ST. FRANCIS ACADEMY WRESTLING / 2026–2027
THE PANTHER
STANDARD.
Athlete • Family • Coach commitment
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to build the leaders of the future through wrestling, academic excellence, accountability, and service. We help student-athletes develop discipline, resilience, respect, and personal growth while preparing for higher education and life beyond the mat.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to graduate student-athletes who are prepared to pursue wrestling at colleges that match their preferred academic, athletic, and personal goals. We are building a team culture rooted in love for the sport, care for teammates, and continuous personal growth.
We build disciplined, academically accountable, resilient wrestlers who protect one another, compete with integrity, and represent St. Francis Academy with pride. Middle School, HS Boys, and HS Girls are welcome, including athletes who are new to wrestling. College participation is an individual goal supported by development, academic preparation, and appropriate recruiting guidance.
THE ATHLETE COMMITMENT
Academics & eligibility
Attend classes, complete work, communicate with teachers, seek tutoring when needed, and satisfy the school's current academic eligibility requirements. Coaches support improvement; they do not override school decisions.
Practice & attendance
Arrive on time, dressed appropriately, with water and necessary equipment. Inform coaches of absences as early as possible. Attendance and competition participation are managed fairly, considering school, family, health, and religious obligations.
Respect & team culture
Respect teammates, coaches, officials, staff, and opponents. No bullying, hazing, threats, harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Protect the dignity of new wrestlers and girls entering the sport.
Training & effort
Work with purpose, follow instructions, protect partners, and accept feedback. No unsafe holds, intentional injury, unsupervised sparring, or punishment workouts. Progress is measured by consistency and growth, not only wins.
Health & safety
Report injuries, concussion symptoms, skin concerns, and unsafe conditions immediately. Follow medical restrictions and return-to-play clearance. No dangerous weight-cutting, dehydration, or pressure to conceal injury. Coaches provide appropriate supervision and refer health decisions to qualified professionals.
Competition & representation
Follow school and event rules, arrive prepared, compete honestly, and respond to wins and losses with composure. Travel and conduct rules are issued before events.
Digital citizenship
Do not post another athlete's private information, injury, embarrassing footage, or likeness without required permission. No abusive posts or team-group harassment. Participation in publicity and media use is optional and handled separately.
Leadership & accountability
Take responsibility for choices, repair harm when possible, ask for support, and encourage younger teammates. Concerns are addressed through a documented, age-appropriate process with parent/guardian notification as appropriate.
COACHES PROMISE
Provide safe, age-appropriate instruction; communicate schedules and expectations; apply standards consistently; support academic success and athlete well-being; protect confidential information; and offer an appropriate reporting path for concerns.
PARENTS & GUARDIANS PROMISE
Support attendance and communication, provide accurate emergency contacts and required school forms, report relevant safety concerns, respect officials and team members, and reinforce balanced academics, health, and athletics.
ACCOUNTABILITY & SUPPORT
Coaches use conversation, corrective instruction, family contact, and individualized improvement plans when appropriate. Serious safety or misconduct issues may require immediate protective action and referral to school administration. No automatic penalty substitutes for school policy, and athletes may share their perspective without retaliation.
WHAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE
I have read and discussed the Panther Standard. I understand the expectations and how to ask questions or report concerns. This acknowledgment does not waive legal rights or replace school-required medical, travel, or consent forms. School policies, eligibility rules, and athletic department directives control in the event of a conflict. Completing this acknowledgment does not by itself approve participation or team placement.
Optional promotional media permission is a separate choice and does not affect an athlete's opportunity to participate. It is collected through the school's approved media-consent process, separately from this commitment.