Athletics

Student athletes must receive a medical examination once every 395 days by a duly licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.  Before participating in or trying out for any sport, students and families must complete a Gfeller- Waller NCHSAA Student-Athlete & Parent/Legal Custodian Concussion Information Sheet. For the English Version (Click Here)            Spanish Version (Click Here).

Student-athletes are ambassadors of Southern Guilford Middle School and are expected to demonstrate exemplary behavior at school, during competitions, while traveling, and within the community.

Student-athletes must:

• Display good citizenship at all times.
• Treat teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, and spectators with respect.
• Refrain from taunting, bullying, profanity, or unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Follow all Guilford County Schools policies and the Student Code of Conduct.

Failure to meet these expectations may result in disciplinary action, suspension from school and/or the team, or removal from athletic participation. 

To participate in athletics, students must remain academically eligible under Guilford County Schools and NCHSAA requirements.

Students must:

• Attend at least 85% of instructional days during the previous semester (excluding excused absences).  (generally, students may not miss over 13 unexcused days in the previous semester
• Pass 70% of their classes from the previous semester (3 of 4 core classes or equivalent district requirements).

Academics always take priority over athletics.

• If an athlete is academically eligible or academically ineligible at the beginning of any semester, that status is retained throughout the full semester.
• Note: An athlete becomes eligible or ineligible on the 1st day of the new semester.

Coaches will be utilizing ClassDojo (App) to communicate with families about schedules, changes, and important updates/news.  If you have general questions, please contact the coach of your child through the app.

Communication you should expect from your student-athlete’s coach:

1)Philosophy of the coach; 2) Expectations the coach has for your student athlete/team; 3) locations and times of practices and contests; 4) Team requirements; 5) Procedure should your student-athlete be injured during participation; 6) Activities that may result in the denial of your student-athlete’s participation.

Communication coaches should expect from parents:

1)Concerns expressed directly to the coach; 2) Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance; 3) Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.  As your student-athlete(s) become involved in the programs at Southern Guilford Middle School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives.  It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your student-athlete wishes.  At these times, discussions with the coach are encouraged. 

Communication NOT appropriate to discuss with coaches:

1)Team Strategy; 2) Play Calling; 3) Other student athletes.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent(s). It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position.

When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

Do not attempt to confront a coach before, during, or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.  Please wait 24 hours and schedule a meeting with the coach.

If a parent or spectator does physically and/or verbally attack a coach, player, and/or game personnel, coaches are directed to call 9-1-1 for Police assistance, resulting in the attacker being banned for the year or longer.  In addition, charges may be filed with the Police/Sheriff’s Department.

Participation in athletics involves an inherent risk of injury.

Student-athletes are expected to:

• Follow all safety instructions.
• Report injuries or health concerns immediately.
• Wear appropriate equipment.
• Participate in conditioning as directed by coaches.

Working together helps minimize the risk of injury.

Student-athletes are expected to:

• Keep locker rooms clean and orderly.
• Secure all personal belongings.
• Never wear cleats inside school buildings or gymnasiums unless directed.

Southern Guilford Middle School is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.

Athletes are financially responsible for lost, damaged, or unreturned uniforms and equipment.

Student-athletes are expected to represent Southern Guilford Middle School appropriately.

Athletes should:

• Wear coach-approved attire for practices and contests.
• Follow individual team dress expectations.
• Remain engaged while on the bench and refrain from using cell phones, earbuds, or other electronic devices during contests.

We encourage students to participate in multiple sports throughout the school year.

Students may not:

• Participate on more than one school-sponsored team during the same season.
• Quit one sport to begin another before the current season concludes.

Team selection is determined by each coach based on established criteria that will be communicated prior to tryouts.

Good sportsmanship is expected from everyone involved in Southern Guilford Middle School athletics, including student-athletes, coaches, parents, and spectators.

Parents/visitors should:

• Respect officials and their decisions.
• Encourage all participants positively.
• Demonstrate grace in both victory and defeat.
• Refrain from harassing, taunting, or confronting players, coaches, officials, or spectators.
• Refrain from coming on to the floor, court, field, mat or track unless directed otherwise by school personnel.
• Refrain from approaching a coach before, during or after the game.

Visitors who violate expectations may be removed from the event without a refund and may lose future attendance privileges.

Any student-athlete ejected from a contest for violations including, but not limited to:

• Fighting
• Biting
• Taunting or baiting
• Spitting toward an opponent
• Profanity
• Obscene gestures
• Disrespectful conduct toward officials

will be subject to all applicable NCHSAA penalties, Guilford County Schools disciplinary procedures, and any additional school or team consequences.

Southern Guilford Middle School Athletics is committed to developing student-athletes who pursue excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in their communities. We expect every athlete to represent our school with integrity, respect, accountability, and Knight Pride.