SPUDDER BOWLING
PERSONAL CHALLENGES + COMMITMENTS
Commit to being in the best possible physical shape – The stronger you are the better bowler you will become.
Never Quit!
Do not look for the easy way out. Challenge yourself everyday.
Change from one drill or part of practice to the next as quickly as you can. We only have a limited amount of time each day and it is too valuable to waste waiting on someone.
Never use Foul Language
All players are required to help with clean up after practices and matches. (Be like a Hole in the Water – it should appear as if we were never there)
NO CELLPHONES DURING PRACTICE – If you wish to be a member of the bowling team you must be willing to commit 2 hours without interruptions. Focus on why you are here, Focus on what will help you become a better bowler, focus on your teammates and how you can help them become better. (The INNER CIRCLE is what it is all about!)
Be at Practice
If you are not going to be at practice you must personally let Coach Black know before practice. Stop in Room 105 or call 360-609-6986.
Excused Absences from Practices
If you miss a practice you will not be eligible to play in the next match. (The reason for the missed practice must be excused and Coach Black knows you will not be at practice prior to missing.)
Unexcused Absences from Practices
If you miss a practice and did not notify Coach Black personally it will be considered an Unexcused Absence.
First Unexcused Absence: Sit out entire next match.
Second Unexcused Absence: Player will be asked to find something new to do for the rest of the winter season.
Be on Time
If you are going to be late you must personally let Coach Black know before practice.
Being Late
If you are late and did not notify Coach Black prior to being late you will not participate in the next varsity or JV match.
Conduct In Classroom
Remember you are a STUDENT first and foremost - Be in Class! If you are absent from any class without a parent’s or guardian’s excuse you will not be eligible to practice that day. This will be considered an Unexcused Absence.
You are expected to be in class the day after a match no matter what time the team returns home or match is finished the night before. If you are not in class at 8:00 AM the day following a game and in all your classes that day you will not be allowed to practice and it will be an Unexcused Absence.
All players must be in all their assigned classes everyday unless excused by parent. If player leaves they must sign out through the office.
Respect your teachers and staff. Be courteous and well mannered.
Complete all assignments and work requested by teachers – Be a CHAMPION in the classroom!
Be courageous!
Do the right thing no matter what others may want you to do or what they may think.Remember your actions and attitudes reflect on the Spudder Bowling Program. This includes not only you but your teammates and coaches.
Conduct Outside the Match
Wherever you go remember that you represent the Spudder Bowling Program. Conduct yourself accordingly!Always leave any place you stop better than the way you found it. This applies to your house, classrooms you are in, the areas of the school as well the places you visit in the community.
Respect everyone you come into contact with. You only get one chance to make an impression on people. Leave them feeling good about yourself and the Spudder Bowling Program.
Conduct at Practice
Love your Teammates
Encourage Teammates to give their very best at all times.
Never put a Teammate down.
Never blame a Teammate for a mistake.
Help Teammates to improve each day.
Be excited for Teammates when they do well
Respect your Coaches
Always address coaches as sir or Coach ____________.
When a coach is talking or demonstrating you need to be engaged and listening to what is being said and shown.
Never argue with a coach!
Conduct in Bowling Alleys
All valuables should be placed somewhere safe to be locked up and kept until the end of practice.
Players are expected to keep our bowling area neat and clean.
All equipment will be turned back in or placed back where it came from at the end of each practice or match.
Never leave gear out at the end of practice. Be responsible for your gear and help teammates be responsible for theirs.
It is important that we leave all places we practice at, compete at or travel too in better shape than when we got there.
Conduct During a Match
Be on Time to all activities. Any player who is not at required activities will face missing time as part of a match.
Wear all required equipment.
Show respect to opposing players, coaches and fans, especially in the face of adversity.
Celebrate with teammates when they do Awesome!
Respect officials. Never speak to an official or complain. If there is a problem let your captains or coaches know so they may address it to the officials.
Players who are not bowling at the moment
Are to be engaged in what is going on during the match.
They should be aware of the scores at all times.
They should be watching the person bowling at the moment looking for ways to help this person improve her performance.
All players should be encouraging their teammates at all times
When there is a breakdown support teammates and let them know you still have faith in them.
Never blame a teammate for a mistake.
Never show signs of weakness within your team by arguing with each other or yelling at each other.
Take responsibility for your actions and your inactions
Own your mistakes! Learn from your mistakes! Then FLUSH your mistakes!
Act like a Champion at all times no matter what the outcome of the game is. Be gracious in victory and humble in defeat.
After the match all players need to help with equipment and cleaning up.
The match is not over until the Afterglow is finished. Players are expected to attend Afterglows.
All Players will ride to matches together and will ride home together. This is an important part of being a member of the team.
Any player who fails to meet these expectations at any time will be required to meet with the coach to discuss what changes need to take place to stay as a part of the program and what repercussions may follow. If the failure to meet expectations is serious, enough player may be asked to leave practice. This will then be considered an unexcused practice and a meeting will be requested between the athlete, parents and the coaching staff.
VARSITY LETTER
Varsity Letters continue to be the benchmark standard for individual student athlete success for the High School Athlete. The Ridgefield Bowling Team is committed to creating a high standard for achievement for earning the Varsity Letter Award. Most sports have a very simple formula for awarding Varsity Letters; the student athlete must be a member of the Varsity squad to earn a Varsity Letter. A member of the Varsity squad is defined as participating in at least half of the Varsity Contests.
Practicing with the Varsity, sitting the bench for tournament games, or being "called up" for a few games does not guarantee a Varsity Letter for an athlete.
However, there are special exceptions for student athletes which can be made by the Head Coach.
In addition, student athletes are reminded that the Varsity Letter is a recognition award determined by the Head Coach. Student athletes who fail to complete a season for any reason other than injury may not letter. In addition, violations of school and individual sport rules may cause a student athlete to be disqualified from earning a Varsity Letter. Finally, playing in a limited amount of Varsity contests or practicing with the Varsity is not a guarantee that a student athlete will earn a Varsity Letter
Lettering Requirements
Student/athlete must complete the season
Student/athlete must participate in 9 varsity matches.
Seniors who have been a member of the Bowling Team for more than 1 year and who complete the season, but do not participate in the minimum required number of matches
Student/athlete who attains varsity status and is subsequently injured during the season
Coaches discretion: When situations arise that are not covered under the above requirements, the head coach reserves the right to award or withhold a letter or award based upon the situation(s) overall impact upon the integrity of the letter or award or the program.