ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM



It is the goal of the Howard County Public School System’s Interscholastic Sports Program to provide a safe and supportive environment for all student athletes. We believe athletes need to develop skills that will teach good sportsmanship, self-discipline, and relationship skills. Toward that end, coaches, students, and parents should be aware of school and county policies and procedures that enhance these goals.

Please read carefully the conditions of participation. Please complete and sign Section V and return this form to the appropriate coach or the Athletics and Activities Manager (AAM) prior to your student’s taking part in any sport-related activity. We look forward to your child’s active participation in our athletic program and anticipate an excellent season.

Section I - Guidelines for Participants
For students to be eligible to participate in the Howard County Interscholastic Sports Program they must have on file at their high school proof of meeting the following requirements. Requirements are to be met prior to the first practice for any sport.
  1. A medical insurance policy number covering the sport in which they wish to participate.
  2. A physical examination by a physician/authorized health care provider dated April 1, or later, of the preceding school year.
  3. Parental permission as provided below.
  4. Verification (usually a copy of birth certificate) that the student has not reached 19 years of age prior to August 31st. Additionally, any student who has been awarded a high school diploma is not eligible to compete (MPSSAA Handbook).
  5. Seasonal verification that the student is a bona fide resident of the attendance area of the school. Documents of proof are a current utility bill (excluding a cell phone bill) or a copy of a lease or rental agreement or a copy of a deed of trust. A post office box as the address on the document of proof will not be accepted. For students who have registered under the Multiple Family Disclosure (MFD) guidelines, proof of residence in accordance with MFD procedures must be on file.
  6. Concussion Information Sheet and the Sports Concussion Testing Program and Release of Information forms will need to be on file at the school. Baseline testing will be completed prior to the first practice for selected sports: (Fall) Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Football, Boys and Girls Soccer and Girls Volleyball, (Winter) Boys and Girls Basketball, Wrestling and Pole Vault, (Spring) Baseball, Boys and Girls Lacrosse and Softball. Students in other sports may voluntarily participate in the testing program; Cross Country, Golf, Indoor and Outdoor Track (with the exception of Pole Vault) and Tennis.

Section II - Other Eligibility Requirements and Howard County Public School System Policies
These requirements must be verified as having been met prior to the first competition for any sport.
  1. Academic Eligibility
    A student must comply with the Academic Eligibility for High School Extracurricular Activities Policy (Board of Education Policy #9070). “For high school, a full-time student earns academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for the marking period which governs eligibility for that activity. This provision does not apply to incoming 9th grade students for fall eligibility. Weighted grades will be used for academic eligibility for extracurricular activities, including high school athletics” Applicable parts of Policy 9070 are in the Secondary Student Handbook.
  2. Residency Requirement
    Following Section I – E above, each student must have on file in the school proof of bona fide residency in the attendance area of the school on whose athletic team they wish to play. Athletic eligibility for students who are reassigned from the school in their attendance area is governed by Policy 9000, Enrollment, Residency, Student Assignment and Admission to Pre-K and Kindergarten.
  3. Drug and Alcohol Policy
    Students must comply with Policy 9230, Alcohol, Other Drugs, Prescription Medication and Over the Counter Products. Consequences for violations of Policy 9230 are stated in the Policy itself. Depending on the specific violation of the policy, a student may be excluded from extracurricular participation from as little as 30 days to as much as the remainder of the semester and the entire next semester. Applicable parts of Policy 9230 are in the Secondary Student Handbook.
  4. Safe School Environments (Policy 1040) and Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Codes of Conduct
    Bullying--defined in the HCPSS Code of Conduct--is prohibited. Threats, profanity, defamation, harassment, assault, battery, hazing, and intimidation are prohibited under Policy 1040, Safe School Environments; the policy covers students and third parties (parents and spectators). Participation (one’s involvement even though the student doesn’t create the harm to another) in any intentional or reckless act (action taken or situation created that involves mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, humiliation, harassment, or ridicule) directed against another for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in any school-sponsored activity, organization, club, or athletic team is considered “hazing” and is a violation of Policy 1040. Policy 1040, the HCPSS Code of Conduct, and the HCPSS Code of Conduct for Interscholastic Student-Athletes will be administered in response to any student violation. Parents violating Policy 1040 may be banned from all athletic events and/or practices for the remainder of the school year. Parents or athletes who become aware of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviors should contact a coach, athletics and activities manager, or school administrator. Applicable parts of Policy 1040 and the entire Code of Conduct are in the Secondary Student Handbook.
  5. Student Assault and/or Battery on School Staff (Policy 9270)
    In addition to a substantial suspension from school, the consequences for violations of Policy 9270 “The student is declared ineligible for participation in extracurricular activities for the duration of a suspension.” Applicable parts of Policy 9270 are in the Secondary Student Handbook.
  6. Years of Participation
    Students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 may participate in interscholastic athletic contests for a maximum of four seasons in any one sport (MPSSAA Handbook).
  7. Amateur Status
    Students must maintain amateur status (MPSSAA Handbook).

Section III - Coach/Parents/Participants
  1. Decisions regarding team membership, which students play, and at times who is removed from the team, are made by the coaching staff in accordance with rubrics, team rules and guidelines, and are approved by the school administration and coaching staff. Accepting a position on a team includes accepting the decisions of the coaching staff.
  2. Coach, athlete, parent meetings are encouraged to resolve any other issues creating concern or dissatisfaction. Such meetings must be arranged at a mutually acceptable time and place.
  3. Any discussion between a coach and a parent should be conducted in a calm, non-threatening manner, or the discussion should be immediately terminated to be continued only by appointment with the Athletics and Activities Manager.
  4. Coaches will fulfill all the duties and responsibilities mandated by their contract and listed in the Handbook for Interscholastic Sports Policies and Procedures.
  5. Parents and athletes should note that some athletic events may end after 11:00 p.m.

*Section IV - Photo Release
I hereby grant permission to HCPSS to use my student's photograph on the school's website, the booster's website, or in other HCPSS printed publications.


Section V - Insurance
Students must have health insurance in effect in order to participate on the first day of practice for any interscholastic sport. The Department of Education does not provide health/accident insurance for participants in the Interscholastic Sports Program. Consequently, the Department of Education is not liable for any medical expenses incurred while participating in the Interscholastic Sports Program. Inexpensive health/accident insurance can be purchased through the Department of Education. For insurance information, please contact your school’s Athletics and Activities Manager.

My child has my permission to participate in the sport mentioned below.
Student Name: Date of Birth:  Age:
School: Grade:
*Insurance Co: *Policy Number:
*Team:

My electronic signature below indicates that I have read the above information and confirms that I am a bona fide resident of Howard County and reside at the address below. I am aware of the policies and rules governing eligibility and participation for athletic participation. I am also aware of the consequences for violating these policies.
Parent/Guardian Name:   Parent/Guardian Address:  
*Parent/Guardian e-Signature: Parent/Guardian Email:
Parent/Guardian Phone 1: Parent/Guardian Phone 2:
*Student e-Signature: Student Address: