Education-Based Athletic Program Communication Guidelines

Productive Communication in our Education-Based Athletic Program…We Want to Help!

To promote effective and productive communication among those involved in the programs, the Athletic Department has worked to establish understandings to promote clear lines of communication between the program coaches and the household. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that the lines of communication help promote positive outcomes for the kids and programs. Our hope is that all communication is productive for all parties involved. We want to help.

It is important to understand that participation in athletic programs provide rewarding educational experiences. It is equally important to understand that there may be times when things don’t go the way a parent/guardian or student-athlete would like them to go. When concerns arise, they are often the result of miscommunication. Please join the athletic department in following the communication guidelines to promote productive collaboration. From the parent meeting at the start of the season, until the last whistle, we aim to work together to continue to provide positive educational opportunities through participation in our programs.

Expectations of Our Coaching Staff

Each season, when we hold our pre-season meeting for parents of our athletes, some information that the coaches will share are: 

• Contact information
• Program philosophy
• Practice & contest expectations 
• Procedures for injured athletes  
• Information on the Athletic Code of Conduct

Expectations of Our Parents 

• Participate in pre-season parent meetings 
• Communicate fairly and openly with coaches, notifying of any schedule conflicts, injuries or illnesses our staff might not be aware of 
• Be positive! Being a part of a high school teamis a great accomplishment! 
• Be supportive. Nothing can erode teamwork faster than athletes doubting the capabilities of teammates and coaches. It can be a cancer, thus affecting confidence, performance, and the needed edge to compete in athletic contests 
• Read, understand, and most of all, monitor the Athletic Code of Conduct 
• Be a good role model, demonstrating positive behavior and good fan sportsmanship 
• Encourage commitment & positive values 
• Learn the rules of your particular sport

Expectations of Our Athletes 

• Make and keep commitments, both in and offseason 
• Follow the rules of the school, team, and the Code
• Be drug and alcohol free.
• Be a good role model
• Respect coaches, teammates, parents, officials, and the West facilities and equipment 
• Set realistic and challenging goals 
• Be coachable and have a positive attitude

Issues Appropriate to Discuss With Coaches

• Schedule conflicts, injuries and illnesses 
• Concerns about academic eligibility
• Treatment of the athlete
• Ways to help the athlete improve 
• Ways to assist the program and MW Boosters

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss

• Playing time 
• Other athletes 
• Philosophy or play calling 
• Team or individual strategy 

Please do not contact a coach before or after a practice or contest. These surprise possible confrontations rarely accomplish anything. Please wait 24 hours, always, and then contact the coach via email for a time to meet

Lines of Communication to Follow When an Issue Needs to be Addressed

1. Communication between player & coach to resolve concern
2. Communication between player, parent & coach to resolve concern
3. Communication between Athletic Director, parent, player & coach to resolve concern
4. Communication between Principal, Athletic Director and parent to resolve concern

*PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL IHSA CAMPUSES PROHIBIT THE USE OF TOBACCO ANYWHERE ON THE CAMPUS AND FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL, THAT NO DOGS ARE PERMITTED ON CAMPUS AT ANY TIME.