at different times of the year. However, sometimes an AHN student-athlete will play one sport for AHN while playing the same sport, or a different sport, for a club team during the same season.  When such conflicts arise, the AHN team will take precedence with regard to both practices and games. In other words, during an AHN sports season the commitment to the AHN team is the student-athlete’s top athletic priority, and the commitment to a club team is secondary. It is not excusable for an AHN student-athlete to miss practices or competitions due to club sport obligations, or any other extra-curricular activities.

If a student-athlete cannot make a full commitment to an AHN team during the season because of a conflicting commitment to a non-AHN team, or to another extra-curricular activity, the student-athlete will have to make a choice between teams/activities.

AHN provides uniforms for its athletes. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to exercise proper care for their uniform and, if required, return the entire uniform intact to the head coach or Athletic Director at the end of the season. The following sports do not require uniform returns: golf, swimming & diving, tennis, middle school cross country, and middle school track & field.

UNIFORMS CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE

The AHN Athletic Department takes very seriously the matter of uniform return. Uniform return has been a recurring problem at AHN. Therefore, student-athletes who do not return their uniform intact along with any equipment belonging to AHN at the time and place designated by the coach or Athletic Director, can be assessed a fee well in excess of $100, depending on the sport and uniform. For instance, a lacrosse athlete who does not return his uniform and equipment could be assessed a fine upwards of $1,000 since the uniform is custom ordered and the minimum order is 12. If the fine is not paid, the report card of the student-athlete will be held until such fine is paid. There could be additional punitive measures if the uniform still isn’t returned and no arrangements are made with the Athletic Department to pay for the uniform.

AHN student-athletes and their parents are required to review the Athletic Transportation Policy for Off-Campus Events and Practices. Participants in AHN athletics should be familiar with and abide by this transportation policy. The policy is accessible via a link on the athletics home page of the school website. Questions about the Athletic Transportation Policy for Off-Campus Events and Practices can be directed to the Athletic Director. Failure to familiarize with and abide by the transportation policy can result in restriction from traveling with the team to a contest or practice, or ineligibility to participate in AHN athletics.

All athletics apparel must be approved by the Athletic Director. AHN’s athletics apparel, including but not limited to sweats, warm-ups, and t-shirts that identify or represent the school, whether by saying AHN, Academy, Holy Names, Jaguars, or a Jaguar logo, must consist of only these three colors: navy blue, vegas gold, and white. It can contain one, two, or all three of these colors. Any such AHN athletics apparel that is not either navy blue, vegas gold, white, or some combination thereof, cannot be worn to school on club days or to any AHN team practices or contests.

Use of the weight training and cardiovascular equipment room in the Hyer Family Center is permitted for AHN student-athletes upon the completion of the designated consent and release form (the forms are in the Athletic Director’s office), which must be signed by a parent. Anyone using the facility must have approval and abide by facility rules.

Lightning is the most consistent and significant weather hazard that may affect interscholastic athletes. Within the U.S., the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) estimates more than 100 fatalities and 400-500 injuries requiring medical treatment occur from lightning strikes every year. While the probability of being struck by lightning is extremely low, the odds are significantly greater when a storm is in the area and the proper safety precautions are not followed. As a result, the Academy has installed Thor Guard, an advanced lightning detection system on the roof of the gymnasium (the “System”). The System will emit a 15-second horn blast when it detects atmospheric conditions conducive to lightning. Anyone participating in outdoor activity on-campus when the horn sounds must seek appropriate shelter. Participation can resume when the System emits three consecutive shorter, 5-second horn blasts. AHN disclaims any liability for any damages or injury caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, inaccuracy, interruption, defect, and or delay in operation or transmission of the System. AHN makes no warranties or representations regarding the accuracy or reliability of the System.