Skip to Main Content

Go Chargers!

Eagle's Landing Christian Academy

Menu

Go Chargers!

Eagle's Landing Christian Academy

Go Chargers!

Eagle's Landing Christian Academy

Go Chargers!


Eagle's Landing Christian Academy



Athletic Handbook

AH

KINGDOM ATHLETICS
The purpose of this section is to establish rules, regulations, and policies for the ELCA athletic program and to provide a framework within which students, parents, faculty, and staff can work together for the benefit of the athletic program.

The mission of ELCA is to glorify God by assisting parents in involving their children in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ through Kingdom Education, spiritually, academically, aesthetically, athletically, and socially. Our athletic program should support this commitment. Athletes must follow all rules that are stated in this section and the student handbook. Participation on an athletic team at ELCA is a privilege, not a right. This privilege may be revoked if a student is not compliant with the guidelines established in this section. 

The procedures in this section will be followed. The Administration reserves the right to make final decisions regarding any policy and/or rule. If there are any suggestions for improving our athletic program, please present them to the athletic department. All coaches, student-athletes, and parents should know, understand, and abide by the information in the section.

PURPOSE FOR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
The purpose of the athletic department is to complement and advance the school’s mission.


Romans 15:5-6   May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

GOALS FOR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
1. To pursue with excellence an athletic program that seeks to glorify God.
2. To develop highly competitive programs, first class facilities, and a 
     championship mentality.
3. To develop a training system with the Youth/MS/JV programs that will prepare 
     our students for statewide varsity level competition.
4. To develop a training system beginning in the Lower School that will instruct 
    our Facility, Staff, Parents, and Students with our Kingdom Athletics philosophy.
5. To use athletics to share Jesus Christ with those who do not know him and to 
    inspire other schools to adopt Kingdom Athletics for themselves.

Colossians 3:23   Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY
ELCA is a member of the Georgia High Schools Association. Each student has to meet ELCA's requirements in order to participate in any extracurricular activities and to maintain eligibility. 

Students receiving two “F’s,” in any subject on any semester report card will not be eligible to participate in any athletic activities, for the following semester. (Students who are ineligible at the end of second semester may attend summer school to become eligible for fall sports.) 

Students that are academically ineligible will not be allowed to dress out with the team, travel with the team, or practice with the team.

New first-year high school students (entering 9th grade) are eligible academically. In addition to the previously mentioned requirements, new second semester first-year students must have passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie Units the previous semester in order to participate. New second-year students must have accumulated four (5) total Carnegie units in the first year, and passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie Units in the previous semester. New third-year students must have accumulated ten (11) Carnegie units in the first and second years, and passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie Units in the previous semester. New fourth-year students must have accumulated sixteen (17) Carnegie units in the first three years, and passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie Units in the previous semester. Students may accumulate the required Carnegie units for participation during the school year and eligibility will be reinstated at the beginning of the next semester.  

YOUTH/MIDDLE SCHOOL/JV ATHLETICS
These programs are vitally important to the success of our athletic program. They concentrate on developing skills, sportsmanship, participation, and experience. The Youth/MS/JV programs prepare athletes for the varsity level. All athletes are expected to follow the same rules and policies as the varsity athletes. If an athlete plays on our school team and a recreational team/travel team/club team, the school team must take priority. Sixth through eighth grade students may try out for all junior high teams. Ninth and twelfth graders may play on the JV or Varsity teams (eighth graders may play up on the JV).

VARSITY ATHLETICS
The varsity teams have the commitment of winning and putting the best team on the field/court/track. Varsity players are the most visible and need to show positive leadership in all activities on and off campus. Coaches will make every effort to allow each athlete the opportunity of competing at the varsity level, but a specified amount of playing time is never guaranteed. All of our athletes are expected to participate in summer workouts. We will never have the desired athletic program if we do not work out in the off-season. All athletes are expected to go with their team to camp during the summer. These camp dates will be announced well in advance so families can plan around them.  

PARTICIPATION POLICY
ELCA takes seriously the commitments of our student-athletes. We believe honoring commitments is essential throughout life, in marriage, family, church, career, and other areas. We believe athletics helps foster a spirit of genuine commitment. Quitting a team for reasons other than medical or family matters contradicts all we teach about what a Kingdom Athlete should be. A student should never quit a sport in the middle of the season regardless of how justified he may feel their reasons to be. We encourage all students and parents to “stick it out”. It is our desire to work with parents in teaching student’s perseverance, commitment, loyalty and fortitude. You never know what God has in store for your family. Any student who quits a sport after the try-out period (5 days) will still be billed the athletic fee, be ineligible to begin the next sport, join another in-season team, or participate in off-season training with another sport until the season of the sport he quit is over. 

ACADEMIC WORK
Athletes are responsible for all of their academic work. Athletic teams will sometimes have to leave school early. It is the athlete’s responsibility to turn in any academic work and get assignments for that day before departing the school for a game. Athletic events can never be used as an excuse for unfinished academic work.

ABSENCES AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
No student will be allowed to participate in any after-school, extracurricular activity on a day that he has been absent from school. Students must be present a half-day (3 1 / 2 hours) in order to participate in a game that day.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS & CONSENT FORMS
A physical examination is required by the GHSA. The physical examination, consent, & concussion awareness forms must be on file before a student participates in any tryouts, practices, or athletic contest. All forms are to be filed with the athletic trainer. These forms may be downloaded at 
http://www.chargersathletics.org/main/otherad/contentID/40118099

TRAVEL

All athletes are required to ride the bus to away games. Any exception must be authorized by the athletic director. The athlete must have the permission of the head coach to ride home with his/her parents or another parent after the away games. (A note from the parents will be required.) No athletes will be able to ride home with other students or non-adults. We are very thankful for the vehicles that God has provided for us, and we must do our best to take care of them. For directions to games, go to http://www.chargersathletics.org/ and click on the home page of whatever sport you are looking for. You will see the team schedule on that page; click under the location of where the team is playing.

DRESS

Our athletes must wear their school uniform or their game uniform to all away games. (Example: the football team may wear their jerseys). This will be determined by the head coach. For all practices, at least 7 inch inseam shorts are to be worn.   

PROFANITY

Profanity will not be tolerated in any form by our athletes. There is no excuse. If an athlete uses profanity, the disciplinary policy that is listed in the student handbook will be followed. (Four demerits)

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Unsportsmanlike conduct by our athletes will not be tolerated. Discipline for unsportsmanlike conduct violations (such as unsportsmanlike penalties, technical fouls, etc.) will be instituted at the discretion of the head coach. If an athlete is ejected from a game the GHSA rules and regulations will apply.

The GHSA, ELCA, and member schools have made a commitment to promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches, and spectators at all GHSA sanctioned or ELCA events. Profanity, degrading remarks, and intimidating actions directed at officials or competitors will not be tolerated, and are grounds from removal from the event site. Spectators are not allowed to enter the competition area during warm-ups or while the contest is being conducted. We strongly encourage our fans to cheer for our teams. If a fan is ejected, the ejected person will be suspended from at least one game. The ejected person must not be seen or heard during the period of suspension.

Codes of Conduct Contracts are an agreement by the parents and students to conduct themselves in a manner that is reflective of the overall philosophy and mission of ELCA.

ELCA PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Our Speech: 

1. Questionable language or “slang” words will not be tolerated. Anything that can 
     be misconstrued as negative or insulting must be avoided.

2. Be positive and encouraging. Uplift your student and others. Let them know 
     the importance and accomplishment of being a part of the team. Let them know 
     they are important.

3. Never criticize the officials or coaches. These people represent the authority 
     figure, the “boss”, the parent, the teacher and the “Law”. If you are “bad 
     mouthing” your children’s coaches or officials you cannot expect him or her 
     to play for or respect these people. Obedience to authority is not optional 
     and is not predicated on whether or not you agree with it. All authority is 
     God-given and disobedience to authority is disobedience to God.

4. Insist that your students address the coach and the officials with respect. They 
    should call their coaches Coach or Mr., Miss, or Mrs. They should address 
    the officials with “Yes, Sir” or “Yes, Ma’am”   You should use these titles as 
    well in the presence of your students or when referring to the coach or officials.

5. Never be involved in negative cheering. Booing the officials or opponents or 
    getting into negative chants against the opposing crowd sets a bad example for 
    your children and is counter to everything we say we believe. 

6. Never speak negatively around the students or other parents about:

    a. the school: A negative atmosphere can be contagious. Instead, create an 
         atmosphere of gratitude.

    b. the Church: Without Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church there is no Eagle’s 
        Landing Christian Academy. Such speech demonstrates ignorant arrogance 
        and an ungrateful heart.

    c. other students or parents: Speak to parents only about your and their students.  
         Speak to other students only in an encouraging manner. The only time another 
         student or parent’s name should be mentioned is in a genuine complimentary 
         fashion. 

7. Never criticize your children’s teammates. This does not teach your student team 
    attitude and will allow them to make excuses for their own performance. Never 
    offer excuses for your children if they are not playing. Encourage them to do their 
    best and to keep striving for their worthwhile goals.

8. Always confront your coaches out of sight and earshot of students and other 
    parents. Speak with the coach privately. Call to set an appointment. Pray 
    about what you will say and what is motivating your discussion.

9. Smile, meet and greet. Often you may be the first impression someone has of 
    ELCA and of our Lord and Savior. Ask yourself this question “Is my speech 
    setting up an opportunity to share Jesus Christ or a need to apologize?”
     

Colossians 4:6   Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt... 

Our Relationships: 

1. Develop relationships and a good rapport with your students and their teammates. 
    God has placed you in this situation for a purpose. Use this opportunity to minister 
    and be an encouragement to others. You never know who is hurting and needs 
    your show of God’s love in their life. If sports becomes all about you and your 
    student, you need to not participate.

2. Develop relationships and a good rapport with other parents. You will need their 
    prayers and support as much as they will need yours. 

3. Develop relationships and a good rapport with parents from other schools. Never 
    miss an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with others. Promote your school and 
    your students Needless to say, the relationship you develop is a reflection on our 
    entire ministry.

4. Develop relationships with the coaches: Get to know the coaches. Pray for them. 
    Communicate with them with an open heart and mind. Be open, honest with gentle 
    words. Set appointments to meet with the coach rather than ambush them before 
    or after a game.

John 15:12  This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Our Unity:

1. Develop unity within our school family.  God has called each one of us to this 
    school. Each of us have different abilities and, therefore, different roles. Never 
    be jealous or envious of someone else’s role. Be busy fulfilling your role. Your 
    example of being a unified school body is a valuable lesson for your students to 
    learn.

2. Develop unity with our Church. ELCA is a ministry of Eagle’s Landing First 
    Baptist Church working together for a common purpose. Be supportive in 
    action and in spirit. 
    Without Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church there would be no Eagle’s 
    Landing Christian Academy.

3. Develop unity within the Kingdom. We must establish our philosophy with 
    other schools in order for our ultimate purpose to be met… to further the 
    Kingdom of God. It will take other Christian schools being successful. Pray 
    for them as you pray for ELCA.

I Corinthians 12:12-13 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Our Motives:

1. Be Motivated by the Love of God. Living for Him because He died for us.

2. Strive for victory as a tool to teach your students. Teach them that athletics
     is just a means to an end and not an end unto itself.

3. Teach your students to abide by the rules of the game in letter and in spirit. 
     Tactics that promote unfair “gamesmanship” will not be tolerated.

4. Lead your students in athletics in light of your family mission, philosophy 
    and goals. What you are teaching your student through athletics should 
    match with what you are teaching them at home.

5. Use your child’s experience as a chance to be involved in the life of your 
    child. Your relationship with your child as an adult is a longer time of your 
    life than when they are in your home. If you want a relationship with them 
    as adults you need to begin building that relationship NOW.   Athletics 
    affords you that opportunity.

I Corinthians 10:31 …do all to the Glory of God.

Our Behavior:

1. Maintain



https://chargersathletics.org