• Academic Eligibility
• Policy for Class Absence
• Sportsmanship
• Dress Code
• Policy for Transportation to Games

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

In order to remain eligible, a student must NOT receive two F’s or three D’s or one F and two D’s during any six weeks grading period. It is the responsibility of each student, parent, club/activity sponsor, and coach to assess the eligibility and the continued eligibility of participants. 

The coaches have the responsibility to support the Ridgecroft School academic program by discussing with team members the importance of academic work and preparation for class, including doing homework, other assignments, and preparing for assessments.

POLICY FOR CLASS ABSENCE

Students who participate in school-sponsored sports events will NOT be considered absent from class and are allowed to makeup all work/tests. It is the responsibility of the student to discuss with the teacher(s) an appropriate timeline to makeup work.

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE

Ridgecroft School students should always exemplify principles of good sportsmanship. No matter how intense the competition, students will follow the guidelines before, during, and after a contest. Each student athlete represents themselves, his family, his team, and the entire Ridgecroft School family, both on and off the playing field. Each athlete, the team captains, and coaches are to be responsible for each other and to abide by these expectations so that the athletic program at Ridgecroft School is exemplary.

1. Always encourage your teammates and compliment your opponents when they make a fine play.
2. Do not protest a decision with game officials or coaches or reduce your effort because you think the officials may be making mistakes or because the other team does not play according to the rules.
3. Whether as a spectator or a participant, do not try to gain an unfair advantage for your team, for example, by shouting when opponents are shooting foul shots or attempting penalty goals. Derogatory cheers, including boos are not appropriate. Ridgecroft School students and parents should support its teams enthusiastically and never ridicule opponents.
4. After every contest congratulate your opponents individually for their effort. A worthy opponent has given you the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of competition.
5. Play earnestly and courageously in every contest; be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity. Put forth your best effort consistently so that once the contest is over, you recognize that you have done your best.

NCISAA SPORTSMANSHIP CODE

It is recognized that independent school interscholastic athletic events must be conducted in such a manner that good sportsmanship prevails at all times. It is therefore necessary that administrators and coaches be individually and collectively responsible for taking every possible step to promote good sportsmanship at every interscholastic event. These steps must include the provision of such things as safe and adequate facilities for participants, spectators, and officials, the best possible officials for the events, and adequate control of spectators, players, and pre-game and post-game activities. Every effort must be made to promote a climate of wholesome competition.

The Players:

• They play hard within the rules of the game.
• They win with humility and lose without excuses.
• They respect officials and accept their decisions.
• They never play with intent to injure an opponent.
• They never forget that they represent their schools, their coaches, and their families as well as themselves.
• They respect the property and facilities of their opponents.

The Coaches:

• They inspire in their players a love for the game and the desire to win
• They teach that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly.
• They show restraint and respect when dealing with officials.
• They serve as positive role models for their players.
• They hold their players accountable for unsportsmanlike behavior.

The Schools:

• NCISAA member schools have a responsibility to treat officials, opposing teams, and their spectators as guests. Members have a responsibility to educate their supporters to cheer the strengths and victories of their own teams and never to denigrate the performance of opponents or officials.
• During athletic contests, NCISAA schools will not tolerate any spectator, either adult or student, whose behavior is disrespectful toward players, officials, coaches, or other spectators. Member schools will not permit any type of spectator behavior that detracts from the proper conduct of the game or disadvantages a player or team.
• Failure to comply with any NCISAA rules or regulations may result in players, coaches, or schools:

  • (i) forfeiting an event,
  • (ii) losing state tournament privileges, and / or
  • (iii) suspension or expulsion from the NCISAA.

Refer to Policy 7-2 for Dress Code

For student athletes on game days, girls must wear dress pants, dress shorts, skirts, or dresses of an appropriate length with an appropriate top. Boys must wear khakis pants or dress shorts, a collared dress shirt and a tie. Shirt tails must be tucked in and the tie must be tied. Student athletes who are not properly dressed by the end of first period on game days will not be allowed to play in that day's athletic event. During warm months, boys may substitute a collared Ridgecroft polo shirt for "dress shirt and tie". The polo shirt must also be worn tucked in. 

• Students who are injured, but sit with the team, should also be appropriately dressed.
• All students after participating in a game/match should redress in dress attire. The only exception may be players involved in the last game of the day at home. On away games, all team members should redress in proper attire prior to leaving the site.
• Students representing the team at awards programs should also be appropriately dressed.

The policy of Ridgecroft School requires all athletes, cheerleaders, managers, and/or trainers to ride to and from all games on transportation provided by the school. The only exceptions are those students who ride with their parents or who have had permission to ride with other parents granted by the headmaster or the Director of Athletics.