West Holmes High School

West Holmes High SchoolHarold A. Meyer Award

West Holmes Board of Education Policy on Sportsmanship, Ethics and IntegrityOur Board Policy on Sportsmanshipis Distributed to the CommunityAt parent-athlete meetings, each parent of an athlete receives a Student/Parent Athletic HandbookAt each contest, the public address announcer reads the OHSAA Sportsmanship announcementOur school holds a Meet the Team night for all fall and winter sports and our administration addresses sportsmanship and ethical behaviorSchool Administrators Rolein Enacting Our Board Policy on SportsmanshipAthletic DirectorHolds pre-season meetings with parents, athletes and coachesAthletic DirectorHolds seasonal meetings with all head coaches to discuss various topics, including expectations of coaches in the areas of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity PrincipalAttends Knights of the Round Table {KORT }meetings

Bill Sterling, PrincipalKaren Hunter, SecretaryTodd Day, Athletic DirectorKnights of the Round Table(KORT)Advisor: Gretchen AckerAdministrator:Bill SterlingPresident: Tyler MillerSecretary: Lindsy SnyderMembers:-Amy Boyd-Lauren Evans-Hannah Frank-Cullen Gordon-Brett McClain-Kendra Martin-Nicole Peterman-Gabe Snyder-Matt Stonebrook-Sarah White

Knights of the Round TableActivitiesMeetingSeptember 13, 2010:--All members present--Topics to be discussed:-Meet in the Middle football game with Clear Fork-Sizes for sportsmanship t-shirts to sell at football game-Plan for OCC Sportsmanship/Leadership Camp-Fundraising ideas-Plan for OCC float to enter in the Antique Festival Parade-Spirit WeekOCC Sportsmanship/LeadershipConferenceSeptember 27, 2010

TEAMWORKCamp NuHopOur KORT members joined other OCC schoolsMembers worked together in team-building exercisesMembers discussed challenges facing our OCC schoolsMembers listened to a guest speaker discuss sportsmanship and leadershipOur KORT members had group discussions with other OCC schools and established sportsmanship guidelines for the conference

OCC Antique Festival Parade FloatKORT members join other OCC sportsmanship committees and enter an OCC float in the parade

Ohio Cardinal ConferenceMeet in the MiddleandBreast Cancer AwarenessGameThrough cooperation with Clear Fork High School, our KORT organized the Meet in the Middle and Breast Cancer Awareness football game.In preparation for the event, the members sold sportsmanship t-shirts along with pink ribbons. The effort was a success as the kids raised over $1,000.00 for the charity.

KORT Spirit in ActionOne of our KORT members, Trae Wright, took the initiative of organizing our student section for our volleyball teams tournament run. Our team made it to the Regional Championship match before falling to Sunbury Big Walnut, but our student section was second to none. They made the 3 hour round-trip in mass numbers, as evidenced below. Trae made a theme for every match and provided the student body with a calendar showing each matchs theme. He also conducted practices so the students had each cheer memorized perfectly. In preparation for the tournament, Trae spent over three hours researching appropriate chants so our school would be represented with class.On the next slide, you will see our kids in action!West Holmes Student Section

WHHSKNIGHTS12November KORT MeetingAll members present:All candy money is dueRight to Read WeekField trip to Millersburg ElementaryNovember 17 from 9:10 am-11:50 amWinter sportsmanship t-shirtno cost, since McDonalds and Rodhes are sponsoring themSportsmanship t-shirts will admit students to the next three events freeT-shirt sales will be on November 18th, 19th and 22ndPeace on Earth basketball games with Clear Fork and Lexington closer to ChristmasRight to Read WeekNovember 17, 2010KORT members travel to Millersburg Elementary to read to young students and discuss sportsmanship and leadership qualities

Share-A-ChristmasT-ShirtsShare-A-Christmas helps over 300 families enjoy the Christmas holiday.Our community comes together for this great cause like no other and KORT members were eager to get in on the action.Spirit shirts were sold for $5.00 and all proceeds were donated to Share-A-Christmas.Not only were students who bought a t-shirt admitted to the next three athletic contests free of charge, but the organization also raised over $1,000.00!

Seasonal MeetingsAugust, October and JanuaryFall, Winter and Spring pre-season meetings are held with parents, coaches, team members and school administration in the high school theater. Prior to these meetings Mr. Todd Day, athletic director, meets with coaches and other administrators to plan the topics to addressMr. Todd Day, reviews the West Holmes Student/Parent Athletic Handbook with everyone in attendance.Each parent receives the Student/Parent Athletic Handbookcontaining topics such as: parent-coach communication, proper chain of command in situations of concern, sportsmanship expected from parents, coaches, players and fans and the OHSAA Eligibility brochure.After the general meeting is finished, each coach is required to meet with his or her athletes and parents to further address any questions or concerns.

Pre-Season Meeting Minutes(A sample agenda)Todd DayIntroductionsIntroductions of varsity coachesHand out and review West Holmes High Student/Parent Athletic HandbookTodd DayExpectations of coaches, athletes and parentsQuestion and Answer periodEach coach meets separately with his or her team and parents to discuss any sport-specific regulations and to answer any further questions.December KORT MeetingAll members present:Plan for Peace on Earth Boys basketball game with Clear Fork and for girls basketball game with LexingtonSelling of Spirit Shirts for the Peace on Earth gamesProceeds to benefit Share-A-Christmas

Peace on EarthBoys Game vsClear ForkFebruary 18, 2011Members of each schools sportsmanship committees joined hands and walked to mid-court to signify unity for the cause of good sportsmanship.Both cheerleading squads teamed up to perform a cheer involving both schools.The goal: to show/instill good sportsmanship in all team members, and staff from both schools and to demonstrate that schools can compete on the court, but do it in an upstanding and respectful way.

Peace on EarthGirls GamevsLexingtonFebruary 12, 2011

Pink-It-Up Girls Gamevs MadisonFebruary 5, 2011KORT members hosted the annual Pink-It-Up game with Mansfield Madison High SchoolOur committee sold game t-shirts, raffle tickets and other pink gear in raising over $1,000 which was donated to Breast Cancer AwarenessBoth schools and our community joined in on the event and displayed tremendous unity for an outstanding cause

OCC RetreatatMansfield Senior High SchoolFebruary 27, 2011

Ohio Cardinal Conference schools attended the Spring OCC Sportsmanship Retreat at Mansfield Senior High School. Students worked on problem-solving situations, discussed areas of concern about sportsmanship and listened to guest speaker, Kelly Croy. His presentation on leadership, living life in an ethical manner and being a quality role model was something every student in attendance could learn from.Student ExchangeWithAshland High SchoolMay 19, 2011KORT members spent a day at Ashland High School with members of their sportsmanship committee.In return, Ashland students also came to West Holmes High School for an entire day.The goal was to show both groups of kids that there are positive aspects at both schools and with students as well.

Relay For LifeMeetingMay 19, 2011All members presentKORT members wear sportsmanship shirts for Friday during Channel OneKORT will join the teachers team for Relay For LifeWe will work the District 5 Track Meet

Assistant Coaches Evaluation Form

Head Coaches Evaluation Form

Key Topics on Coaches Evaluation FormsRelationships with team members, athletic director, parents, officials and news mediaConduct during the gameRapport with coaching staff at his or her schoolEvaluations are completed during a conference with Todd Day, athletic director and each coach. The evaluations are then signed by Bill Sterling, building principal and filed with the Superintendents office.

Coaches HandbookOur schools coaches handbook clearly defines what is expected of all coaches, team members and fans alike: The Board of Education supports the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Program that has been established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The board asserts that the level of responsibility and behavior expected in our classrooms should be maintained throughout practices and competition. The board fully supports the values of the Harold A. Meyer Award. Our school has been awarded this prestigious award seven years2001-2007, which only reinforces our commitment to this philosophy.

Coaches and SportsmanshipDuring our match with Waynedale High School this year, one of their wrestlers put an illegal throw on Tyler Brown. Tyler knew that he could lay on the mat and claim he was injured during the throw, however Jeff instructed him to get up and continue. Had Tyler claimed he could not finish, he would have been awarded the match. However, Jeff told him that we dont win that way. As a result, Tyler lost the match, but our team still claimed the victory. While this is only one example of our coaches demonstrating a high level of sportsmanship and integrity, I feel all of our head coaches would have acted the same way.Jeff WoodsWrestling Coach

Procedure for Handling Complaints Regarding Sportsmanship, ethics and Integrity

Procedures for Handling Complaints Regarding Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity (Cont.)

Complaint Chain of CommandandGuidelinesAs outlined in the previous slides, our written policy details which type of situations will be discussed and which ones will not. The best part of our policy is it describes what parents, athletes and coaches can expect from each other and what each persons responsibilities are. Plus, it outlines our chain of communication for handling complaints:Head CoachAthletic DirectorTodd DayPrincipalBill SterlingSuperintendentKris Pipes-PeroneBoard of EducationCoaching Complaint ExampleAs with any sports program, our boys basketball team put guidelines into place for all team members, one of which dealt with the length a young mans hair could be. One potential team member had extremely long hair and refused to shorten it. The parents met with the coach in hopes to have the rule changed. The coach did not alter the rule and the parents took their complaint to the next level, our athletic director. Still, not being satisfied, they proceeded to meet with the superintendent, as well as the athletic director, building principal and head coach. A compromise was reached: the young man would cut his hair shorter and manage it as neatly as possible. All parties involved were satisfied with this decision and this shows that our athletic chain of command works well when followed in the proper order. While we all know that not all situations are solved in such a positive manner, it is nice to be able to point to an example that did.Plan for Dealing with Critical SituationsAs a member of a very strong athletic conference, we certainly have different levels of rivalries with various schools, and these vary by sport. Football season is probably our biggest concern with rivalries. Triway High School and we have been rivals for what seems like forever! One of the things that makes our situation unique is that although the rivalry exists athletically, the schools administration, coaches and staff are very friendly. The two schools do a tremendous job of working together to plan for any unforeseen happenings. Triways principal, Scott Wharton, and their athletic director, Sean Carmichael, work hand in hand with our principal, Bill Sterling, and our athletic director, Todd Day, to inform their respective student bodies of proper behavior during the contest. This is done in a fun environment as part of a school-wide assembly. Our band plays, our cheerleaders perform and lead the student body in class-competitive cheers and also remind our students about appropriate conduct.

Acknowledging Sportsmanship, Ethics and IntegrityThe Ohio Cardinal Conference does not sponsor any sportsmanship awards, but each of our varsity teams award a Coaches Award. This goes to the young man or young woman who best exemplifies what every coach wants in his or her athletes. It involves leadership, sportsmanship, being a positive role model and simply put: someone who does the right thing at all timesWest Holmes uses the Ohio High School Athletic Awards provided by the OHSAA each and every year.Our winners are recognized at a Senior Awards Night, which is attended by anyone in our school or community.The winners of the OHSAA awards are publicized in three local newspapers, on the radio and on the school announcements.

*On the following pages, are the winners of this years OHSAAs awards.

Sample of Potentially Critical SituationsLocal Sports Hero Returns Home to Wrestle!!!Colt Sponseller returned home to our school as a member of The Ohio State University wrestling team to compete against Michigan State University. While this event seems simple enough on the surface, no one can imagine the potential for conflict we faced. Demand for tickets was through the roof. Our administration devised a plan for selling tickets in tiers, so as to provide tickets for all people close to the program first, then the outside general public. This worked well, as all tickets were gone in less than a week. At this point, we still received phone calls requesting ticketswell over 100. Our athletic director, Todd Day, came up with the idea of having it simulcast in our cafeteria. He spent countless hours on the phone with the Buckeyes administration to make sure all guidelines were followed and that both OSU and MSU team personnel were well taken care of.

The OHSAA State AwardMarlyce Yoder is this years winner of the OHSAA State Award for her dedication to the girls basketball program, as well as the outstanding image of our school she projects at all times. She is a well-respected member of our community and represents West Holmes High School in a very positive light.

The OHSAA Archie Griffin AwardFemale WinnerSarah White was this years winner of the OHSAAs Archie Griffin Award. Sarah is an outstanding young lady. She is not only a top-notch student, as evidenced by her being named valedictorian, but she is also a first-class person on the soccer field. Her sportsmanship, concern for others and love for her teammates go unmatched.

The OHSAA Archie Griffin AwardMale WinnerMatthew Hughes demonstrates high morals, ethics and values on a daily basis. Not only does he strive for excellence in the classroom - he is a valedictorian -but he also plays soccer with a high respect for opponents and represents West Holmes High School with a high level of sportsmanship and leadership

The OHSAA Courageous Student AwardBlake Day was this years recipient of the OHSAAs Courageous Student Award. Blake works extremely hard for everything in life and never puts himself ahead of anyone. He is the complete team player and his work ethic does not go unnoticed. Not only is Blake a hard worker in wrestling, but he is an absolute joy to be around each and everyday.

ConclusionThank you for considering West Holmes High School for this prestigious award. Hopefully, this slide show captures our efforts in sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. As with any worthy cause, sportsmanship is, and will continue to be, a work in progress, because we can and will always improve.Submitted by

James R. ParkFaculty ManagerWest Holmes High School