THE O’NEAL SCHOOL ATHLETIC POLICY 2007-2008
The athletic guide is the combined effort of the Headmaster, Division Heads, Athletic Director and Coaches. It is our wish that this guide will communicate to parents and our student athletes, important information about our interscholastic athletic program.
As always, if there are any questions about our athletic program you can reach me at school.
Steve Dahl
Athletic Director
910/692-6920 x-124
910/783-5965
Fax 910/692-9234
dahl@onealschool.org
The O’Neal School Athletic Program
The O’Neal School is committed to:
- Providing as large a variety of interscholastic sports as can be reasonably supported by a school of our size.
- Encouraging the broad participation of its students and the active involvement of its faculty in the athletic program.
- Maintaining competitive varsity programs within the conference and state associations.
The O’Neal School is committed to developing an athletic participation philosophy that is inclusive, yet preserves the integrity of interscholastic team sports. Participation in athletics promotes lifelong values of commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Support for the competitors and officials should be positive and encouraging.
Middle School: Middle School teams are comprised of seventh and eighth grade students only. Rosters may be limited at the school’s discretion.
Middle School Teams sponsored are; boys' and girls' soccer, volleyball, boys' and girls' basketball, co-ed golf and baseball.
In addition, seventh and eighth graders may tryout for and participate in Varsity Cross Country, Track, Swimming and Baseball and Tennis.
Junior Varsity: As The O’Neal School grows; we will try to develop Junior Varsity programs as dictated by student demands. Depending on the sport, Junior Varsity teams may be comprised of both Middle School and/or Upper School students. The Junior Varsity teams as with Middle School teams may have some roster limitations.
Varsity: At the Varsity level, the commitment is to put the best teams possible on the field, court, or in the pool. The Varsity teams may have roster limitations when appropriate and will be comprised of student athletes in grades nine through twelve, with participation exceptions indicated below.
When Varsity teams lack numbers due illness, injury or attrition, coaches may request players from our Middle School and Junior Varsity Teams to help fill the roster. These request must be approved by the Athletic Director and the players parent's.
Travel Procedures: When teams play away we adjust departure times to minimize loss of class time. Following the game the team will usually stop to eat. At that time, the players will call their parents to let them know when the team will return. Parents are expected to be at the school when the team returns. When appropriate, students who live in Sanford and Troy will be dropped off there so their parents won't have to make the drive down to Southern Pines and back.
Varsity teams in the fall season begin practice on Monday, August 6, 2007. For winter sports, October 29, 2007. Spring sports begin on Monday, February 18, 2008. All candidates for these teams are expected to have a current physical form in the Athletic Office and be present on the first day of practice. Any conflicts should be cleared with the coach before that day. Failure to do so may diminish their chance to play that season.
Athletic Staff: The O’Neal School coaches have done an outstanding job of fielding competitive teams both in the conference and state level. The O’Neal Athletic Program has been awarded the Wachovia Cup for 1991, ’93,’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, 00 and 2001, for being the most successful athletic program in 1A State Independent School competitions. Our coaching staff is made up of faculty and non-faculty coaches.
At The O’Neal School, the title "Coach" is one that commands respect both on and off the field, court, or pool. Coaching is an awesome responsibility. At The O’Neal School, we try to provide a coaching staff that is knowledgeable and effective, and has both the team and its individual member’s best interest at heart.
A coach is a teacher first. All good teachers are concerned that their students are prepared and perform well. Coaches have the additional opportunity of working with those, who along with the coach, choose to sacrifice time, effort and energy in pursuit of excellence and team goals.
Fall Sports
Boys:
Varsity Soccer, Open
MS Soccer; Sam Amato
Varsity Cross Country, Vinny Healey, John Baker
Girls:
Varsity Cross Country, Vinny Healy, John Baker
Varsity Volleyball, Brandy Diveley, Kendall Harper
J.V. Volleyball, Kendall Harper
MS Volleyball, Steve Dahl
Varsity Tennis, Don Woodfield, grades 7-12
JV Tennis: Open, grades 7-10
Winter Sports
Boys:
Varsity Swimming, Owen Herbert,Beth Field grades 7-12
Varsity Basketball, John Neiswender, Matt Peal
J.V. Basketball, Dr, David Graves
MS Basketball, Sam Amato and John Baker
Girls:
Varsity Swimming, Owen Herbert, grades 7-12
Varsity Basketball, Don Woodfield, Ashley Payne
JV Basketball, Lauren Angelo and Steve Dahl
MS Basketball, Ceci Liner
Spring Sports
Boys:
Varsity Baseball, Matthew Peal, grades 9-12
Varsity Tennis, Don Woodfield, grades 7-12
JV Tennis, Open, grades 7-10
Varsity Golf, John Hazelwood
Track, Vinny Healey, John Baker, grades 7-12
MS Golf, Mrs. Ceci Liner
Girls:
Varsity Soccer, Ted Hassenfelt, Lauren Angelo
MS Soccer, Ashley Payne, Kendall Harper
Track, Vinny Healey, John Baker, grades 7-12
MS Golf, Ceci Liner
NCISAA Eligibility:
To be eligible to participate in interscholastic varsity competition during the regular season, as well as in state championship play-offs, students must be:
- Enrolled in grades 7-12.
- Individual conferences have the right to further restrict eligibility.
- In addition, no player shall have reached his/her 19th birthday on or on or before August 1, of the current year.
- The player must be a full-time student. The student must be successfully progressing toward graduation with the expectation of meeting all graduation requirements.
Academic Eligibility:
The O’Neal School hopes that participation in our athletic program will enhance the athletes overall experience while at the school. Participation in athletics does not lessen a student’s academic responsibility. Part of being a student athlete is learning to balance the load between academics and athletics. The time commitment involved in many of our programs is considerable. Students need to budget their time, sharpen their study skills and fulfill the responsibility to their team as well as their academics.
Athletes traveling to an away game should turn in homework and get assignments for the next day before leaving school. They are expected to be fully prepared for all class activities the next day, including tests.
Students must be signed in to school by 9:50 in order to participate that day in an athletic event or other extracurricular activity. (Medical appointments are the exception to this stipulation.)
If a case arises where a student’s Division Head, Teacher, Parent and or coach feel it would be beneficial for the student to restrict their involvement in games and/or practice for academic reasons, it will be arranged for a period of time without penalty. By using this policy, decision will be made to suit what is best for the student.
Selection of Teams and Expectations of Athletes:
At the Middle School level (7th and 8th) our teams and number of participants varies in size from year to year and sport to sport. Team sizes may be limited.
Junior Varsity teams are composed of students in grades nine and ten depending on numbers. At times, seventh and eighth graders may be asked to play up if it is felt that they could make a significant contribution to the team.
Varsity teams are composed of students in grades nine through twelve. Due to the specialized and individual nature of some sports, e.g., swimming, tennis, golf, and cross-country, is such that a seventh or eighth grader may participate on the varsity level. Decisions regarding the placement of younger athletes on those teams will be based on what is the best interest of the individual athletes. Seventh and eighth graders may not participate on varsity basketball or soccer teams without prior approval from the Athletic Director and players parent's. These situations will be on a case to case basis, based on injury, illness or attrition of the Varsity Team in question.
AT ALL LEVELS, IT IS THE COACH’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHO WILL PLAY AND HOW MUCH THEY PLAY IN GAME COMPETITION. STUDENTS SHOULD FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT BY JOINING A TEAM THEY ARE ACCEPTING THE PLEASURES AND BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING AS WELL AS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT TO THAT TEAM.
Each coach is responsible for establishing guidelines and expectations for their team in regard to practice, travel, etc. The O’Neal School has general expectations for all athletes at all levels that are expected from the coaching staff.
1. Punctuality and preparedness for all practices and games.
2. Ongoing responsibility for academic work, particularly in cases where classes are missed for game participation.
3. Dedication to their team and teammates. Athletes choosing to play an additional sport outside of the school during the same season are expected to honor the school's practice and game schedule first.
4. Desire to improve skills and knowledge of the sport(s).
5. Self-discipline; athletes will have to sacrifice time and energy for team goals.
6. A willingness to work hard and be attentive in practices.
7. Ongoing responsibility to represent The O’Neal School at all times in a dignified and positive way.
8. Sportsmanship before, during and after games; win with class; lose with class.
NCISAA Ejection Policy:
If any player is ejected for any contest, they will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled contest but may sit on the bench. If any NCISAA coach is ejected from any contest, they may not attend the next scheduled contest. If the same player is ejected a second time for many contest, they will not be allowed to participate in the next two-scheduled contest but may sit on the bench. If the same player is ejected from any contest for a third time, they will not be able to participate in or attend any sport until the beginning of the next school year.
Penalties are cumulative from sport to sport and from sport season to sport season, but not academic year to academic year. Ejections in the last game of the season carry over to the next sport season in which the individual participates that year. Conferences may choose to enforce amore stringent code of conduct in regards to this rule.
North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA):
The O’Neal School is a member of the NCISSA. There are approximately 80 schools in the association which is divided into three sections; 1A-(0-125) high school
Students. 2A (126-225) and 3A (225 and above). At the current time the O’Neal School is competing in the 2A division.
TRIAD Athletic Conference:
The O’Neal School is a member of the TRIAD Athletic Conference (TAC). The TAC conference is made up of the following schools, all of whom are members of NCISAA.
American Hebrew Academy 1A
Greensboro, NC
Caldwell Acdemy 1A
Greensboro, NC
Calvary Baptist Day School 2A
Winston - Salem, NC
Carolina Friends School 2A
Durham, NC
High Point Christian Academy 2A
High Point, NC
Oak Ridge Military Academy 2A
Oak Ridge, NC
Salem Academy 3A (all girls)
Winston Salem
The O’Neal School 2A
Southern Pines, NC
Westchester Country Day 2A
High Point, NC
Admissions Fees:
Admission to all contests is free to O’Neal Booster Club members, students, faculty and staff. Fees are required of all other spectators to help cover the cost of individual game management such as officials, maintenance.
All regular season conference games and play-offs:
Adults: $3.00
Students and children: $2.00
NCISAA State Championships:
All Spectators: $5.00 per person
Athletic Boosters:
The O’Neal Boosters Club is a vital organization that enhances the Athletic Program through concession and fund raisers and membership. Team parents are expected to help out during their student’s season of competition.
Transportation to Events:
All student athletes must travel with the team on transportation provided by the school. Arrangements can be made for those athletes who live outside Southern Pines. In such situations where an athlete will not be traveling with the team for any part or the entire trip, written permission must be given to the Athletic Director prior to the day of the contest.
Dress code:
Dress for all away games will be neat and casual. No blue jeans, t-shirts, cut off shorts, etc. Some teams may choose to dress in their uniforms or warm-ups before leaving.
Two sport participation:
Student athletes may participate in only one O’Neal sponsored sport per season. Those student athletes who wish to participate on outside teams while also playing on an O’Neal team are expected to honor the school's practice and game schedule over the outside activity.
Physical Exam:
Every student athlete is required to have a current physical exam on file with the athletic office before they can participate on a school athletic team.
Equipment and Uniforms:
Each student athlete is responsible for his or her equipment and uniforms. Uniforms should be washed in cold water and hung up to dry or dried on a gentle warm or cool air cycle. Student athletes will be charged the full replacement cost for any uniform that is lost or damaged.
Personal Equipment:
Athletes may incur the cost of warm-ups, team shoes, etc.
Coaches must notify Athletic Director and parents of their request in writing before any order is submitted.
Awards:
Each varsity athlete who completes the season in good standing will receive a varsity letter and sport pin in their first year. Every succeeding year they will receive a service bar. Additional honors may come from All Conference and All State selections.
Each Middle School athlete will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the year.
Inclement Weather
In the event of a school closing due to inclement weather, all practices and games shall be cancelled. On days where there is heavy rain or snow and school is in session, cancellations will be left on the athletic office information line (extension 124).
Accidents/Injuries
All injuries must be reported the Athletic Director and Head Coach immediately!!
The O’Neal offers a secondary coverage. Claims must first be submitted to the parent or guardian’s primary insurance carrier. An accident report must be on file with 72 hours with the business office. (Sandee Thompkins, ext. 128)
Part A: School report must be completed by the Head Coach.
Part B: “Statement of Parent or Guardian” must be completed by the student’s legal guardian. The benefit period for eligible expenses is 52 weeks from the date of the accident, except dental, which is 104 weeks.