Athletics

Jump to: Overview | Sports Offered | Fan Behavior | Athletic Trainers | Participation | Recognition

Overview

The objective of the HCPSS education-based interscholastic athletics program is to provide opportunities for students to participate in a variety of sports throughout the school year. The program strives to:

• Improve academic performance.
• Provide opportunities for students to extend physical education interests.
• Foster better interpersonal relationships through sports participation.
• Encourage student enthusiasm for interschool contests.
• Channel student enthusiasm for interschool contests.
• Channel student energies toward developing useful citizenship skills.
• Enhance school spirit and the learning environment.

Sports Offered by All Schools

Allied Sports

Participation in the Allied Sports Program is open to all HCPSS high school students with disabilities. It is also open to high school students without disabilities who have never been a member of any junior varsity or varsity interscholastic athletic team, excluding any Allied Sports team.

• Bowling
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball

Fan Behavior and Safety at HCPSS Athletics Events

High school athletic events serve as a wonderful opportunity for students, friends, families, staff and community members to come together in support of their favorite teams. To ensure these games are able to be safely enjoyed by all in attendance, it is imperative that everyone adheres to the rules, expectations and laws in place to ensure safety.

All children who are in 8th grade or younger must be accompanied by an adult or will be turned away from entry.

Athletic contests are considered extensions of the school day, and behaviors that violate the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct or Board of Education policies are subject to the same disciplinary measures as those that occur during the school day. Any students found to engage in inappropriate, illegal or dangerous behavior, including verbal and physical abuse at games, are subject to discipline up to the forfeiture of the game itself. Non-student spectators who violate event rules may be asked to leave the premises and may be banned for the remainder of the season. Additionally, the Howard County Police Department maintains a presence at games and will be sure all applicable laws are adhered to.

Please note that substances such as tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol are illegal to have on school grounds. Furthermore, no spectators are permitted to be under the influence of these substances upon entering school grounds.

HCPSS schools are welcoming environments for our friends around the county and state. All spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship to the athletes, coaches officials, members of the marching band, cheerleaders and poms, dance teams, opposing fans, and anyone in attendance. Please show respect for all those around you.

Athletic Trainers

• Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes. The NATA Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.
• Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree.
• Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a healthcare profession.
• All Howard County Public School System High Schools have access to Athletic Trainer Services on a part-time basis.
• Athletic Trainers will be notified of all injuries involving the student-athletes at their school by the athletic staff. The ATs will communicate with the guardian regarding treatment and further evaluation.
• ATs will continue in the continuum of care until the athlete is released to play by a licensed HealthCare Professional.

Sports Participation In Numbers

• 10,461 student participants during the 2016-17 school year.
• 444 junior varsity and varsity teams.
• Over 800 coaches.
• 6,000 athletic events annually.

2012 NIAAA Quality Program Award

The HCPSS and its 12 high school athletic programs have been identified as a 2012 recipient of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Quality Program Award at the Exemplary Level. This award recognizes and commends HCPSS and its 12 high school athletic programs for its excellence in the implementation and administration of outstanding high school athletic programs.

To be recognized as a Quality Program Award Exemplary High School Athletic Program, athletic directors must present evidence of existing policies, practices, procedures and program achievements that meet suggested criteria within 10 Quality Program Assessment categories. The NIAAA embraces local school innovation and vision that makes use of suggested best practices in high school athletic programs.