ACCC
RED DEVIL
SPIRIT
PROGRAM POLICY
PHILOSOPHY/OBJECTIVES
The ACCC RED DEVIL SPIRIT PROGRAM (R.D.S.P.) is a student activity. As
a student activity, its first and foremost responsibility to the student is to
support and not to compromise the student's academic career. Secondly, the
program should aid in developing the student participant into a responsible,
mature and independent adult. Specifically, the program is a means of improving
the student's mental and physical well being. The R.D.S.P. offers an opportunity
where the student (1) will be provided leadership training; (2) will develop
the ability to make decisions; (3) will enhance the ability to respond to
life's situations, e.g., conflict/frustration, anger and hate, win/loss,
reacting without too much emotion; (4) will contribute to social development,
e.g., awareness of one's self, development of self-confidence, development of
interpersonal relationships; and (5) generally will maximize the opportunity
for student growth, change and maturity.
The
primary purpose of the athlete is to be a member of the program, which has as
its goal the support of intercollegiate athletics and Allen County Community
College. That support is directed into three major areas, as follows: (1) to
lead the crowd; to raise the level of fan support for intercollegiate
athletics; to lead in positive vocal support for the team; to solicit that
support from Red Devil fans and to project that support to the college and its
teams; (2) to participate in the respective athletic activity known as cheer
and/or dance by performing technical movements; to perfect this athletic
activity for keeping the crowd attention/direction focused on the field/floor
where the intercollegiate activity is taking place, and for entertainment and
competitive purposes; and (3) to serve as public relations ambassadors of
intercollegiate athletics and Allen County Community College; to uphold,
reflect and project the goals and ideals of the college; to appear at college
activities, functions and programs, at charitable and public causes (not
commercial/business purposes) to promote intercollegiate athletics and the
college.
To
be be selected as an R.D.S.P. athlete, individuals must be enrolled in at least
12 credit hours and fulfill one of the following:
Scholarships
will be awarded to those individuals in good academic standing. In order to maintain
the scholarship, all R.D.S.P. athletes must:
Each
R.D.S.P. athlete will receive the Official R.D.S.P. Handbook. The purpose of
the ACCC R.D.S.P. Handbook is to supply athletes with a method of organizing
and maintaining important documents and information pertaining to the program.
Each
athlete shall:
If
an R.D.S.P. athlete loses the handbook, he/she will:
If
the captains find the lost handbook, they will return it to the R.D.S.P.
athlete who lost it.
If
the coaches find the lost handbook, the R.D.S. P. athlete will be notified and
must complete a "task" in order for the handbook to be returned.
Early student progress is an email-based system among the instructors and coaches. It is a method to make coaches aware of student-athletes who have fallen below a C average or have an excessive amount of absences in a class. If any R.D.S.P. athlete receives an ESP, he/she will be required to attend additional study hours until the g.p.a. has risen to above a C average. In the case of absences, the athlete will attend the corresponding amount of hours corresponding to the course hours missed.
PRACTICES/PERFORMANCES/APPEARANCES
Practice Etiquette
·
All
athletes should avoid wearing baggy clothing during practices.
·
Athletes
must keep talking to a minimum during practices, and focus attention on the
coaches or captain leading the session.
·
In
addition to practice, every athlete will meet in small conditioning groups, in
order to complete a conditioning program that incorporates cardio, strength,
toning, and flexibility exercises.
·
If
an athlete's behavior is inappropriate, he/she will be dismissed from the
practice and shall be considered to have been absent (unexcused) from the
entire practice.
Practice Schedule
Practices take place at times pre-determined by the coaching staff. Typically,
practices will be held Monday-Thursday. Competition practices will be held in
addition to regular practices.
·
Fridays:
TBD by the coaching staff
·
There
will also be scheduled times to view video or have discussion regarding issues
concerning the team. That time will also be viewed as part of the practice
schedule and attendance is mandatory
*
Due to possible scheduling conflicts and/or other commitments, practices may be
redirected to another location.
Tardiness
·
Be
dressed and ready to warm up/stretch when practice is scheduled to begin.
Remember, if you're not early, you're late!
·
Notify
the coaching staff, by phone or in person, if you will be late for a practice,
as well as the legitimate reason why. The coaching staff will determine the
legitimacy of a tardy.
·
Unexcused
tardiness will result in the following action:
·
1st
Offense: Each athlete, excluding offender, will run laps, for every minute
tardy.
·
2nd
Offense: Each athlete, including offender, will run laps, for every minute
tardy.
·
3rd
Offense: Athlete will not be allowed to perform at the next event.
·
4th
Offense: Athlete will be dismissed from the team.
·
Athletes
will be allowed three (3) excused tardies per semester.
Absences
·
While
academics should always come first, no athlete shall schedule class, lab, or
section during practice times.
·
Notify
coaching staff, in person or by phone no later than 1 hour prior to practice if
you know you're going to be absent. The coaching staff will determine the
legitimacy of an absence.
·
Unexcused
absences will result in the following action:
·
1st
Offense: Athlete will not perform at next event.
·
2nd
Offense: Athlete will be placed on probation.
·
3rd
Offense: Athlete will be dismissed from the team.
·
Any
athlete that misses a practice is required to learn the covered material before
the next practice.
·
All
athletes must be present for the following practices: the last practice before
a performance, the week of practice preceding holidays, and the ENTIRE week of
practice before competitions.
Performance/Appearance
Etiquette
·
All
performances and team appearances are mandatory, unless otherwise stated by
coaching staff. Athletes will be given ample notice of these events, so there
should be no excuse for missing them. In the event that a
performance/appearance is scheduled at the “last minute”, only the “Red Squad”
will attend.
·
Everyone
must arrive at pre-game warm-up, in the practice facility, within an hour of
the event. He/She will be dressed in full uniform, including performance
make-up and hair secured in the manner the coaching staff has decided upon. In
addition, each athlete shall wear team warm-ups and/or t-shirts over their
uniform prior to and following performances, unless otherwise stated by the
coaching staff.
·
A
tardy of any kind to a performance/appearance will result in manager duties
and/or campus/community service. Such duty and service will last for one week.
·
An
athlete must notify the coaching staff within 24 hours of a performance, if
they are going to be absent. If there is an emergency that prevents the athlete
from doing so, the athlete must schedule a conference time with the coaching
staff, prior to the next practice.
·
1st
unexcused absence will result in manager and/or community service for two (2)
weeks.
·
2nd
unexcused absence will result in probation and removal from the next
performance.
·
3rd
unexcused absence will result in dismissal from the team.
·
If
an athlete's behavior is inappropriate, he/she will be dismissed from the
performance and shall be considered to have been absent (unexcused) from the
entire performance.
Athletes
will "compete" for every performance/appearance, no later than the
beginning of the last practice before a game. The Head Coach will make the
final decision as to who shall perform. If an athlete isn't selected for a
performance, attendance at the remainder of that practice is mandatory. The
athlete will not be allowed to "sit out", but will assist in any
duties scheduled for that time OR will continue to work on technical skills,
under the supervision of the coaching staff. Athletes who are dismissed from a
performance/appearance must still attend, in their full uniform, and assist the
coaching staff with any duties necessary.
UNIFORM(S)
·
Jewelry
is strictly prohibited, unless pre-determined by the coaching staff.
·
Fingernails
will be shaped to a safe length and only clear, French, American manicure
style, and, of course "Red Devil Red" polishes are allowed.
·
Hair
in designated style, with designated accessories.
An athlete may not loan out any part of the official uniform, to anyone other
than R.D.S.P. athletes. An athlete may not wear the official uniform(s) to any
school or community function without approval from the Head Coach.
There is to be no consumption of food or beverage, other than water, while in
uniform, unless given permission by the Head Coach.
Athletes are responsible for maintaining the uniform to performance standards
and should be dry cleaned as directed.
If an athlete violates any of the above standards, he/she will be considered
"out of uniform" and, therefore, tardy (unexcused).
**On the
predetermined date, all uniforms/supplies belonging to the R.D.S.P. must be
returned, in good condition. If items are not returned, a “hold” will be placed
on his/her campus account. If items are damaged, a $10-$50 fee will be
assessed. **
An athlete may not alter his/her physical appearance without prior knowledge of the Head Coach. Alterations include: Hair length/color, piercing, tattoos, plastic surgery, etc. If an athlete DOES alter his/her appearance without the prior knowledge of the Head Coach, that athlete may be placed on probation, without the possibility of performing until alterations have been corrected.
Any illness or injury shall be reported to the squad trainer and the coaching staff, immediately. Any injury suffered during practices, games, or other official functions will be treated by the ACCC trainer and/or doctor. Initial expenses for such treatment shall be paid by the squad member's personal insurance, up to the amount of the applicable insurance policy. If an injury or illness incapacitates an athlete, he/she shall not be permitted to practice and perform for a period of time as determined by the ACCC trainer or a doctor. Generally, another member shall replace an injured/ill member of the squad until he/she is fully recovered. Return to participation at games or practices may be determined by an ACCC trainer or a doctor. If an ACCC doctor recommends that a squad member no longer participate, due to injury or a health problem, the squad member shall be removed from the squad. If chronic illness or injury causes a squad member to miss performances, games or practices repeatedly, the squad member may be removed from the squad by the Head Coach.
The ACCC Red Devil Spirit Program athletes are committed
to promoting and fostering healthy lifestyles and eating habits for squad
members. Conduct which opposes this philosophy and/or conduct which poses
unacceptable risk and disregard for the health, safety and welfare of
participants is in violation of this policy and will result in appropriate
counseling and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination form the
program. If an athlete gains/loses weight to the degree of an unhealthy or
unsafe manner, the Head Coach reserves the right to initiate corrective
measures, including but not limited to individual nutrition/fitness plan,
conference with team trainer, etc.
ACCC Red Devil Spirit Program athletes must be excellent athletes, e.g.,
stamina of basketball, strength of bodybuilding or football, balance and
movement of dance, etc. The standards of the ACCC Red Devil Spirit Program are
the standards of a top program, not the average program.
If an R.D.S.P. athlete is dismissed
from the program, for any reason, he/she must:
1. Return all items, belonging to the R.D.S.P. within 48 hours of dismissal
If an R.D.S.P. athlete resigns
their position from the program, for any reason, he/she must:
1. Return all items, belonging to the R.D.S.P. within 48 hours of resignation
and
**In BOTH cases, the
R.D.S.P. scholarship will be revoked. **
If a former R.D.S.P. athlete
wishes to become reinstated, he/she must:
1. Have been considered "in good standing" with the program,
2. Write a formal letter, including the reasons for desiring reinstatement, and
3. Schedule a meeting with the Coaching Staff, Captains, and Athletic Director
**Scholarship reinstatement
will be determined by the Head Coach and Athletic Director**
Grievances should be
addressed to the following, in order:
1. Captain(s)
2. Assistant Coach
3. Head Coach
4. Athletic Director/Dean of Student Affairs
The ACCC Red
Devil Spirit Program is expected, first, to be amongst the most law-abiding
citizens of the nation, state, and city. Athletes are reminded that, as highly
visible members of the ACCC community, that their actions and behavior are
under constant observation. Absolutely while in uniform, but also while not in
uniform, athletes are known, subject to scrutiny, and can easily be the object
of criticism for their behavior or actions.