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Mission Statement

Half Moon Bay High School Athletics aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization that provides a high-quality experience to every student-athlete and a safe, welcoming environment for all.  A high-quality experience is one in which every student-athlete:

• Is coached using the principles of positive coaching and “pursuing victory with honor”.
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance.
• Understands that being a Cougar Athlete is both a privilege and a responsibility.
• Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field.
• Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player.

We are committed to creating a positive culture in which coaches, parents, teachers/staff, fans, officials and athletes work together to achieve our mission.

Half Moon Bay Cougar Code of Conduct
(adjusted: August 2008)

As a member of the Half Moon Bay High School Athletics you represent more than just yourself. Your actions on and off the field can reflect both positively and negatively upon many people.  As a Cougar Athlete, you represent:

1. Yourself
2. Your family
3. Your coaches
4. Your School
5. Your community
6. All the Cougar players who came before you.

Being a Cougar Football player is both a privilege and a responsibility.  The following is a Code of Conduct you will be expected to follow. It will be strictly adhered to.

Expectations: 

1. Eligibility - Students wishing to participate on an interscholastic team must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• 2.0 GPA – exception, 1st quarter Freshmen are eligible until end of 1st quarter
• Must be carrying 20 units
• Must meet residential eligibility requirements.
• Doctor’s Physical (yellow form)
• Emergency Card (green form)
• ASB Sticker
• Signed Code of Conduct (signature required on back of Emergency Card form)

2. Sportsmanship - Being a good sportsman means showing respect to other competitors and everyone involved in the sport. A good a player does not let his/her emotions take over, NO MATTER the circumstances.

Sportsmanship defined by CCS Policy: “A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint or victory without gloating, and who treats his/her opponents with fairness, courtesy and respect.”
(We do not speak inappropriately to other teams’ players, coaches and/or referees: Profanity and vulgarity are unacceptable. Any form of racial slur or insult will be met with harsh consequences. Let our playing make the statement. We will remain composed at all times.) According to Cabrillo Board Policy, student-athletes, coaches, parents/guardians, spectators and others are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play during all athletic competitions. They shall also abide by the core principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, good citizenship and the Codes of Conduct, as adopted by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in its publication “Pursuing Victory with Honor”. Winning should not be achieved at the cost of integrity.

3. Work Ethic - Winning is not our primary goal. Each player will be dedicated and give 100% effort in practice and in competitions. If you can accomplish this, wins will follow.

4. Tryouts/Playing time - There are no guarantees for athletes to be included on a team regardless of his/her participation in the previous year. Every player is expected to try out every season. There is also no guarantee of playing time at the F/S, junior varsity, or varsity levels. (See Ryan Act: “Athletic participation is a privilege, not a right”.)

5. Adding athletes to roster - Coaches may not add athletes to their roster after the roster deadline which will be prior to first league contest. This includes any athlete who, at the beginning of the season was ineligible due to grades and becomes academically eligible after the grade reporting period.

Overlapping Sports - In the event a team is still competing when another season begins, coaches are required to leave their rosters open for possible players that are unable to tryout because their previous season is not complete. For example, if a football player wishes to play basketball and basketball tryouts are during the football season, the basketball coach must give the football player an opportunity to try out for the basketball team after the completion of the football season.

6. Be Accountable - Do not come to Coaches with excuses. You are old enough to take responsibility for your actions. If you’re having any kind of problem we can work to fix it together. We do not point fingers and pass blame; that has no place on our TEAM.

7. Attendance - You are expected to be on time and attend all practices and team functions. First missed practice/function= Cougar Reminder (C.R.). Second= C.R. Third= C.R. and call home to parent. Fourth= may be released from team. (C.R.’s will vary by sport/team)

Organize your priorities. (1-Family 2- School 3- Athletics) There is no reason to fall behind in school. A 2.0 GPA is a very reasonable requirement. If you cannot stay organized and on task, something will have to go and it will be athletics. Also, missed practices during any week, excused or unexcused, may prevent you from participating in that week’s contests. Excused missed practice = family emergency, medical doctor visit for injury or prior approval from Coach. Unexcused missed practice = dentist appointment, finish homework/project, detention, birthday party, etc.

• “Any player who would normally be eligible for participation on the day of a contest is required to attend four periods regardless of class schedule. Medical appointments are not considered excused absences for this purpose unless prior approval (three days) has been granted.
  
  
• Participation in Physical Education Classes- Any student enrolled in PE cannot participate in competitions and/or practices if they fail to participate in their PE class any given day. (No dress cuts, unexcused absences or medical excuses).  All students are expected to run and participate completely, regardless if they have a competition that day.” - HMB Athletic Policy

8. Behavior - Your behavior on and off campus can and will affect your status on this team. Be smart. Think before you act and speak. Your conduct is as important as your athletic skills. This includes the classroom. Be on time, NEVER cut, participate in the class and show your teachers that you care about your academic success just as much as your athletic success.

9. Off Season - A student-athlete’s off season behavior and attendance can affect his/her status on their team. You are expected to be respectful, hard working, punctual and participate whether you are in season or not.

10. Drugs/ Alcohol - These have no place in an athlete's life. Student-Athletes will be held to zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Anytime during the school year, a student suspended for drugs or alcohol (i.e.: drunk at school, a football game, prom, etc.) will receive a three consecutive season suspension (including the current season, regardless of whether or not the student is currently participating in athletics). Effective date for a season is the first legal PAL practice date through the last game including playoffs.

11. Quitting the team/Removal from team - Any player who quits a team after the first scheduled contest will not be able to compete in any other sport that season, nor will he/she be able to participate in any sport in any capacity the following season until the current season is over. For example, if a volleyball player quits after the first game of the volleyball season, she cannot then choose to run cross country, nor may she participate in basketball until the conclusion of the volleyball season. Any player that is removed from a team will be treated as if he quit after the first contest regardless of when the player was removed.

12. Locker Room Procedures - This is your locker room; take care of it and keep it clean! No cleats should ever be worn in the locker room. There should be NO horseplay. There should always be a coach supervising the locker room.

13. Coach’s Code of Conduct - Our main goal/ objective is to help foster the characteristics in our players that will teach them to be successful, not only on the field or court, but also give them life long tools to become respectful, hard working and successful young men/women.

• ON FIELD/COURT/MAT - Coaches will be held to the same standards expected of the players in all aspects of the program on the field and in the locker room. We will be on time for practice, properly prepared for the instructions of the day, and will provide the players with affirmative, constructive directions for techniques and the philosophy required in order for the program to be successful. Players are to be specifically directed as to what is expected of them each and every week. Constructive criticism will be used at all times. Coaches will make themselves readily available to clarify any questions that a player might have pertaining to his position or responsibility.
  
  
• OFF FIELD/COURT/MAT - Coaches will be held to standards that exceed that of players as they are important mentors for the players. At all times coaches will be a positive reflection of our players, program, and school. In our associations off the field, whether media, parents, boosters, alumni, or friends, we will speak with the highest regard for those involved in our program. This program belongs to ALL of us.

14. Equipment (Care and Maintenance) - Athletes are responsible for their uniform and any equipment issued them. You need to take care of, and clean, all equipment issued to you. You will be charged (replacement price) for any equipment that is lost or damaged (other than normal wear). All equipment must be turned in as soon as your season is complete.

15. Injuries/Sickness - All Injuries and health issues need to be reported to a coach as promptly as possible. Coaches cannot determine how YOU feel. If you tell us you are hurt/ injured, we will remove you from play. If you hand your coach a doctor’s note stating you can longer participate due to injury, then the doctor must also clear you to return to activity.

16. Parents - Thank you for supporting your son’s/ daughter’s commitment to their team. I hope we can all work together and avoid any undermining of one another; and focus rather on positive experiences for our athletes.

Questions/Concerns, contact Coach Ballard 650-712-7200 ext # 1904 BallardM@cabrillo.k12.ca.us