Athletes

Athletes

Handbook









Tampa Preparatory

School

This handbook has been developed to provide a guide to the policies and procedures of the Athletic Department. We

encourage all coaches, athletes, and parents to exercise a positive, respectful approach to all that may arise during your

sport season(s).



Athletic Department



Director of Athletics Carol Chalu

Assistant Director of Athletics Michael Flynn

Associate Head/FHSAA Representative Peter Shepley

Middle School Athletic Director John DeTringo

Athletic Trainer Tom Watterson

Transportation Director Jack Gordon



Nickname Terrapins

Colors Red, Gold, Black



PHILOSOPHY



We strive to:

 Conduct the program within the letter and spirit of the rules and regulations of our member associations.

 Hold the safety and welfare of the students first.

 Hold the Athletic program in conformity with the general objectives of the School and function as a part of the

overall educational experience.

 Teach values that help develop, self-discipline, commitment, sacrifice, determination & cooperation among

teammates to achieve a common goal.

 Insure students a wholesome, memorable, and successful experience through involvement in athletics.



Affiliations



 FHSAA

Tampa Prep is a member of The Florida High School Athletic Association which is the governing body of student

athletics and activities for all Florida schools. Questions pertaining to FHSAA rules and regulations should be

directed to the office of the Director of Athletics or to Peter Shepley.

 FWCL

The Middle School is also a member of the Florida West Coast League which offers competition between Bay area

private middle school



Form Required for Participation in Athletics



 FHSAA Physical Exam Form

All athletes both Upper and Middle School must complete this form. To be completed annually on or after May 15 on

the FHSAA form provided.

 FHSAA Consent and Release Form

All athletes that are participating on an Upper School Team must complete this form.

 Birth Certificate

A copy must be on file at the School.

 Tampa Preparatory School Release and Consent Form

All athletes both Upper and Middle School must complete this form.

 Tampa Preparatory School Pool Release Form

All athletes both Upper and Middle School must complete this form.



*No athlete will not be permitted to participate in try-outs, practice or games/matches until all appropriate paperwork has

been completed and turn in.

Middle School Athletic Program



 Practices are held daily from 2:00-3:30pm. Contests are usually held at 4:00pm, at home or away. Most teams

will play two games per week

 Middle School Athletes are required to participate in at least one of three sport seasons. All are welcome to

participate in more.

 Large teams will be split into Red and Gold squads. The students will be placed where the coaches feel they may

have the most success.

 Physical Education class is taken during any sports season in which a child does not participate in a sport.

 There are no exemptions from physical education or sports requirements.



Middle School Athletic Program Offerings



 Fall

o Swim/Dive

o Cross Country

o Boys Soccer

o Girls Volleyball

 Winter

o Girls Basketball

o Boys Basketball

o Wrestling

o Girls Soccer

 Spring

o Boys Volleyball

o Baseball

o Softball

o Tennis



*Middle School athletes may be eligible to tryout for an Upper School varsity team after meeting with and receiving

permission from the Middle School Athletic Director and the Director of Athletics.



Upper School Athletic Program



 Sub-Varsity Teams

o Have a "no cut" policy in most sports

o Will be fielded where the number of participants shows a need and where facilities can accommodate.

o Large JV teams may be split into two squads to allow for differences in skill levels.

o Seniors cannot participate on a JV team.



 Varsity Teams

o Most Varsity teams have a tryout period ranging from two days to two weeks, after which team selections

are made.

o Players must meet qualifications during the tryout period in order to make some teams.

o Most Varsity teams have limited rosters.

o No guarantees are made as concerns playing time

Upper School Athletic Program Offerings





 Fall

o Swim/Dive

o Cross Country

o Girls Volleyball

o Boys Golf

o Girls Golf

 Winter

o Girls Basketball

o Boys Basketball

o Wrestling

o Boys Soccer

o Girls Soccer

 Spring

o Track

o Tennis

o Softball

o Baseball

o Crew



Eligibility/Academics



 Eligibility

o Middle School: 6th, 7th, and 8th graders must have been regularly promoted from the previous grade,

carry a normal class load, do satisfactory classroom work, and maintain a satisfactory conduct record.

o Upper School: Must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average. Only semester grades count and any

change in eligibility can only occur at the end of the semester

 Extra Help

o Upper School Practices do start until 4:00pm on school days in order to allow students to get extra help if

needed. Extra help should be scheduled around practice and game times.



Attendance



 If you miss a class on the day of a game/meet/match, you are not eligible to participate in that contest. An excused

absence requires a doctor's note when signing in. For any other reason, a parent must personally notify Mr.

Shepley.

 Early Dismissal -When excused early for a regular or post season game, you are responsible for class

assignments, notes, etc. that you miss.

 Trips -When excused from classes for a full day or more, you must:

o Take a release form around to each of your teachers to sign.

o Return the release form to your coach at least one (1) day prior to departure.

o Arrange to do all homework and assignments as per your teachers' instructions.



No-Cut Policy



 Tampa Prep has a no-cut policy for most teams below the Varsity level (including all middle school teams). We

believe our students should have the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of their skill level. To

accommodate larger numbers we will add sub-Varsity level teams where possible.

 Because of this policy, teams may consist of members whose abilities vary considerably. We hope our students

will see this as a positive opportunity to help one another.

 Playing time can be difficult to provide at every contest for every player. It is the hope of this Department that

students who come out for sports are there in a competitive and positive spirit, to enjoy and learn.

Try-outs



 Middle School students will be given one week at the beginning of each season to determine whether they wish to

participate on one of the teams offered in a season.

 Upper School athletes are expected to be at the opening day of Tryouts/Practices, unless they are still participating

in another school sport. Varsity team tryouts may run 2 days or up to 2 weeks, depending on the sport.



Admission to Athletic Events



 Regular season Tampa Prep events are FREE to Tampa Prep students and families if they are members of the

Sports Boosters Club. Admission will be charged at Tournaments and Post Season FHSAA contests.



Awards



 Lettering

o In order to receive a Varsity Letter, you must first be on a Varsity team and finish the season in good

standing. Each sport will inform you of its own set of criteria for earning a letter. A SPORT pin and the

LETTER is received the first year. A Bar is given for the second and third year, and a Star is given the

fourth year of Varsity competition.

 All-County/All-State/All-America

o These honors are selected by the sports writers of area newspapers and nation-wide publications.



Billing



 Each athlete has the potential to be charged for various items during their athletic season. Some of these items are,

and yet not limited to: Pictures, Various clothing items, lodging on overnight trips, etc.



College Bound Athletes



 An NCAA handbook explaining all rules, etc. that you should be familiar with in preparing for college athletics, is

available from the Athletic Office or Mr. Shepley. Seniors who plan to play in college must pick up and complete

the NCAA Clearing House Booklet available in Mr. Shepley’s office.



Conduct



 Athletes

o Abusive language, rude or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. All technical fouls, red cards, and

unsportsmanlike conduct by players will be reported to the Athletic Director and the FHSAA. Discipline

will include suspension from the team for a determined number of days, weeks, or contests. Here are the

conduct expectations our athletes:

 All school rules apply at all athletic events, both home and away.

 Represent your team and your School in a respectful manner at all times.

 Accept interpretations made by officials, whether or not you agree.

 Shake hands with opponents before and after games.

 Spectators/Fans

o Spectators As fans, we are all responsible for upholding high standards of good sportsmanship. Your

actions in the stands reflect on Tampa Prep so refrain from making loud, negative comments to the

officials or the opposing team.



Dress Code



 Athletes, managers and coaches are expected to be dressed appropriately when representing a Tampa Prep team,

including game days and practices. When team members step into the playing arena for a contest, all must be

dressed alike—shirts tucked in and in the same attire. We are representing our team and School, not our

individuality.

Equipment and Uniforms



 It is your responsibility to care for the equipment and team uniforms issued to you. If items are lost or damaged

beyond what is considered normal wear and tear, your account will be billed for replacement costs. In general,

uniforms should be washed in the gentle cycle in cold water, colors separated and hung to dry.



Managers



 Student Mangers are highly valued by our coaches and are of great service to all teams. They may be awarded a

Varsity letter at season end. The Head Coach will let you know specifically what is expected of you.



Multi-Sport Athletes



 Multi-sport athletes are the backbone of our Athletic program and all of our coaches will encourage and assist

these athletes in working out any conflicts. Athletes are expected to complete the sport season in which they are

participating before beginning the next one. Coaches involved may agree to work out a schedule to "share" the

athlete in the overlap, however attention must be paid to the athletes’ time and physical well-being.



Supervision



 Students using any athletic facility must be under the direct supervision of a Tampa Prep coach. Under no

circumstances can any workout be unsupervised. Individual workouts must be approved and supervised by the

athlete’s coach, assistant coach, or Athletic Department personnel assigned to that facility.



Athletic Trainer



 Tom Watterson is our full time Athletic Trainer. He is available to see athletes at lunch time, 7th period, and after

school for evaluation, taping, or follow-up rehab. He will attend all on-campus and nearby home events.



Transportation



 All team members will ride the team school bus to and from athletic events.

 No student may ride in a car with any other student to after school practices or games.

 You may drive yourself to Saturday practices and events.

* Exceptions must have approval from the Athletic Director.



Weather



 When the weather threatens, coaches must make a decision as to the status of practices or games for that day and

inform the Athletic Office no later than 2:00pm. The Athletic Office will notify the school receptionist and make

announcements to the appropriate teams.



Weight Room



 The weight room has expensive equipment designed for specific strength training. It can be dangerous if not used

properly.

 NO student may use the weight room without first completing a required orientation with one of our 3 certified

strength trainers.

 In order for teams/students to use the weight room, one of our certified strength trainers must be supervising.

 TPS Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists.

o Tom Watterson

o Bruno Quattrone

o Brad Kaczmarski

Sports-Line/Daily Athletic Updates



 Daily updates of athletic events and directions are available via:

o Website

 http://www.tampaprep.org/page.cfm?p=22

o Sports Line

 After 9:00 AM by calling 251-8481; after school hours call 251-8481 ext. 333



Website



 www.tampaprep.org