Bendle Athletic Handbook

ATHLETIC RULES & ATHLETIC CODE GUIDELINES

The purpose of this handbook is to offer parents and students valuable information about the Bendle Athletic Program. This resource aims to enhance understanding of the various aspects of the Bendle Athletic Department and the roles of all involved stakeholders.

Bendle Board of Education                                                                        810-591-2501

Superintendent, Trisha Cherveny                                                             810-591-2501

HS Principal, Liane Steller                                                                         810-591-5103

Athletic Director/Asst. Principal, Jack Gallery                                         810-591-2137

MS Principal, Jason Leach                                                                         810-591-3385

Bendle Athletic Department Sports Offerings

Bendle Public Schools offers a variety of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all students who are enrolled in grades 7-12, and who also comply with all MHSAA and Bendle Schools rules and policies. Below, by season are the sports that are offered by Bendle for each individual grade. The junior varsity teams consist of ninth and tenth grade students. In certain circumstances, juniors may be asked to compete with the junior varsity team.

Bendle Athletics Philosophy

The Bendle Athletic Department encourages all students who meet academic requirements to join interscholastic sports. We believe that sports play an important role in helping students grow physically and mentally. Our program provides opportunities for students to learn skills and gain knowledge that they can’t get in a regular classroom.

Bendle Athletics Purpose

• To cultivate sportsmanship and the importance of commitment.
• To guide athletes in celebrating victories humbly and embracing challenges with grace.
• To empower athletes to maximize their physical and mental potential.
• To emphasize the pursuit of excellence in both academics and athletics.
• To instill healthy habits through rigorous physical training.
• To foster teamwork and collaboration towards common goals.
• To create opportunities for recognition, both individually and as a team.
• To engage the school and community in striving for excellence.
• To reward athletes, the school, and the community with a top-tier athletic program.

Bendle Athletic Code

The Athletic Code applies to all students who participate in competitive sports, cheerleading and dance. This code applies in addition to other rules and regulations concerning student conduct and imposes additional requirements on student athletes and cheerleaders.

Participation in athletics is a privilege. Those who participate in athletics have a responsibility to favorably represent the school and community. Student athletes are expected to conduct themselves both in and out of school in a manner appropriate to their responsibilities as representatives of the school and district. If a student fails to comply with the terms of this code, the privilege to participate in athletics may be lost in accordance with the terms of this code.

 MHSAA: Eligibility for most athletics is also governed by the rules of the Michigan High School Association and, if applicable, these rules will apply in addition to this Athletic Code. In a case of conflict between MHSAA and this Athletic Code, the most stringent rules will be enforced.

Bendle High School Eligibility and Attendance Requirements

(For grades 9-12 as adapted by the Bendle Board of Education on August 8, 1982; revised on October 14, 1991.)

1. Current Semester Grades
   To be eligible for participation, a student must be passing all their credit hours for the current semester. Eligibility is determined based on grades from the start of the semester up to a date seven days before the athletic contest.
2. Grades or Credit from Previous Semester
   To compete in any athletic event during a semester, students must pass all six classes in the previous semester. This rule applies to eligibility for both the current semester and the following one. For eligibility in fall sports the following year, students must have passed at least six classes during the second semester of the previous academic year.

III. Physical Examinations
Students must have a completed physical examination form, signed by a physician, filed for the current school year before participating in any practice or athletic contest.

Attendance Record Day of Contest: To participate in a contest, students must be present for the entire school day unless an “Excused for Participation” is granted by the building principal.

Practice:  Students must be in attendance 75% of the day to attend practice.  

Allowed Absences: Students are allowed up to nine absences per season. Exceeding this limit will result in ineligibility for practice and the next contest. Any absence beyond ten will lead to a contest suspension, and after three missed contests, the athlete will be removed from the program.

Saturday or Sunday Contests:
   Day Before Contest: Students must attend the full school day prior to a Saturday or Sunday contest to participate, unless granted an “Excused for Participation” by the building principal.

   Continuous or Patterned Absences: Repeated or patterned absences may result in game suspensions or potential dismissal from the squad. After the third unexcused absence from practice or contests, the athlete will be dismissed from the team.

  Excused for Participation is granted only by the building principal or athletic director for absences due to a doctor’s appointment (with verification) or significant, unusual circumstances where the parent or guardian has personally notified the building principal.  Student must be in attendance 75% of the day

Bendle Middle School Eligibility/Requirements

 TEAM GUIDELINES:

Students will receive a set of team guidelines detailing academic and behavioral expectations, as well as consequences for rule violations. Both students and parents must sign these guidelines before the student is allowed to participate in practice. To be eligible for athletic participation, students must meet specific academic and behavioral criteria. While athletics are beneficial for student development, academics take priority. A student will be eligible for the following week’s games if they meet these criteria:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Grades: Students with incompletes in two or more classes will be automatically ineligible for the following week.

Suspension: Students suspended from school will be ineligible for the next game. Two suspensions within a season will result in removal from the team.

Attendance Policy: Students must be present for the entire school day to participate in games. However, the building administrator may permit participation if extenuating circumstances are present.

School Rules: All athletes must adhere to the rules and regulations outlined in the Code of Conduct Handbook.

Eligibility Forms: All eligibility forms must be submitted by Thursday at noon. This allows the office to notify students, parents, and coaches if a student is failing any classes and gives students the opportunity to become eligible by attending required tutoring sessions.

Physical Examinations: Students must have a completed physical examination form on file for the current school year before participating in any practice or athletic contest.

After Practice: Students should not return to their school lockers after practice.

Additional Policies/Expectations: Further policies and expectations for Bendle athletes are outlined in the handbook.

 PROHIBITIONS ON TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND DRUGS: The possession, sale, or use of smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, marijuana, any other drugs, look-alike drugs, or alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. Theft and vandalism are also prohibited.

Drug Testing: Students found using drugs or alcohol must submit to drug testing. Participation is contingent upon a written medical statement confirming the absence of drugs and/or alcohol. The student’s parent or guardian is responsible for the cost of testing.

Violation Penalties:

• First Offense: The athlete will be suspended for one-third of all contests (e.g., 3 games in football). The suspension begins immediately. If the offense occurs with less than one-third of the season remaining, the suspension will continue into the next season or sport. The athlete must complete the season to fulfill the suspension. Failure to do so will carry over to future seasons. If the offense occurs during the off-season or summer months, the suspension will begin with the first scheduled contest. If the athlete does not participate in a team within a calendar year, the suspension will be waived.
• Second Offense: The athlete will face a twelve-month suspension from all athletic activities.

Late Hours: Athletes are responsible for getting adequate rest during the season. While coaches may set specific curfew rules, all athletes must adhere to curfew laws as per the Criminal Code of the City of Burton. It is recommended that athletes be in bed by 11:00 p.m. regularly.

Team Membership: After the first scheduled game of the sport season, athletes become permanent squad members unless released by the coach. Any athlete (1st offense) who is dismissed from or quits a team will be suspended from the athletic program. Reinstatement must be appealed (a letter of explanation and schedule a meeting) to the Athletic Director

Excused Absences: Notify your coach in advance if you need to be excused from practice for a valid reason. Avoid absences, when possible, as missing practice can result in valuable instruction loss. Three unexcused absences will be treated as quitting the team, and the squad membership rule will apply.

Travel: All athletes shall travel to athletic events and return home from athletic events with the team on which the athlete competes by use of school-approved transportation. A written waiver of this rule may be issued by a coach or administrator upon advance written request (day prior) of an athlete’s parent or guardian.

School Day Behavior:  Any teacher may report a student for actions that he/she deems prejudicial to the good of athletics and not specifically covered herein. The Principal/Athletic Director/Coach will take appropriate action on such a report.

Return of School Property:  An athlete is financially responsible for all equipment checked out to him/her.  Athletes will be billed for any uniforms/equipment not returned.

ATHLETIC CODE GUIDELINES

Behavior & Sportsmanship

Participants and spectators must maintain appropriate decorum. Positive support is encouraged, while disruptive or negative behavior is not acceptable and may result in removal from the premises. Repeated negative behavior may lead to restrictions on attending future events.

Student Athlete Commitment

Student athletes should mature and develop positive character, balancing academics, other activities, and sports. Your conduct and attitude reflect on the school and contribute to school spirit and community pride. Uphold training rules, practice diligently, and contribute to the team to build self-respect.

Dual Participation

Athletes can participate in multiple sports per season but must designate a primary and secondary sport. Participation in the secondary sport is allowed only when there are no conflicts with the primary sport. A Dual Sport Participation Contract must be completed.

Injury Policy

Athletes must be cleared by a physician before returning to competition or practice after an injury. Those showing concussion symptoms must be removed from activity and cleared by a healthcare professional before resuming.

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