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Athletic Policies

mission statement

Our mission is to enrich the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of all students by providing competitive opportunities in which the lifelong values of sportsmanship, individual effort, teamwork, integrity, and commitment are emphasized.

Beliefs

  • We believe students are our highest priority.
  • We believe the dignity, worth, and self-esteem of participants should be paramount in all athletic activities.
  • We believe the most important result of competition is the development of life-long values and skills.
  •  We believe the athletic program is an integral part of the high school experience.
  • We believe high school athletics should be fun and rewarding.
  • We believe athletic programs are most beneficial when they are competitive.
  • We believe winning is an attitude resulting from optimum preparation, concentrated effort and a deep commitment to excel.
  • We believe well-designed athletic programs promote community and school pride.
  • We believe open communication and mutual respect among coaches, parents, and athletes provide the foundation of a successful athletic program.
  • We believe morale, satisfaction, and performance are enhanced when athletes work together as a team.
  • We believe well qualified coaches and program administrators are important components in a successful athletic program.
  • We believe positive parent support and involvement enhance student growth and program quality.

STUDENT-ATHLETE - CODE OF conduct of athletes

General Policy
Interscholastic athletics is a voluntary program. Students are not obligated to participate and participation is not required for graduation.  A student is not required to have athletic grades for college entrance.  Thus, competition in high school is a privilege and not a right.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the athlete to conform to standards established by the school’s athletic teams.

IUSD DISTRICT POLICIES/CIF RULES AND REGULATIONS
Alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, steroids or any other performance enhancing drug are detrimental to the athletic body.  Any violation (including possession of drug paraphernalia such as e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.) will be dealt with in a standardized manner per District Policy.  If a student is convicted of participating in the above abuses (witnessed by staff members or found guilty by law enforcement persons), the following punishment will be administered:

First Offense: Suspension from the athletic team for 10 school days.  At the end of this period, followed by counseling by the head coach, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal, a decision regarding further competition will be made.

Second Offense: Suspension from all athletics for the rest of the year. 

Use of Steroids: IUSD Board Policy 5131.63 prohibits the use/abuse of androgenic/anabolic steroids or any other performance enhancing drug identified by the NCAA without the written prescription of a physician fully licensed in the state of California and recognized by the American Medical Association to treat a medical condition.
Leaving a Team or Dismissal from a Team: An athlete who quits or is dismissed from a team after competition begins cannot participate for another sport until his/her original season has ended.

Transportation: Transportation is provided for all teams traveling to other high schools before 5:00pm and for inner-city games after 5:00pm, transportation will not be provided. For games outside the city after 5:00pm, transportation will be provided. All athletes riding the bus must do so to and from the athletic event.  Occasionally there will be days with early dismissals to athletic events.  It is the athlete’s responsibility to make up any school work missed.

Locker Rooms: Use locker at your own risk. Athletes are encouraged to leave all valuables at home. WHS is NOT responsible for lost or stolen property left in the locker room. 

CIF Rule #205.B Scholastic Eligibility-Minimum Requirements of any 9-12 graders: The student is currently enrolled in at least 20 semester course credits.  The student is passing in the equivalent of a least 20 semester course credits at the completion of the most recent regular grading period (quarter or semester.) If both the above are not met, the student is automatically ineligible and no probation period is allowed.  The student has maintained during the previous grading period a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all enrolled courses.

Probation: IUSD Board Policy #6145.b: A student whose GPA during the previous quarter falls below the participation requirement is entitled to one 9-week probationary period.  Decision on Probationary use must be decided on or before first scheduled contest. The student may continue to participate during the probationary period.  If the student earns a GPA of less than 2.0 during any subsequent quarter he/she becomes immediately ineligible without provision for probation and remains ineligible until all requirements are met.

Uniforms/Equipment: No athlete will be allowed to tryout or play on any athletic team until all uniforms and equipment which were previously issued to that athlete are returned or paid for.  The athlete will not be allowed to participate in any award ceremony or receive a letter or trophy of any kind until his/her obligations have been met.

An important part of the educational aspect of high school athletics is the learning of behavior appropriate to the circumstances. Because athletes often perform publicly, their behavior is subject to more than the usual scrutiny.

With this in mind, there are some behaviors that are particularly offensive, and are subject to standard consequences.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct
If an athlete is ejected from a game for any reason, (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, etc.), the athlete shall be prohibited from participating in the next contest also.

Drugs and/or Alcohol
Possession or use of drugs or alcohol, in or out of season, on school time or at a school event, or based on verifiable information outside of school, shall result in immediate removal of the athlete from participation in all athletic contests for not less than 10 school days. A second offense shall result in immediate removal from the team for the remainder of the season, up to one calendar year with an appeal process available to the student at the end of the season.

Interaction with Officials
If an athlete physically assaults an official, the athlete shall be banned from interscholastic athletics for the remainder of the student’s eligibility (CIF Blue Book Sect. 522).

Parent support for this Athletic Code of Conduct is crucial to its success. Of direct concern, are parents who directly or indirectly participate in providing alcohol to athletes and/or knowingly permit athletes to drink alcohol. Such parents are potentially responsible for the adverse consequences to their own athlete, as well as to the team.

If, in the judgment of the Superintendent or designee, a specific case merits review, the Superintendent or designee may convene a panel consisting of all high school Athletic Directors to consider an appeal.

These rules of conduct and consequences are endorsed and supported by the Athletic Booster Clubs at each high school.

Athletics Time Commitment

The athletic program is designed for those students who wish to participate in interscholastic competition. There is a tremendous time commitment on the part of the student-athlete. Practices are held after school in addition to Saturdays.  Please refer to the Athletic Eligibility Checklist for requirements for an athlete to become eligible. The goals of the athletic department are as follows: 

  1. To build student responsibility and self-discipline 
  2. To develop good sportsmanship among students 
  3. To develop in each individual a competitive team spirit to teach the athletic skills of specific sports 
  4. To teach the athletic skills of specific sports 

Athletes must participate the entire season and/or quarter in order to receive full credit. A student may withdraw from the Athletics without penalty before the end of the first 3 weeks from the official start of practice. Athletes that drop their sport after the first 3 weeks are not allowed to return to another sport until the sport that they withdrew from has completed its season. Freshmen will be placed in a regular PE class. 

HANDBOOKS

eligibility

The student must have passed a minimum of 20 units during the previous grading period. Only 5 units can be in physical education.

The student must be currently passing 20 units of class work.

Before a student can participate in a sport, he/she must have a clearance from the Athletic Secretary stating the student athlete has a physical, health insurance, parent consent form, an Associated Student Body card, and has signed the athletic code.

The student must be living with the parent/guardian within the boundaries of the school attendance area. If not, the student must be eligible under an intra- or inter-district permit.

Policy adopted by the Board of Education provides that participants with less than a 2.0 average for the last marking period are placed on “Academic Probation” for the subsequent quarter. Students on Academic Probation will work with school staff to monitor progress and provide guidance and support. Two consecutive quarters of less than a 2.0 average will result in ineligibility for the subsequent quarter and continue until a 2.0 average is attained. During the four high school years, no student will be placed on Academic Probation more than once.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

IUSD does not discriminate in enrollment in or access to any athletics program available. Admission to these programs is based on age appropriateness, team roster space, aptitude and meeting academic and behavioral eligibility requirements. English skills shall not be a barrier to admission to or participation in the District's activities and programs.

IUSD's facilities and equipment provided for students are comparable and equitable to both sexes without disparity or imbalance, consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's record. For additional information see www.iusd.org (Board Policy 5145.5)

NCAA Standards

To be considered a qualifier at a Division I institution and to be eligible for financial aid, practice, and competition during your first year you must:

  1. Graduate from high school.
  2. Present a minimum combined test score on the SAT verbal and math sections or a minimum composite score on the ACT as indicated on the index scale below. CORE GPA SAT ACT 2.500 & above 820 68 2.375 870 72 2.250 920 77 2.125 960 81 2.000 1010 & above 86 & above
  3. Present a minimum grade-point average in at least 13 core courses (Class of 2004) 14 core courses (Classes of 2005-2007) 16 core courses (Class of 2008) in the following areas:
    1. English—(Div. I) four years, (Div. II) three years
    2. Mathematics—two years (Algebra 1 and above)
    3. Natural or physical science—two years
    4. Additional course in English, mathematics, or natural or physical science—one year
    5. Social science—two years
    6. Additional academic courses (in any of the above areas or foreign language, computer science, philosophy or non-doctrinal religion courses)—(Class of 2004) two years, (Classes of 2005-2007) three years

To be a qualifier at a Division II institution, you must:

  1. Graduate from high school.
  2. (Classes 2005-2008): Present a minimum gradepoint average of 2,000 in at least 14 core courses in the same areas noted above.
  3. Present a minimum 820 combined score on the SAT verbal and math sections or a minimum composite score n the ACT of 68.

perspective on college scholarships

Many high school athletes dream of becoming a professional athlete. It is a notable dream, but somewhat unrealistic for most high school athletes. Many parents dream of their son getting a football scholarship or their daughter a full-ride college scholarship. That, too, is unrealistic for most kids and parents. The type of athletic program offered in the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), emphasizes discipline, character, and cooperation. It accentuates the classroom and getting an education first. It doesn’t emphasize winning at all costs nor displaying one player so that a given athlete is more important than the team.

We want every athlete who is deserving of a scholarship to get one. Coaches in IUSD will do everything they can to help athletes go to college and to procure a scholarship, if one is merited. IUSD will offer a quality program that emphasizes education.

Some parents will agree with the above for everyone except their son, who was all-county Jr. All American. To those parents we say, look at the statistics. In the 1993 study released by Utah State University shows the likelihood of a high school senior getting an athletic scholarship and moving on to professional athletics:

  • 59% of high school football and basketball players believe they will get a college scholarship.
  • 98 out of 100 high school athletes will never play in college.
  • Only 1 out of every 100 high school athletes will receive a scholarship to a Division 1 school.
  • Only 1 out of 12,000 athletes will go on to become a professional athlete.
  • Only 1 in every 5,200 college football players will go on to become a professional player.
  • 67% of all NFL players do not have a college degree.
  • The average career in the NFL lasts 3-1/2 years.

Participation in athletics is highly valued in the Irvine community. The importance of scholarships, however, must be placed in a broader perspective.

Student Athlete Advisory COuncil

The WHS Student Athlete Advisory Council is a student-athlete organization on campus whose purpose is to serve as a direct line of communication between each team and their caoch, and the WHS athletic administrators. The council, made up of representatives from each athletic team, meets regularly to review, discuss, and vote on expenditures for each athletic team, promote better communication and cohesion between teams, and discuss important issues related to their team and athletics (athletics website, WHS honor code, scholar-athlete, etc.).