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Athletics
The Runnels athletic program is designed to challenge students to grow mentally as well as physically. Opportunities to learn discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and commitment are part of the daily athletic experience.

From elementary school to high school, Runnels offers participation in a wide variety of sports programs.

Grades K-5
For students in grades K-5, Runnels offers an after-school sports program in several seasonal sports.

Grades 6-8

Philosophy of Grade 6-8 Athletic Program
It is in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades that our students are exposed to competition and that we must acknowledge the vital role of competition in athletics. It is our goal to introduce competitiveness as neither bad nor good, but rather as a part of our daily lives that needs to be handled properly, maturely, and in a fair and consistent manner. In conjunction with this goal, it is our desire to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve some level of success on the playing field. We want to provide exposure and instruction to all individuals regardless of their athletic ability level. We also acknowledge the inherent dangers in making predictions about the future athletic achievements of these young students. With these statements in mind, we have established the following guidelines and goals by which our sports program for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades is organized:
 - No student will be turned away from participation in any sport at Runnels for reasons of athletic ability. Only for academic or disciplinary reasons will a student be asked not to participate.
 - We expect the athletes to attend practices and games regularly and maintain an acceptable level of behavior during all athletic activities. Playing time during games will be tailored to each child’s ability level. Our goal is to create a successful and positive playing experience for each child.
 - The level of competition increases dramatically when students enter the junior high level. Every attempt will be made to enter our junior high teams into leagues comprised of teams of nearly equal ability.

Student Eligibility to Play on High School Varsity Teams
Some of our teams do practice with high school students; however, this does not mean that your child is playing on a high school team. Any decision for a junior high student to compete at the varsity high school sports level requires:
 1.permission from the athletic directors and the team’s head coach.
 2.permission from the school’s assistant principal
 3.permission from the parent for a child to play a varsity sport

Coaches and Leagues
Since adolescents learn a great deal by example, all of our grade 6 - 8 coaches will consistently model the exemplary behavior that we expect of all our students. Coaches will be hired according to the following criteria:
 a.All of our coaches must be excellent role models
 b.All of our coaches should understand the importance of displaying good sportsmanship at all times
 c.All of our coaches must have the desire and ability to provide instruction in the fundamentals of their sport to every athlete regardless of the athlete’s ability.

Coaches are hired on a part-time basis as the need arises. The number of teams formed for each sport depends on the number of students interested in participating. When possible, our after-school sports programs are offered on-site at Runnels. Some teams do have off campus practice times, locations and competitions. This varies by sport, and the individual head coach will provide you with a specific calendar and practice schedule as the season nears.

We ask that our coaches notify the school and communicate directly with parents regarding cancellations or changes in practice or events. We ask for cooperation from both coaches and parents in making sure that children are not left without adult supervision at any practice, event, or venue.

Fees
The base fee to participate in a Runnels grade 6-8 sports team is thirty dollars per athlete, per team. Some teams do have additional league, tournament, or venue fees, which varies by sport and/or season. Uniforms and equipment given to students for use during the season must be returned in good condition to Runnels at the completion of the season, or the student’s school account will be assessed the replacement value of the item.

Athletic Training and Injury Management
Please let us know if your child sustains an injury that will affect his or her participation in athletics. Athletic medicine at Runnels is provided by an NATA certified athletic trainer (ATC), Marcella Babcock, under the direction of James Runnels, M.D.

An NATA certified athletic trainer is a nationally certified and medically licensed allied health professional. The role of the athletic trainer in a secondary school is to medically manage all aspects of athletic injury. This encompasses but is not limited to the prevention of injuries, first aid, emergency care and injury referral, conditioning, nutrition, orthopedic assessment and rehabilitation, concussion baseline and brain injury assessments, health screenings, equipment and field safety, emergency action plans, asthma management plans, and MRSA/skin infection prevention protocols.

While Mrs. Babcock’s primary role is in our high school varsity sports program, she is available during the school year by appointment (usually during the lunch period) for all of our upper school students and staff. Please feel free to contact her with any questions or concerns you have with respect to your child’s athletic health care. While not all injuries can be prevented, it is our goal to work with you and your child’s physician to ensure your child’s safe participation in our athletic and physical education programs.


Varsity Athletics
Since its inception in 1985, the athletic program at Runnels High School has succeeded in accomplishing the task of having both competitive excellence and educational emphasis. Team and individual sports are offered as well as a year round strength and conditioning program.

This year Runnels High School will compete in the following sports:
Volleyball
Baseball and Softball
Boys and Girls Basketball
Boys and Girls Soccer
Boys and Girls Swimming
Boys and Girls Golf
Boys and Girls Bowling
Boys and Girls Tennis
Cross Country
Boys and Girls Powerlifting*
Cheerleading*

* Club sports

 

Runnels School
17255 South Harrell's Ferry Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
225-751-5712