Coaching Handbook

Wooster firmly believes that our athletic program is only as good as its coaching staff. The enthusiasm, knowledge, organization, and passion that a coach brings to practice each day has a direct impact on the benefits and experiences that the players will receive. Due to the leadership, efforts, and dedication that our coaches have displayed over the years, we have achieved a premier reputation in both the Hudson Valley Athletic League (HVAL) and the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC).

Coaching is a highly specialized form of teaching. Coaches have a powerful forum for discovering and creating “teaching moments.” It is through these moments that coaches can foster respect, confidence, teamwork, community, and self-esteem. The more “teaching moments” that you create, the more you develop the skills and character of the players. These learning experiences will stay with your athletes throughout the rest of their lives.

There are many components to the art of coaching. A successful coach will put time into planning productive practices, will learn the motivational buttons of each one of the players, will know how to inspire the players, will know the individual and team skills involved in their sport, will be able to put the right people in the right positions in order for them to experience success, will be able to relate in a positive manner to the players, and will show the players that they believe in them.

As we begin our 85th year, we encourage you to continue to show your colors and provide the best athletic program possible for our students. Take time to talk with your colleagues about issues that bring you difficulty; we have a wealth of knowledge and experience at our fingertips. This handbook will provide you with a fundamental foundation upon which to build your, and our, program.

Sincerely,

Dave MacNutt
Director of Athletics

I. Educational Values of Athletics: Wooster School strongly believes that:

The benefits one receives from playing on a team sport go beyond the mere physical exertion of participating in athletics and include such skills/behaviors as: learning to rely on others, learning to work together towards a common goal, investing in the camaraderie that develops among team members who spend a great deal of time together throughout the season, sportsmanship, and respect.
There are educational outcomes from a well established and dedicated program for the players, the student body, and the entire Wooster community.
Students can learn to win and lose with dignity and honor.
Schoolwork and interscholastic play are intertwined for the development and growth of the whole student.
The entire athletic program, though differing in nature from the academic program, plays an instrumental and beneficial role in the educational experience for the participant.
The welfare of the individual student is the top priority. Athletics exist for the students – not vice versa.
The athletic program provides many benefits that enhance the overall school atmosphere, such as community, school spirit, and morale.
Athletics can establish models for cooperation and conflict resolution that carry over into every aspect of life.
Athletics can help individuals achieve higher standards of mental, moral, social, and physical fitness.

II. Objectives of the Athletic Program

To educate each student about the benefits of an independent school interscholastic program.
To educate each student about the rules and regulations that govern the games in which he or she participates.
To foster a desire and willingness in each student to be the best that he or she can be.
To foster a respect for all others as unique individuals with different goals and aspirations.
To instill a determination in each student to do his or her best both in the classroom and on the athletic fields/courts.
To teach students that rules are necessary for the athletic program to be strong and well respected by other school communities as well as our own.
To gain a greater appreciation for the value of a community and its ideals.
To strive for self-discipline, self-control, and emotional maturity.
To foster pride in Wooster School and its athletic program.
To gain an appreciation of the total school program and the role that athletics play.
To promote honesty and respect.
To develop a strong and healthy appreciation for competition.
To understand that the desire to do one’s best is everything; winning is a bonus.
To build the confidence and self-esteem of every team member.
To provide healthy competition and cooperation within and between schools, thus inculcating in each student the best principles of good sportsmanship.
To encourage a lifelong appreciation for physical fitness

III. Code of Conduct and Ethics: The following is a list of standards to which coaches, players, administrators, and spectators are required to adhere:

A. Proper Conduct and Good Sportsmanship: At the heart of this matter lie several terms that are often hard to define. There is no more important a task that confronts teachers and coaches than to set standards that are fair and honorable. Throughout this Code, when terms such as “proper conduct” and “good sportsmanship” are mentioned, they refer to such standards as these:

Treat all others fairly.
Regard the rules of the game as agreements, the spirit or letter of which should not be evaded or broken.
Do not take advantage of others except by way of superior skill in a sport.
Treat officials and opponents with respect and with good intentions
Accept absolutely and without quarrel the decisions of any official.
Honor visiting teams and spectators as guests and treat them as such. Likewise, act as an honorable guest when visiting another school.
Be gracious in victory and defeat.
Be as cooperative as you are competitive.
Remember that the actions of the coach (on and off the field/court) define him or her.

B. Guidelines for Coaches:

Coaches must remember that school athletics are primarily a part of each student’s education, not a goal in themselves.
Coaches shall use athletics to help each student achieve the standards listed in this handbook.
Coaches must assist each student toward developing his or her fullest capacity in athletics.
Coaches must give each student equal and fair attention.
Coaches must remember that the behavior of a team can reflect the coach’s own manner, attitudes, temper, and approach to athletics, and, therefore, coaches must conduct themselves in a way which brings credit to themselves, the team, the sport, and the school.
Coaches must be responsible not only for coaching the team, but also for running games, dealing fairly and properly with officials, meeting before and after games with visiting coaches and players, and maintaining an objectivity and sense of balance along with good sportsmanship.
Coaches must preserve the tradition of teams shaking hands after games.

C. Guidelines for Players:

Players must at all times represent themselves and the school with honor, proper conduct, and good sportsmanship.
Players must understand that healthy rivalries, based on respect for opponents, are good, but that disrespect for opponents is both unhealthy and unsportsmanlike.
Players must confine the competitiveness of the game to the field or court, and in particular behave properly on the sidelines and in the locker room both before and after games.
Players must comply fully with the rulings of the officials. In no way, by voice, action, or gesture, should players demonstrate their dissatisfactions with the decisions made.
Players must not deface property or remove equipment of any kind from our own or another’s school.

D. Guidelines for Spectators:

Spectators – whether students, faculty, parents, alumnae/i, or friends – bear important responsibilities to the school for the atmosphere and conduct of games, whether home or away.
Spectators must watch games from those areas defined by each school as spectator areas.
Spectators must not run up and down sidelines, call to players, coaches, or officials in an unsportsmanlike manner, go onto the field of play, or deface property. Any action that detracts from the ability of a coach, a player, or an official to do his or her best is not acceptable.
Faculty members must share responsibility for student discipline at games.

E. Guidelines for Officials:

Officials must arrive at school well in advance of game time, make themselves available to coaches and other officials, and be prepared to start the game on time.
Officials must, in dress, conduct, and knowledge of the game rules, advance the objectives of the Code of Ethics.
Officials must bring understanding and patience to situations that involve young players who err through lack of skill, experience, or maturity.
Officials must deliver in energy and speed work commensurate with their fullest capacities.
Officials should always do their best, regardless of the level of competition.

IV. Responsibilities of the Director of Athletics and Assistant Director of Athletics

To oversee and evaluate every aspect of the interscholastic program.
To schedule, confirm, or cancel any and all games, transportation, and officials.
To provide coaches with a game schedule, an indoor practice schedule (for the winter season and for rainy days), a transportation schedule, an initial roster, scrimmage vests, vouchers for officials, score books, rule books, and other necessary game and practice supplies/equipment.
To order all supplies and equipment.

V. Responsibilities of the Athletic Trainer

Preventing, recognizing, evaluating, managing, treating, and rehabilitating athletic injuries.
Communicating with parents, coaches, players, and the School Nurse.
Determining whether a player will play.
Providing and replenishing medical kits and water bottles for every game and practice.
Providing and monitoring medical cards.
Providing filled ice coolers for every game.
Coordinating with the School Nurse, who manages all medical documents.
Administering the ImPACT neurocognitive testing program.

VI. Responsibilities of the Coaching Staff

Accident Forms: Coaches are required to fill out an accident form for all injuries that occur during an away athletic contest. These forms can be found in your team’s medical kit and must be submitted to the nurse office the following day.

Athletic Hot Line Phone: The 3990 extension serves as a hotline number for parents, coaches, and players to access the most updated information regarding the athletic program (such as a team returning from an away game much later than expected, game cancellations, or changes in venue). Please make your players and their parents aware of this.

Athlete of the Month: At the end of every month, Upper School Coaches will select their player(s) of the month. The names of the recipients will be posted on the web and in the gymnasium lobby bulletin board. Coaches need to inform the Director of Athletics of their selections as the month comes to an end.

Attendance: Coaches must take daily attendance. If a student does not show up for practice, the coach needs to check the attendance list to see if the student had been excused. If the student was not excused, that student must receive an A-W-O-L and the Director of Athletics needs to be notified of this immediately. A student who fails to attend 90% of a team’s practices and games will not receive credit. (This rule does not apply to Mondays for the students who are enrolled in a Wooster afternoon art or music class.) Coaches must inform the Director of Athletics when a player has missed 4 practices.

It is an expectation that Coaches will attend all practices and games. Should a Coach need to miss a practice or game, they need to contact the Director of Athletics in advance. If a Coach is absent from school, they should notify the Director of Athletics. It is an expectation that varsity level Head Coaches attend all league, officials, and coaches association meetings.

Athletic Awards Reception: will take place on May 24, 2012. All coaches must attend this event. Coaches will be introduced by the Director of Athletics, and have an opportunity to announce the recipients of the following honors: League All-Stars, Coaches’ Award, Most Valuable, and any major accomplishment – such as tournaments or breaking school records.

Basic Duties:

To ensure the health, safety, and well-being of each player.
To provide leadership, supervision, and organization in carrying out the purpose and objectives of the athletic program.
To be aware of the impact and influence that a coach has over his or her players.
To be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations of the sport one coaches.
To remember that athletics are part of the overall educational process at Wooster.
To treat all students fairly.
To conduct oneself in a way that brings honor and integrity to the coach, the team, the sport, and the school.
To support and promote all of the athletic teams.
To meet visiting coaches, players, and officials prior to the game to promote good sportsmanship.
To organize practices with the idea of developing each athlete’s greatest potential.
To notify either the Director of Athletics or the Assistant Director of Athletics as soon as possible if one is unable to attend any practice, game, or match.
To consult the Director of Athletics for maintenance requests.
To keep the Director of Athletics informed of any problems, concerns, and/or changes

Cancelling Practice: The Director of Athletics and Assistant Director of Athletics are the only individuals who can grant permission to cancel practices. Coaches are not permitted to cancel a practice without such approval.

Captain’s Policy: We have no set rule regarding whether teams will have captains, let alone a selection process for such. However, it is recommended that student-athletes alone should not make the decision.

Certifications: All coaches are required to obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications. The Athletic Trainer arranges two recertification evenings for all coaches (free of charge). If a coach cannot attend either, they will need to make arrangements on their own outside of school.

Coaching Checklist: Failure to meet the expectations outlined in the coaching checklist may result in a lesser stipend at the end of the season. Coaching stipends will not be authorized by the Director of Athletics until all of the criteria have been satisfied.

Coaches Evaluation: Please review the documents enclosed in your coaching packets regarding the evaluation process. The primary goal of the process is to make each coach the very best that he or she can be.

Concussion and Neurocognitive Testing Policy: In the interest of student safety and well being, the Athletic Department and Health Services will administer the ImPACT test to all students in grades 9 through 12. The ImPACT test is a neurocognitive, computer based exam which provides Wooster and the student’s healthcare provider with a baseline measurement for brain function in the event of a head injury. This is not an IQ test. Scores are not published and are protected as confidential information and used only in the event the student suffers a concussion. It is Wooster School’s policy that any student who is suspected of, has a history of, or is displaying signs and symptoms of a concussion be retested in a timely manner and have that score compared to a baseline score to measure brain function levels. All testing results will be made available to the family and the student’s healthcare provider. Prior to returning to the classroom a student must have be symptom free at rest for 24 hours. Symptoms may include but are not limited to headache, sensitivity to light and/or loud noises, and inability to concentrate.

After taking the ImPACT test students will not be retested again until their junior year. All new students will be tested regardless of Upper School grade in order to obtain a baseline score before participating in athletics.

For those students who suffer a concussion, an ImPACT post-concussion test will be administered post concussion. A student with normal neurocognitive test scores relative to their baseline score can return to school and activities, as long as the student brings with him/her a written letter of clearance from their healthcare provider. For student-athletes to return to sport they must have normal neurocognitive test scores, a note from their healthcare provider and complete the 4-phase return-to-play protocol listed below: (in-season athletes only).

–Day 1- 20 minute walk on treadmill or outside when possible (if symptom free, move to Day 2) supervised by athletic trainer

–Day 2 -20 minute jog on treadmill or outside when possible (if symptom free, move to Day 3) supervised by athletic trainer

–Day 3 -20 minutes of sport specific exercises/drills with the athletic trainer (if symptom free, move to Day 4) supervised by athletic trainer

–Day 4 -Participate in full practice avoiding all contact drills (if symptom free, full return to sport is granted).

Based on research demonstrating that multiple concussions have a negative long-term effect on overall neurocognitive health, Wooster School has established the above approach to prevent a student from returning too early to the classroom, after school activities, and to sports after a concussion. Please note that final responsibility for returning a child to any category of school related activities rests with the School’s Nurse, Athletic Trainer, and/or Medical Director.

After careful review of our concussion protocol, the Athletic Department has determined that it is in the best interest of everyone involved for the concussed student-athlete to be excused from all Wooster sponsored afternoon and evening activities until the student has made a full recovery and progressed through our return-to-play protocol. This includes, but is not limited to, attending practices or games, participating in practices or games (including riding on the bus or van), attending Monday afternoon art classes, evening YRTA meetings, afternoon Newspaper, as well as evening events, such as dances, meetings, coffee houses, etc.

Conflicts: When conflicts arise between Wooster teams and outside-of-school teams, the Wooster commitment needs to take priority, meaning that the outside commitment must work around the Wooster commitment. This policy applies to both players and coaches.

Communication: Coaches are responsible for touching base (via phone, face-to-face, or email) with the parents of their players at the start of the season. Coaches are expected to provide the following information: pre-season practice information, game schedules, practice regulations, as well as any other important information (coaching philosophy, outlook for the season, and guidelines for spectators, etc.).

Directions to Games: Coaches can find directions to all of their games on the athletic pages of our web site. Coaches are responsible for printing out their own directions.

Dress Code for Coaches: Coaches need to be in appropriate dress for practices and games (jeans are not acceptable).

Dress Code for Players: Shorts must have an elastic waist, straps must be 1.5 inches wide, shirts must cover the midriff area at all times, cleavage must be covered, sneakers must have laces, socks must be worn, and cleats are not permitted in the gymnasium. All athletes must observe the Wooster dress code for all home and away games.

Eligibility: If an athlete misses any part of the academic day, it will be up to the Director of Athletics and Dean of Students to decide whether that student will be allowed to participate in that afternoon’s practice or game.

Emergency Action Plans: Can be found on the GoGenerals website (under the “Athletic Trainer” banner). All Coaches are required to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the policies, protocols, and guidelines detailed within.

Equipment Management: Coaches must oversee the appropriate use of and monitor all equipment issued to them, including returning it to its designated storage area at the end of each day. Coaches are not permitted to give keys to students to put away equipment.

Fundraising: any fundraising that you might want to do for your team (i.e. carwash, bake sale, raffle, etc…) must be approved by the both Director of Athletics and Director of Development in advance.

Game Preps: The Athletic Department will handle all game preparations on game days. Coaches will be issued all game supplies at the start of the season, such as field clocks, game balls, score books, rule books, etc. Water, ice, and medical kits can be found outside the Athletic Training Room. Coaches need to secure scorers, timers, line runners, and make minor maintenance repairs to equipment and fields. Fresh field lines need to be painted for each home game.

Graduate School: Coaches are permitted to pursue graduate work provided the impact of such is minimal (one day per week – and not a game day) to the program. Coaches must notify the Director of Athletics of graduate studies well in advance.

Gym Whereabouts Rule: Coaches are responsible for players’ whereabouts prior to getting on the court when teams have the late shift (basketball and tennis teams). Coaches may utilize the Gym Whereabouts Rule which permits a coach the ability to send his or her players to the gym prior to getting on the court. The players must remain in the gym and be respectful of other practices and activities that might be occurring. The reason for this rule is to free the coach from having to “babysit” his or her players. (This rule should not be utilized often as it runs counter to educational and athletic department philosophies. Coaches need to have creative practice plans during non-court time, such as classroom chalk talks, conditioning, watching instructional videos, or watching game day or practice tapes.)

Injured Reserves: If a player is medically excused for a short period of time, he or she should report to the Athletic Trainer for rehabilitation either during free periods or after school. If a player is medically excused for a long period of time, he or she must speak with the Director of Athletics regarding an appropriate plan.

Jobs Period: Only the Director of Athletics can excuse a team from Jobs period – Coaches are not permitted to excuse their team or certain players. Should your team miss a Jobs period due to an early dismissal, the coach must make arrangements for his or her team to make up the “lost” time.

Lights in the Gym: The last coach to leave the gymnasium is responsible for turning off all of the lights.

Lining Fields: The initial field lining will be done by an outside contractor. Coaches will need to ensure the lining of their fields throughout the season, especially on game days.

Locking Up: Coaches need to lock the external doors to the gymnasium complex after all Saturday games, as well as all weekday games that conclude after 6:30 PM.

Meals: If your team is leaving for an away game/match prior to lunch time, the kitchen staff will supply your team with bag lunches provided the Coach has supplied Ian with 24 hours notice (which includes the number of individuals and their sandwich preference).

Medical Kits: Coaches are required to have medical kits on site for all games and all off-campus practices.

Middle School Athletes Participating on Upper School Teams: Students in grades 7 & 8 are permitted and encouraged to try out for Upper School athletic teams. Middle School student-athletes participating on Upper School teams are expected to make the full 6-day (Monday through Saturday) commitment to the team. Wooster’s 90% rule states that a player must be in attendance for 90% of all practices and games to receive credit. While Middle School students don’t have an athletic graduation requirement to fulfill (as Upper School students do), it is important to understand that they will be held to same standards and expectations.

Wooster recognizes that many Middle School student-athletes also participate in town, premier, or travel teams simultaneously. As a result, scheduling conflicts are bound to arise. Wooster’s policy in this regard is outlined below. Adhering to these guidelines is a requirement for participation on Upper School teams.

The player may miss up to two Wooster practices per week for out-of-school training.
The player may miss up to 25% of the Wooster regular season games for out-of-school games. Wooster games must take priority over out-of-school practices.
All Wooster tournament games (HVAL and New England) take priority over out-of-school contests (including tournaments).
The player will provide a training schedule (including all dates in conflict, as well as their resolution) to the Wooster Coach prior to start of the season. This training schedule must be approved by the Wooster coach.

No Officials = Don’t Play: Never participate in a game or scrimmage without a certified official.

Official’s Vouchers: Are available with your medical kits, water and ice outside of the Athletic Training room. Signed vouchers need to be returned to the Director of Athletics within 24 hours.

Off-Season Training: Coaches should encourage players to continue to train out of season (summer camps, leagues, during free periods, etc.)

Participation: All members of sub-varsity teams must play in every game. If a sub-varsity player does not play in a game, the Director of Athletics must be notified at once. Varsity level coaches should attempt to play as many squad members as possible. (The pursuit of some degree of excellence and winning are more important aspects of varsity level competition.)

Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention: Coaches are required to incorporate the performance enhancement exercises developed by our Athletic Trainer, who is also a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, into the start of daily practice sessions. The proven benefits include:

Improved performance
Improved body awareness and control
Decreased risk of injury – especially rupturing the ACL ligament in the knee
Improved core strength – especially because of the enormous amount of time spent in a seated position both in school and at home in front of a screen
Improved neuromuscular efficiency – ability of the brain to acknowledge what is happening at the muscular level and manipulate it as quickly as possible
Improved muscular efficiency – ability to have the right muscle fire at the right time at the right intensity

Permission to Leave Campus: Coaches cannot grant students permission to leave campus after jobs. Only the Nurse, Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of Athletics, Athletic Trainer, Division Heads, Assistant Headmaster, and the Headmaster have the authority to do so.

Picture Day: One day each season will be reserved as team picture day. Only those students dressed in full uniform will be permitted in the picture. Coaches will need to distribute the photo forms to their players in advance, as well as distribute the finished photos upon their delivery to Wooster.

Portable Outdoor Scoreboard: If you are coaching an outdoor sport and would like to request the scoreboard for a particular game, please schedule such with the Director of Athletics well in advance. The Director of Athletics will ensure that the use of the scoreboard will be evenly shared by all outdoor teams. Coaches will need to secure clock operators, as well as make arrangements for the return of the scoreboard to its proper place of storage.

Practice Regulations: The tone for the entire season can be established at the first meeting or practice. Everything that is expected of an athlete should be explained to him or her at this time so that there will be no misunderstandings at a later date. Policies regarding lateness, cursing, effort, etc., should be fully explained during the first practice of the season. Players need to notify coaches of medical appointments, tutors, etc., well in advance.

Practice Times: Practices extend from Self-help until 5:30 pm Monday through Friday (Wednesday until 3:30). Many Coaches extend practices beyond 5:30. Players are encouraged, but not required to stay beyond 5:30. Each coach may determine his or her own Saturday practice schedule in the fall and spring seasons. On days when school is not in session, practice times must be scheduled through the Director of Athletics in advance (these practices must be optional). Coaches need to notify the Athletic Trainer of such practice times. Additionally, coaches must inform the Athletic Trainer of their practice times on Wednesdays and Saturdays when they don’t have a scheduled game.

Reporting:

To the Director of Athletics: After every game, coaches need to call the Director of Athletics with their game score prior to 9:00 pm.
To the Newspaper: Varsity coaches need to report game results and stats to the News-Times (731-3379) the night of each game.
GoGenerals Web Page: I’m happy to include recaps of your games on the web page. If interested, please email me the recap the morning after your game.
Progress Reports: Coaches are expected to write progress reports for their players (as scheduled by the Director of Scheduling and Planning).
League Representatives: Varsity level Coaches are expected to communicate game results with the appropriate league representative.

Removal of Players: Coaches, with the prior approval of the Director of Athletics, have the right to remove players from their teams. Please contact the Director of Athletics as soon as you run into continued difficulty with a player.

Schedules: Can be found on the GoGenerals website.

Scouting Policy: Without the Director of Athletics obtaining prior approval (from the Directors of Athletics of the schools involved), Coaches are not permitted to spectate games involving any of our opponents.

Senior Independent Study: During the spring season, 12th graders are required to go on Senior Independent Study (SIS). Seniors who are fulfilling their team sport requirement in the spring need to attend 90% of the practices and games in order to receive team sport credit. Seniors may receive physical activity credit if they fail to meet to the team sport criteria.

Senior’s Last Home: Coaches need to recognize the senior players on their team at the final home game of the season. Be prepared to say a few words about each senior and thank them for their efforts.

Student Drivers: Students are expected to travel to and from away games with the team in transportation provided by the school. On rare occasions, students may drive to and from a game provided the coach receives both written permission from that student’s parents and verbal permission from the Director of Athletics. Students are not permitted to drive with other students, unless the coach receives written permission from the parents of both the driver and the passenger.

Students Seeking To Be Excused: Students injured during a practice or game should be seen by the Athletic Trainer. If a student is injured during any other time, they should be seen by the Nurse. Additionally, all students with non-athletically related situations (such as common colds) should be seen by the Nurse. Coaches are not diagnosticians and can’t medically excuse athletes from practice or games.

Sub-Varsity Coaches: are expected to meet with the varsity level Coach (in the sport they are coaching), or attend a varsity practice, to ensure the continuity of the program. Please refer to the seasonal Coaching Checklists for the deadline.

Supervision: All seasonal afternoon activity supervisors will be worked into a rotating system of coverage for the students who are not picked up by 5:30. Approximately once every three weeks, Coaches will be “on duty,” and will be responsible for directly supervising all remaining students until the final one is picked up – or until 6:30. Coverage will take place in the Verdery Library foyer. After 6:30, Coaches should contact Tad Jacks (443-690-1685) for assistance. If you cannot reach Tad Jacks, you should contact Tim Golding (513-545-9529). Please note that these cell phone numbers are available to Coaches only for this explicit purpose.

Team Apparel: All requests for the purchase of team apparel must receive approval from the Director of Athletics.

Team Managers: Managers will be required to participate in all of the training, exercises, and drills with the team in order to receive team sport credit.

Team Rosters: Will be provided to the Coaches prior to the first practice of the season. Coaches must communicate any inaccuracies to the Director of Athletics.

Transportation: Wooster teams will be transported by yellow school buses from First Student Transportation Company. The Wooster vans will no longer be available.

Uniforms: (Coaches are responsible for the blood jerseys issued to them)

Early Season Distribution: Coaches need to arrange a time with the Director of Athletics or Assistant Director of Athletics to facilitate and oversee the uniform handout process. Coaches will be issued three additional uniforms for replacement purposes.
During Season: Players should seek additional uniforms only from their coach. No student is permitted in the athletic offices unsupervised.
End of Season: Coaches are expected to arrange a time with the Director of Athletics or Assistant Director of Athletics to facilitate and oversee the uniform return process. Coaches are responsible for tracking down all outstanding uniforms by the posted deadlines.

Unsafe Conditions: Each coach is responsible for the safety of his or her players. Anytime that a coach believes that unsafe or unhealthy conditions (poor field, violent play, threatening crowd, threatening weather, etc.) exist, it is imperative that he or she act quickly. In a game situation, it is important to make the officials and the opposing coach aware of your concerns prior to taking action. If bad weather occurs on the way to a game or match, stop and call the opposing school to determine whether the contest has been canceled. If driving conditions become treacherous, call the opposing school, call the Director of Athletics, and return to Wooster.

Varsity (Head) Coaches: are expected to meet with the sub-varsity level Coaches (in the sport they are coaching) to ensure continuity with the overall program. Please refer to the seasonal Coaching Checklists for the deadline.

Web Page: Coaches will be able to find their game schedules, rosters, directions to away games, and much more on the new GoGenerals website (www.GoGenerals.org). Each team will have its own page, complete with photos, articles, team information, game results, etc. Each coach will be subscribed to your team page (your user name is your first and last name together (example: davemacnutt) and your password is “Wooster.” You will receive automatically generated emails any time that changes are made to your schedule.

VII. Afternoon Activities

Requirements:

Students in grades 9 & 10: are required to participate in our afternoon activities program during all three seasons and must select at least one team sport, one physical activity, and one other activity per year.
Students in grades 11 & 12: are required to participate in at least one team sport and one physical activity. Students are permitted to take one season “off.” Please note that students taking a season off are expected to leave campus after Jobs period. (Seniors may petition the Director of Athletics and the Head of Upper School to opt out of the team sport requirement.)

B. Middle School Interscholastic Offerings:

Fall Season	Winter Season	Spring Season
6^th Coed Soccer	6^th Coed Basketball	6^th Coed Tennis
6^th Girls Volleyball

7^th & 8^th Coed Soccer	7^th & 8^th Girls’ Basketball	7^th & 8^th Coed Tennis
7^th & 8^th Girls’ Volleyball	7^th & 8^th Boys’ Basketball

C. Upper School Interscholastic Offerings:

Fall Season	Winter Season	Spring Season
Varsity Girls’ Soccer	Varsity Girls’ Basketball	Varsity Girls’ Softball
Varsity Boys’ Soccer	Varsity Boys’ Basketball	Varsity Boys’ Baseball
Varsity Coed Cross Country	Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball	Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse
Varsity Girls’ Volleyball	Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball	Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse
Junior Varsity Girls’ Volleyball		Varsity Coed Golf
Junior Varsity Boys’ Soccer		Varsity Boys’ Tennis
		Varsity Girls’ Tennis
		Varsity Coed Ultimate
		Junior Varsity Girls’ Tennis
		Junior Varsity Coed Ultimate

VIII. Athletic Leagues:

Hudson Valley Athletic League (HVAL): Darrow, Marvelwood, NYMA, Oakwood Friends, Poughkeepsie Day, Storm King, and Wooster comprise the HVAL. The varsity level sports played in the HVAL include coed cross country, boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, girls’ volleyball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, baseball, softball, boys’ tennis, girls’ tennis, boys’ lacrosse, coed golf, and coed ultimate frisbee.
New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC): Wooster is in the Western division (District IV) of this league – called the Western New England Prep School Athletic Association (WNEPSAA). There are individual coaches associations for every sport we participate in (i.e. Western New England Prep School Women’s Basketball Association, Western New England Prep School Women’s Lacrosse Association, etc.)

IX. Athletic Program Highlights and Momentum

Wooster School: Wooster has won the Hudson Valley Athletic League’s most prestigious and highly coveted honor – the Sportsmanship Award – 11 of the last 14 years.
Sportsmanship Awards: Wooster teams have won 44 in the last 17 years.
League Titles and New England Tournaments: Wooster teams have won 45 league titles and earned 49 bids to the New England tournament in the last 17 years.
Varsity Girls Soccer: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” Tournament Final Four and has played in the New England tournament 11 times in the past 18 years.
Varsity Boys Soccer: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” tournament. This team has been selected to play in the New England tournament 6 times in the past 14 years.
Varsity Girls Volleyball: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” Tournament Final Four. The team made it to the New England tournament 3times in the last 4years. This team has won the HVAL season and tournament championship twice in the last 4 years.
Coed Cross Country: Finished 3^rd out of 10 teams at the HVAL championship meet.
Varsity Girls Basketball: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” tournament Final Four. This team earned their 1^8th consecutive bid to the New England tournament, setting a small school New England record. This team has won the HVAL “Hudson Division” season and tournament titles in 12 of the last 18 years, and has won the Ed Costello Holiday Classic 7 times in the past time in the last 9 years.
Varsity Boys Basketball: Won the HVAL Season title this season and advanced to the New England tournament Finals.
Varsity Girls Tennis: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” Tournament Semifinals.
Varsity Boys Tennis: Made it to the “Hudson Division” Tournament Final Four and advanced to the New England tournament for the 9^th time in the last 12 years.
Coed Golf: Earned a 3rd place finish in the HVAL.
Varsity Boys Baseball: Co-Champions of the HVAL “Valley Division” tournament.
Varsity Girls Softball: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” tournament Final Four.
Varsity Girls Lacrosse: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” tournament Final Four and has earned the HVAL season and tournament titles 4 times in the last 8 years.
Varsity Boys Lacrosse: Made it to the HVAL “Hudson Division” tournament Final Four, earned a 2nd place finish in the HVAL, and earned a 4th place finish in all of Division III.
Ultimate Frisbee: Made it to the HVAL “Valley Division” tournament finals for a second consecutive season – and posted its first winning record.

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