Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege, not a right.  To earn this privilege, student athletes are required to abide by the rules and academic requirements set forth by the School District of Osceola County and OCMSAC.

Middle School Age Limit.
A student who reaches the age of 15.9 becomes ineligible for athletic participation.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT:
In order for athletic eligibility in the OCMSAC the following must be correct.
Eligibility is only based on quarter grades to determine eligibility for the next quarter. Quarter 1 will determine Quarter 2 and so on throughout the entire academic school year.

• In order for athletic eligibility in the OCMSAC the following must be correct.
  Student Grade will be an overall 2.0 / C average in the previous quarter of participation.  One (1) “F” and or three (3) or more “D’s” will not be allowed on the report card, even if a C average is attained. This will cause the student athlete to be ineligible for the entire quarter.
• A student-athlete that has two (2) “D’s” on their report card will be placed on probation until progress reports come out.  Ineligibility will be take place immediately if the student remains to have two (2) or more “D’s” on their report in any classes at progress report card time.
• Other
  • Participation of students in Grades 6-8.
    • Participation in a sport at the HS level (9, JV or Varsity) would make a student ineligible for the same sport at the Middle School Level.
  • He/ She must be regularly promoted from the previous grade in the immediate preceding year;
  • He/she must be in regular attendance; and He/she must be carrying a normal class load and doing satisfactory classroom work with satisfactory conduct record as determined by the principal of the school.
  • May participate until the age of 15 years 9 months. (Ineligibility begins the day of 15 years 9 months.
  • May only participate against schools (Scrimmage or Contest) that are members of the OCMSAC.

Amateurism

A student may not participate in an athletic activity of this Association unless he/she is an amateur. An amateur is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the physical, mental, social, and pleasure benefits derived from the activity.

Out of school and in school suspension:
Students who are assigned OSS or ISS are prohibited from participating in practices or contests during their suspension.

 Quitting a team:

Any student who quits a sport prior to the end of the season, must clear any obligation with the coach prior to participation in another activity and cannot participate in the next sport until previous sport season is completed unless excused by both coaches and athletic director.

ATHLETIC PAPERWORK AND CONSENT:
All required athletic clearance forms are found at www.aktivate.com – Parents shall create a free account and register their student-athlete with all required consent and acknowledgment forms.  

Also required for participation:
            An Athletic Physical (Signed by a FL AHCP and is good for 365 days)
            Concussion baseline test. All directions are located on the aktivate website.
                        * EL7 for any home school student
 
Falsification of any required documents shall result in loss of athletic eligibility for 365 days upon confirmation that documents submitted were falsified.

Non-Traditional students shall participate, in athletics, at the following locations -
                1.) Home Education               Zoned Public School
                2.) Charter School               Zoned Public School
                3.) Special School                 Zoned public school unless zoned school doesn’t offer the sport then you can participate at the next closest school that offers the sport to the school you attend.
                4.) FLVS Full time               Zoned Public School

Student-Athlete Responsibilities

Attend all practices and events throughout the season unless excused by the Head Coach

Show respect for yourself, your teammates, coaches, teachers, administration school staff, officials, opposing student-athletes, coaches and community members.

Be a role model of good character/conduct in school, at practice, games, and within the community as you are an ambassador of the School District of Osceola County, your school and highly visible member of the student body.

Improper or Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
Coaches, paid or volunteer, and student athletes may be suspended or removed from team participation for improper or unsportsmanlike conduct, failure to report child abuse, disrespectful student or adult behavior including but not limited to obscene language, hazing, bullying, gestures, insubordination and discriminatory actions on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status or genetic information in its education programs and any extra-curricular activity.

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CONSEQUENCES FOR ATHLETIC CODE VIOLATIONS
Athletics is an extension of the classroom and below is an outline of consequences and violations of behavior in the following areas.

Felonies, Sale or Distribution of Drugs, Hazing, Bullying / Cyber Bullying, Falsification of required participation forms, and Discriminatory Acts.

                1^st Offense         -Suspension from activities for 365 calendar days.

            2^nd Offense        -Expulsion from all activities for the remainder of individual High School career.

Drugs / Alcohol / Theft
                1^st  Offense        -Suspension of 20% of the season.

            2^nd Offense        -Suspension for remainder of the season.

            3^rd Offense        -365 days suspension from all athletic activities.

Tobacco / Vaping
                1^st Offense        -Suspension for 10% of season.

May be reduced to 5% if the student completes the district issued Tobacco class and completes the free NFHS course “Understanding Vaping & E-Cigarettes”.

            2^nd Offense        -Suspension for 50% of the season.

            3^rd Offense        -365 calendar day suspension from all athletic activities.

A season is defined as being the total number of regular season contests plus the district playoffs. 

Note: Pre-season contest shall not count towards overall suspension and suspended student athlete may not participate in any pre-season contest.

If a fractional portion of the penalty is .5 the suspension will be rounded off to the next highest whole number (i.e, 1.5 moves to 2)

All suspended contests not served in the sport season in which the violation occurred will be forwarded to the next contest season. (i.e, A student suspended in a fall sport would have their suspension carried over to the winter sport if there are still games to serve for the suspension.)

Coaches are mandatory reporters:

Any coach, Paid or Volunteer, who has knowledge of any rule infraction including, but not limited to, items listed in the code of conduct shall report all issues to their Athletic Director and school Administration for a proper investigation to take place.

Failure of a coach and or Athletic Director to report any violation of the student code of conduct could result in suspension and or, if necessary, removal from all athletic coaching responsibilities.

The Athletic Director and or School Administrator shall notify the parents/guardian of the outcome of the investigation.