ATHLETICS
Gibbs High School is proud of its athletics program. Although academics are of primary importance, an excellent athletic program in itself can be a very meaningful learning experience. We believe that athletics enhances a student athlete’s opportunity to learn; and helps create within him/her a greater desire to improve one-self. Our goal in athletics is to help the student athlete reach his/her potential academically as well as athletically and to become a more productive member of society after having participated in our athletic program.
Note: Students who are interested in participating in college sports should start the certification process early, (NCAA Clearing House) usually by the end of their junior year. Information concerning the certification process is available in both the Guidance Office and the Athletic Director’s office.
Athletic Program Goals
1. To develop self-confidence and a positive self-concept
2. To set and work toward accomplishment of goals
3. To grow socially, emotionally, and physically in a nurturing environment
4. To learn teamwork and cooperation
5. To develop a desire to excel
6. To learn to treat others as we would have others treat us
7. To receive self-satisfaction of accomplishment and enjoyment of participation
8. To develop an awareness and respect for a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits
Athletic Policies
Eligibility
1. A student athlete must have earned at least 6 term credits the preceding year.
2. A student athlete must not be nineteen years of age on or before September 1.
3. A student athlete is permitted eight terms of eligibility beginning with the ninth grade.
4. A student athlete must be taking at least three subjects per term.
5. A student athlete must pass a medical examination before he/she participates in a practice or game.
6. A student athlete must have his/her parent/guardian complete the parent consent form. (Athletic participation and/or weigh training)
7. A student athlete must comply with all eligibility rules as set forth by T.S.S.A.A.
Conduct
Student athletes are to maintain good sportsmanship, give respectful attention to classroom activities, and show respect for other students and faculty. Athletes will have many opportunities to represent their parents, their school, or their team.
As a member of an athletic team, students are expected to be properly groomed. Appearance, expression, and actions are important attributes of an athlete.
Student athletes are not to use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.
Attendance
Student athletes are expected to be in class at all times. An athlete must be in school 3 hours and 15 minutes to participate that day in a game or practice. Student athletes may not participate during an out of school suspension.
Practice
Practice schedules are determined by the individual coaches of each sport. A student athlete should never miss practice without consulting the coach.
Equipment
Equipment issued to the student athlete remains the property of Gibbs High School. The equipment is in a loan status and effort should be given to insure equipment is well taken care of. Any loss of equipment is the financial responsibility of the student athlete.
Letters and Awards
Athletic letters are awarded in each sport to athletes designated by the coach. Each sport has certain criteria which qualifies the student athlete for his/her sport. Qualifications for lettering will be discussed by each coach during the sport’s pre-season.
Athletic Insurance
Coverage for Gibbs High School is a secondary coverage that covers only after parents have filed on their insurance plan. Cost for a catastrophic plan for very serious injury is assessed each participating student athlete.
Privilege – Not a right
The athletic department encourages participation in athletics as an extracurricular activity, and such participation is a privilege. No one is guaranteed a place on a team. Without such a guarantee, the student must be ready to meet the standards established by the school or have the possibility that he/she will not be a member of a team.
Remember, the better one’s talent, the better one’s chance to making the team. Rarely, however, will talent be the sole criterion. Other factors such as attitude, desire, cooperation, and self-discipline will play important parts.
The Student Athlete
The following information is provided for student athletes who plan to attend and participate in a Division I or Division II institution. Additional registration information may be found on the NCAA Website: ncaaclearinghouse.net.
DIVISION I (2008 and later)
If you enroll in a Division I college in 2008 or later and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship during your first year, you must:
(1) Graduate from high school
(2) Complete these 16 core courses:
-4 years of English
-3 years of Math (Algebra ( or higher)
-2 years of Science (natural or physical with 1 yr of lab)
-1 extra year of English, Math, natural or physical science
-2 years of social studies
-4 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign
language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy);
(3) Earn a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses.
(4) Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course
grade-point average and test score sliding scale to the left (for example,
2.4o core course grade-point average needs a 860 SAT).
DIVISION II (2005 and later)
If you enroll in a Division II college in 2005 or later and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship during your first year, you must:
(1) Graduate from high school
(2) Complete these 14 core courses: (2013, August 1st = 16 credits)
-4 years of English
-3 years of Math (Algebra I or higher)
-2years of Science (natural or physical with 1 yr. of lab)
-1 extra years of English, Math, natural or physical science
-2 years of social studies
-4 years of extra core course (from any category above, or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy);
(3) Earn a 2.00 grade-point average or better in your core courses.
(4) Earn a combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68. There is
no sliding scale in Division II.
Athletic Teams
Baseball
The baseball program fields two teams: the varsity and junior varsity. The varsity schedule has thirty plus games, while the junior varsity play ten to 15 games, respectively. The roster size varies with each team. Workouts begin in the fall for pitchers and catchers, while conditioning is year-round. The conditioning aspect of the program includes strength training and a long-and short-distance running program. In the spring, anyone may try out for any of the teams. Organized workouts begin in February, and regular-season games begin in the middle of March. District playoffs begin in early May and conclude with the state championship in late May. Coach is Geff Davis. www.davisg1@k12tn.net.
Basketball
GHS has a long tradition of outstanding play in basketball and regularly competes for district and region championships. Three boys’ and girls’ program fields varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams. Tryouts are held in the spring in conjunction with spring practice and in the fall at the start of the basketball season. A student must have a valid physical and pay a small insurance fee to participate. Coaches are Mr. Rick Anderson (Boys) and Mr. Chris Bray (Girls). www.andersonr7@k12tn.net. www.brayg@k12tn.net.
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is an exciting sport, which promotes positive school spirit and infuses fan loyalty for GHS and its athletic programs. Tryouts consist of a mandatory parent-student meeting, a mandatory two day clinic with tryouts before judges on the third day. Attendance at summer camp is mandatory. Each cheerleader is responsible for all expenses except for the uniform itself. Although cheerleading is hard work, it is worth the effort. Few school activities provide as many opportunities to meet new people, to learn to work with others, and to get involved in school activities. Sponsor is Mrs. Robin Davis. www.davisr21@k12tn.net.
Cross Country
Cross Country is a very demanding sport. It requires a positive attitude, stamina, and endurance. Hard work and dedication to running are the main ingredients for a successful Cross Country athlete. Gibbs High School offers Cross Country at the beginning of each school year and concludes with the state finals held in Nashville the first weekend in October. Get your running shoes on and come join us. Coach is Mr. Grant Dakin. www.daking@k12tn.net.
Dance Team
The purpose of the dance team is to provide a school spirit program that supports GHS’s athletic programs and promotes the school itself. The dance team is expected to plan and execute routines to be performed at athletic events, community events, competitions, pep rallies, etc. The primary obligations of the squad are to provide entertainment for the fans who support the school and to positively represent Gibbs and Knox Co. in regional and national competitions. Tryouts are held in the early spring for the upcoming school year. Tryouts consist of a mandatory parent meeting where rules and financial obligations are explained and a 2-day clinic, which prepares the dancers for judging on day 3. Practices are Aug- Feb, usually 2 days per week for two hours each day. There is a break from practice schedules in the early spring and late summer. Being a Dance Team member is exciting and fun, but it requires a lot of hard work, time, talent, and dedication. Sponsor is Mrs. Laura Johnson. www.johnsonl30@k12tn.net.
Football
The main objective of the football program at GHS is to promote a commitment to excellence in every phase of the student-athlete’s life-spiritual, social, academic, and physical. Football is a unique sport in that there is a place for practically everyone who is willing to make the time and workout commitments. GHS schedules games for three different teams-varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen. There are four phases of the program, which are available to interested students.
(1) Winter and spring strength/agility program-December to May.
(2) Spring football practice (Ten Days). Students involved in other school sports at GHS are excused from these workouts while their sport is in season.
(3) Summer workouts (June - August 1) These workouts are mandatory.
(4) Fall practice and season (Approximately Aug.1-Dec. 7)
Golf
GHS offers golf to both boys and girls. Competition is conducted in a regular season (Fall), with elimination tournaments at district, regional, and state levels. Tryouts are during the summer and prior to the season in the fall. Participants must have an athletic physical and pay a small insurance fee required of all athletes. Coach is Mr. Tommy Milligan. www.milligant@k12tn.net.
Soccer
The soccer program fields two teams – girls varsity and boys varsity. The girls’ season is in the fall, and the boys play in the spring. The varsity teams play a 15 game regular season schedule followed by district and regional tournaments. Coach is Mr. David Goldschmidt. www.goldngol@knology.net.
Softball
The girls’ fast-pitch softball program at GHS is an exciting addition to all of the other girls’ sports offered. The sport requires that the participants be dedicated and willing to work hard on the field as well as in the classroom. The off-season program starts in January. During this pre-season time, the girls are required to sharpen their running skills, while at the same time improve their cardiovascular system, which is the “heart” of preparedness, strength, and agility, The coaching staff expects the girls to be dedicated to the “team” concept and to strive to represent themselves, their families, and GHS with the utmost integrity. The coaching staff strives to teach the principle that hard work is the key to success, and that there are no shortcuts to winning, not only on the field of play, but also in the game of life. The coaching staff and the administration feel that safety is of utmost importance. Because of this, each participant is required to have a physical by qualified physician. The staff also requires that the participant have a signed parental consent and that the student be covered by the school insurance program. Coach is Mrs. Carol Mitchell. www.mitchellc1@k12tn.net.
Tennis
Gibbs High School has both a girls’ and boys’ tennis team. Gibbs has always had a tradition of having a strong tennis program. Home matches are played at the Ruritan Park and Tyson Park. Coach is Mr. Kerns. www.kernst1@k12tn.net.
Track and Field
Track and Field is a combination of team and individual activities. The meets consist of several different events in which one competes to win the meet. The track team is made up of many different types of individuals. Track does not just involve running. Individuals could participate in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, discuss throw, or shot put. All of these different events involve different types of people. For instance, the shot put involves people with powerful strength, while the one-hundred-yard dash requires someone with very quick speed. The track meets come in two types. The small meets are held after school. These usually involve only one or two teams. The other meets are on Saturdays. These involve eight to forty teams and take most of the day. In track, students learn to work toward their highest potential in order to be good. Track and Field events develop students into stronger athletes. Coaches are Mrs. Gina Legg and Mr. Todd Atkins. www. leggr@k12tn.net www.atkinst@k12tn.net.
Volleyball
Girls’ varsity volleyball is open for grades nine through twelve. It begins the first week of August with tryouts for new players and pre-season conditioning for returning players. Before beginning tryouts or conditioning, a signed physical examination form is required to be turned into the coach. The season lasts from approximately August 1 to October 31. Practices are held every day after school from 3:45 to 6:00, except on competition days. Coach is Chris Bray. www.brayg.k12tn.net.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a sport for everyone regardless of weight or stature. Practice begins with early conditioning and weight training. Mat practice beings November 1 and concludes with the state wrestling tournament in the middle of February. Students compete in 13 weight classes ranging from 103- 275 lbs. in a variety of 2-4 team dual meets and many in-season tournaments. Coach is Mr. Tim Pittman. www.pittman1@k12tn.net.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteering your time and energy to help make your school and your community a better place is both educational and rewarding. Many colleges and employers look for applicants who have spent time serving others. Gibbs High encourages its students to look for ways to accumulate service hours either through school clubs, organizations or team projects or through community agencies or churches. Some people volunteer for a few hours a week, while others make a career of it; either way, helping other can add a greater meaning to your life!
Here are a few tips to help you plan ways to serve others:
Ø Decide on causes or issues that concern you the most.
Ø Look for ways to positively impact these concerns through service projects or programs.
Ø Consider the skills you have to offer and how you can best use them to serve others.
Ø Talk to your friends and family members who may have some of the same concerns and work with them on some of your efforts.
Ø Find ways to volunteer that fit your personality and lifestyle.
Extra-Curricular Activity Participation Policy
All students who participate in clubs, athletics, or any type of extra-curricular activity must follow all Gibbs High School and Knox County Schools policies and procedures related to behavior expectations and academic priorities, regardless of whether the activity is at Gibbs High School or during regular school hours. Violations of these policies will result in the consequences outlined in the student handbook .
NOTE: Students who are suspended out of school or pending a disciplinary hearing are not allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities during the suspension time. 