PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION 

The Athletic Department of Berkeley High School strives to keep open lines of communication between athletes, parents, coaches and the general public. Much of the information needed to keep current with the events and policies of the various Berkeley sports teams can be accessed by using the athletic website, www.Berkeleystagsathletics.com 

Parental Support: 

Both parenting and coaching are extremely challenging vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we strive to be able to better accept the actions of the other for the benefit of the student-athlete. As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed upon your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program. 

It is essential that parents and athletes demonstrate respect for coaches. The coach has been appointed to a leadership and decision making position. His/her responsibility is to the individual participant, the team, and the school system. As a result, all coaches have been instructed to make the best decisions they can and not to bow to parent or fan pressure relative to athletic and/or coaching decisions. In all instances, an environment of mutual respect and civility should prevail and the appropriate steps for a solution should be followed. 

Communication Your Child Can Expect From Coaches 

1. Philosophy of the coach 

2. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as the players on the team 

3. Locations and times of all practices and contests 

4. Team requirements; i.e., fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning 

5. Procedures should your child be injured during participation 

6. Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation 

7. The availability of the coach to speak with you about your child if you should have a concern 

Communication Coaches Expect from Parents 

1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach 

2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance (planned vacations) 

3. Specific concerns with regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations 

As your children become involved in programs at Berkeley High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times respectful discussion with the coach is encouraged. 

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches 

1. The treatment of your child, mentally and physically 

2. Ways to help your child improve 

3. Concerns about your child’s behavior 

It is difficult to accept your child is not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those that follow, must be left to the discretion of the coach. 

Issues not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches 

1. Playing time 

2. Team strategies 

3. Game play-calling 

4. Other student-athletes 

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, please follow the steps outlined in the Chain of Communication, to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern. 

Solving Conflicts-Chain of Communication 

1. Athlete and Coach 

2. Athlete, Parent, and Coach 

3. Parent, Coach, and Athletic Director 

4. Parent, Coach, and Principal 

The correct procedure to contact a coach is to email him/her or by telephone. Parents are urged to contact the coach directly at the phone numbers and any other methods distributed at the pre-season orientation meeting. Please do not contact the coach at home unless requested to do so. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest, a practice, or event. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution. If the coach does not respond to your phone call within 48 hours, contact the Athletic Director at 843-899-8800 and he will contact the coach on your behalf. 

SPORTSMANSHIP 

Berkeley High School believes that sports programs serve educational purposes in the lives of the students. One of these purposes is the development of good sportsmanship. The primary focus of the challenge of achieving good sportsmanship is on the student-athlete, but others are involved. 

Individuals who are involved in athletic activities that represent Berkeley High School should make every effort to meet the following expectations: 

School Administration 

✓ Provide appropriate supervisory personnel for athletic events 

✓ Recognize exemplary behavior and actively discourage undesirable conduct by participants, coaches, and fans 

✓ Show commitment to students and school activities by regular attendance at school events 

✓ Apply sportsmanship policies and rules equitably 

✓ Be prepared to address fan and participant behavior at both home and away events 

Coaches 

✓ Accept decisions of officials 

✓ Avoid offensive gestures and language 

✓ Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat 

✓ Avoid public criticism of game officials 

✓ Lead by example: respect the rules, the officials, and opponents 

Student-Athletes 

✓ Show respect at all times for coaches, opponents, and game officials 

✓ Accept the decisions of contest officials 

✓ Avoid offensive gestures or language 

✓ Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat 

✓ Show respect for public property and equipment 

✓ Remember that as a participant for Berkeley that you represent the school 

Spectators 

✓ Avoid criticism and harassment of game officials and coaches 

✓ Appreciate good performances by opposing players and teams 

✓ Respect and show appreciation for coaches 

✓ Stay off the playing area 

✓ Show respect for public property and equipment 

✓ Take part in cheers with the cheerleaders 

✓ Work cooperatively with school officials and supervisors in keeping order 

Cheerleaders and Band 

✓ Know the contest rules and perform at the proper times 

✓ Encourage support for any injured player 

✓ Show respect for opposing players and cheerleaders, game officials, and spectators 

✓ Lead positive cheers and praise for your team 

✓ Show respect for public property and equipment 

Appropriate Behaviors 

✓ Applause during introduction of athletes, coaches, game officials 

✓ Handshakes between participants and coaches at end of contest 

✓ Applause at end of contest for performances of all participants 

✓ Everyone showing concern for an injured athlete 

✓ Showing respect for another school’s logos, banners, Alma Mater, etc. 

✓ Spirit leaders leading fans in positive manner 

Unacceptable Behaviors 

✓ Using disrespectful, taunting, or derogatory yells, chants, songs, or gestures 

✓ Singling out individuals on an opposing team for derogatory or insensitive treatment 

✓ Using hand-held signs containing derogatory language or pictures 

✓ Throwing of any objects onto or near the field of play 

✓ Displays of temper with an official’s call 

✓ Using yells to antagonize opponents 

✓ Refusing to shake hands or to give recognition for good performance 

✓ Unauthorized visiting of other school’s rooting section 

✓ Using profanity or displays of anger that draws attention away from the game 

**Any individual violating this code of behavior will be warned and/or may be removed from the contest and banned from future sporting events.