General Policies

Attendance and Participation

• Students are expected to attend every scheduled practice and game.  If they miss practice, it may affect their participation in games.  Coaches should be notified prior to any planned absences. 
• If an athlete misses two days of practice or games, she must meet with Ms. Kridel or Ms. Steck prior to future participation with her team.
• If a player has an unexcused absence during the day, she will not be allowed to compete in athletic contests.
• Students who are unable to participate in physical education or dance may not participate in practice or a game without prior approval of Ms. Kridel.  
• If a player becomes injured, it is her responsibility to inform both her coach and the Athletic Trainer in a timely manner.

Practice Times and Team Transportation

Middle School

Middle School teams meet Tuesdays-Fridays from 2:40 pm - 3:30 pm and will practice and play on campus unless otherwise noted (*). Games take place after school hours and, on average, teams have 12 competitions.  It is expected that athletes will attend all practices and games during the season. Exceptions are the badminton and track teams, which do not compete after school, and Dance Company, which holds its performance at the end of the fall season.

For Middle School, transportation is provided to all practices and competitions. In squash, the team practices and plays off-campus at Roland Park Racquet Club; therefore, the team size is limited to the capacity of a mini bus (14 student-athletes). Transportation is also provided for the softball team to Bryn Mawr’s Mt. Washington location for home games.  All other Middle School teams play on campus.

Upper School

Most Upper School teams practice following the school day from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.  Varsity volleyball, Varsity basketball, squash, ice hockey, and swimming often practice either in the early morning or late afternoon/evening.  Occasional weekend invitational or holiday practices may be scheduled by coaches.

Transportation is provided for all practices and competitions that take place after school during the week. Transportation is not provided for practices that take place before the school day begins, late in the evening, or on weekends.  

The transportation guidelines and practice specifics for teams with off-campus sites are as follows: 

Crew

• For crew information contact the Baltimore Rowing Club

Ice Hockey

• Practices start at 6:00 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Ice Skating Ring (located off Northern Parkway). Typically, ice hockey practices in the morning four days a week and has an afternoon workout at Bryn Mawr one day a week (and some Saturday ice time as well). Home games take place at different locations and times.
• Parents are responsible for transporting their daughters to and from morning practices. Practice starts at 6:00 a.m. on weekdays.  Transportation is provided to and from games that take place after school during the week.

Swimming

• The swim team practices at 6:00 a.m. at Gilman. Typically, swimming practices in the morning four days a week, with one additional land workout in the afternoon.
• Parents are responsible for transporting their daughters to and from morning practices. Practice starts at 6:00 a.m. Transportation is provided to and from meets that take place after school during the week.

Softball

• Practices and games for softball take place at Bryn Mawr’s Mt. Washington field. Transportation is provided to and from all games and practices during the week.

Squash

• The Upper School squash teams practice at Bare Hills Racquet Club from 4:30-6:30 PM. Transportation is NOT provided to and from Bare Hills on weekdays.

Student Driving Guidelines

• In order for an Upper Student to drive, the "Driving Permission Form" must be completed and returned to Ms. Kridel.  
• In order for an Upper Student to be a passenger with another student, the "Driving Permission Form” must be completed and returned to Ms. Kridel.
• At NO time will a student be left at an away site to wait for a ride.  Coaches will bring the student back on the bus if her ride is not present at the game’s end!

Addressing a Concern

Bryn Mawr encourages students to advocate for themselves, addressing issues with the appropriate individual, whether that is a teacher, advisor, coach or teammate.  When dealing with an athletic issue, athletes should talk with the coach directly, especially regarding concerns about playing time.  If the issue cannot be resolved, or if it pertains to the health and well-being of a student, a parent should feel free to contact the coach to discuss the concern or to make an appointment.  If necessary, an appointment can be made with the Athletic Director or Assistant Athletic Director after speaking to the coach.   
 
Students, parents, and coaches are expected to demonstrate respect for opponents, officials, the rules of competition, and The Bryn Mawr School at all times. 

Quitting

If a student decides to quit a team once teams have been made, she MUST have a face to face conversation with the coach.  Please insist on this. Ms. Kridel, Ms. Steck or another coach must also be present.

Alcohol Use Policy

A Bryn Mawr student-athlete represents her team, the Athletic Department, and The Bryn Mawr School. A student-athlete's behavior on and off campus, in public and in private, and on weekdays and weekends, should not reflect negatively on herself or her school.

If at any time there is evidence that a Bryn Mawr student-athlete is using and/or dispensing illegal drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, or abusing prescription drugs, she will face appropriate consequences as determined by the athletic director and the coach. The violation will be reported to the appropriate division director, Dean of Students, and the Headmistress.

Uniforms

• Athletes have the privilege of wearing team uniforms on game days, assuming that they are taking care of them.  Students who choose to wear team uniforms on game days must be in complete uniform or they will receive detention.  Optional team apparel is not part of the school or team uniform. Athletic footwear should be worn with uniforms.
• Ms. Souris will notify students of their team’s uniform distribution and collection dates.  If a player is not present for the distribution, she must contact Ms. Souris to schedule a time to pick up her uniform.
• Collection days for uniforms are based on a one day return policy.  If a player does not return the uniform on the assigned day, she will receive detention unless she is absent from school.  A player is responsible for any lost or damaged uniform and will be charged accordingly.
• For hygienic reasons, students are responsible for purchasing part or all of their uniform for certain sports such as volleyball, track, and swimming.  Most game uniforms are provided by the school, but additional equipment (racquets, sticks, footwear, etc.) is the responsibility of the athlete.  Students who need assistance with team equipment should speak to Ms. Kridel.

Team Clothing Orders

• If anUpper School team is interested in purchasing additional “team” apparel (i.e. sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc), they must first get approval from Ms. Kridel and then place the order through the Bryn Mawrket.  Items may cost no more than $30.00, must have appropriate sayings, and must be done in the following colors: yellow, white, gray, green, or black.  The purchased items MAY NOT be worn as part of the team uniform to school during the school day.  Middle School teams may not purchase team apparel.
• Varsity teams who win their league championship will receive a team clothing item compliments of the Boosters club ($50.00/item). Championship teams carrying very large varsity teams (i.e. track, ice hockey, and swimming) must establish a varsity roster of who will receive jackets.

Hazing

Maintaining a safe environment where all students are valued, is of paramount importance at Bryn Mawr.  As such, hazing and harassment are not tolerated and should not be a part of any team culture.  Any student who experiences or observes hazing or harassment should report the behavior to her coach so the situation can be handled.

Athletic Trainer

As a service to Bryn Mawr athletes and families, a certified athletic trainer is on campus to provide care for students.  The trainer is available on school days beginning at 11:30 a.m. until the completion of daily athletic competition. Please schedule an appointment for treatment.

Athletic Emergency Information – Sportsware

Athletics now utilizes Sportsware, a program that maintains personal and medical information and compiles injury data in a confidential and organized manner.  The data base keeps the information for the duration of an athlete’s enrollment at Bryn Mawr and only needs to be updated if information changes.  Before your daughter can participate on an athletic team, her emergency contact and health information must be completed or updated through the Sportsware website.  

If you are updating your information or entering it for the first time, please log on to the following website: http://www.swol123.net/.  If you have questions, please contact Athletic Trainer, Maggi Souris, at sourism@brynmawrschool.org or (410) 323-8800, ext. 1204.

Impact Testing

Bryn Mawr Athletics has joined with LifeBridge Health to bring Impact testing to Upper School Athletics.  Impact is a computer based concussion test and is one tool used to determine if and when an athlete is healthy to resume physical activity after sustaining a concussion.  Baseline testing is required for all athletes involved in contact sports.