REQUIRED FORMS AND READING MATERIALS FOR ATHLETES AND PARENTS

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GENERAL TRAINING, NUTRITION & INSPIRATION

Hydration Article: It is imperative that athletes drink water frequently each day. Read this article for a detailed explanation of hydration needs and strategies.

Endurance Event Training Article: Explanation of basic training principles and daily workout sessions for the distance events.

Cross country and track Alumni Testimonials Read the words of wisdom and advice from former high school athletes!

REQUIRED SPRING SEASON DOCUMENTS

AUHSD Athlete Clearance Form: Athletes MUST have this form completed with medical insurance and emergency contact information, as well as a doctor's signature, and turned in to the coaches to be eligible to participate.

AUHSD Athlete Ejection Policy: This form explains the NCS rules and regulations regarding athlete sportsmanship and penalties for violations of NCS policies. Athletes MUST complete this form and turn it in to the coaches to be eligible to participate.

AUHSD Illegal Substance Contract: Parents and athletes MUST understand and agree to CIF policies on illegal substances to be eligible for participation. This form must be signed and turned in to the coaches.

AUHSD Sports Participation Handbook: This document covers rules, procedures and expectations for all AUHSD after school sport team participants.

2008 Track & Field Athlete Contribution Form: The Cougar Track & Field Program asks each athlete to make a contribution to the ASB team account to cover seasonal expenses. Complete this form, attach payment, and turn in on the first practice day!

2008 Track & Field Athlete Information Sheet: This 2 page form should be printed, completed by the athlete, and turned in to the coach on the first practice day! Be sure to note any potential schedule conflicts on this form.

2008 Track & Field Team Sweat & T-shirt Order Form: ALL ATHLETES must complete this form and return it with payment by the FEBRUARY 14th deadline!

2008 Track & Field Season Goal Sheet: Individual and team goals for each third of the season must be articulated on this form and placed in the athlete's team folder.

2008 Parent Meeting Agenda: The 2008 season parent meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 14, at 5:30pm in the CHS library. Parents can get a head start on signing up for meet volunteer duties by visiting our 2008 PARENT VOLUNTEER SIGN UP PAGE HERE!

2008 Letter Requirements: Athletes will be recognized as "Participants" or "Lettermen" based on this criteria.

WINTER NECESSITIES & SEASON PREPARATION

2008 Winter Information & Season Preview Packet: A complete guide to the upcoming 2008 season, including articles about the team, training advice for the winter, and lots of reasons why track & field is the sport for YOU!!!

2008 Fund-Raiser Training Journal: Calendar for recording training over the winter. This form is used in conjunction with the FUND-RAISER PLEDGE FORM below. All athletes must raise money for the team. Fund-raiser money will be collected during the first two weeks of practice.

2008 Fund-Raiser Pledge Form: Fund-Raiser explanation and donation record. Use this form to solicit sponsors and donate money based on your FUND-RAISER TRAINING JOURNAL above. Fund-Raiser money will be collected during the first two weeks of practice.

e-Scrip Sign-up Form: All track & field team families are urged to register their Safeway Club Card & other eligible cards with our team e-Scrip account! Please do this right now, while you are thinking of it! SAFEWAY CLUB CARDS REQUIRE AN ANNUAL RENEWAL!

Important Team Rules

1. Consistent Practice Attendance: Each athlete is expected to attend all practices. Every effort must be made to schedule time so that there are no conflicts with daily practice. If a valid reason for missing practice exists (illness or emergency), the athlete must notify the coach prior to the practice that will be missed. MISSING PRACTICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM COMPETITION.

2. Punctuality: Each athlete is expected to arrive to practice and competitions on time and ready to run. SECOND TIME LATE WILL RESULT IN CAMPUS CLEAN-UP. IF LATENESS BECOMES CHRONIC YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM.

3. Practice Apparel: Each athlete is required to wear RUNNING SHOES, SHORTS, TOPS, & SWEAT PANTS to practice. Sweat Pants will be worn for warm-up, stretching, and drills every day regardless of weather. Basketball or other long shorts are NOT acceptable. FAILURE TO WEAR APPROPRIATE APPAREL WILL RESULT IN CAMPUS CLEAN-UP.

4. Meet Uniforms: Team uniforms, sweats & team shirts are to be worn at all competitions. Athletes are expected to step off the bus wearing sweats and team shirts ! Sweats & team shirts shall remain on at all times before and after your races! This is important for warming-up, mental focus, team unity, & intimidating our opponents. Under NO circumstances are team uniforms or sweats to be worn at any other time! It is a CIF violation to wear a school uniform in unsanctioned competition. WASHING INSTRUCTIONS: Wash in cold, hang dry! DO NOT PUT IN DRYER!

5. Athlete Conduct: Track & Field Team members represent the premier athletic program at CHS. They are representatives of the school and the community. Each athlete is responsible for continuing our tradition of exemplary conduct. Support your teammates, make a positive contribution to the sport, and act responsibly in every situation. Problems must be handled in a mature and rational manner. Communication with your coach is essential. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO LIVE UP TO THESE STANDARDS YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM.

Under NO circumstances are athletes or parents allowed to dispute rulings with meet officials! Athletes and parents must maintain their composure and let their coach deal with the situation. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PROTOCOL IS GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION FROM COMPETITION AND SUSPENSION FROM THE TEAM.

6. Transportation to and from Competition: Team policy regarding student-athlete transportation will be followed WITHOUT exception! This policy is as follows: Athletes transported from CHS to an away competition via district bus must also return to CHS via district bus or be released to their legal guardian at the competition site. Athletes will not be released to anyone other than a legal guardian. Friends, relatives, neighbors, etc., are NOT legal guardians. Team policy further requires that any athlete not returning to CHS with the team via district bus give the head coach verbal notification and visual confirmation of the presence of a legal guardian before departure. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM THE TEAM.

Mandatory Equipment

REQUIRED ITEMS: The following items are required at all practices and competitions.

• Water Bottle
• Running Shoes
• Spikes (sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers)
• Sweat Pants
• Running Shorts (NO basketball or long shorts!)
• Digital Watch with Split/Lap Time Capabilities

Athletic Letter Requirements

FROSH-SOPH REQUIREMENTS:

• Athlete must compete in a minimum of 7competitions and attend a minimum of 50 practice sessions to be considered for a Letter Award: Only athletes that compete in at least seven competitions and attend at least 50 practice sessions during the spring season are eligible to be considered for a FROSH-SOPH Track & Field Letter Award. Athletes that do not reach these minimums will receive Participant Awards.

Achievement of one of the following automatically earns Letter Award provided the athlete has competed in seven competitions and attended 50 practice sessions.

• 30 points earned in league competition
• Achievement of 3 Letterman Event Standards
• Achievement of a Golden Foot Event standard

VARSITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Athlete must compete in a minimum of 7 Varsity competitions and attend a minimum of 50 practice sessions to be considered for a Letter Award: Only athletes that compete in at least seven Varsity competitions and attend at least 50 practice sessions during the spring season are eligible to be considered for a VARSITY Track & Field Letter Award.

Achievement of one of the following automatically earns Letter Award provided the athlete has competed in seven Varsity competitions and attended 50 practice sessions.

• 30 points earned in league competition
• Achievement of 3 Letterman Event Standards
• Achievement of a Golden Foot Event standard
• Qualification to NCS Tri-Valley Region Trials

ATHLETES THAT QUIT THE TEAM FOR ANY REASON, OR ARE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM AS DISCIPLINARY ACTION, OR FAIL TO ACHIEVE THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARD FOR PARTICIPATION FORFEIT ALL AWARDS.

THE FALCON COACHING STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE FINAL DETERMINATION ON ATHLETE LETTERMAN STATUS IN THE INTEREST OF PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY OF THE LETTERMAN AWARD.

Letterman Standards

Achievement of Letterman Standards in THREE separate events qualifies athlete for a Track & Field Letter Award provided that the athlete has attended 50 or more practice sessions and participated in at least 7 competitons during the season.

Golden Foot Standards

Athletes that obtain a Golden Foot Standard while competing in a sanctioned CIF competition as a member of the Falcon Track & Field Team will be honored as a Golden Foot recipient and awarded a Golden Foot pin.