Saint Francis Catholic Academy

Gainesville, FL

Athletic Teams

Athletic Conduct Policy

Students who participate in interscholastic athletics represent Saint Francis Catholic Academy and are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Conduct, as well as the rules and policies set forth by the Florida High School Athletic Association. Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege and should be regarded as such. Therefore, student-athletes are expected to exhibit the qualities of integrity, respect and sportsmanship at all times.

The Code of Conduct applies to the student-athlete as a representative of Saint Francis and includes: practice, travel, games, and pre-game and post-game conduct. Students who violate any part of the Code of Conduct or FHSAA policies while representing SFCA will be subject to disciplinary action through the Office of the Dean of Students, as well as penalties handed down by the FHSAA. Any misconduct by a student-athlete resulting in a fine by the FHSAA will be paid by the offending student or billed to his/her account. Any grievous offense could result in suspension from athletic participation by the Dean of Students.

Transfer Student Policy

Student-athletes are eligible upon completion of enrollment (as long as they meet all other eligibility standards – including, but not limited to age, limit of eligibility, pre-participation physical exam, GPA, and consent and liability release) at the school in which he or she first attends each school year.

If the transfer occurs during the school year, the student may seek to immediately join an existing team if:

  • The student has completed all Saint Francis Catholic Academy eligibility requirements;
  • A roster spot is available;
  • The student has the requisite skill and ability to participate in the sport according to the coach of the team;
  • The student has not participated in the same sport at another school during the same school year – unless the student meets one of the following exceptions:
    1. Dependent child of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders;
    2. Relocation due to a foster care placement in a different school zone;
    3. Move due to court-ordered change in custody due to separation or divorce, or the serious illness or death of a custodial parent;
    4. Authorized for good cause in the district or charter school policy. The athletic eligibility of students who transfer to Saint Francis Catholic Academy during the school year will be determined based upon good cause. A committee comprised of the, Director of Academics, Director of Admissions, Director of Athletics and the School Counselor will determine the student’s athletic eligibility based upon good cause authority. A recommendation will be made by the committee to the Principal regarding the student’s athletic eligibility. The final decision will be made by the Principal and is not subject to review.

FHSAA Eligibility Policy

Saint Francis Catholic Academy is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and follows established rules. To be eligible to represent Saint Francis in interscholastic athletics, you:

  1. Must be regularly enrolled and in regular attendance at Saint Francis Catholic Academy.
  2. Must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 unweighted scale.
  3. Must not have graduated from any high school or its equivalent.
  4. Are eligible to participate at the school in which you first enroll, or at which you first take part in an official FHSAA athletic practice, at the beginning of the school year.
  5. May transfer to another high school and retain eligibility provided you meet the district school board’s transfer policies or qualify under other FHSAA transfer regulations.
  6. Must not have enrolled in the ninth grade for the first time more than four years ago.
  7. Student must not turn 19 before September 1, otherwise the student becomes ineligible to participate (FHSAA Bylaw 9.6).
  8. Must be an amateur. This means you must not accept money, gift or donation for participating in a sport.
  9. Must display good sportsmanship and follow the rules of competition before, during and after every contest in which you participate. If not, you may be barred from participation for a period of time.
  10. Must not provide false information to your school or the FHSAA to gain eligibility.
  11. Falsifying documentation, accepting an impermissible benefit or talking to a coach about playing at his/her school before you begin attending that school is a violation and could result in:
    • The coach may be fined and suspended
    • The school may face penalties including fines and exclusion from playoffs
  12. Must complete a pre-participation physical evaluation form and be certified as being physically fit for participation, have consent to participate by completing the consent and release liability certificate and sign the concussion and heat related illness release form prior to participating in interscholastic athletics. All athletic forms must be completed. In addition, each student participant must complete concussion video training. The physical evaluation is valid for one calendar year from the date serviced.
  13. Must not participate in an all-star contest in a sport prior to completing high school eligibility in that sport.
  14. Foreign exchange and international students must be approved by the FHSAA office prior to any participation.
  15. Must not be guilty of gross unsportsmanlike conduct or exhibit behavior that is unacceptable to the principal or the FHSAA, both of which carry a six-week suspension from participation; IF EJECTED FROM A CONTEST FOR A FLAGRANT FOUL OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT, THE ATHLETE CANNOT PARTICIPATE FOR 7 DAYS.
  16. May not dress for a contest, sit on the team bench,stand in the team box, or be on the field or play if deemed not eligible to participate.

As long as a student maintains a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, the student will be academically eligible for participation. Additionally, FHSAA regulations state that if a student in the 9th or 10th grades falls below the 2.0 cumulative grade point average requirement, the student will be allowed to participate on a semester-by-semester basis if the student a) earns a 2.0 GPA for courses taken in the previous semester alone; b) signs an academic performance contract with the school, and c) attends summer school. Once, however, the student enters the 11th grade, he/she must have, and maintain from that point forward, the 2.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible for participation.

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

Student athletes interested in competing in college sports should visit the NCAA website at http://www.ncaa.org/playcollegesports to obtain information on NCAA requirements. This can be done as early as Freshman year.

Athletes interested in NCAA Division I or II college sports need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/. An NCAA certification account is necessary in order to make official visits to Divisions I and II schools or to sign a National Letter of Intent. There is a fee for the Certification Account, which is the responsibility of the student-athlete, unless a NCAA fee-waiver is obtained.

Students interested in playing at a Division III school, or who are not yet sure if they want to compete at the college level, should visit the Eligibility Center to create a Profile Page, which will provide an NCAA ID and access to important reminders sent throughout the remainder of their high school career.

Saint Francis Catholic Academy is a four-year, coeducational, college-preparatory, and AP Capstone high school committed to providing a high-quality, Catholic education where students have the opportunity to participate in multiple sports, clubs, honor societies and/or elite activities while preparing for their College Career.

4100 NW 115 Terrace
Gainesville, FL 32606
Directions

352-376-6545
Fax: 352-248-0418
info@sfcawolves.org