Cane Creek Middle School Athletic Program
Dear Parents,
Cane Creek Middle School has in our brief history achieved excellence in academics, arts, and in our athletic program. We currently have over 50 championship banners from the French Broad Middle School Conference hanging in our gym. We look forward to future success as our students continue the Cane Creek tradition of good sportsmanship and excellence in all that we do.
Sincerely,
Justin Clarke
Athletic Director
Cane Creek Middle School Athletic Policies
Eligibility
In order for any student to be a member of an athletic team, he/she must meet the following requirements:
- A student may not participate if he/she turns fifteen (15) years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year.
- A student must be in attendance 85% of the previous semester (no more than 14 days absent).
- A student must meet the residency criteria of G.S. 115C-366(a) and may participate only at the school to which the student is assigned by the Buncombe County Board of Education.
- A student must have passed three out of four core subjects (Language Arts, Math, Science, & Social Studies) each semester. A student who fails two or more core classes during the 1st semester is ineligible for the remainder of the winter sports season and the spring sports season. A student who fails two or more core classes during the 2nd semester is ineligible for the next fall sports season.
In grades seven and eight, the student must pass at least one less course than the number
of required core courses each semester and meet promotion standards established by the
Buncombe County Schools. Grades will also be checked by coaches at nine-week midterms to ensure that players maintain the standard of not failing two or more core classes. If an athlete is failing two or more core classes at the midterm interval then an academic probation will result. - Athletes, including cheerleaders, are required to maintain academic eligibility as defined above each semester and meet the attendance requirement as stated above each semester. All sports have the same eligibility requirements.
Participation
BCS middle schools are members of the French Broad Middle School Athletic Conference. This conference includes the following middle schools: Asheville, Reynolds, Cane Creek, Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, Owen, and Valley Springs. The opportunity to be a member of all sports teams is open to all students in grades seven and eight. By North Carolina Athletic Policy, sixth graders are not eligible to participate in interscholastic sports. Sixth grade students who would like to be involved in athletics should speak to a coach concerning the possibility of becoming a manager of a team.
Physical Examination - Student Athletic Packets – Insurance - Transportation Fee
Per Buncombe County Schools Board Policy, each student athlete and cheerleader must have a physical examination by a doctor before he/she will be allowed to participate in athletic tryouts/activities. The physical examination is valid for one year from the date of the physical. You may download the form here. The athletic packet must also be completed and on file in the school office for each athlete once the athlete makes a sports team.
Regarding insurance, all students must be covered by private accident insurance in order to participate in athletic competition. This is a requirement by both Buncombe County Schools and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (see additional private insurance information within the packet). In addition, the Buncombe County Board Policy mandates that all athletes pay a one time fee of $4.00 for athletic insurance coverage. In addition, a $35.00 fee is charged to all student athletes one time during the school year to help cover the cost of activity bus transportation to athletic events. Accordingly, the total required fee is $39.00 per student for participation in the athletic program. This fee is paid only once, so students who participate in two or more sports pay the athletic insurance and transportation fee at the time they first participate in a school sport.
Tryouts
Coaches will conduct tryouts in each sport at the beginning of each season. Students who tryout and do not make an athletic team are encouraged to participate in outside sports activities to continue to develop athletic skills.
Student Athlete Expectations
All student-athletes represent Buncombe County and their respective schools. Therefore, each student athlete's actions both in and out of school must reflect positively on the district and school community or the participant will not represent the school in any of our athletic activities.
While at school, student-athletes are expected to set positive examples for the rest of the student body. All student-athletes are expected to follow school rules at all times. Student athletes are required to read and sign the “Cane Creek Middle School Student Athlete Pledge” within the Athletic Packet.
Dual Sport Participation
Two School Teams in the Same Season
Athletes may be permitted dual participation on two school teams in the same season provided the athlete and coaches involved can resolve all conflicts in advance regarding expectations, practices, and participation in games or contests. The Athletic Director, the Athletic Administrator, and both coaches must meet and approve the dual participation of an athlete.
School and Non-School Participation
Dual Participation on a non-school team is allowed as long as the athlete commits to his or her middle school team as their primary commitment. No school practice, contest, game or team function can be missed for non-school participation without advance approval of the school coach and the Athletic Director. All non-school athletic participation during the school year is secondary to participation in Cane Creek Middle School Athletics and is not to be encouraged or discouraged by the Cane Creek Middle School Coaching Staff. Any athlete who, without prior approval, misses a school athletic practice, contest, game, or function to participate in a non-school athletic event will be placed on probation for a two to six week period from the sport. A second occurrence would result in a calendar year suspension from all athletic participation. The Athletic Director, Athletic Administrator, and School Principal will make the final decision on the length of the suspension.
