Awards
AWARDS:
1. Certificates are given to all participants, from the Middle School level through the Varsity level.
2. Letters are awarded to those individuals in each sport who meet the minimum requirements as listed. Male and female athletes will receive the same award, a block letter "L" and a Certificate of Letter. The following awards will be given by Dallas Lutheran School:
* Varsity L (6" block letter, gold chenille on blue) Is awarded when an athlete letters for the 1st time.
- Sport Pin – Is awarded upon lettering for the first time in a particular sport.
- Bar – When an athlete letters for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time in a given sport a Bar pin is awarded.
- Certificate – A printed certificate will accompany each and every letter earned.
- Patches – all athletes that are members of a District or State Championship team will receive a patch to denote the honor.
- Individuals achieving ALL-STATE recognition will receive a patch from DLS for this honor. (Other patches denoting Individual honors All-District, Tournament teams, positions, etc. may be purchased by the individual on their own.)
- Numerals - Any Individual may purchase these on their own.
3. All athletes desiring to letter must meet the following basic requirements:
a. Attend all practices, squad meetings, and contests regularly and promptly. If a player will be missing a practice or contest, the coach is to be notified IN WRITING by the player involved prior to the practice or contest. Special circumstances will be taken into consideration.
b. Demonstrate to coaches, teammates, to the school, and to the community his/her loyalty, cooperation, sportsmanship, and Christian citizenship.
c. All athletes MUST finish the sports season in order to receive a letter. In the case of a season ending injury, letters can still be earned if the athlete continues to serve the team. Athletes who become ineligible or are removed from a team due to rule violations, will not be granted a letter, even if he/she has played sufficient time prior to becoming ineligible. Also the privilege of recognition at the seasonal sports recognition evening is forfeited.
d. Meet the specific letter standards for each sport.
e. Managers or statisticians shall be eligible for the same award as players, provided they meet all of the requirements listed in this handbook.
REQUIREMENTS FOR LETTERS:
Below are listed the minimum requirements an athlete should meet in each sport to be eligible for receiving a varsity letter in that sport. Any athlete on a varsity team who finishes the season in good standing but does not meet the minimum requirements will be recognized with a participation certificate for that sport. These lists are considered guidelines and exceptional cases are left to the discretion of the coach and Athletic Director.
VOLLEYBALL:
a. The athlete must participate in 60% of the varsity games.
b. The athlete must play at least one (1) complete game.
c. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
d. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
FOOTBALL:
a. Attend 95% of the practices
b. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
c. Attend 100% of games
d. Pass the play book test
e. Play at least one play in 70% of the scheduled games
SOCCER:
a. The athlete must participate in 60% of the halves played.
b. The athlete must play at least one (1) full 40 minute half.
c. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
d. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
BASKETBALL:
a. The athlete must participate in 70% of the quarters available during the season.
b. The athlete must have played at least one (1) complete quarter.
c. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
d. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
CHEERLEADING:
a. Cheerleaders must be present and cheering at ALL required games, pep rallies, and competitions.
b. Cheerleaders may not have more than 2 unexcused absences.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
c. Cheerleaders will follow and adhere to all guidelines in the Cheerleading code of conduct and rules
d. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
MASCOT:
a. Mascot must be present and cheering at ALL required games, pep rallies, and competitions.
b. Mascot may not have more than 2 unexcused absences.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
c. Mascot will follow and adhere to all guidelines in the Cheerleading code of conduct and rules
d. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
VOICE OF THE LIONS:
a. 100% attendance at each scheduled Varsity game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
b. Make all public service announcements
c. Announce starters
d. Lead pre-game prayer
e. Coordinate with band director for singing of National Anthem
f. Coordinate with band director for time out music.
g. Coordinate with cheerleaders for half-time performances
h. Announce events of the game.
BASEBALL:
a. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
b. The athlete must participate in 50% of the innings available to each team member.
c. The athlete must participate in four (4) successive innings in a game.
d. A pitcher who normally plays no other position, may qualify by participating in one fourth (1/4) of the total games
and by pitching at least four (4) consecutive innings in one game.
e. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
GOLF:
a. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
b. The athlete must participate in 70% of the total meets.
c. The athlete's score must count as part of the team total in 50% of all matches.
d. One or more of the following would qualify the athlete for a letter:
1. Being a medalist in a match.
2. Being in the top 5 in matches played.
3. Finishing in the top 10 in the state play-offs.
e. Exceptional cases are left to the discretion of the coach.
f. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
CROSS COUNTRY:
a. Attend 95% of the practices
b. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
c. Attend 100% of meets
d. Run in at least one play in 80% of the scheduled meets
e. Score for team in at least one meet.
COLOR GUARD:
a. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and performances unless excused in advance by the coach.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
b Must attend Color Guard Camp.
COLOR GUARD MANAGER:
a. Must attend all regularly scheduled practices, performances and camp unless excused in advance by the coach.
b. Must complete all tasks assigned by the coach.
c. Coach's Assistant: Run sound for practice and performances
d. Equipment: Organize and keep track of equipment for practice and performances.
e. Must be responsible.
SOFTBALL:
a. 100% attendance at each scheduled practice and game.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
b. The athlete must participate in 50% of the innings available to each team member.
c. The athlete must participate in four (4) successive innings in a game.
d. A pitcher who normally plays no other position, may qualify by participating in one fourth (1/4) of the total games
and by pitching at least four (4) consecutive innings in one game.
e. Full participation in the BFS program in-season and in the off-season is expected.
MANAGER/STATISTICIAN:
a. The athlete must be present at 100% all regularly scheduled practices and games unless excused by the coach.
(Exceptions are made only in rare occasions; see attendance policy for specific guidelines.)
b. The manager must complete all tasks assigned by the coach.
c. The statistician must be present at all games (home and away) unless excused by the coach.
d. The statistician must make designated data available to the coach immediately after the game in order to
enable the coach to report pertinent information to the news media. (They may be asked to report this to
the newspaper after the game.)
FOUR-YEAR ATHLETES:
An athlete is eligible to receive a letter if he/she has been on a specific Varsity team for four (4) years, even if he/she has not met the above requirements. Transfer students will receive credit for participation at their previous school(s).
WEARING OF AWARDS:
1. Only individuals who have earned a Varsity Letter have the right to have an L sewn on an official Dallas Lutheran School Jacket.
2. PATCHES – Sport specific patches may be attached to the official Dallas Lutheran School of Dallas Jacket under the following conditions. Once an individual has been a full participant in a particular sport at the High school level that individual Is entitled to have a patch depicting that particular sport sewn on the sleeve of the official Dallas Lutheran School Jacket. In order for an athlete to have a sport patch or individual award patch made and sewn on their jacket they must get the signed approval of the head coach of that sport. Athletes must get the appropriate Patch Order Form signed by their coach and approved by the athletic director.
3. Only letters, emblems, patches, pins etc. associated with participation on a Dallas Lutheran School team may be attached to the official Dallas Lutheran School Jacket. Medals, patches, pins, etc. won at tournaments and District or State meets may also be attached provided they were awarded to an athlete while attending Dallas Lutheran School. Any letters, patches, pins or medals, etc., awarded to an individual for participation outside of Dallas Lutheran sponsored activities are not to be attached to the official Dallas Lutheran School jacket.
4. Failure to follow the above guidelines could result in the withdrawal of the right to wear or keep such award(s).
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS:
Three (3) times during the school year, our athletes will be honored in an awards assembly at school.
1. Fall (Volleyball, Football, & Color Guard)
2. Winter (Boys and Girls Basketball, Soccer & Cheerleading)
3. Spring (Baseball, Softball & Golf)
Upon completion of a season, Dallas Lutheran School, along with the Booster Club will host an Athletic Awards Recognition Evening to honor the team members and their coaches. It is at these assemblies that athletes will receive the certificates, letters, pins, etc. Athletes should be dressed in the Dallas Lutheran School school uniform or better.