Athlete Expectations

Sportsmanship

As a member of the Central Coast Section, TKA adheres to and supports the CCS Sportsmanship Guidelines and sixteen Pillars of Pursuing Victory with Honor.  The essential elements of character building and ethics in CIF sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles:  trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship.   The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character."

Spectator Behavior

Proper behavior is expected at all home and away athletic contests. Spectators should always display an attitude of good sportsmanship toward opposing players, coaches, fans and referees. Sportsmanship means treating one’s opponents with fairness, courtesy and respect. Students whose behavior is inappropriate will be referred for disciplinary action.  In accordance with CIF/CCS and league sportsmanship policies, the following behavior is considered unacceptable at all high school athletic contests:

• Insulting your opponents’ school or mascot or players
• Making unsportsmanlike, derogatory or obscene cheers, gestures, or signs.
• Insulting officials verbally or through gestures.
• Proceeding onto the playing court or field before, during or after the contest.
• Acting disrespectful during the national anthem or during opposing team introductions.
• Visiting an opposing team’s campus before or after a contest with the intent to perform a prank or commit vandalism.

Athletic Participation/Eligibility

To be eligible to compete in athletics in California, students must comply with state, section, and TKA eligibility requirements. .

• Annual Pre-Participation Physical Examination and Medical Release Form:  These forms must be on file in the Athletic Office before participating. (Junior high athletes can have a physical every other year; forms updated each year.)
• Academic Eligibility: A student-athlete must be passing 20 semester units and maintain a 2.0 GPA with no more than one “F” to participate in TKA sports. 
• High School Transfer Students: If a student has not attended TKA for the previous 12 months, he/she must meet the requirements of the CIF/CCS before they are eligible to participate (incoming 9^th graders are excluded). CCS forms must be completed, approved, and on file in the Athletic Office before an athlete can participate in competition. 
• Students participating in our athletic program are expected to complete a baseline ImPACT Application at the following link to reduce the risk of head injuries: https://www.impacttestonline.com/schools/ - IMPORTANT, Customer Code is 0CE92A207D to enter the assessment.
• Students enrolled in TKA’s Private School Satellite Program and part-time students may participate in athletics but must fulfill the same requirements as a full-time TKA student-athlete.

Appearance and Behavior

Athletes are a representative of The King’s Academy.  Their behavior and appearance reflects upon on their team and school.   Student-athletes assume the obligation to appear in public appropriately dressed and to engage in behavior that reflects the standards and morals of The King’s Academy.  The TKA Code of Conduct and Dress Code applies to student-athletes at all times.

Uniforms

Uniforms and equipment issued to student-athletes must be returned to the athletic department within one week of the end of their season in order to participate in another sport and for their account to be clear at the end of the school year. For some sports, there is an additional $100.00 deposit requested at the time of uniform check-out to insure return of warm ups.  Players in all sports who do not turn in their equipment/uniforms will be charged a minimum of $100.00.

Commitment

As a member of a TKA’s team, students make a commitment to that team for the entire sport season.  Failure to complete a sport season will result in being ineligible for the athletic awards and restriction from trying out for the next sport until the current sport season is completed.  TKA teams take priority over any “Club” team participation.  Club practices or games are not considered excused absences from TKA team commitments.  A high school student-athlete cannot compete in Club and TKA teams at the same time in the same sport.  The King’s Academy is governed by the rules and guidelines set up by the CIF/CCS.

Participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right!