Student-athlete Eligibility

1. Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Programs.
   Under the authorization of the Maryland State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools has established regulations governing athletic programs for boys and girls in the public secondary schools of Maryland.


2. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) supervises the athletic programs in the public secondary schools of the State.


3. Local school systems may supplement the State rules governing their athletic programs with more restrictive ones. Less restrictive rules may not be adopted.


4. Harford County Board of Education.
   The policies of the Board of Education of Harford County regarding the program of interscholastic athletics and the notes clarifying their implementation are as follows:
   

   • 02.08.083 - Participation in Extracurricular Activities - Eligibility Rules

     “In order to participate in curricular and extra-curricular activities in any Harford County Public School, students shall be officially registered and physically attending a Harford County Public School.”

   • 02.08.095 - Interscholastic Athletics

     "A well-balanced program of interscholastic athletics is provided for high school student-athletes as an integral part of the comprehensive program of physical education. All such programs shall be in compliance with the Maryland State Board of Education Bylaw 13A.06.03 and such other administrative regulations and procedures deemed necessary by the Superintendent of Schools to organize and administer effectively the program of interscholastic athletics."

   • Extracurricular activity

     A school-sponsored activity that usually occurs beyond the regular school day, is not graded and does not earn a credit, and is not described as part of a course of study or subject offering in the Student Education Planning Guide.

   • Activity

     A performance, practice, or participation related to an extracurricular program usually administered and supervised by the school.

A student-athlete in the public high schools of Harford County is eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics when:

1. Completed Registration

   A link will be provided by the Athletic Director.

2. Pre Participation Physical Examination Forms:     History, Physical Examination, and Preparticipation Forms  (Español)
   1. Physicals must be dated after June 7 in order to participate in the athletic program during the 2023-2024 school year.
   2. Must be completed by a physician or authorized health care provider.


3. Insurance Requirements
   1. All student-athletes must have an accident insurance policy that will cover the sport in which they wish to participate before they may take part in the sport for either practice or games.
   2. If insurance is needed, reasonably priced policies may be purchased through an independent carrier provided by the school system. Information on the purchase of school health/accident insurance may be obtained at your school office or at this website: Student Accident Insurance. Additional access to health/accident insurance can also be found at Medical Assistance Information – Maryland.


4. Academic Eligibility (See below for details)
   • Passes all classes on the quarterly report card.
   • Students transferring within the public middle schools of Harford County will maintain their eligibility status.
   • Students transferring from outside of the public middle schools of Harford County must meet HCPS eligibility requirements.


5. Middle School Athletics Code of Conduct Policy

   Completed and signed by student and parent/guardian.

6. Attendance

   On the day of a contest, student participants must attend the entire day of school. In extenuating circumstances, which shall be determined by the principal. The principal may grant that the student be allowed to participate.

7. Team Roster

   The team roster form where the Athletic Director’s and Principal’s signature are located will be used to identify the student-athletes that have met the qualifications for participation and have been selected for the team.

8. Voluntary Online Students at Swan Creek

   SB 681 was enacted on July 1, 2023. This bill provides students who attend virtual schools access to extracurricular activities at the public school the student would otherwise attend. (District-Defined Home School)

   • Only voluntary virtual students who attend Swan Creek are eligible for this opportunity.
   • Swan Creek students must meet all eligibility requirements.
   • Transportation to the District-Defined Home School is not provided by HCPS.
   • Students must complete their Swan Creek school day before leaving to attend practice.

A student-athlete will be declared ineligible when (Board Policy – Participation in Extracurricular Activities):

1. The student-athlete has received a failing grade in any subject on a quarterly report card or the student-athlete has received a failing grade in any subject as a final grade.


2. The student-athlete is not able to meet graduation requirements within the normal four year program.

Starting and Ending Times:

Removal from eligibility shall be effective the first day of school following the distribution of report cards. Return to eligibility can be effective the first day after the quarter ends. Student-athletes must meet eligibility requirements to be reinstated. The final decision regarding the student-athlete's eligibility appeal/probation must be made no later than the tenth school day after report cards. The Principal will make the final determination. At the end of the year, both scholastic rules shall apply. Grades earned in summer school may replace failing quarter and final grades on the fourth quarter report card so that a student-athlete may become eligible for the start of the next school year.

Appeal:

An ineligible student-athlete may appeal his/her ineligibility to a school Eligibility Committee. The student-athlete must make an appeal in writing within three school days after he/she has been declared ineligible. In the event that the ineligibility occurs at the end of the fourth quarter of the school year, the school will determine the due date in which the appeal needs to be filed. All appeals for Fall Sports will be heard before the first day of practice by the eligibility committee.

Eligibility Committee:

A committee to monitor eligibility requirements and to hear appeals shall be composed of one (1) administrator, the Athletic Director, one (1) guidance counselor, and at least three (3) non-coaching teachers. The Eligibility Committee shall meet no later than the sixth school day after report cards are issued.

The Eligibility Committee will make one of two recommendations to the Principal.

1. If the student-athlete is unable to control the circumstances causing the failures, recommend to the Principal that the student-athlete be declared eligible.
2. If the student-athlete was able to control the circumstances causing the failures, recommend to the Principal that the student-athlete should remain ineligible.

Probation Procedure:

A student-athlete should be on probation until the scheduled distribution of Interim Progress Reports (IPR). If the student-athlete is passing all classes when IPR's are issued, the student-athlete will be declared eligible for the remainder of the quarter. If the student-athlete is failing any class when IPR's are issued, the student-athlete will become ineligible.

NOTE: Probation will be at the discretion of the Principal and is applicable only if a student-athlete has appealed to the Eligibility Committee. The Principal's decision is final in cases of appeals. An ineligible student-athlete may not participate until the Principal renders a decision. The Principal's decision shall be made no later than the tenth school day after report cards are issued.

NOTE: At a minimum, each high school shall issue interim reports to student-athletes who are in danger of failing at the midpoint of each marking period and shall advise their parent/guardians. Schools may implement more frequent checkpoints at their discretion.

A student-athlete will be declared ineligible when (Board Policy – Participation in Extracurricular Activities):

1. The student-athlete is referred to the office of the Principal and disciplinary action of suspension results.

   Starting and Ending Times:

   Removal from eligibility shall be effective the first day of the suspension or its equivalent. Return to eligibility can be effective at the conclusion of the suspension or its equivalent.
   
   
2. The student-athlete violates the policies of the Board of Education of Harford County, or the policies of a high school which result in a referral to the Superintendent of Schools.

   Starting and Ending Times:

   The student-athlete will be prohibited from participating in all extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics, beginning on the first day of the suspension. Student-athletes who are referred to the Superintendent for further disciplinary action may be declared ineligible for an additional number of school days to be determined by the Superintendent. In addition, the normal disciplinary procedures of the Harford County Public Schools will be taken.

Appeal:

There is no appeal for student-athletes who are ineligible for citizenship reasons.

Upon return to school, the Eligibility Committee will review the circumstances which led to the disciplinary action and may make a recommendation to the Principal to extend the student-athlete's ineligibility. The Principal will make the final determination.

For purposes of clarification, the signatures of the Principal and Athletic Director that are included on all team rosters (which are to be sent to the Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics before the first play date in any season) will mean that the student-athletes on the team rosters have met all of the following eligibility requirements:

• That all student-athletes are academically eligible according to the HCPS Board of Education Policy.


• That registration is on file from the parent/guardians indicating their permission for participation in the sport.


• That every participant has health insurance verification.


• That a completed medical form signed by a qualified physician, the parent/guardian and the student-athlete is on file indicating that the student-athlete is physically fit to participate in the respective sport.


• That all student-athletes are legal residents in the school attendance area or are approved as an out of district student. Seasonal verification is required.

Important Reminders

• A student-athlete may not participate in any games or practice:
  
  
  1. During a period of suspension
  
  
  2. On any day for which the student has an unexcused absence from school, or truancy from any class.


• Playing a contest with an ineligible student-athlete will result in a forfeit of that contest. Additionally, the student-athlete will be ineligible for the next game.


• A Principal may also declare a student-athlete ineligible for disciplinary reasons.


• The Principal or designee must notify the Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics in writing within 24 hours when a student-athlete's eligibility status has changed. This notification shall be confirmed in writing via email.