GOAL:COMPLETE ALL REQUIRED WORK IN YOUR CLASSES TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC SKILLS AND IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE FOR THE FUTURE. IMPROVE CLASS RANK AND IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF ATTENDING COLLEGE OF YOUR CHOICE

FOOTBALL PLAYER:
ATTEND ALL PRACTICES AND IMPROVE EACH DAY AS A PLAYER
DEVELOP TEAM ATTITUDE TO ACHIEVE TEAM GOALS AND CONTRIBUTE ANYWAY YOU CAN
RESPECT COACHES,TEAMMATES, MANAGERS, TRAINERS, REFEREES AND OPPONENTS
PLAY EVERY GAME WITH ENTHUSIASM AND INTENSITY- IT MAY DECIDE THE GAME
LEARN ASSIGNMENTS AND UNDERSTAND GAMEPLAN THEN EXECUTE ON THE FIELD

GOAL: BE PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND MENTALLY PREPARED TO PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION EVERY GAME. CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF PRIDE.

LEADER AND ROLE MODEL:
REPRESENT THE TOWN, SCHOOL AND FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN A POSITIVE MANNER
LEARN UNDERSTAND AND DISPLAY QUALITIES OF A FIRST-CLASS STUDENT-ATHLETE
BE A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH POSITIVE ACTIONS
AVOID UNHEALTHY BEHAVIOR LIKE THE USE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL, STEROIDS AND TOBACCO
TREAT ALL TEACHERS, PARENTS, COACHES, STUDENTS AND TEAMMATES WITH RESPECT
PARTICIPATE IN GRIDIRON CLUB ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISERS

OFF-SEASON COMMITMENT:
PARTICIPATE IN OTHER SPORTS IN THE WINTER AND SPRING: COMPETE WITH PRIDE
BECOME STRONGER, FASTER AND BIGGER THRU OFF--SEASON CONDITIONING AND RUNNING
ATTEND INTRAMURAL CONDITIONING CAPTAIN'S PRACTICES AND SEASONAL TESTING.
PREPARE TO BE CHAMPIONS FROM DECEMBER TO AUGUST- ”THERE IS NO OFF-SEASON “

CHAMPIONS:
PRACTICE HARD EVERY DAY AND PLAY HARD EVERY PLAY OF EVERY GAME
UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE AND DO WHATEVER THEY CAN TO HELP THE TEAM SUCCEED
PLAY WITH DETERMINATION AND INTENSITY EVERY GAME- "NEVER SURRENDER"
TALENT IS HELPFUL BUT THE TRUE MEASURE OF A CHAMPION IS THE SIZE OF THE HEART
LEAD BY EXAMPLE THRU POSITIVE ACTIONS AND GOOD DECISION-MAKING
MAKE A YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT TO BE A BETTER STUDENT, ATHLETE AND LEADER WHEN FACING A CHALLENGE,

IF A PLAYER IS ILL AND DOES NOT ATTEND SCHOOL HE IS EXCUSED FROM PRACTICE. IF A PLAYER HAS A FAMILY COMMITMENT DURING SCHOOL HOURS HE MAY PRACTICE WITH A SIGNED NOTE FROM A PARENT. ADVANCE IS RECOMMENDED IN THIS SITUATION. IF A PLAYER ATTENDS SCHOOL HE IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND PRACTICE UNLESS HE INFORMS COACH REDDING OF AN ILLNESS OR FAMILY COMMITMENT BEFORE THAT PRACTICE SESSION.

IF A PLAYER CANNOT ATTEND A PRACTICE, GAME OR MEETING WHEN SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION, THE PLAYER OF PARENT SHOULD CALL MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (261-7515, #1820) TO INFORM THE COACHES OR CALL COACH REDDING AT HOME AT AND LEAVE A MESSAGE.

OUR COACHING STAFF CONSIDERS REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT PRACTICE AS ONE OF THE KEYS TO OUR SUCCESS. PLAYERS REMAIN IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION AND UNDERSTAND THE MENTAL ASPECT OF THE GAME IF THEY ATTEND ALL PRACTICE SESSIONS. AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE WILL RESULT IN A ONE-GAME SUSPENSION. THE THIRD UNEXCUSED ABSENCE WILL RESULT IN A DISMISSAL FROM THE TEAM. EXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN LESS., PLAYING TIME IN THE GAMES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF MISSED PRACTICES. ANY PLAYER SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL CANNOT PRACTICE THE DAY OF THE SUSPENSION AND THAT PLAYER IS SUSPENDED FROM THE FOLLOWING GAME.

PUNCTUALITY:
PLAYERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON TIME FOR ALL PRACTICE SESSIONS, PRE-GAME MEETINGS AND FILM SESSIONS. STUDENTS RECEIVING EXTRA HELP AFTER SCHOOL MAY BE ALLOWED TO PRACTICE LATE WITH A SIGNED NOTE FROM THE TEACHER. PLAYERS WHO ARE UNEXCUSED WILL DO EXTRA CONDITIONING AFTER PRACTICE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COACHES. PLAYERS WHO ARE LATE TO PRE-GAME MEETINGS WILL NOT PLAY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THAT GAME. THESE MEETINGS ARE USUALLY 2 1/2 HOURS BEFORE KICKOFF FOR HOME GAMES AND 3-3 1/2 HOURS BEFORE AWAY GAMES.

INJURIES:
PLAYERS WHO ARE INJURED ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL PRACTICE SESSIONS, GAMES AND MEETINGS UNLESS THEIR INJURY PREVENTS THEM FROM DOING SO. INJURED PLAYERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM IN ANY WAY THEY CAN (i.e. video, stats, assist coaches). INJURED PLAYERS SHOULD MEET WITH THE TRAINER ON A DAILY BASIS FOR,. TREATMENT AND CONDITIONING WORKOUTS. WHEN AN INJURED PLAYER RETURNS TO THE TEAM HIS PLAYING TIME WILL BE BASED ON HIS HEALTH, CONDITIONING AND THE QUALITY OF PLAY OF HIS SUBSTITUTE. THESE DECISIONS ARE-MADE-BY THE COACHING STAFF FOR THE OVERALL WELFARE OF THE TEAM, FIRST AND THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER, SECOND.

PLAYERS WHO ARE INJURED AT PRACTICE OR IN A GAME SHOULD INFORM THE COACHES OR THE TRAINER IMMEDIATELY. IF AN INJURY BECOMES MORE SERIOUS AFTER PRACTICE OR A GAME THE PARENTS SHOULD CALL COACH REDDING AT HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OUR STAFF CAN RECOMMEND SOME MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN THE AREA THAT ARE SPORTS- ORIENTED WHO WILL PROVIDE SPORTS THERAPY AND WILL HELP THE PLAYER RETURN TO THE FIELD MORE SUCCESSFULLY.

HAZING:
IT IS A CRIME TO PARTICIPATE IN OR ORGANIZE HAZING, OR FOR A PERSON AT THE SCENE OF SUCH A CRIME TO FAIL TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. ANY STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN AN ACT OF HAZING WILL RESULT IN A FIVE DAY SUSPENSION, AS WELL AS REFERRAL TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED, INCLUDING POSSIBLE EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THIS IS A SERIOUS OFFENSE THAT INCLUDES PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARASSMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL.

PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:
DURING THE SEASON OF PRACTICE OR PLAY, A STUDENT SHALL NOT, REGARDLESS OF THE QUANTITY, USE OR CONSUME, POSSESS, BUY OR SELL OR GIVE AWAY ANY BEVERAGE CONTAINING ALCOHOL; ANY TOBACCO PRODUCT; MARIJUANA; STEROIDS; OR ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. ANY PLAYER IN AN AUTOMOBILE THAT CONTAINS DRUGS, ALCOHOL OR TOBACCO WILL BE CONSIDERED IN POSSESSION OF THAT SUBSTANCE. FIRST VIOLATION: THE STUDENT IS SUSPENDED FROM GAMES FOR TWO WEEKS BUT WILL CONTINUE TO PRACTICE AS A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. SECOND VIOLATION: THE STUDENT IS DISMISSED FROM THE TEAM FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON. THIS PENALTY MAY EXTEND INTO THE WINTER SEASON DEPENDING ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT.

TEAM TRAVEL:
PLAYERS ARE EXPECTED TO TRVEL T0 AND FROM THE GAME OR CAMP WITH THE TEAM BUS EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS WHEN THE HEAD COACH IS INFORMED IN ADVANCE BY THE PARENTS.

ACADEMICS:
THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF YOUR SON IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ATHLETIC SUCCESS. STUDENTS WILL BE MONITORED ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH THE USE OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORTS. STUDENTS WHO ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY IN TWO OR MORE CLASSES WILL BE PLACED ON ACADEMIC ALERT. STUDENTS SHOULD ATTEND EXTRA HELP AFTER SCHOOL OR BEFORE SCHOOL WITH THESE TEACHERS. AFTER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS IF THE STUDENT HAS NOT MADE IMPROVEMENTS THE COACHING STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND THE PLAYER FROM THE FOLLOWING GAME. THE PLAYER WILL CONTINUE TO PRACTICE AND ATTEND EXTRA HELP UNTIL THE GRADES IMPROVE. OUR STAFF BELIEVES STRONGLY THAT ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC SUCCESS CAN GO HAND-IN--HAND AT MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL IF THE STUDENT-ATHLETES WORK HARD AND MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN BOTH AREAS. THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF ACADEMIC WORK, HOWEVER, IS ON THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT. THE COACHING STAFF AND FACULTY WILL SUPPORT THE STUDENT BUT THEY MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE:
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AT SCHOOL ON TIME IN THE MORNING. PLAYERS WHO ARE TARDY TO SCHOOL WILL DO EXTRA CONDITIONING AFTER PRACTICE TO ENCORAGE THEM TO BE PUNCTUAL FOR THE MORNING CLASSES. WITH THE START OF BLOCK SCHEDULING THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IS NOW EVEN MORE CRITICAL FOR ACADIMIC SUCCESS.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

JUNIORS:
REGISTER FOR PSAT'S IN OCTOBER
PREPARE FOR SAT'S IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR
BEGIN LOOKING THROUGH COLLEGE BROCHURES IN GUIDANCE
CHECK WITH GUIDANCE FOR APPROVED COURSES FOR NCAA (48H FORM)
FULFILL COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR NCAA AND CHECK G.P.A. (4.0 scale)
BECOME INVOLVED IN STUDENT ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE SPORTS
WORK HARD IN CLASSROOM-LAST FULL YEAR COLLEGES EVALUATE!
IMPROVE CLASS RANK BY MAINTAINING EFFORT ALL YEAR LONG!
MEET WITH MR. REDDING AFTER THE SEASON AND PLAN SENIOR GOALS

SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMEN:
WORK HARD TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC AVERAGE AND RANK
FULFILL NCAA COURSE REQUIREMENTS NOW, NOT LATER
BECOME INVOLVED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
DEVELOP GOOD REPUTATION WITH TEACHERS AND COACHES
DEVELOP READING AND WRITING SKILLS FOR SAT TEST
DEVELOP ALGEBRA/GEOMETRY SKILLS FOR SAT TEST
SET GOALS NOW FOR YOUR NEXT TWO-THREE YEARS

YOUR FUTURE SUCCESS IS BASED ON THE WORK YOU DO IN HIGH SCHOOL. WORK HARD NOW TO GIVE YOURSELF GOOD CHOICES AS A SENIOR. THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY GOOD COLLEGES IN THE NORTHEAST THAT OFFER DIVISION I, IAA, II AND III LEVELS OF FOOTBALL BUT YOU MUST HAVE THE GRADES IN SCHOOL TO ATTEND THESE SCHOOLS. THESE SCHOOLS WANT STUDENT-ATHLETES, NOT JUST FOOTBALL PLAYERS! IN THE LAST DECADE WE HAVE HAD OVER 50 PLAYERS SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND ATHLETICALLY ON THE COLLEGE LEVEL. SEVERAL HAVE BECOME CAPTAINS AT THEIR COLLEGES. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING COLLEGE FOOTBALL-THERE IS A SCHOOL FOR YOU IN NEW ENGLAND-IF YOU ARE ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED!