General Policies  

1.         Students are not to drive to games without prior approval of Athletic Director and Head of School. Students may only leave a game with their parents and should plan to stay until the team leaves. Written permission is needed to leave an away game with someone else’s parents.

2.         Students who are unable to participate in physical education may not participate in practice or a game without prior approval of the Athletic Director.

3.         Students are expected to attend every scheduled practice. If they miss practice, it will affect their participation in games.

4.         Athletes on teams below the Upper School Junior Varsity should expect to participate in games if they are attending practice. All players may not receive equal playing time. Depending on the particular sport and its rules, varsity players may or may not have the chance to play at a lower level if they do not play in the varsity game.

5.         All athletes must be in school by 9:00 AM in order to compete in athletic contests that day.

6.         Germantown Academy is a tobacco free campus. We appreciate your cooperation.

7.         Coaches, players, parents and friends of individual teams may not hold fundraisers or solicit money without prior approval of the Athletic Director, Director of Institutional Advancement and Head of School.

8.         Cars are not permitted across the bridge without the Athletic Director’s permission.

9.         Changing sports – If a player desires to change sports during the season, they must submit a request in writing with their parent’s signature to the Athletic Director. Both coaches and the Athletic Director must agree to the change.

MIDDLE SCHOOL – The sports program is explained in the Middle School Handbook.

In keeping with the Philadelphia Inter-Academic League rules, all teams are grouped by ability. The actual number of teams varies each season depending upon the numbers of students who wish to participate in the sport of their choice. Each sport has set a minimum number of students necessary to warrant an additional team. The Middle School Sports program is participation based. All Coaches are instructed to give each athlete as much playing time as possible, providing that the student-athlete has met all team membership requirements.

UPPER SCHOOL – Upper School sports are offered at various levels on a sport by sport basis. Some sports only have a varsity level while others may offer three teams in the Upper School. This is determined by the program, space available, staff available, and student interest. Upper School policies regarding participation are in the Upper School Student Handbook.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS – Games are not scheduled on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Good Friday, and Christmas. Students are always excused from school, games, or practice for religious commitments.

LEAGUE COMPETITION

The boys are members of the Inter-Academic Athletic Association established in 1887. Member schools are Chestnut Hill Academy, Episcopal Academy, Haverford School, Malvern Preparatory School, William Penn Charter School, and Germantown Academy. League competition takes place in the following sports: football, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, wrestling, baseball, track, tennis, golf and lacrosse.

The boys league recognizes a varsity champion in each sport and also presents the Heyward Cup to the school which earns the most points in varsity competition throughout the year.

The girls are members of the Girls Inter-Academic Athletic Association established in 1983. Member schools are Agnes Irwin School, Baldwin School, Episcopal Academy, Academy of Notre Dame, Springside School, William Penn Charter School and Germantown Academy. League competition takes place in the following sports: field hockey, soccer, cross country, tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, softball, track lacrosse and crew.

The girls’ league recognizes a varsity champion in each sport.

The two leagues are separate and have different constitutions, by-laws, rules for individual sports and philosophies. If you are interested in further information about the two leagues, please contact Ginny Hofmann (215-643-4208).

SPORTS INJURIES

Germantown Academy has a fully certified trainer on staff. The trainer will also serve as a resource for the complete treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries. All Coaches will be certified in CPR.

Injuries occurring at home games will be handled by the trainer and/or coach. A communications system using walkie talkies and a portable phone will allow the trainer to be notified immediately in case of a serious injury. Injuries at away games will be handled by the staff of the opposing school. If a serious injury occurs, parents will be notified as soon as possible.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Many students would like to pursue their athletic interests in college. Varsity coaches, the Athletic Director and/or the College Guidance counselors can provide information and advice in this area. Athletes who are interested in scholarships or financial aid for sports should speak with their coaches about the various college programs, the recruiting process and their chance for success. The NCAA publishes a pamphlet called “Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete” which will be available through the Athletic and College Guidance offices. In addition, all seniors will receive the NCAA Clearinghouse Pamphlet and Release Form at the beginning of the school year.

SUMMER CAMPS AND PROGRAMS

Athletes who are serious about a college sport at any level should attend camps in the summer.  Camps are an ideal way to visit college campuses and to meet coaches. Germantown Academy runs camps for several sports and parents can receive information on these camps from the Director of Summer Programs. Varsity coaches should be able to recommend camps to their players.

POST SEASON PLAY

Germantown Academy is an independent school and is not eligible to participate in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) playoffs and state championships. The boys and girls Inter-Academic post season play may be conducted on a sport by sport basis.

Germantown Academy is committed to providing all Upper School athletic teams with “uniforms” which display the school’s name, the Patriots' name, or GA athletic logo, display the school’s colors, reflect recent fashion trends and foster a sense of school pride. The term “uniform” refers to clothing worn during athletic competitions. A uniform may include pants, shorts, skirts, jerseys, shirts, hats, socks and belts.

            Coaches and players may suggest the design for the uniforms. The school’s athletic budget allows for Germantown Academy to purchase new uniforms every four years.

            In the past, parents, families, friends, alumni and players have donated money or assisted in fundraising events to help purchase uniforms or warm-ups. This practice, however, is strictly prohibited and no longer permissible. Outfitting and purchasing of uniforms and warm-ups for the Upper School teams is solely the responsibility of the school.

            Individuals and companies, who desire to assist the Athletic Department in funding the purchase of the uniforms or warm-ups, should contact the Athletic Department prior to taking any action in order to determine what athletic clothing is anticipated to be purchased in the upcoming year. The Athletic Department may accept donations as a form of budget relief, but at all times the Athletic Department has sole control over all issues relating to uniforms or warm-ups to be purchases by Germantown Academy.

Every year the Germantown Academy Office of Institutional Advancement raises money for the Annual Fund to assist the school in accomplishing its spending needs, including those arising from the athletic program. Therefore, Germantown Academy strongly encourages donations to the Annual Fund. 

            Student-athletes may purchase “team apparel” such as athletic bags, jackets, sweat shirts, t-shirts, championship commemorative clothing and other athletic wear that is not typically worn during the game or during warm-up time. The coaches or team captains that wish to order team apparel must obtain prior approval of the Athletic Director. However, individuals may not donate “team apparel” or sell “team apparel” as part of an individual team fundraising effort.

            All questions relating to the Upper School Athletic Uniform Policy should be directed to the Athletic Director.

Hazing or harassment of student athletes is specifically prohibited. The school policy on hazing is:

Hazing, usually a form initiation, is defined as any practice (even “harmless fun,” “bonding,” “practical,” etc.) whereby one part of a group is made or “asked” to do anything that the remaining part of the group is exempt from doing by virtue of seniority or other “privileged” status.

Because hazing often undermines group morale, spirit, and unity as well as often leads to personal hurt and degradation, the school will not permit it in any form and will take formal disciplinary action against individuals and/or groups (teams, clubs, classes, etc.) that haze. The severity of the school discipline may range from verbal censure to dismissal in the case of individuals and from verbal censure to suspension or disbanding in the case of groups. The school response to a hazing incident will be determined by the group comprised of the Head of Upper School, House Heads, and in the case of teams, the Athletic Director after they have thoroughly investigated the case. Additional punishment such as stripping of captainship, paying for physical damages, making public apology, or restriction/elimination from future participation may also be imposed at the group level.

Varsity athletes receive the following recognition:

1.         Each year they will receive a certificate.

2.         First year – a chenille letter (one per athlete).

3.         Second year – an insert for each sport.

4.         Third year – a three year pin.

5.         Fourth year or beyond – a pen set, awarded in senior year.

Phyllis Morrison Biddle Award – presented to seniors who have participated in a sport each season for the four years of upper school.

Blazer Pin Award – presented to a girl or girls in the fifth form who demonstrate the combined qualities of leadership, determination, and capability on the athletic field, in the classroom, and through participation in extracurricular activities.

Girls Athletic Association Bowl – presented to a senior girl for sportsmanship and athletic ability.

Bernard Dallas Award – presented to a senior boy who has contributed the most to the athletic program – leadership, athletic ability and sportsmanship.

James R. Buckley Award – presented to a senior boy and/or girl for sportsmanship and significant contributions to the athletic program.

TRANSITION PROCESS FROM CLUB TO VARSITY SPORT

Definitions

Club- an activity supported by the school. A club may or may not have financial support from the activities budget of the upper school. Clubs have no ties with the athletic department.

Trial Sport- a sport that is supported by the athletic department but does not have varsity status

Varsity Sport- a sport that is supported by the athletic department including varsity letters and certificates

Process

Club to Trial Sport- the following criteria will be assessed in deciding to move from club to trial:

1.      sport must have the potential to become a varsity sport

2.      regularly scheduled competition must be available

3.      the IAAA, GIAAA or independent league( i.e. SHSHL) supports this sport

4.      sufficient interest in terms of participation- numbers must be large enough to support a team and substitutes

5.      financially feasible

6.      appropriate facilities are available

7.      assessment of the strain on the student population- only so many sports can exist in a given season without running out of students or drawing from other established sport programs.

Trial Sport to Varsity Sport- a sport will remain in the trial phase until the following criteria have been met:

1.      a minimum of three years in the trial phase to asses the progress of the program- this period could be longer

2.      ability level of the participants is commensurate with a varsity level program

3.      an appropriate schedule of games has been established at the varsity level