Mercy High School

Compelled by our Catholic faith and the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy High School is a premier college preparatory school that educates and nurtures young women of diverse backgrounds to excel academically, serve compassionately, and lead courageously.

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of Mercy’s education system. The Athletic Department strives to create a sports program that assists our Athletes in reaching their full potential as individuals and as team members to ensure a positive educational and athletic experience. As is appropriate with educational institution athletic programs, Mercy Athletics follows a SCHOOL FIRST policy.

Mercy Athletics follows all regulations and policies set by Mercy High School, the Catholic High School League, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Each coach and the entire coaching staff for the sport have the responsibility and authority of selecting their teams. They will be involved in the evaluation of the Athletes and selection of each team member. It’s important to remember there are no guarantees for making a team.  Previous years involvement does not assure your daughter of a position. Every Athlete will be treated fairly and given equal opportunity to be selected. 

• Be a cheerleader! Cheering is encouraged, but please let the coaches instruct. Coaching from the sidelines is distracting to individuals and teams, and may conflict with coaching strategy. 
• Be a model for sportsmanship. Provide positive support of Student-Athlete, coaches, and school; as well as opponents, opposing coaches, and schools.
• Be a team fan. Support and cheer for the entire team.
• Be a volunteer. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to volunteer on behalf of the team when needed. This can include Booster involvement, acquiring team sponsors, concession stand duty, and keeping score.
• Monitor your child’s health and studies. Help them to organize their time and to be punctual for practice and contests
• Please pick them up promptly after practices/events
   

The administration and staff of Mercy, all Catholic League schools and the Catholic League Office wish to make it clear that high school sports are an educational activity. Athletes, Parents/Guardians, and friends must be aware of our school's expectations with regard to sportsmanship. Catholic School values should be present at our events.

Unlike professional sports, as a spectator at an interscholastic event, you are a part of the activity, much like the Athletes, coaches and officials. As a participant, (spectator or team member) we expect that you will maintain good sportsmanship while attending school athletic events.

It is expected that as participants and spectators, we will support our both teams in a positive way; remembering that the Athletes, coaches and officials are not perfect and will make mistakes. Negative, derogatory cheers or actions aimed at either team are not acceptable in educational athletics.

It is expected that you will accept the decisions of the officials without vocalizing disagreement. Officials are an important part of this educational activity. We are sending the wrong message when we challenge or abuse the game official sent to the school to administer these educational activities.

The Parent/Guardians and spectators will demonstrate respect for opponents and officials before, during and after contests.

The Parent/Guardians and spectators will not question officials’ calls or use inappropriate language.

At all times it is expected that we will respect one another; adults and Students alike. This especially includes our opponents and officials, without whose involvement, sport contests would not occur.

Coaches, like Parents/Guardians, play a part in helping to shape Student-Athletes into responsible and contributing members of their teams and their school communities. When Parents/Guardians and coaches understand each other’s positions and expectations, they are able to work together to support our Students. Communication is paramount to mutual understanding, trust and respect.

• General Communication Parents/Guardians should expect from coaches:
  Expectations for season (attendance, out-of-season conditioning, special equipment, out-of-season conditioning, and team requirements).
• Locations and times of all practices and sporting events.
• Disciplinary actions that may result in the denial of a Student’s participation in an athletic event.

General Communication coaches should expect from Parents/Guardians:

• Advance notice of any situation that may interfere with participation in practices and/or games.
• Appropriate concerns expressed directly to the coach concerning individual injury or health issue, academic, or discipline problems.
   

All Parents/Guardians are expected to follow the “24/24 Rule:” Maintain a distance of 24 feet for 24 hours before approaching coaching/athletic staff. This is to ensure that all matters are handled in a professional and constructive manner. Please do not attempt to confront a coach directly before or after a sporting event or practice. These can be emotional times for the Athletes, Parents/Guardians, and Coaches. Meetings of this nature rarely promote resolution.

If there are issues that the Student-Athlete and/or Parent/Guardians would like to address, please follow the Chain of Command. The Chain of Command is as follows:

1. Player communicates with their Coach. 
2. Parent/Guardian communicates with Coach.
3. If still unresolved, Parent/Guardian and/or Athlete should contact Athletic Director. 
4. Athletic Director will communicate with Dean of Students if necessary.

There are situations that may require a meeting between the coach and Athlete, or coach and Parent/Guardian, to further the understanding between the parties. When this  is necessary, the following procedure should be used to help resolve concerns:

• Student-to-Coach: Open door policy.
• Parent/Guardian-to-Coach: By appointment.

The following topics are appropriate for discussion:

• The treatment of your Student-Athlete.
• Ways to help your Student-Athlete improve.
• Concerns about your Student-Athlete’s health or behavior.
• Academic support and college opportunities.

The areas below are the responsibility of the coaching staff and not appropriate for Parent/Guardian discussion:

• Playing time, positioning, and event entry.
• Team strategies, game tactics, play calling.
• Discussion regarding other Student Athletes.
   

Parent/Guardians who violate the Code of Conduct will be subject to the following:

• Verbal or written warning.
• Suspension or immediate ejection from the sporting event.
• Season suspension or multiple season suspension.
   

Please refer to the Injury and Concussion Protocol sections of the Mercy Athletic Code of Conduct. 
Mercy High School has a licensed, certified Athletic Trainer on staff.
In case of injury, the athlete must present a signed and dated doctor’s note to the Athletic Trainer BEFORE returning to participate.

• If the athlete does not see a physician for her injury, the Athletic Trainer has the final say in her return to play status.
• No athlete is allowed to return to play after a doctor’s consultation without clearance.
• The Mercy Athletic Trainer has the FINAL say in whether or not an Athlete may return to practice/play.
• Student-Athletes need to see/contact the trainer as soon as possible if an injury occurs.

Mercy Athletic Trainer: Ally Simpson, asimps12@hfhs.org

All Mercy Coaches are required to uphold the standards of Mercy High School, Mercy Athletics, the Catholic High School League, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. This includes putting the health and safety of Student-Athletes first.

The Coaches are seen as the primary person to create team unity, promote good sportsmanship, and support the philosophy and mission of the Athletic Department.

The Coaches assist Athletes in developing to their full potential. They are responsible for training Athletes in a sport by analyzing their performances, instructing in relevant skills and by providing encouragement. 

All Mercy Athletics Programs have a Booster account. Booster Fees are set by team representatives working with the coaches and Athletic Director. The funds in this account remain with the sport in perpetuity. 

Booster funds can be used for uniforms, transportation, team-specific equipment, team bonding/meals, banquets, and other full-team activities. 

All MHSAA-Sponsored sports have a $275 Athletic fee in addition to the Booster Fee. This fee goes towards coaches salaries, tournaments, league/association fees, maintenance, and facilities.

Booster and Athletic fees will be sent as a payment link. Unless otherwise specified, fees need to be paid within the first 15 days of the season. If you require a payment plan, please contact the Athletic Department directly.