Athletics

To the parents/guardians of Gunderson High School Athletes:

As the Athletic Director, I would like to welcome you and your family to the Gunderson High School Athletics program. I look forward to getting to know you and your family during your time with our athletics program.

It is our goal at Gunderson to provide a positive athletic experience where students feel comfortable exploring their passions for sports, while also challenging themselves to become the best version of themselves. Gunderson Athletes feel a great sense of camaraderie and unity when they join our athletics community, as we look to create an inclusive environment that ensures high ethical standards and expectations for equality, fairness, and sportsmanship for all of our student-athletes, families, and coaches.

Our athletics program is successful because we have devoted coaches, active support from the student and parent community, outstanding leadership from school administrators, and most significantly, a great sense of pride encouraged by the entire community. It is our mission to work together as a community to create a safe space for our student-athletes so that they can develop life skills both on and off the athletics field/court.  We are committed to our athlete’s development as a student and a person.  The rewards our student-athletes will experience during their time as a Gunderson Athlete will last a lifetime.

Did you know that research shows that the utmost influence upon our student-athletes is NOT the coach? By far, you as a parent or guardian have the greatest influence on your student-athlete. Research has shown that parents can impact a student athlete’s motivation, perceived competence, and their enjoyment of the sport. The feedback and behavior of a parent will affect how long an athlete stays involved in a sport and how the athlete perceives their abilities. I encourage all Gunderson High School parents and guardians to be supportive and positive with your student-athlete during their upcoming season. Provide a non-judgmental space where your student-athlete can feel comfortable expressing the ups and downs they experience as a Gunderson Athlete. You will be amazed by the results.

In creating a positive athletic experience, we must understand that both parenting and coaching are extremely challenging vocations.  It is important for parents and coaches to create a positive relationship, where we can work together to support our student-athletes.  By working together, we can create a support system that will allow our student-athletes to push their comfort zones and accomplish their goals.

As a parent, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your student-athlete. This begins with clear communication from the coach of the respective team. Communication from your student athlete’s coach that you should expect is:

• Philosophy of the coach
• Location and times of practices and events
• Team requirements and expectation
• Team discipline and behavior

Communication that coaches can expect from the parents/guardians:

• Concerns expressed directly to the coach and in a professional manner.
• Advance notice if the student-athlete will miss practice or a contest.
• Notification that the student-athlete is ill or injured.
• Clarifying questions about team procedures and time commitments.
• Any concerns are first addressed directly to the head coach only, not other parties.

As your student-athlete becomes involved in the programs at Gunderson High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments in their life. It is important that your student-athlete understands, that just like life, there may be times when things do not go the way they expect. At these times, discussion with the coach by your student-athlete is highly encouraged.

There may be times that it is very difficult to accept your student-athlete’s lack of playing time or the position(s) they have been asked to play. The coaching staff at Gunderson High School are dedicated and committed to their student athlete’s success. They make decisions based on what they believe to be best for the team. Certain things can be reviewed with the coach but other things, such as playing time, team strategy, other players, etc., should be left to the preference of the coach.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and parent. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the athlete’s position. The following procedures should be followed to help promote resolution following communication between the player and coach:

• Contact the program head coach to set up an appointment at least 24 hours after a game. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, during, or after a game. This time can be emotional for all. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution. 
• If the meeting with the coach did not provide satisfactory resolutions, then a meeting with the Athletic Director and Coach is the next step.

I hope that you are excited as we approach another year of Grizzly Athletics. This privilege extended to your student-athlete will lay the basis for future success in life. I am grateful to be associated with Gunderson High School Athletics and I will work hard on your student athlete’s behalf to encourage and strengthen the values of our programs. 

Go Grizzlies!

Sincerely,

Brian Chew
Athletic Director