Student Eligibility- Academic & Medical

In order for a student to compete in interscholastic athletics, including cheerleading and marching band, he/she must fulfill all the requirements set forth by the PIAA and the Slippery Rock Area School District.  This includes compliance with specifications set forth in the Slippery Rock Area School District extracurricular participation policy.  In all cases, the Administration retains the right to use its discretion in evaluating cases; a student’s past record, attitude and willingness to cooperate in correcting behavior problems will be considered, when appropriate.  All students and guardians must sign the extracurricular activities policy prior to participation (online with other registration forms).   

 

Academic Eligibility (High School) 

  • In order to maintain athletic eligibility on a weekly basis during his/her athletic season, a student must be passing a total of four (4) full-credit subjects, or the equivalent each week during his/her athletic season (PIAA Eligibility Requirement).
  • A student who is declared academically ineligible on an eligibility report will be ineligible for a period of one week (from Monday-Sunday) and in that time must bring his/her grades up to passing or he/she will remain ineligible for interscholastic competition until that condition is met.  Practice is permissible and when possible and appropriate, extra help/time should be given to improve the student athlete’s academic standing.
  • If a student is not meeting all eligibility requirements at the end of a grading period (end of nine weeks), said student will be ineligible for the first fifteen (15) school days of the next grading period.  At the end of the school year, the student’s final credits in the student’s subjects rather than the student’s credits for the last grading period shall be used to determine eligibility status for the next grading period.
 

Academic Eligibility (Middle School) 

  • In order to maintain athletic eligibility on a weekly basis during his/her athletic season, a student must not be failing more than one class each week during his/her athletic season; failing two or more classes will make the student ineligible for a calendar week (Monday-Sunday).
 

Eligibility Requirements (PIAA/Medical) 

  • Athletes involved with a sport/activity (grades 7-12) are required to submit the following forms PRIOR to participation in practices, games, and/or events: 
    • PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation “CIPPE:” (Appendix A) 
      • The student and parent/guardian is required to complete Sections 1-5 and Section 6 by an Authorized Medical Examiner. 
      • Sections 1-5 must be completed online through the new online registration platform- Student Central (Big Teams).  
      • Section 6, once completed by an authorized medical examiner, must be uploaded to the students account.
      • All medical information must be up to date, including the student’s insurance information.  If a student does not have health insurance, he/she can purchase through the school district.  
      • The CIPPE must not be completed prior to May 1 and shall be effective, regardless of date completed during a school year.  (May 1-April 30).   
    • PIAA Recertification Form: Section 7 of the PIAA CIPPE form, is an extension of the initial physical that must be completed by both the student and the parent/guardian stating that there have been no changes to the original physical (health history change or injury). This form must be completed at the beginning of each season after the students initial season.
      • If your student is a three sport athlete, your student will have to complete two different recertification forms. If your student completed the physical documentation for a fall sport, they must then complete a section 7 (online) for any winter sport and again for any spring sport. This would be the same for a two sport athlete as well regardless if there is a gap between seasons.
    • PIAA Injury Clearance: Section 8 of the PIAA CIPPE form, is the form that needs to be completed by a physician to return to play after any significant injury: time lost in a season, concussion, surgery, etc.) or any significant change to the students health history (development of seizures, heart condition, asthma, etc.). You can find the Section 8 document in the resources for students & parent/guardian.
 

School Sponsored Pre-Participation Sports Physicals 

  • The Slippery Rock Area School District will provide pre-participation physical examinations twice per school year, at no cost, to middle/high school athletes (grades 7-12) participating in FALL, WINTER and SPRING PIAA sponsored sports/marching band.  The physical examination date will be after June 1st of each school year and advertised prior to the last school day of each year.  The physical examinations will be valid for all sports seasons in a school year provided the student athlete does not sustain any of the following since completion of the initial physical exam: 
  • An illness and/or injury that required medical treatment from a licensed physician of medicine or osteopathic medicine;
  • A Concussion (i.e. bell rung, ding, head rush) or traumatic brain injury;
  • Any dizzy spells, blackouts, and/or unconsciousness;
  • Any episodes of unexplained shortness of breath, wheezing, and/or chest pain;
  • New prescription or pills;
  • Any concerns that need to be discussed with a physician.
    • If there are any changes to the CIPPE form, a student is required to receive clearance from his/her primary care physician.  The physician must sign off of Section 8 of the CIPPE Form. 

- Please note: If you plan on participating in the school’s pre-participation physicals and have a pre existing medical condition (i.e. heart condition/murmur,  epilepsy, etc.), you must have a clearance note from your Primary Care Physician prior to scheduling a time slot with the athletic department. 

- Signups for the school sponsored pre-participation physicals will begin in May of each school year, and schedule by a first come first served basis.  

- Once the physicals are complete, the documentation needs to be uploaded on the online registration platform (Big Teams).