District unveils proposed student‑athlete handbook to standardize athletics policies

School athletic leaders presented a proposed Student Athlete and Parent Athletic Handbook to the School Town of Munster board on April 13, aiming to standardize expectations across the district’s 22 IHSAA‑sanctioned programs.

Mr. Nolan and Mr. Schultz described the handbook as the product of a year‑long Quality Program Assessment (QPA) process, informed by sample handbooks from other districts, legal counsel and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators association. The document addresses program consistency, minimum participation and attendance standards, academic eligibility aligned with IHSAA rules, baseline concussion testing and required documentation, transportation and equipment use, and transparency around participation fees and fundraising sources.

Mr. Schultz said the handbook provides general guidelines while preserving coaches’ authority to set team‑specific rules; team rules will be uploaded separately to FinalForms for families to review and sign. He also said the goal is to promote a consistent player experience and clear expectations for parents, coaches and athletes.

Board members asked about how the district handles pledge violations, attendance‑related playing time and how the district will define an “elite student‑athlete experience.” Presenters said pledge procedures are detailed in the student handbook and FinalForms signoffs, attendance and game‑day participation guidelines will be handled through team rules and progressive discipline, and core values to define the “elite” experience are being developed with coaches.