Morgan County R-1 offers the following sports through the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA):
 Boys’ Activities: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Golf
 Girls’ Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Cheerleading
All MSHSAA by-laws and rules apply. In addition to these guidelines, the district has adopted the additional rules and guidelines that follow in this handbook. Administrators, coaches, student-athletes, parents and guardians are expected to be aware of these expectations and the consequences of failing to follow these rules.  No exception to these policies will be made.
REASONS FOR THE ATHLETIC HANDBOOK:
1. To help us develop a consistent approach throughout all of our athletic teams.
2. To assist in establishing a positive self image among our athletes by setting goals and obtaining them.
3. To develop pride from a job well done.
4. To assist the athlete’s understanding of the responsibilities and privileges that occurs as a result of participating in athletics.
5. To create a positive atmosphere and self-image as a result of proper conduct and work ethic.
6. To assist our student-athletes in reaching their fullest potential.
PHILOSOPHY:
We believe that extra-curricular activities are the “other half” of education and athletics are a major part of this education. The athletic skills developed in each sport are secondary to the mental emotional and social skills that are being instilled through our programs.  Success is never measured by wins and losses alone, but by the continued growth, development and maturity of our athletes as they travel towards adulthood.

In reality, athletics are very much like everyday life.  Competition is important and is a part of all that you do.  There are and will continue to be disappointments that each individual must face.  How we react and handle these situations is a vital part of our athletic program and the continued development of our student-athletes.  A very important lesson we learn through athletic participation is that by hard work and dedication, we can become anything we want to. No one can tell us what we must be.  If you are willing to recognize the abilities you possess and work hard, you can achieve success in athletics as well as in life.

With these things in mind, the District has developed this handbook.  We feel it is fair and necessary for our athletes.  Athletes have many opportunities to grow and mature.  Participation is a privilege and with that privilege comes responsibilities.  The Morgan County R-1 staff will assist the athlete in meeting the following guidelines, but the real effort must come from the athlete and parents.

ATTITUDE:
Attitude is how we react to the things that happen to us.  How we react, both positively and negatively, is vital to our athletic program.  The desires to excel, to win and to exhibit good work habits on a daily basis are important to any program. Attitudes, both good and bad, spread and affect those around us.  If in the judgment of the administration or coach, a negative attitude is being displayed that could or does affect the team, suspension or removal from the team could result.  Continued negative attitudes cannot and will not be tolerated.

CITIZENSHIP:
Our student athletes are expected to be good citizens of our school and community at all times.  At school, proper conduct will be maintained at all times.  Respect will be shown to anyone the student-athlete comes into contact with.  Teachers, administrators, staff, students, opponents and officials are included in this group.  All school rules are to be obeyed failure to do so can result in suspension and removal from the team.  This applies both in and out of the respective sports season.

After-school detention will be used for excessive tardies this year.  Any student placed in Thursday detention will not be able to practice or compete in after school activities on the Thursday they are assigned to detention.  If student-athlete fails to attend assigned detention, they will be reassigned to the next Thursday and will once again be ineligible to practice or compete on that day.  If the fail to attend this detention and are placed on 1-day OSS (out of school suspension), they will be removed from the program. The respective building principal or athletic director will inform the student-athlete and coach of the day activity suspension is to occur.  All coaches will follow this rule.

If a student athlete is placed in ISS (in school suspension), they cannot practice or compete on the day or days assigned to ISS. If ISS is not held on the assigned day, the student athlete will miss practice or game time on that day and serve ISS at a later date.  A second offense resulting in ISS may result in suspension or removal from the team depending on the situation.  The administration and respective coach will make that decision.

OSS is the result of more serious discipline problems and will result in a more severe penalty.  Students cannot practice, compete or attend school activities while on OSS.  OSS will result in indefinite suspension from athletic participation.  The administration and respective coach will determine the length of this suspension.  A second suspension will result in removal from the team.  These penalties also apply to violation of school rules while attending activities.

ACADEMICS:
Student athletes must adhere to the Morgan County R-I academic policy found in the student handbook.  All MSHSAA rules and guidelines will be adhered to also. The respective principal and athletic director will determine the eligibility of athletes.
 

ATTENDANCE:
Student-athletes must be in attendance a minimum of 4 class periods to participate in any activity, including practice.  Student-athletes not meeting these requirements cannot participate unless prior administrative approval is granted.  These guidelines also apply to weekend activities; students must be in attendance 4 hours on Friday to be eligible to participate on Saturday.  This rule is in compliance with MSHSAA rules on attendance.

APPEARANCE:
Participation in athletics is a privilege, which carries responsibilities to the school, community and individual athlete.  Student-athletes will be expected to dress both at school and while going to and from games.  Student-athletes will be clean-shaven, no beards, mustaches or facial hair.  Haircuts will be in moderation; no wild cuts or exotic colors will be allowed.  All jewelry will be removed for practice and games.  Student-athletes may be asked to cover tattoos if they are deemed offensive.  Each coach may set additional standards their athletes are expected to meet.

TRAINING RULES:
The use of tobacco, alcohol and non-prescription drugs will not be tolerated.  The Morgan County R-1 School District expects all student-athletes to adhere to this policy and failure to do so will result in the following penalties:

-Use of tobacco and tobacco related products will result in a minimum of a 3 game suspension and a second offense will result in removal from the team.

-Use of alcohol or any non-prescription drug will result in removal from athletics at Morgan County R-1.
 

Additional penalties may result may result from violation of student handbook policies.  A student-athlete caught chewing tobacco at school would be subject to the penalty listed above as well as the 3 day out of school suspension listed in the student handbook.

PRACTICE ATTENDANCE:
Athletics require commitment and one vital area is attendance of practice and games on Monday through Saturday.  We try to avoid Sunday practices, but occasionally the need arises.  If a Sunday practice is scheduled, the athlete may for family or church obligations.  The athlete will need a written note from a parent briefly explaining the reason for the absence.

If it is necessary to be absent from a practice or scheduled event, the athlete is responsible for obtaining permission from the head coach prior to the absence.  If an unforeseen event arises, the athlete should make every attempt to contact the head coach.

The head coach will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused. Unexcused absences can cost the athlete playing time, suspension or removal from the team.  Each coach will set practice attendance policies and inform the athletes of these policies and penalties.  Most of our problems in this area are the result of a lack of communication.  The student-athlete is responsible for contacting the head coach before this problem occurs.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
Sportsmanship is a major aspect of our athletic program.  How one reacts to a situation is more important than winning or losing.  How one reacts and shows respect to opponents, officials, fans and teammates is a direct reflection on the athlete, his school and community.  Unsportsmanlike conduct cannot be tolerated.

The following penalties will apply to unsportsmanlike conduct which includes inappropriate language, taunting and disrespect to opponents, fans or officials.  All of these penalties comply with MSHSAA guidelines.

SOCCER
Yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct- player will set remainder of half card is received.  If violation occurs late in half, player may set all or part of next half.  The head coach will determine this.
A player receiving 5 yellow cards for any reasons will sit the next full contest.

Red Card-player will set remainder of contest and the next contest.
Second red card-player will set 3 games.
Third red card-removal from team.

VOLLEYBALL
 Yellow card-set remainder of game.
 Red card-set remainder of game and next game.

BASKETBALL
 Unsportsmanlike technical foul-set remainder of game and entire next game.
 Second offense-set remainder of game and the next game.
 Third offense-set remainder of game and removal from game.

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
 Ejection from game- set next game.
 Second offense-removal from team.

GOLF
 Players and coach subject to MSHSAA penalties.
 Head coach will set standards of conduct for golf squad.

Suspensions from the end of one season will carry over to the start of the next season.  For example, a player receives a technical in last basketball game of the season.  They will be suspended from the next scheduled contest in whichever sport they participate in.

DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION, THE COACH/ADMINISTRATION HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND FOR ADDITIONAL GAMES OR REMOVE FROM THE TEAM.

EQUIPMENT:
Each athlete is responsible for the uniform and equipment issued to them.  The athlete will be billed for any equipment or uniform lost, stolen or damaged through negligence of the athlete.  Athletes will not be responsible for damage that occurs through normal use.  For example, a softball player slides into second base and rips pants.  The player would not be responsible for damage to the uniform.

TRANSPORTATION:
All students involved in athletics will be transported to and from respective event sites via school transportation.  All bus regulations will be followed.  After completion of the contest, parents may sign a release sheet relieving the school from transportation obligations.  Released students are expected to ride home with their parents after being signed out.  Any special transportation arrangements must have administrative approval prior to the contest date and time.  Parents can request these in person or by telephone.  This should be a unique situation and should rarely be requested.  The administrator will make the final decision on these matters.  Violation of these rules will result in the following penalties:
 First offense-1 game suspension
 Second offense-3 game suspension
 Third offense-Removal from the team

All practices will be closed to anyone not a part of the team.

As with any handbook, it is impossible to cover all possible situations.  When a situation not covered arises, the appropriate administrator will be responsible for making these decisions.

Each coach may have additional rules for their respective sports.  All student-athletes will have a signed Athletic Guideline Agreement on file prior to the start of practice for their sport. Both the student and the parent must sign this form.  Failure to comply will result in the student-athlete not being allowed to participate in athletics at Morgan County R-1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

STUDENT AND PARENT
ATHLETIC GUIDELINES
AGREEMENT

I have read and understand the policies of the Morgan County R-1 Athletic Department
As a member of the team, I agree to their content and will conduct myself accordingly.

Student’s Signature         Date
 

As apparent of a Morgan County R-1 athlete, I have read and understand the policies.  I/we will help our student to maintain these standards.

Parent/Guardian’s Signature(s)
        Date
 
         Date