2011 Fall Athletic Department Meetings help to “Honor the Code”

The Marcellus athletic program holds player/parent/coach meetings at the beginning of each season for all levels of competition: modified, junior varsity, varsity. The meetings are designed to outline athletic program goals/expectations as well as providing time for individual coaches to share expectations relative to their respective programs. Students from all ages gathered either in the high school auditorium or the DMS auditorium to hear Athletic Director Brad Dates outline the upcoming sport season. At the meeting, Dates emphasized the various components of the Marcellus athletic program including providing an overview of the IMPACT Concussion Management program. As one of the leaders in Central New York, the IMPACT approach allows for “all those involved with your child’s school experience to best address what is needed if a head injury occurs”. The program involves both cognitive pre and post-testing to better assess treatment options should a concussion or head trauma occur. An additional feature was an overview of the Honor the Code partnership with the Prevention Network. This year’s pilot program involving four school districts (Lafayette, Onondaga, Skaneateles, and Marcellus) encourages making the right choices when it comes to alcohol and substance abuse. Two students from each of the four pilot districts, including our very own Danielle Felty and Matthew Tice, are working with Prevention Network representatives to promote healthy decisions during the athletic season. Honor the Code has been featured in the local media during the fall season. Following the general meeting with the athletic director, the individual coaches held break-out meetings for their respective teams.