Athletic Study Committee

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Athletic Study Committee

• Recommendations to the
• Norwell School Committee
• January 22, 2007

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Athletic Study Committee Members

• Dan Clune
• Student
• Katie OHara
• Student
• Marybeth Shea,
• Parent Boosters President
• Paul OConnell
• Parent
• Scott Paine,
• NHS Athletic Director

• Jen Kent,
• Parent and NHS Coach
• Jim Sullivan,
• NHS Coach Former Athletic Director
• Kevin Finneran,
• Community Member
• Mike Devine
• NHS Asst. Principal
• Committee Chair

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Presentation Agenda

• 1. Athletic Department Philosophy
• 2. Athletic Department Administration
• 3. Coaches
• 4. Athletic Department Funding and Fundraising
• 5. Field and Facility Use

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• 1. Athletic Department Philosophy

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1.1 Athletic Department Philosophy Overall

• NHS Athletics
• Many Teams
• One Program
• One School

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1.1 Athletic Department Philosophy Overall

• Interscholastic athletics is a vital part of the
  education offered at Norwell High School. We
  believe that athletic competition provides
  another opportunity for students to strive for
  excellence, practice respect and contribute to
  society. All athletic venues are viewed as
  extensions of the classroom so the focus of the
  entire athletic program is the intellectual,
  physical, emotional and social development of the
  whole person. Student-athletes learn skills and
  values like respect, responsibility,
  perseverance, teamwork, work ethic as well as the
  benefits of healthy behavior. These values,
  instilled and nurtured by a properly directed
  athletic program, benefit students not only
  during their active participation in
  interscholastic athletics, but also during their
  adult lives when the lessons learned on the
  playing fields will help them make wise decisions
  and valuable contributions to the larger human
  community.

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1.1 Athletic Department Philosophy Overall
(cont.)

• Participation on Norwell High School teams is a
  privilege, not a right. Student-athletes are
  expected to display characteristics of ethical
  conduct and fair play, both on and off the
  playing fields. All student-athletes are
  expected to obey the law and follow the rules and
  regulations set forth by the MIAA and by Norwell
  High School. They are also expected to show
  respect for fellow players, coaches, officials,
  fans, members of opposing teams and equipment.
  Coaches are expected to be leaders as well as
  teachers, educating student-athletes and trying
  their best to help their team win, but not at the
  expense of academics, good sportsmanship,
  fair-play, integrity or safety. Coaches are
  expected to respect all student-athletes. We
  truly view our fans as members of our teams and
  expect the same high level of behavior from
  them.

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1.1 Athletic Department Philosophy Overall
(cont.)

• All Norwell High School students are eligible to
  try-out for any team for which they meet the
  academic, physical and behavioral qualities
  required for participation. Norwell High School
  has a two-tiered athletic program sub-varsity
  (freshman and JV teams) and varsity. Teams will
  consist of as many players as can be safely
  equipped, coached and played, meaning that some
  sports may require us to limit the amount of
  participants. This decision will be made by the
  high school administration, athletic director and
  coaching staff. The focus of sub-varsity teams
  will be skill development, gaining knowledge of
  the sport and successful strategies for playing
  the sport, and safe and healthy training and
  conditioning. On the varsity level, the focus
  will be improving skills and knowledge while, at
  the same time, allowing for the highest level of
  healthy competition possible. High school
  athletics is a competitive experience therefore
  not all who try-out will make the team, nor do
  all those who make the team receive the same
  participation opportunities in contests. These
  decisions rest with the coach.

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1.2 Athletic Department Philosophy Sub-Varsity
Teams

• The focus of sub-varsity teams will be skill
  development, gaining knowledge of the sport and
  successful strategies for playing the sport, and
  safe and healthy training and conditioning.
• This means fewer games than the varsity level
  teams

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1.3 Athletic Department Philosophy Number of
Teams

• Norwell High School (639) currently has 43 teams
• 28 varsity
• 12 Junior Varsity
• 3 Freshmen
• This is the highest number in the South Shore
  League and places us behind only Hingham (973)
  and Duxbury (967) in the Patriot League
  
• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• no additional programs be added at this time
• If additional teams are added in the future, that
  freshman teams to existing programs be added
  first rather than adding additional programs
  (i.e. soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball)

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1.4 Athletic Department Philosophy Number of
Participants

• Teams will consist of as many players as can be
  safely equipped, coached and played, meaning that
  some sports may require us to limit the amount of
  participants. This decision will be made by the
  high school administration, athletic director and
  coaching staff.
• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• There continue to be at least one no-cut sport
  during each season

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1.5 Athletic Department Philosophy Academic
Expectations

• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• All current academic policies should remain in
  effect
  
• If a student earns a failing grade in one class,
  they may continue to practice but may not
  compete
  
• If a student earns two failing grades, they may
  not practice or compete
  
• If a student is passing all classes at the time
  of the interim report, the student may resume
  play and practice
  
• In addition, that students must earn a passing
  grade for term 4 and as well as a passing grade
  for the year in order to be eligible for the fall
  athletic season

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1.6 Athletic Department Philosophy Behavioral
Expectations

• Participation on Norwell High School teams is a
  privilege, not a right. Student-athletes are
  expected to display characteristics of ethical
  conduct and fair play, both on and off the
  playing fields. All student-athletes are
  expected to obey the law and follow the rules and
  regulations set forth by the MIAA and by Norwell
  High School.
• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• The attendance policy should remain in effect as
  is
  
• The class cut policy should remain in effect as
  in
  
• The tobacco, drugs and alcohol policies
  (off-campus) need to be aligned with the MIAA
  policies
  
• The tobacco, drugs and alcohol policies
  (on-campus) need to be more stringent than the
  MIAA policies (see attached)
  

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1.6 Athletic Department Philosophy Behavioral
Expectations Chemical Health NHS

• Tobacco
• First Offense (Possession) 1 day suspension
  from co-curriculars
  
• First Offense (Use) 15 day suspension from
  co-curriculars
  
• Subsequent Offense 15 day suspension from
  co-curriculars
  
• Alcohol
• First Offense 20 day suspension from
  co-curriculars
  
• Subsequent Offenses 60 day suspension from
  co-curriculars
  
• Drugs
• First Offense 30 day suspension from
  co-curriculars
  
• Subsequent Offenses 180 day suspension from
  co-curriculars
  

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1.6 Athletic Department Philosophy Behavioral
Expectations Chemical Health MIAA

• During the season students shall not,
  regardless of the quantity, use, consume,
  possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage
  containing alcohol any tobacco product
  marijuana steroids or any controlled
  substance.
• First Violation
• When the principal confirms that a violation
  occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for
  the next consecutive interscholastic contests
  totaling 25 of all interscholastic contests in
  that sport.
• Second Violation
• When the principal confirms that a violation
  occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for
  the next consecutive interscholastic contests
  totaling 60 of all interscholastic contests in
  that sport.
• Taken from http//www.miaa.net/MIAA-Handbook05-0
  7.pdf
  

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• 2. Athletic Department Administration

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2.1 Athletic Department Administration

• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• The Athletic Director position become a full-time
  (1.0) position
  
• This will allow for
• Better supervision of all coaches and players
• Better fiscal management of the entire athletic
  program
  
• Better communication among administration,
  coaches, players and parents
  
• A complete Athletic Department Handbook outlining
  policies, procedures, philosophy, etc.
  
• Field and gym management for all Norwell schools
• The Athletic Department continue to have a
  part-time aid to assist with clerical tasks
  

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• 3. Coaches

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3.1 CoachesHiring and Supervision

• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• All existing coaches remain as coaches
• Head coaches are hired by the high school
  principal based upon the recommendation of the
  Athletic Director
  
• Any new coaching vacancies be posted both
  internally and externally
  
• Teachers in the system should be given first
  consideration ONLY IF they are qualified to coach
  the sport where there is a coaching vacancy
  
• Assistant coaches are hired by the high school
  principal based upon the recommendation of the
  Athletic Director and head coach
  

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3.2 CoachesEvaluation and Volunteer Coaches

• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• All head coaches be evaluated annually by the
  Athletic Director
  
• All assistant coaches be evaluated annually by
  the Athletic Director and the head coach
  
• Coaches be allowed to coach and make decisions
  for their teams (i.e. cuts, playing time,
  strategy) with support from the Athletic Director
  and high school administration UNLESS his/her
  decisions go against the Norwell High School
  Athletic Department Philosophy
• All volunteer coaches
• must be appointed and supervised by the Athletic
  Director
  
• will be considered at-will and may be dismissed
  at the Athletic Directors discretion
  
• May not take the place of a paid NHS coach
• Will actually be volunteers and therefore unpaid
  
  

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• 4. Athletic Department Funding and
  Fundraising
  

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4.0 Athletic Department Funding and Fundraising

• General Costs
• Three Options
• Status Quo
• Full Funding
• Partial Funding with Increase in Fees
• Athletic Study Committee Recommendation
• Boosters Organizations
• Waivers and Family Caps

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4.1 Athletic Department Funding and Fundraising
General Costs

• General Costs 17,000 Trainer
• 6,800 Dues
• 10,000 Uniforms
• 60,000 Administration
• 2,000 Medical Supplies
• 95,800 TOTAL
• 95,800 / 921 Student-Athletes 104.01 per
  student-athlete
  

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4.2.1 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Status Quo (with Full-Time AD)
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4.2.1 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Status Quo (with Full-Time AD)

• Total Cost 380,062
• Current NSC Allocation 210,000
• Increase 0

• Advantages
• No increase in fees
• Full-time Athletic Director

• Disadvantages
• Existing teams would be cut in order operate
  within the budget
  
• Freshman teams?
• Entire Programs?
• The program does not improve or even remain the
  same
  
• Fewer Teams. Many Programs. One School.

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4.2.2 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Fully Funded All Teams
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4.2.2 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Fully Funded - All (cont.)

• Total Cost 483,994
• Current NSC Allocation 210,000
• Increase 273,994

• Advantages
• All sports fully funded
• One united Boosters organization
• No Fees
• All current programs remain
• Full-time Athletic Director
• Increase in of coaches
• Improvement in safety
• Many Teams. One Program. One School.

• Disadvantages
• An override would probably be needed in order to
  fully fund the athletic program

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4.2.3 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Partially Funded All Teams
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4.2.3 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Partially Funded All Teams (cont.)

• Total Cost 500,000
• Current NSC Allocation 210,000
• Increase
• NSC Allocation 250,000 (40,000 increase)
• Boosters Contribution 75,000
• Fees 175,000 (105,000 increase)
• Athletic Fee 200 per student-athlete per season

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4.2.3 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Partially Funded All Teams (cont.)

• Advantages
• No longer a two-tiered system
• One united Athletic Department
• One united Boosters organization
• All current programs remain
• Full-time Athletic Director
• Increase in of coaches
• Potential increase in number of teams
• More students having the opportunity to play
• Improvement in safety
• Re-instituted uniform cycle
• Entire program moves forward
• Many Teams. One Program. One School.

• Disadvantages
• Higher fees
• Greater need for waivers
• Greater need for more accountability on waiver
  requests
  
• Potential decrease in number of participants
  (although is not what other town have seen)

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4.2.4 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Recommendation

• While we strongly desire a fully-funded athletic
  program that does not require the use of
  student-paid fees, we recognize that a
  fully-funded program is not feasible at this
  point.
• We also strongly believe that the current system,
  where some students pay 150 to participate in 3
  sports while other students pay as much as 500
  to participate in one sport does not foster an
  environment of unity or equality.
• We also believe that remaining with the current
  system will lead to the elimination of teams due
  to decreases in revenue and increases in cost.
  This is despite the best efforts of the Athletic
  Director to reduce expenses and increase
  revenue.
• We also believe that the funding structure must
  recognize that while there are many teams, we are
  one program and one school.
  

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4.2.4 Athletic Department Funding and
Fundraising Recommendation

• Therefore, The Athletic Study Committee
  recommends
  
• that all teams be partially funded and the
  remaining money needed by generated through an
  increase in athletic fees.
  
• That this fee should be set at 200 per
  student-athlete per sport.
  
• that a procedure to put into place to grant
  waivers for student-athletes who can not afford
  the fees.
  

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4.3 Athletic Department Funding and Fundraising
Boosters Organizations

• The Athletic Study Committee recognizes that the
  different Friends of booster organizations
  have been essential to the development and
  maintenance of partially funded athletic programs
  in the past and should be commended for their
  great efforts to create opportunities for student
  participation in NHS athletics.
• We recommend that the NSC allow only one unified
  Boosters organization to raise money on behalf on
  NHS teams.
  
• All parents can join one unified NHS Boosters
  organization and work together to support our
  Many Teams. One Program. One School.
  
• We recommend that all donations to the Athletic
  Department be made through the NHS Boosters and
  be accepted by the Athletic Director.
  

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4.4 Athletic Department Funding and Fundraising
Waivers and Family Caps

• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• Reductions in fees and waivers be granted to
  those families that can not pay the athletic
  fees
  
• The high school administration determine who is
  eligible for a reduced fee or waiver using the
  criteria used to determine free and reduced
  lunch.
• A family cap should be set at 1,200 per family
  per year
  

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• 5. Field and Facility Use

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5.1 Field and Facility Use

• The Athletic Study Committee recommends that
• The Athletic Director be responsible for the
  scheduling of all NPS gyms and fields
  
• That all organizations who use NPS fields and
  gyms be required to pay a fee to be used for the
  maintenance and improvement of NPS athletic
  facilities
• NPS teams and events continue to have first
  priority with regards to use of all NPS field and
  gyms
  

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NHS Athletics

• Many Teams
• One Program
• One School