Purpose and Policies

What follows is a description of those things required of a student-athlete and his/her family at AMHS, as well as, informational items that are important for a participating student and his/her family know.

Individual teams may have policies in addition to those described here.

The Participation Regulations have been developed by the administration and coaches of the Department of Athletics and have been approved by the school administration. These regulations have been established to better help the Athletics Department offer programs which promote its purpose and goals.

Adherence to the content of the regulations is required of all student-athletes representing AMHS. Enforcement will be the responsibility of the coaches and the Athletic Director.

Students who fail to comply with the regulations are subject to being removed from the program. 

Department Purpose and Goals

The Department of Athletics is committed to enriching campus life through a program of interscholastic athletics and to promoting the development of qualities in the student-athlete that will serve the participating individual and the community. 

Towards that end, the Athletics Department offers competition for men and women as part of the educational program of the school. Its goals are…

• to instill in the student-athlete a sense of responsibility by demanding consistently high standards of behavior and making the student-athlete aware and respectful of the needs of others;
• to engender commitment in the student-athlete by directing him/her to an acceptance of the goals of the team and an appreciation of the needs of his/her teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials;
• to nurture unselfishness in the student-athlete by requiring that his/her actions on and off the playing field by consistent with the goals of the team as a whole and not be directed towards individual honors;
• to generate in the student-athlete a willingness to sacrifice his/her time and energy towards the fulfillment of shared goals;
• to further a sense of personal discipline on the part of the student-athlete by demanding abstention from activities that limit his/her athletic, academic, and personal potential.

A complete description of the Department of Athletics is contained in the Student-Parent Handbook. For further information, contact the Department administration: 

Article I: Eligibility

The California Interscholastic Federation establishes requirements for athletic eligibility. AMHS adheres to these requirements and adds further conditions for the betterment of its programs.

Students that are determined to be ineligible may not participate in interscholastic competition (i.e., games or scrimmages). Eligibility will be determined by the Assistant Principal, in consultation with the Athletic Director. Eligibility issues fall into five categories:

1.  Age

1. No student whose nineteenth (19th) birthday is attained prior to June 15th, shall participate or practice on any team in the following school year. A student whose 19th birthday is on June 14, or before, is ineligible.

2.  Residential

1. Incoming freshmen from junior highs are eligible.
   
   
2. Students entering as transfers from other high schools must file a CCS Parent/Student Information & Signature Form with the Athletic Director. This applies to every transfer, regardless of his/her particular circumstances.
   
   
3. There are three types of eligibility granted by the CCS for students transferring without a valid change of residency: Sit Out Period, Limited, and Unlimited. Students who are transferring without a change of residence and are playing a varsity sport will be granted “Sit Out Period” eligibility. This means that the athlete will not be allowed to participate in contests until the designated date set by the CCS. Students who are transferring without a change of residence and are not playing a varsity sport will be granted “Limited” eligibility. Under “Limited” eligibility athletes are allowed to play right away. Additionally, the athlete cannot play varsity at all throughout the season. If a student-athlete is transferring and did not play the sport in the previous year he/she will be granted “Unlimited” eligibility, which allows he/she to play any level right away.
   
   
4. If a student transfers and the CCS determines that there is a valid change of residency he/she will be allowed to participate immediately at any level in all sports.
   
   

3. Outside Competition

The CIF prohibits participation in any organized activity of an outside agency in a sport during an athlete's period of participation for AMHS in that same sport. An athlete will be declared ineligible after any such participation; the team for which he/she participates at AMHS may be required to forfeit any contest in which he/she participates after the date of participation for an outside agency.

4.  Academic

A student must:

• have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0;
• have passed a minimum of 20 units in the grading period immediately preceding his/her participation;
• be enrolled in 25 or more units during the period of his/her participation.

If a student is declared academically ineligible, the following rules govern the student's athletic participation:

• The student-athlete is ineligible to participate for one grading period, one quarter. At the next report card the student's ineligibility status will be reviewed.
• During the ineligibility period the student-athlete may practice and train with the team.
• During the ineligibility period the student-athlete may not participate in any interscholastic game or match.
• During the ineligibility period the student-athlete may not miss any school time for athletic purposes, e.g. travel, practice, etc.
• A student may petition for one quarter of Athletics Monitoring during the 9th and 10th grades and may petition for one quarter of Athletic Monitoring during the 11th and 12th grades during his or her tenure at Archbishop Mitty. Petitions are reviewed and considered for Monitoring status according to the following criteria:
  • there is no evidence of multiple low grades, e.g. one grade lowered the student's P.A.
  • the student's conduct in class has been above reproach
  • the student has improved his or her standing in academic classes
  • the student is currently working hard to improve the P.A.
  • the student has no history of excessive absenteeism or tardiness
• During the period of Athletics Monitoring the student may participate fully in all aspects of the athletic program.

5.  Department Requirements

1. Prior to participation in any practice or contest, a student must have on file with the Department a completed Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form completed and signed by both a parent and a physician.
   
   
2. A student owing the Department uniforms or money from a previous season is ineligible until his/her account has been cleared.
   
   
3. Intent to Try Out must be submitted electronically by every athlete for each separate season.

Article II: Conduct and Appearance

Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege, and student-athletes must represent AMHS in a positive fashion.

1. Student-athletes must treat teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, and fans with respect and in keeping with the highest standards of sportsmanship. 
   
   
2. Taunting, trash talking, or any other forms of derisive behavior are unacceptable. The Athletic Director and/or coaches of teams will determine sanctions for such behavior; repeated offenses make a student-athlete subject to expulsion from the program.
   
   
3. Swearing or abusive language will not be tolerated.The Athletic Director and/or coaches of teams will determine sanctions for such behavior; repeated offenses make a student-athlete subject to expulsion from the program.
   
   
4. Athletes who quit a team after first cuts are posted, and/or after the first game, or that are removed from that team by Department of Athletics, are ineligible for any other AMHS team until the original team's season has been completed.
   
   
5. Team members may not participate during their season in any open gyms or weight lifting activities of another AMHS team, unless by prior agreement. Such agreements will be as a result of a meeting between involved coaches, the student-athlete, and the Athletic Director.
   
   
6. Student-athletes who are in possession of or use illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol are subject to being declared ineligible and are subject to expulsion as defined by the AMHS Parent Student Handbook. The Athletics Department, in consultation with the AMHS administration, will determine the length of the period of ineligibility. Athletes are not permitted to take, distribute, or sell supplements on campus. Supplements should never be taken unless under the direction of a medical doctor.
   
   
7. CIF Bylaw 22.B12 prohibits school personnel including athletic directors, sports coaches, school officials or employees or booster/club support groups from distributing supplements. Schools may not accept sponsorships or donations from manufacturers that distribute any dietary supplement banned by the United States Anti-Doping agency, as well as, synephrine. AMHS student-athletes will compete and reach their full potential, but will do it based on their natural, God-given abilities, without the introduction of foreign substances into their bodies.
   
   
8. CIF Bylaw 523 states that as a condition of membership, all schools shall enforce policies prohibiting the use of androgenic or anabolic steroids and dietary supplements banned by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, as well as, synephrine, without the written prescription from a licensed health care practitioner to treat a medical condition. Participating students and their parent/caregiver must sign a notification form regarding these restrictions. Under CIF Bylaw 202, there could be penalties for providing false or fraudulent information. The AMHS policy regarding the use of any illegal drugs or substances and the accompanying disciplinary action will be enforced for any violations of these rules. By signing that they have read and understand the AMHS Athletics Department Regulations, the participating student-athlete, parents, legal guardians/caregiver agrees that the student shall not use androgenic or anabolic steroids or supplements without the written prescription of a fully licensed physician as recognized by the American Medical Association and licensed in the State of California to practice medicine. 
   
   
9. Student-athletes will be disciplined and/or dismissed from an athletic team if they participate in the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or steroids. These substances are illegal and may be harmful to your body and personal well-being.
   
   
10. Student-athletes must dress in keeping with community standards while representing AMHS. Determination of such standards will be by the coaches and the Athletic Director. Individual teams may require more specific forms of dress.
    
    
11. Hair shall be neat, clean, and groomed in keeping with community standards. Determination of such standards will be by the coaches and the Athletic Director. No extreme styles, lengths, or colors will be allowed.
    
    
12. Make-up must be used conservatively and in keeping with community standards. Determination of such standards will be by the coaches and the Athletic Director.
    
    
13. Student-athletes may not have visible tattoos at any time, including during contests and practices. Whenever possible, tattoos must be covered by clothing. If the required or expected dress for an event makes that impossible (e.g., a contest uniform, a practice uniform, a swimsuit), the tattoo must be covered by the student with as discrete a bandage as is possible. If the student has a tattoo that is too large to be covered by a discrete bandage, or if the student has failed to cover the tattoo by discrete bandage, the student will be excluded from the event. The Athletic Director will determine what will serve as discrete bandage to cover a tattoo.
    
    
14. A parent should be mindful of the special responsibilities that come with being a parent of a student-athlete. A parent is to refrain from abusive language directed at officials, players, or coaches. He/she should also avoid giving instructions to players from the stands or sidelines, as this can place the student-athlete in a most difficult position of trying to please coach and parent.
    
    
15. A parent who directs abusive behavior or language at officials, players, coaches, opposing fans, or who repeatedly gives instructions to players from the stands or sidelines, may be excluded from a particular contest. A pattern of such behavior may result in a parent being excluded from all contests of a specified team. A student-athlete whose parent does not cooperate with coaches and the Athletic Director in matters of fan language and behavior and the giving of instructions to players may be excluded from participation in the athletic program. 
    
    
16. The Archbishop Mitty logo is not to be reproduced by parents or athletes on any non-authorized merchandise. Only merchandise purchased through the Lion’s Den is permissible by copyright law.

Article III: Absences

1. Attendance at practices and contests is mandatory for any team member. A coach may establish his/her own sanctions for unexcused absences. Removal from the team is an acceptable sanction.
   
   
2. Absences due to Christian service projects, retreats, Kairos, or detention will normally be viewed as unexcused absences. Students should try and schedule retreat opportunities and service hours around athletics; when not possible, the student should see the Athletic Director for special provision.

Article IV: Transportation

1. Normally, all travel to and from away contests will be by AMHS bus or van.
   
   
2. Occasionally, students will be excused from class early in order to travel to or prepare for contests.
   
   
3. On trips, students are to maintain a level of behavior consistent with being a representative of AMHS. There is to be absolutely no shouting from windows or throwing anything from windows. Litter is to be removed and vehicle windows raised by a team at the conclusion of its trip.
   
   
4. With the consent of the supervising coach, a student-athlete may be excused from riding the bus or van only as a result of a signed request by that student-athlete's parent. Such requests should be dated and include a description of how the student-athlete will be transported. They should also expressly relieve AMHS from liabilities relative to transportation on the date in question. Coaches will make available to parents forms that will facilitate a student-athlete being released from travel with his/her team.
   
   
5. AMHS student-athletes are not authorized to travel with a student as the driver. Coaches are required to instruct each team member that if he/she drives to a contest or practice site, he/she may take no other students with him/her.  AMHS team members may travel with adults as drivers; they may not travel with students as drivers (other than themselves). Thus, if a coach plans to have players meet him/her at the contest or practice site, he/she will tell the team members that (1) they must not travel together with a student as the driver; and (2) that each student-athlete not traveling by AMHS vehicle must have signed release from a parent for that.
   
   
6. If an AMHS vehicle is not available and if a team member does not have a signed release from a parent, that team member may not travel to the contest or practice site. If the number of team members thus excluded from the trip makes the contest unplayable, the coach is to postpone (if possible) or cancel the contest.
   
   
7. All off-campus team bonding activities, retreats, practices or trainings that require transportation need to be approved by the Athletic Director. Depending on the activity, additional transportation waivers may be necessary.

Article V:  Medical/Training

1. Prior to participation in any practice, an athlete must have on file with the Athletics Department a completed Pre-Participation Evaluation Form. One side of this form must be completed by a physician and the other side by a parent. Student-athletes may see their own doctor, or they may take advantage of the medical screening offered by the Athletics Department. Dates and cost of such screening will be publicized.
   
   
2. An AMHS Athletic Trainer is available to athletes for the rehabilitation of injuries every school day. If an injury requires a doctor's care, a written permit to continue activity must be secured from the doctor prior to an athlete returning to participation.
   
   
3. Athletes are not to congregate in the training room. They should be in the training room only with and at the invitation of the trainer.
   
   
4. Student-athletes with chronic medical conditions should notify the Department of Athletics of such conditions.
   
   

Student Trainer Program

The Department of Athletics provides selected students with the opportunity to work with the AMHS Athletic Trainer in developing training and injury prevention skills. Student Athletic Trainers are then assigned to assist AMHS teams with training needs. The program is coordinated by the AMHS Athletic Trainer. SAT’s meet regularly after school hours, and orientation sessions start at the beginning of each new sports season, so that student-athletes may participate in their off-seasons.

Applications are available in the Athletic Trainer’s Room. To be eligible for the Student Athletic Trainer Program, a student-athlete must be academically eligible to compete in interscholastic athletics.

Article VI: Equipment, Uniforms, Lockers

1. Uniforms and equipment issued by the Athletics Department remain the property of AMHS. The athlete to which they are issued remains financially responsible for uniform parts and equipment until they are properly returned.
   
   
2. Any additions to the contest uniform must be approved by the Athletic Director.
   
   
3. Many programs require student-athletes to purchase "Sport Packs" which may include practice uniforms, portions of the game uniform, equipment, etc. Items of the "Sport Pack" are the property of the purchasing student-athlete.
   
   
4. Individual teams may require specific items such as team shoes, socks, etc.
   
   
5. The school may provide for purchase parent team attire. These items will be designed by the school and made available for purchase through the Lion’s Den. Use of the school’s name or logos by parents or vendors is strictly prohibited.
   
   
6. When appropriate, varsity championship team wear may be designed in consultation with the Athletic Director and the Director of Publications.
   
   
7. Lockers are available in both locker rooms for use by student-athletes. They are issued by the Equipment Manager and are leased to the student-athletes for the duration of their sport season. All contents must be removed from the locker at the conclusion of the season. All lockers must have a black athletic lock on them at all times. Personal locks may not be used. Locks remain the property of the student-athlete and must be removed from their locker.
   
   
8. Students should not leave valuable items in lockers. AMHS is not responsible for articles left in the lockers.

Article VII: Fundraising

There will be no fundraising done by any individual team or program. Parents and other members of the community are invited to join the Boosters through the Mitty Market.

Article VIII: Financial Aid

The Department is most aware of the financial burdens placed on a family by a commitment to athletic competition. The program is coordinated through the Business Office. Families should contact the Athletics Department or the Business Office for information.

Article XIV: Practice

1. School policy requires that practice sessions are not to exceed two and one-half hours and are not to occur before school and end no later than 9:00 pm.
   
   
2. School policy prohibits campus activities on Sundays without specific, prior permission from the administration. There normally will be no practices, tryout sessions, banquets, or team meetings held on Sundays.
   
   
3. Students are not to congregate in the gymnasiums. Coaches are to instruct students loitering in the gyms that they must leave.

Article XV: Contest Schedules

Schedules of all games are posted online and updated as necessary throughout each sport season through the AMHS website.

Article XVI: Use Of Facilities

Use of any of the facilities of AMHS is by permission of the school only. Students may use AMHS facilities only with the permission of the school and under the supervision of an AMHS.

Article XVII: Pictures

The taking of team pictures is scheduled by the Athletic Department Assistant. Athletes will have the opportunity to purchase copies of team and individual portraits.