Athletics Handbook

District Athletic Office
1799 Lehigh Station Rd., Henrietta, NY 14467
(Fax) 359-7802

• Director of Athletics: Jeff Onze (359-7809)
• Assistant Director of Athletics: Ashley Pierce (359-5150)
• Athletic Trainer (SHS): Daren Crane (359-5295)

Introduction Welcome to the Rush-Henrietta Central School District Interscholastic Athletic Program! For your convenience, we continue to update this handbook. For up-to-date schedules, check our web site at www.rhnet.org/sportsschedules or get the free mobile App at your App store by searching "Activity Scheduler."

Once downloaded, it will ask you what state and then what league. We are the Monroe County Public School Athletic Conference (MCPSAC). The final step is choosing Rush-Henrietta as the school.

If you have any questions or concerns about this booklet or our interscholastic athletic program, please do not hesitate to call me at 359-7809. I look forward to seeing you during the upcoming R-H Athletic seasons.

— Jeff Onze, Director of Athletics

High School Program Offerings: Varsity and JV

• Fall: Football V/JV, (B/G) Soccer V/JV, (B/G) Volleyball V/JV, (B/G) X-Country V/JV, (G) Tennis V, (G) Swimming V/JV, (G) Gymnastics V, Cheerleading V/JV, Unified Bowling, (G) Golf V.
• Winter: (B/G) Basketball V/JV, Ice Hockey V, Wrestling V/JV, (B/G) Winter Track V, Cheerleading V/JV, (B/G) Bowling V, (B/G) Swimming V/JV.
• Spring: (B/G) Lacrosse V/JV, Baseball V/JV, Softball V/JV, (B/G) Track V/JV, (B) Golf V/JV, (B) Tennis V, Unified Basketball, (G) Flag Football .

Modified B Program Offerings: Grades 7 & 8 (Mod A includes Grade 9)

• Fall: Football, (B/G) Soccer, (B/G) Volleyball, (B/G) X-Country, (G) Tennis (Mod A), Cheerleading (Mod A).
• Winter: (B/G) Basketball, Wrestling, (B/G) Swimming, Cheerleading (Mod A).
• Spring: (B/G) Lacrosse, Baseball (A/B), Softball (A/B), (B/G) Track, (B) Tennis (Mod A).

R-H Athletics Calendar Highlights- See R-H Athletics Webpage for seasonal start dates.

Modified A/B The Modified B athletic program is available to students in the seventh and eighth grades. Sports activities offered at this level are determined by the existence of leagues, student interest, and relationship to the high school program. Emphasis is not placed on winning and every effort will be made to maximize each individual's playing time. Modified A is similar to Modified B, except ninth graders may also participate. There may be years that we need to adjust between Modified A and Modified B due to interest in season and out of season and adjustments made within the league.

Junior Varsity At the JV level, emphasis continues to be placed upon team play, physical conditioning, and the refinement of basic skills. The JV program goals are to prepare student athletes for varsity level competition. The amount of playing time is influenced by skill level.

Varsity The varsity level is the culmination of the high school athletic program experience. Our varsity teams play to win and try to qualify for post-season play. All team members will not receive equal playing time; a sound attitude with an advanced skill level will determine playing time.

Important Sports Clearance Information

• Physical Exams: A complete physical exam signed by a licensed practitioner and dated within the calendar year of which that season starts. Physicals are potentially good for 13 months.
• Registration: Use Arbiter Registration to register your son/daughter for sports. For Customer Support call 800-311-4060
• Medical Plans: Upload necessary paperwork such as an asthma action plan and emergency care plan to avoid delays.
• Risk Factors: Participation in sports involves a certain degree of risk for injury, ranging from minor scrapes to catastrophic injuries.

Definition and Signs A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) which alters the functioning of the brain. Signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, feeling "foggy," and loss of consciousness.

Returning to Sports/Athletics The District follows the International Consensus Conference Guidelines for Return to Play (RTP) please see link below for additional information.

Please see our health related links on our website or at RH Schools Health/Athletics

Communications Athletes, parents, and coaches are all responsible for effective communications.

• Coaches expect from players: Immediate and direct expression of concerns and notification of schedule conflicts.
• Parents should expect from coaches: Expectations for the child, locations/times of practices, and social and emotional support.
• Inappropriate to discuss: Team strategy, play calling, other student-athletes, and playing time. At no time should anyone engage in negative discussions or threats towards coaches, officials and event staff. 

Conflict Resolution

1. Call to set up an appointment with the coach.
2. Do NOT attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice.
3. If the concern is not resolved, set up an appointment with the Director of Athletics.
4. Playing time conversations are for coach and athlete (parent and AD office should not be involved in playing time conversations) Modified playing time is prescribed by both the state and league in a sport by sport basis assuring that everyone gets minimal playing time in every game at the modified level only.

Any spectator who does not follow sportsmanship responsibilities or who confronts a coach in a negative manner will be subject to disciplinary action, including removal or suspension from future games.

• Keep cheering positive; no profanity.
• Treat all visiting teams with respect.
• Accept the judgment of coaches and officials.
• No noise makers are permitted at indoor Section 5 events.
• Resources to become a coach: Become a Coach 
• Resources to become an official: Become an Official

Students must submit current grades from Schooltool to their coach at five-week updates and quarter grades.

• Failing 1 course (or <70% in two): Intervention counseling with coach/advisor.
• Failing 2+ courses: Two-week probation; student may continue to participate and compete.
• Still failing after probation: Ineligible to play or perform; may continue to participate in practice only.
• Weekly grade reports are sent to the coach, eligibility works off of the 5 and 10 week grades with date varying season by season

Attendance: To be eligible for practices or games a student must arrive in school no later than 2nd period, if a student has a midday appointment they are expected to attend school prior to their appointment.  Students that are not attending school on time nor at all are not permitted to play nor practice that day

Program Philosophy
The Rush-Henrietta Central School District is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for student-athletes to participate in interscholastic athletics. While participation is encouraged, team selection is a competitive process. The coach has the ultimate authority in determining team membership and roster size.

When establishing team size, multiple factors are considered, including but not limited to: skill level, safety, quality of the program, facility space, time constraints, budget, playing time, team chemistry, and overall program needs. The Athletic Department supports coaches throughout this process and strives to maximize opportunities for student involvement as both participants and supporters of our programs.

Tryout Procedures

Choosing the members of athletic teams is the responsibility of the coach. Prior to the start of tryouts, coaches will communicate clear expectations and provide all candidates with relevant team information, including:

• Tryouts will consist of a minimum of three (3) days and 4.5 total hours from the start date of the first tryout offered. 
• Distribution of practice and competition schedules, including an explanation of the level of commitment required.
• Tryout evaluations are not based on prior participation in summer programs, camps, or previous team selection.
• All students must try out each season; no athlete is guaranteed a position based on past participation.

Team Selection Procedures
All athletic programs will implement the following procedures when selecting team members:

1. Tryouts will be open to all eligible students.
2. No program will utilize an “invitation only” process for participation in tryouts.
3. Coaches may use skill-based evaluations (rubrics) to assess and rank athletes. Additional factors considered may include attitude, academic standing, effort, coachability, character, and overall team contribution.
4. A minimum of three (3) practice sessions will occur before any student is removed from consideration.
5. Requests from parents/guardians for placement on a higher-level team (e.g., JV or Varsity) will not be considered. Movement between levels is determined by the coaching staff. When appropriate, coaches will communicate with families regarding potential placement changes.
6. Placement at the Varsity level is reserved for student-athletes who are expected to contribute in a significant role.
7. Due to the increasing competitiveness of our programs, participation in tryouts does not guarantee team selection. Student-athletes are encouraged to engage in off-season opportunities (e.g., open gyms, camps, clinics) to further develop their skills

Athletic Placement Process (APP) Information

The Rush-Henrietta Booster Club provides support and benefits to the athletic program. For additional information please visit the booster links at the following . . . Booster Information

• Diamond Membership ($100): Includes reserved parking for home football games and a stadium blanket.
• Gold Membership ($50): Includes a stadium blanket.

Booster Membership ($25). Volunteer opportunities include Athlete Recognition, Sports Kickoff, Fundraising, and the End of Year Athletic Celebration.

Participation Statement

Participation in the Rush-Henrietta interscholastic athletic program is a privilege, not a right. Student-athletes are expected to meet established standards in both academic performance and personal conduct to maintain eligibility.

Team Rules

Student-athletes are expected to follow all team rules, procedures, and directions as communicated by their coach.

• Coaches may issue indefinite suspensions for failure to comply with team expectations or when safety concerns arise.
• Suspensions longer than:
  • Two (2) days require approval from the Director of Athletics or building administrator.
• Non-school days are not counted toward suspension time (per District Code of Conduct, Section IX).
• If suspended from school, an athlete is not permitted to be in attendance at practices or games (if a student has ISS, they can attend practice but are unable to practice nor play that day)

Citizenship & Sportsmanship

Student-athletes are expected to demonstrate high standards of citizenship and sportsmanship at all times.

• The District Code of Conduct applies at all times, including:
  • Practices and competitions
  • Travel to and from events
  • Off-campus behavior during the season
• Unsportsmanlike behavior or poor citizenship will result in disciplinary action by coaches and/or administration following league and NYSPHSAA Guidelines.

Substance Abuse Policy

The health and safety of student-athletes is a top priority.

• The following are strictly prohibited:
  • Misuse of prescription medications
  • Use of mood-altering or recreational substances during the season
• Violations may result in:
  • Partial or full suspension from participation
• All suspected violations are reported to the Athletic Director, who will:
  • Conduct an investigation
  • Apply disciplinary action per the District Code of Conduct

Additional expectations:

• Student-athletes may be required to meet with a certified substance abuse professional
• Compliance with any recommended treatment is mandatory

Substance abuse negatively impacts health, performance, and team morale. Student-athletes are expected to represent the district with dignity and wellness.

Hazing Policy

Hazing is strictly prohibited on or off school grounds.

• Hazing includes any activity that:
  • Humiliates
  • Degrades
  • Endangers physical or mental health
• Participation is prohibited regardless of willingness

Note: Consequences for substance abuse, hazing, sportsmanship both in season and off season may include up to the following:

1st Offense: Up to 20% suspension of the regularly scheduled contests

2nd Offense: Up to 50% suspension of regularly scheduled contests

3rd Offense: Not permitted to play athletics at RH

Transportation Guidelines

When district transportation is provided:

• Students are expected to travel to and from events with the team. Travel from an event home with a parent should rarely occur
• Exceptions require:
  • Written parent/guardian permission
  • Approval from the coach and/or athletic director
  • Student may only ride home with their parent/guardian (not a friend or teammates parent/guardian)
• Students may not:
  • Ride with other students
  • Ride with staff members (unless pre-approved in a district vehicle)
• Driving to or from events independently requires prior written approval.

All schedules are subject to change. For updated information, visit our R-H Athletics Schedule Page or www.rhnet.org and click on athletics. Livestreaming is available via HUDL TV: Rush-Henrietta High School | High School Sports | Home | Hudl.