ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY
Participation in athletics at Bishop Alemany High School is considered a uniquely valuable experience for every young person, and all are encouraged to participate in one of the many competitive sports offered during their high school years.
Participating in athletics at Bishop Alemany High School is a privilege that is earned. Student athletes are expected to appreciate the opportunities provided by high school athletics. We believe that the development of skills and attitudes, which result from athletic participation, are of special importance in our society today. A balance must be achieved and maintained between the desire for personal success and the accomplishments of the team.
PROGRAM AND PARTICIPATION
Interscholastic Athletic Program
The interscholastic athletic program is an integral part of the curriculum and holds many educational advantages for all students. Competition and cooperation are prized in our culture and both are fostered in well-conducted athletic games. The self-discipline required and stress met in an interscholastic competition provide developmental opportunities that translate into habits of personal success.
All interscholastic activities of the Athletic Department will maintain in practice as well as in spirit, the ideals and standards that are the policy of the administration of Bishop Alemany High School, the Catholic Athletic Association (CAA), and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). No change in rules, policy, etc. will be made by any coach that does not agree with the above.
Student participation in athletics
- Athletics should contribute to the overall education of the student. Varied experiences in different sports will help the student develop a solid foundation upon which future success is built.
- It is the primary policy at Bishop Alemany High School that every student may freely choose to participate in any sport which interests him/her and for which he/she is qualified.
- A fundamental concept is that the sport exists for the benefit of the student; not vice versa.
- No student should be put into the position of having to "choose" between two sports that do not pose a seasonal conflict.
- Students may participate in more than one sport in a season. However, the student must adhere to the 18 hours per week ruling by the CIF for all practices and competitions.
- No student is permitted to participate in an athletic event if he/she has been absent from more than two periods on the event day.
- The philosophy of the Bishop Alemany High School Athletic Department is that joining an athletic team represents a commitment to that team for the entire season. Therefore, an athlete will not be allowed to quit one athletic team to go out for another school team until the regular season of the original sport is completed. Students who quit a team without a valid reason will not be allowed to participate in the following season of sport. In the case of extenuating circumstances, the varsity Head Coaches of the programs involved and the Athletic Director may agree to waive this policy and grant immediate eligibility to the athlete in the new sport. This policy also includes those athletes who have been dropped because of disciplinary reasons. Any player who fails to complete the season for any reason other than an injury or an illness will not be awarded a team letter. Competitive participation on an outside athletic (club) team in the same sport during the athlete's school season is forbidden. This is a CIF violation. As soon as a student swims competitively for the high school team, they are no longer eligible to also swim for the club team. The student may still choose to practice with the club team during the high school season.
- Students may not participate as cheerleaders, pep squad members, or drill team members at other high schools.
