Welcome to Gibault Catholic High School and high school athletics. This handbook is not intended to answer every question or situation concerning athletics here at GHS, but is simply a quick reference guide. Some areas are more detailed than others. If you have a specific concern, please contact the Athletic Director.

GHS MISSION STATEMENT

Gibault High School, a Catholic educational community, celebrates the dignity and uniqueness of every person, cultivates lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence, fosters faith, inspires commitment to service and justice, and works to develop a life-giving relationship to the world.

The GHS Athletic Department strives to support this statement by developing an athletic program designed to enhance each student’s athletic abilities.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

GHS SPORTS

Gibault Catholic High School offers the following sports:

Fall

Boys/Girls Golf Boys Soccer Girls Volleyball

Winter

Cheerleading Boys/Girls Basketball Boys/Girls Bowling

Spring

Boys Baseball Girls Softball Girls Soccer

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

GHS COACHING STAFF

(Subject to change)

Athletic Director Gerald Blunt

Baseball Head Coach Jim Helfrich

Asst. Coach Vern Tepen

Boys Basketball Head Coach Dennis Rueter

JV Coach Terry Soucheck

Asst. Coach Ted Schrader

Frosh. Coach Jim Corsi

Girls Basketball Head Coach John Holtshlag

JV Coach TBA

Frosh. Coach TBA

Bowling(Boys/Girls) Head Coach Larry Schaltenbrand

Cheerleading

Golf Scott Ruppel

Soccer(Boys/Girls) Head Coach Jim Corsi

Asst. Coach Chris Kazmiercak

Softball Head Coach Dave Gregson

Asst. Coach Kathy Bement

Volleyball Head Coach Jill Donjon

Asst. Coach Jennifer Reinecker

Frosh. Coach TBA

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (IHSA)

The IHSA is the governing body for all Illinois high schools. The IHSA conducts all state championship tournaments with the exception of boys bowling. Most sports go through a regional, sectional, and super-sectional series to reach the state finals.

The IHSA is divided into classes, called “A” and “AA”. The classes are based upon enrollment figures from the previous year. The IHSA decides which schools go into which class. GHS is a Class “A” school.

GRADE CHECKS and ELIGIBILITY

GHS conducts weekly grade checks as required by the IHSA. To remain eligible, an athlete must pass 20 hours weekly (number of credits x 10). The grade check is done every Friday. If an athlete is failing 2 or more courses, they are declared ineligible from Sunday to the next Sunday. The athlete must continue to practice, but cannot participate in any interscholastic contests.

The grade checks are made known to the head coach to ensure their knowledge of the situation. Athletes who are ineligible will meet with Sr. Mary Bryan Owens to determine a course of action for regaining their eligibility. Students may request or be assigned a tutor.

If an athlete fails 3 or more classes in a semester, they will lose their eligibility for the next entire semester. If an athlete fails 3 or more classes during spring semester, they may take summer classes to be eligible for fall sports. Those classes must be approved by the administration.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

PHYSICALS

The IHSA and GHS require a current yearly physical be on file in the school office. Incoming freshmen are covered by the school physical. All physicals must be on file before beginning practice. Cheerleaders need to have a current physical on file before summer practice. Fall sports begin the 3rd Monday in August. Plan on having your physical on file before the first day of practice.

GHS offers a physical in May through Monroe Physical Therapy for all sophomores, juniors, and seniors. These are not available to incoming freshmen! In the past, these physicals have cost $15 and are done at Monroe Physical Therapy in Waterloo. GHS encourages all athletes to use this service, since it is convenient and the physical is good for the entire school year.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

INSURANCE FORMS

GHS requires all athletes to show proof of insurance. This form must be completed each year and must be on file prior to the athlete participating in sports activities. Family insurance that covers all athletic injuries is acceptable. School insurance may be purchased for athletic purposes.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

INJURIES

Injuries are a normal part of sports. Proper diagnosis and communication of injuries are important to the athletic department. Coaches are responsible to report to the athletic director any injuries that occur at practices or games. Parents or athletes must report any injuries that occur outside school functions to the coaching staff. Athletes who are under the care of a physician must obtain a release before resuming practice. Coaches have the discretion to hold a player out of a game or practice.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

TRANSPORTATION

GHS supplies transportation to most athletic events. A transportation release form must be given to the coach in advance if an athlete wishes to refuse school transportation. Hand-written notes will no longer be acceptable under any circumstances. Coaches reserve the right to require athletes use school-supplied transportation. A copy of the form is included in this booklet.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

SPORTS LEVELS

GHS plays a full varsity schedule in all our sports. We also play at the freshmen level in soccer (both), volleyball, and basketball (both). We offer baseball and softball (F/S) and JV basketball (both), volleyball, soccer (both), and bowling (both). The level at which an athlete plays is dependent on his/her abilities. Seniors may not play below the varsity level.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

FUNDRAISING

All athletes are asked to participate in our annual fundraiser. The current fundraiser is a NFL Sweepstakes. All athletes are encouraged to sell 10 tickets at $10 each. This does count 100% toward your school fundraising quota. The fundraiser starts in September of the school year. This is important for the viability of the athletic department. Many of our sports operate in the red and this enables us to continue all of our sports.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

PLAYER/PARENT/COACH RELATIONSHIP

Both parenting and coaching have become daunting tasks. This section is an attempt to develop an understanding of what should be expected from each of the three parties. Clear, direct communication is the best way to avoid problems.

The following is what you can expect from every coach:

*Philosophy of the coach

*Expectations the coach has of the athletes

*Location/times of games and practices

*Team requirements (fees/equipment/off-season work)

*Injury procedures

*Discipline procedures

*Fairness and communication

The following is what the coach can expect from parents:

*Concerns expressed directly to the coach

*Notification of schedule conflicts in advance

*Sportsmanship at all contests

Athletics at GHS will bring many rewards and life-learning experiences, but there will be times when things do not go the way you or your son/daughter would like. At these times, discussion with the coach is essential.

These are appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

*The mental/physical treatment of your son/daughter

*Ways to help your son/daughter improve

*Concerns about your son’s/daughter’s behavior

*Academic concerns

*Guidance for possible college athletic scholarships

*Guidance in off-season activities

It can be difficult to accept your son’s/daughter’s playing time or team role on a team. Please remember that our coaches are professionals and make judgements based on what is best for the whole team. Certain issues should not be discussed and must be left to the discretion of the coach. Please note that the vast majority of GHS athletes do not play at the collegiate level and that parental hopes or judgments should not be a factor in your communication with the coach.

Issues not appropriate for discussion include:

*Playing time of all team members

*Team strategy

*Rosters, play calling, or starting line-ups

*Other athletes

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and parent. THIS IS ENCOURAGED.

It is important that both sides have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When a conference is necessary, the following procedures need to be followed:

*YOU MAY NOT CONFRONT A COACH BEFORE OR AFTER A CONTEST OR PRACTICE

*Call to set up an appointment to see the coach, either

directly or through the main office

*If the coach cannot be reached, contact the AD during school hours

*The discussion must be held on a mature level; no profanity, yelling, threats, etc.

If the meeting does not provide a satisfactory resolution, the following procedures will be followed:

*Call for an appointment with the AD

(The AD will insist that a meeting first be held with the

coach.)

*At this meeting an appropriate next step will be discussed.

We encourage our athletes to play multiple sports if they have the desire and the ability. No coach may discourage any athlete from participating in multiple sports. (That includes any select teams or camps during the school year or the summer. A coach reserves the right to limit playing or practice time of any athlete who misses GHS activities in order to participate in outside teams. Athletes are responsible for being knowledgeable about IHSA rules concerning off-season sports. Current research indicates that students involved in high school sports have a greater level of success during adulthood. These programs have been established to that end. We hope that you and your son/daughter will take away many wonderful memories to share after high school.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

SPORTSMANSHIP

The IHSA expects all participants who attend athletic events to show good sportsmanship, this includes:

*Never boo a player, coach, or official

*Appreciate a good play, regardless of team

*Realize that the school gets the blame or praise for their

conduct

*Recognize the need for more good sports and fewer bad

sports

*No profane or insulting language

*No insulting signs or gestures

*No alcoholic beverages at any athletic event

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

ATHLETIC AWARDS

GHS presents the following awards:

*Varsity letter 7” cardinal “G”

*JV letter 5” cardinal “G’

*Tri-Athlete letter 7” cardinal “G”w/tri-athlete

*4-YR. Varsity letter 7” white “G”w/card.&navy

*4-YR. Tri-Athlete letter 7” white “G”w/gold&card.

*Letter Pins Gold in each sport

*Captain’s bar Gold bar pin

*Certificate for each letter earned

The criteria for earning letters is left to the coach’s discretion. The Tri-Athlete award is presented to athletes who earn three varsity letters in one school year. Four-year letters are presented at the school awards night in May. Awards nights for individual sports are under the attention of each head coach. Additional letters may be purchased from the AD. Students are responsible for picking up their awards following awards night.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

GHS CODE OF CONDUCT

Athletes at GHS are held to a higher standard than other students. They receive the benefits and are responsible to their parents, coaches, and teammates for their actions both during the season and the off-season. A Code of Conduct has been established as a guide for right action during their years in the GHS athletic program. All athletes and parents are required to abide by this pledge. Please read the entire document carefully and understand the implications. Parents and athletes will be held accountable for violations to this code and for any penalties incurred.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

BELIEF STATEMENT

Gibault Catholic High School strongly believes that alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, steroids, and the use of controlled substances have a negative and harmful effect on all individuals. We also believe that athletic participation is a privilege, not a right guaranteed to each student. The illegal use of controlled substances endangers the health, safety, and well-being of all students participating in athletics at GHS. It should be known that student-athletes who fail to abide by this code are accountable for their actions and for serving the penalties described herein.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

CODE COVERAGE

This code covers the use, possession, transportation, or sale of alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia. This code also covers theft, vandalism, and the conviction of a felony or misdemeanor.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

CODE MINIMUMS

This code establishes minimum penalties for the infractions listed. Coaches may add higher penalties, but are not allowed to lower the stated penalties. Coaches who have higher penalties must submit them in writing to the AD prior to the first day of practice and must abide by those rules for the entire season. All athletes must sign a sheet confirming their knowledge of those penalties.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

RULES DURATION

This code is in effect from the first day a student participates in a GHS athletic activity until they graduate from GHS. Students will be expected to abide by these rules year-round.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

RULES INFRACTION GUILT

In order to be deemed guilty of a code violation, the student must be seen by a teacher, coach, or administrator of GHS, be arrested and convicted by the court system, be seen by a law enforcement officer, or admit the infraction to a teacher, coach, or administrator. Parents/guardians may report the infractions as well.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

NOTIFICATION AND APPEAL

All individuals concerned will follow the notification process outlined in appendix 1. The ultimate decision rests with the principal of GHS.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

BASIC RULES

The following are basic team rules that have been approved by the AD. They are to be enforced by the respective coaches and do not automatically fall under the code procedure. All violations must be reported to the AD.

1) There should be no late hours on school nights or nights before athletic events. Eleven p.m. seems to be appropriate Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

2) The school dress code is in effect when traveling with the team. Teams may travel wearing team warm-up apparel when worn by all members and when approved by the coach.

3) Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, police arrest or disrespectful behavior while traveling with the team, as an individual, or during athletic events.

4) Athletes are expected to attend all practices, games, and team functions. It is the head coach's discretion to allow excused absences. Athletes are expected to be on time to practices, games, and bus departures. Athletes should come with all necessary equipment and uniforms. Violations of this rule may result in loss of playing time or game suspension. Our coaches are encouraged to be consistent in this regard.

5) All athletes must have a current physical, consent to treat form, and travel permission slip on file in the office. Any athlete who is missing any of the above mentioned items will not be allowed to play in any games. Physicals must be on file in the office before beginning official practice.

6) Athletes who are guilty of the theft of school equipment or uniforms or vandalizing will have their case reviewed by the AD and coach for specific penalties. A second infraction will result in the loss of one calendar year of athletic activity. A third infraction will result in a ban on further participation at GHS.

7) Athletes must return all uniforms and equipment by the assigned date and in proper condition. Athletes will be charged for any damaged or missing gear.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

ACADEMIC RULES

Athletic participation is a privilege granted by the school and is done so with the assurance by the athletes that academics come first. Poor academic performance will result in decreased athletic participation. The AD conducts weekly grade checks of all in season athletes, starting at an appropriate time based on the school year. Poor grades, insufficient effort, or behavioral problems may result in academic probation for the athlete.

Athletes who are on academic probation will be subject to progress checks conducted by the assistant principal. If the assistant principal feels that insufficient progress is not being made, a consultation with the principal and the AD will be held. Decisions regarding the athlete’s eligibility will then be determined.

Athletes who are doing below average work or exhibiting below average effort in a class may have their privilege of leaving early for athletic contests revoked.

GHS enforces the current grade policy of the IHSA. That policy is included in the student handbook.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

MAJOR RULES

Substance abuse constitutes a major rules violation. No use, possession, or transportation of controlled substances will be tolerated. Controlled substances include alcohol, illegal drugs, and any forms of tobacco. Abuse of steroids and prescription drugs is likewise prohibited. These prohibitions are in effect throughout the entire year, not just during the current athletic season.

Violating this policy will result in the automatic imposition of the following penalties. Violations are cumulative for grades 9-12.

1) First Infraction: The student-athlete will not be allowed to participate in the next interscholastic events as listed below.

Baseball/Softball...............................4 Games

Basketball/Cheerleading..................3 Games

Bowling..............................................2 Matches

Golf.....................................................2 Matches

Soccer.................................................3 Games

Volleyball...........................................4 Matches

a) The penalty will begin on the date immediately following the proof of guilt. The penalty will be consecutive.

b) The penalty will be served to the highest team level attained by the athlete. They may not play on the underclass level until the penalty is finished. A JV athlete who is also a varsity athlete would also miss any JV games until the specified number of varsity games is missed.

c) The athlete must still practice with the team or participate in other school activities while the suspension is served, unless other suspensions are enforced.

d) If the offense occurs out of season, the penalty will begin in the next sports season. An athlete may not join a team for the first time in order to serve a suspension.

e) In the case of illness or injury, the penalty will begin upon the athlete’s return to school.

2) Second Infraction: The penalty for a second infraction will be double the penalty for the first infraction.

a) The athlete will be referred to any support services at school.

b) The infractions are cumulative during the athlete’s years at GHS.

c) The athlete’s parents/guardians must participate in a meeting to include the athlete, the principal, and the AD before reinstatement occurs.

d) If the infraction is for the same offense, the athlete must participate in a documented rehabilitation program at the expense of the athlete. Approval of the program must be made by GHS before athletic participation resumes.

e) The penalties must be served during the current season or the earliest season available. Athletes may not join a sport for the first time to serve the penalty.

3) Third Infraction: The athlete will be banned from any future athletic participation. No reinstatement procedure is available.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

SPECIAL NOTE: ANY ATHLETE CAUGHT IN THE SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILL BE BANNED FROM FUTURE ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION, CONTINGENT UPON PROOF OF GUILT.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports

APPENDIX 1 NOTIFICATION PROCESS

STEP 1: Incident reported to Principal/Assistant Principal

* Explain what has occurred, who is involved

* Gather all pertinent facts

STEP 2: Meet with Athlete, Principal, Assistant Principal,

Athletic Director, and Coaches Involved

* Contact parents/guardians

* Discuss accusations

* Discuss penalties

* Determine guilt/innocence, if possible

STEP 3: If not true or unproven

* All actions stop

* Party who made accusation is notified

* Parents/Guardians notified

STEP 4: If true

* State penalties

* Explain future consequences

* Discuss possible deeper problem

* Contact parents/guardians

* Follow with written notification

STEP 5: Parent/Guardian Notification and Participation

* Meet with parents

* Explain all actions, evidence, and consequences

* Explain what can be done to help the athlete

STEP 6: Notify law enforcement agencies, if required

STEP 7: Follow-up

* Follow any action started to ensure all possible support

is given to the athlete and parents/guardians

All parents and /or athletes will receive this booklet. Gibault High School assumes that both the parent and athlete will read this booklet. Joining any of our athletic teams means that both parent and athlete will abide by the rules and penalties of this booklet. If you need any further clarification, please contact the athletic director during normal school hours.

Back to Contents Back to Gibault/ Home Back to Gibault/ Sports