Attendance Policy

Greetings Coaches!

I gathered information from Head Coaches to possibly create a more uniform Athletics policy for excused absences. Most teams allow for illness, unavoidable family issues, academic issues, religious conflicts, etc. This fall I became aware that BSM policy allows for two unexcused absences for preapproved college visits. Students are to be forthright and communicate promptly/early as soon as they know they will be absent. Also, please be aware that there are some special trips like the HBCU College Tour that can be up to 5 unexcused days.

The long version of the policy reads like this:

Attendance Policy: A team functions well when there is equal commitment among its members. One of the ways to show commitment is by attending all practices, matches, and team events. Absences from practice will be considered either excused or unexcused. The differences are listed below:

• Excused Absences (I am sure that there are others that could be added to this list)

  • Approved by the coaching staff BEFORE the event, and is due to one of the following reasons:

    • Staying home sick from school 

    • Getting needed help from a teacher after school

      • assuming another time does not work for the teacher’s schedule

    • An injured athlete needs to attend rehab

      • though injured athletes are still expected to attend practices and contests

    • Family emergencies

    • Preapproved college trips

      • up to two days

      • students are forthright and communicate promptly/early when they know they will be absent

      • be aware that there are some special trips like the HBCU College Tour that are can be up to 5 unexcused days

    • Other preapproved reasons

• Unexcused Absences (I am sure that there are others that could be added to this list)

  • Not approved by coaches, or falls under one of the categories below:

    • Non-school related appointments 

    • Cramming for tests or working on a group project

      • you are expected to be on top of your homework and studying

    • Working a shift at your job

    • Any absence not approved by coaches prior to practice or contest

• Consequence for Unexcused Absences (tailor to be specific to your sport)

  • Practice - The player will sit a portion of the next contest. After a second unexcused absence, the player will sit for the contest.

  • Contest - The player will sit for the next contest. After the second unexcused absence from a contest, the player will sit for the next two contests

• If a player is chronically late or has more than three unexcused absences, the coaches reserve the right to suspend or remove the player from the team

Keeping in mind that there is no flexibility for pre approved college trips but you may shorten your version to something like:

"Missed practices are not acceptable unless a player is ill, has a note from a teacher for make-up work, or has a family or religious conflict. If you need to miss for these or any other reason, please notify your coach ahead of time."

My best,

Rick Johns '70, CMAA

Director of Athletics and Activities