A "Different" Letter Policy

I am not sure lettering in a high school sport is as significant an achievement as it once was. It seems letter jackets are not as culturally accepted as they once were. That said, determining who will qualify for a varsity letter and who does not is still the responsibility of the coach and

can be an issue. You, as the coach, need to establish the criteria you will

follow in order to award varsity letters. These criteria should be communicated to the players, parents, and to your activities director.

We distributed what I called the Parent/Player Guides early in the season. One of the things included in the guide was our letter policy. The criteria I used to determine a member of our program earning a varsity letter included the following:

- Any player who participated in 13 halves in a 26 game schedule earned a

varsity letter.

- Any senior player who was in good standing at the end of the season would

earn a varsity letter regardless of the number of halves played.

- Managers, Statisticians, Video personnel, etc. could earn a varsity letter if

they were in good standing after two seasons in the program. The

exception could be made if they were a senior and had only been a part of

the program for that year.

- Any underclassman who makes, in the judgement of the varsity coach, a

significant contribution to the varsity program regardless of the number

of halves played may be issued a varsity letter.

An alternative lettering policy to consider is explained below. This policy comes from a high school baseball coach. I think it has some real merit. This coach's letter policy was based on a points system and not solely on

playing time.

Now remember, this is a letter policy developed for baseball and we all know basketball coaches are smarter (ha ha) than baseball coaches, so I feel confident you could take this policy and adapted to fit your needs:

VARSITY LETTER WINNER REQUIREMENTS

- 23 points required to earn a varsity letter

- 45 points available to be earned

- POINTS AWARDED -

a) Each varsity game participated in ................................................................. 1 point

b) Summer baseball participation, full season ............................................ 5 points

c) Participation in Strength & Agility Program, with less than 3

absences ..................................................................................................................... 4 points

d) Volunteer in Spring Training Weekend ........................................................ 2 points

e) Full season, participation in another school sport ................................ 3 points

(For each sport.)

f) "A" Honor Roll 5th and/6th grading period .................................................. 2 points

(For each grading period)

f) "A" Honor Roll 5th and/6th grading period .....................................B

(For each grading period)

g) "B" Honor Roll 5th and/6th grading period ................................................. 1 point

(For each grading period)

- POINTS DEDUCTED -

a) Failing a class in either the 5th or 6th grading period ......................... 2 points

(For each each class)

b) Disciplinary action that causes you to miss a game ........................... 2 points

(For each game missed)

*In the event of any rare or special circumstances, the coaching staff will

have the final determination in awarding a varsity letter.

"What do you mean the referendum failed?"

I think with some thought a coach could adapt this method of determine varsity letters. Edit in and out whatever factors you consider worthwhile in determining who will be awarded a varsity letter.

Although I never used this system, I liked the emphasis on academics and

giving credit for those who are volunteering to serve others. Including a

"service" clause is a good idea. Most letter policies I would assume are based almost exclusively on playing time. It makes sense to me to include classroom performance, community service, as well as playing time as

criteria for determine your letter policy.