Sports at Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas School has an organized sports program for the boys and girls in grades five through eight. (Teams are organized for football, basketball, baseball, track, softball, volleyball, soccer, and cheerleading. When the number of students wanting to participate in a particular sport cannot field a team, Saint Thomas will merge with other Catholic schools for the purpose of fielding a team.) Students are responsible for all equipment assigned to them. Failure to return the equipment in the condition issued and on time will warrant restitution for the loss or damage before being eligible to participate in any other sport. The Greater Grand Rapids Athletic Council oversees the Athletic Programs and policies for the Catholic schools of our Diocese. Student Athletes are to receive policies, procedures, rules and schedules at the start of each session.

Saint Thomas has an Athletic Director. The role of the Athletic Director is to serve as a liaison between coaches, parents and principal. Any questions or concerns regarding the school’s sports program should be referred to the Athletic Director.

Eligibility

The purpose of the athletic program and extracurricular activities at Saint Thomas School is to complement the home, church, and school in the development of the “whole person.” Activities of these programs are for the benefit of the children, suited to their age and development. The aims are:

  1. To recognize the need for the wholesome growth of the child.
  2. To provide enjoyable recreational activity, which develops Christian attitudes of sportsmanship and fair play.

A student may be deemed ineligible for participation in extracurricular activities (including sports) if the student’s discipline, effort or coursework completion is not considered acceptable based upon the recommendation of the administration. Parents and coaches are to receive prior written notification of potential ineligibility.

Parent(s) and teachers have the responsibility to ensure that the child’s effort and conduct is reflective of the mission of Saint Thomas School. When schoolwork is suffering, parent(s) and teachers need to monitor the root of the difficulty and take action. Any child who is suspended or expelled from school is not eligible to participate in or be present at any practice or sporting event for the duration of the suspension or expulsion. Any student who has an incomplete on their report card is ineligible until the incomplete has been removed.

Sports – Spectators

The enthusiasm for sports among many spectators indicates that they play a vital role in the development of good sportsmanship. Their habits and reactions determine the quality of sportsmanship and reflects upon the reputation of their school. It is recommended that spectators:

  1. Know and demonstrate the fundamentals of sportsmanship.
  2. Respect, cooperate, and respond enthusiastically to cheerleaders.
  3. Censure fellow spectators whose behavior is unsportsmanlike.
  4. Respect the property of the school and the authority of school officials.
  5. Show respect for an injured player when he/she is removed from a contest.
  6. Do not applaud errors by opponents or penalties inflicted upon them.
  7. Do not heckle, jeer, or distract members of the opposing team.
  8. Never criticize the players or coaches for the loss of a game.
  9. Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach. Refrain from being a second guesser.
  10. Avoid profane language and obnoxious behavior which are unsportsmanlike.

Saint Thomas Gym Rules

  1. No one is allowed in back hall.
  2. No playing in front hall.
  3. Students are to be seated during games (Except for going to and from concession room or bathroom).
  4. No cheerleading practice allowed in the halls.
  5. No one is allowed on the basketball court before, at half time or at the end of the game except players involved in the game.
  6. Students are not to be running across the court to the scoring table.
  7. No loitering in the concession room.

Policies

These policies embody the minimum requirements which must be observed by all the schools participating in the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Leagues. More stringent regulations may be imposed on an individual school by their parish Board of Education.

  1. Each school shall be responsible for establishing, implementing, and enforcing an eligibility code which is uniform for all sports and for all grades in a manner which is dictated by the uniqueness of the local situation. All eligibility codes are to have the qualities of justice and fairness based upon performance in the areas of conduct and effort.
  2. Recognizing that all students who do have the desire to participate should be encouraged to take part in the athletic programs, a no-cut policy, other than for disciplinary reasons, shall be an integral part of all athletic programs.
  3. To insure total participation it shall be mandatory that any student who faithfully practices with the team be allowed to participate the MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME PER GAME as listed:

    Sport Grades 5 & 6 Grade 7 & 8

    Soccer 10 minutes/game 10 minutes/game

    Football 4 plays/game 4 plays/game

    Basketball 6 minutes/game 2 minutes/game
    (Boys & Girls)

    Baseball 2 innings or 6 outs/game 2 innings or 6 outs/game

    Softball 2 innings or 6 outs/game 2 innings or 6 outs/game

    Track 2 events/meet 2 events/meet

    These minimum participation standards shall apply to all regularly scheduled league games, invitational tournaments, and city tournaments.


    At all times the health and safety of the participant must be considered first and foremost.

    It shall be the joint responsibility of each league, and the principal and athletic director of each member school to make provisions for, promulgate the information, and implement this policy of “TOTAL PARTICIPATION.”

  4. Students under grade five are prohibited from participating at any level.
  5. Participation in 7th grade and 8th grade teams shall include specifically students from those grades. Boys in the sixth grade may participate in 7th and 8th grade football if either overweight or tool old for 6th grade football. In such cases students from one lower grade may be used after obtaining written permission of the parish Board of Education and the parents of the students participating.
    1. Students under grade six are prohibited from participating at this level. At no time shall students be placed in competition with students two grades older than them.
  6. Any student who wishes to be a cheerleader and who faithfully practices must be allowed to participate for a significant amount of time except for disciplinary reasons.
  7. Eligibility rules are binding on cheerleaders also.
  8. It is recommended that sports banquets be limited to a simple event as a fitting tribute for good sportsmanship and participation. If recognition is given, identical inexpensive certificates and/or awards should be given to all participants, not to exceed $5.00 in value.
  9. Any student, boy or girl, who participates in the athletic programs must have on file with the principal and/or athletic director a current year physical examination, written permission of the parents to participate, and some proof of insurance coverage.
  10. Practice time and number of practices for all students shall not exceed two (2) hours per day and five (5) practices per week. The time limit and number of practices set below are ultimates in each sport. We encourage schools to cut time for practice and number of practices where there is an opportunity.

    Sport Pre-season Season

    Football
    7th & 8th Grade 10 hrs. – 5 practices/wk. 8 hrs. – 4 practices/wk.
    5th & 6th Grade 10 hrs. – 5 practices/wk. 6 hrs. – 3 practices/wk.

    Sport Pre-season Season

    Basketball
    7th & 8th Grade 8 hrs. – 4 practices/wk. 6 hrs. – 3 practices/wk.
    5th & 6th Grade 6 hrs. – 3 practices/wk. 4 hrs. – 3 practices/wk.

    Baseball/Softball
    5th – 8th Grade 8 hrs. – 4 practices/wk. 6 hrs. – 3 practices/wk.

    Soccer
    5th – 8th Grade 8 hrs. - 4 practices/wk. 6 hrs. - 3 practices/wk.

    Track
    5th – 8th Grade 4 hrs. - 3 practices/wk. 3 hrs. - 3 practices/wk.

    Cheerleading
    5th – 8th Grade 4 hrs. - 3 practices/wk. 3 hrs. - 3 practices/wk.

    All time limits above do not include game time during the regular season.

  11. All-Star games shall be forbidden at all levels and in all sports.
  12. Boys may not participate in girls’ sports. Girls may not participate in any boys’ sport if the school sponsors the same sport for girls or if it is a contact sport (i.e. football, basketball). Softball and baseball shall be construed as the same sport.
  13. The number of games of basketball for all teams in all leagues shall be limited to twelve (12). This number will include any and all tournament games with the exception of the city tournament. No student may participate in more than (1) contest per day.
  14. The Grand Rapids Area Athletic Council shall meet at the conclusion of each season to hear cases and impose penalties for any violation of the policies they set forth. Emergency meetings may be called at the discretion of the Commissioner and/or President of the Council.
  15. Each member school shall have an athletic director appointed by its parish Board of Education, upon consultation with a recommendation of the principal, to be responsible to the Board and principal. (Adored 1-30-79)
  16. Each league must submit their rules for the approval of the Grand Rapids Area Athletic Council prior to June 1 of every even numbered year. In alternate years, changes are to be submitted to the GRAAC two weeks prior to the first scheduled league game. (Amended 11-17-83)
  17. Any student who has attained the age of 15 prior to September 1 of that school year, shall not be eligible to participate in the athletic program.
    1. Any student who has attained the age of 13 prior to September 1 of that school year, shall not be eligible to play in any 5th grade, 6th grade, or 5th and 6th grade league.
    2. Any student who has attained the age of 13 prior to September 1 of that school year, shall not be eligible to play in any 5th grade league, or the 5th and 6th grade football league
    3. Those students who are over age may only participate at the next higher level. (Adopted 1-30-79)
  18. Sanctions that have to be applied by the GRAAC shall vary according to the gravity of the situation. (Adopted 10-1-79)
  19. Beginning with the 1980-81 football season, fourth graders are prohibited from participating in the Grand Rapids Catholic elementary football programs. (Adopted 10-1-79).
  20. CCD students are excluded from participating in the Catholic Elementary School athletic programs. (Adopted 11-4-79)
  21. All fall sports may begin practice on Monday, the week of August 15. Winter sports may begin practice on Monday, the week of November 15. Spring sports may begin practice on Monday, the week of March 1. Prior to these dates, a coach may work with a maximum of three (3) individuals at any one time. Girls' cheerleading shall be considered a sport and subject to these starting practice dates. (Adopted 11-17-83)
  22. Each league must designate to the GRAAC prior to the completion of its current season, a league president who will preside over the league during the following year's season. Fall league meetings shall be held the second (2nd) week of August. Winter league meetings shall be held during the first (1st) week of November. Spring league meetings shall be held during the third (3rd) week of February. (Adopted 11-17-83)