Athletics

Philosophy & Policies

Long Trail bases the success of our athletic program not on wins but on the quality of the athlete’s experience. To help ensure the greatest possible athletic experience, Long Trail strives to provide the best possible coaching, facilities and equipment as well as to schedule competitions against optimally challenging opponents. Athletes also share responsibility by supplying commitment, enthusiasm and dedication. This means attending ALL practices, competitions and team events with a positive attitude. This is especially true of varsity level student-athletes.

Commitment

One of the most important aspects of team participation is commitment. LTS respectfully requests that all student-athletes who join a team are prepared to commit to the team for all practices and competitions for the duration of the season. Family trips during a sports season can affect team performance and chemistry. Student-athletes must arrange jobs and other activities around practices, competitions and play-offs. School attendance is part of this commitment. If a student is suspended, they are not allowed to participate in athletics until their suspension has been lifted.

Southern Vermont League

In varsity cross country, soccer, basketball, golf and track & field, Long Trail competes as a Division IV member of the Southern Vermont League.

Participation

As a member of the Vermont Principals’ Association, we adhere to their guidelines regarding athletic programs. To be eligible to participate in our athletic program, athletes need to make sure they have submitted a completed Physical Exam Form and Athletic Participation Form.

Mascot

Mountain Lions

Student Expectations

• Be present at all practices and games, if unable to attend an event you must communicate with your coach in advance.

• Come with a positive attitude and an eagerness to try and learn.

• We encourage all students to speak with their coaches directly as sport provides a wonderful avenue to learn and grow. 

• Come prepared with all equipment needed to participate in the sport. 

• LTS Sports take precedent over outside club sports

Parent Expectations

• We are all representatives of the LTS community and are expected to conduct ourselves in a positive and supportive nature. 

• Parents are welcome to speak with a coach or the athletic director regarding the health, wellness, and safety of their child.  We encourage conversations to come from the athlete as this is the best avenue for their overall development.

• Coaches are not allowed to leave an event until all students are picked up, please have a plan and communicate what that plan is with your child to ensure a smooth pick up from both home and away events. 

• If supporters are not acting in a positive manor we reserve the right to ask anyone to leave. Our primary responsibility is to provide a safe atmosphere for students to compete and we stand by that. 

• Appropriate times to reach out to coaches or the athletic director: during regular school hours and not during an event or after a game. If an emergency arises please don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. 

• VPA Video

Concussions

A concussion is an injury to the brain that changes the way the brain functions. Recent research has greatly enhanced our understanding of concussions but there is still much to discover about these injuries. Parents must sign the Athletic Participation Form, which includes this information. An informative video on concussions can be found at www.nfhslearn.com.

Concussion Management Action Plan and Return to Play Protocol:

• An athletic trainer, coach, or official will make the initial decision to remove the athlete from play when a concussion is suspected.

• Upon this initial assessment, an athlete must then seek an official medical diagnosis from a healthcare provider.

• If a concussion is confirmed, the athlete must sit out from athletic participation for the healthcare provider’s prescribed period of time. Additionally, this information will be shared with the Dean of Academics and Faculty and appropriate teachers so that an academic plan may be implemented as the injury heals.

• The athlete may be cleared to return to play only with the signed permission of a healthcare provider. NFHS Heads Up Concussion Return to Play states that the athlete must also have had all academic restrictions removed and be back to their regular academic workload before returning to sports.

• Long Trail School’s Athletics Director or coach will inform the parent or guardian when a student is suspected of suffering a concussion.

Return to play procedures

• Concussions – if a student is believed to have a concussion in order for them to return to play a doctor must provide a note for the timeline of your return. Communication for this should go through the School Nurse and then the Athletic Director

• For Major injuries- i.e. broken bones/torn ligaments – a doctor’s note will also be needed for your return. Communication should go through the school nurse.

• For minor injuries – bruises/ cuts/ soreness/ blisters – these require consistent communication with the coach about your health to ensure you are well and able to participate

Activities other than athletics

• The Long Trail Community is one where we encourage well rounded people. If a student has a wide range of interests, we want them to be able to explore all that LTS has to offer. With that being said, in order to be involved in many activities you only have so much time to participate in each event so having strong communication with the coach is important. 

• The Arts and Athletics coexist and we support it. Making sure you communicate with the theater department/music department/athletic department so clear expectations are set and met is critical to your involvement in a variety of activities.