Geffen Academy at UCLA Athletics Handbook (2024)

Competitive Athletics

• To offer a program that contributes to the overall mission of the School
• To offer a program that will bring pride and tradition to our School, our community and to all participants
• To offer a program that will enhance the School spirit of our students and promote engagement with our future alumni, and our community followers
• To offer a program that encourages multi-sport participation over specialization.
• To keep the student-athlete's enjoyment as the major focus in all athletic activities
• To provide a high quality and competitive program, emphasizing both skill and character development
• To teach the importance of dedication and commitment to a team and to develop self-confidence, leadership skills, self-discipline, and good sportsmanship
• To foster conduct among all Geffen Academy athletes that instills a sense of pride and honesty both in and out of competition

The Geffen Academy at UCLA’s Athletic Program is a dynamic part of a student’s educational experience. Students will be encouraged to explore sports of their interest, regardless of ability level. Interscholastic athletics is a voluntary program, which means that participation is a privilege and not a right. Along with that privilege comes the responsibility to represent Geffen Academy with pride and integrity both in and out of competition. This privilege may be revoked by the School at its discretion.

Each person must complete the following requirements prior to tryouts, in order to be eligible to participate on any Geffen Academy sports team:

• Complete the annual registration process on-line through the Athletic Clearance website in advance of each season (and maintaining current student information), which includes submitting the following documents with a parent’s/guardian’s signature;
  • Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement
  • Permission to Provide Medical Treatment and Emergency Authorization Form
  • Code of Ethics Athlete Form
  • Parent Code of Conduct Form
  • Parent Concussion Form
  • Athlete Concussion Info Sheet
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form
  • Informed Consent to Participate in Athletics Form
  • Athlete Code of Conduct Form
  • Athlete Code of Ethics Form
  • Opioid Fact Sheet

• Be academically eligible according to the rules of the School, CIF and relevant league(s)
• Have an annual physical on file through our student health record system, Magnus (accessible through the Geffen Academy portal), indicating that the student is medically cleared to participate.
• Be eligible under all California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and league rules and regulations. Please note that CIF is a third-party organization and Geffen Academy does not administer or control its rules and regulations.
• Understand and follow all School and team policies with regard to attendance, medical clearance, conduct, attitude and proper training habits.

Geffen Academy Athletics competes in two separate programs. Middle School students (grades 6-8) are eligible to compete in the Pacific Basin League. High School students (grades 9-12) are eligible to compete in CIF competition. The High School program is part of the Coastal League, under the governance of the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS). The Middle School (MS) and High School (HS) athletic programs are administered by the Athletic Department.

Middle School students may not participate in any high school practice or competition and are only eligible to try out for High School competition once they have completed their grade 8 School year in good standing. The exception to this rule is the Equestrian Team. Any student, grades 6 -12, may participate on the School Equestrian Team and compete in the Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL), providing they meet the team’s guidelines. Details can be obtained by contacting the Athletic Director. Please note participation in the Equestrian Team must be financially funded by the family.

The Middle School athletic program endeavors to provide a roster spot for any student-athlete who commits to a team. Occasionally, when facilities and competition regulations restrict roster sizes, we may be unable to accommodate all students. The High School program will have tryouts for roster positions, and may make cuts depending on ability.

Preparation for a season of sport is critical to performance, injury prevention, confidence, and team cohesion. Team preparation provides the cornerstone to understanding the values and life lessons of leadership and commitment. The Athlete Conditioning Class, which meets regularly during the week, is subdivided into sport-specific units. Each unit is led by a member of the coaching staff for that sport who will work in conjunction with our Strength & Conditioning Coach to design and deliver the curriculum. The class is considered an expectation and is highly encouraged for Geffen Academy athletes in grades 9–12, whether they plan to compete at the junior varsity or varsity level. Students should consult the head coach in each sport for further course details. A student who takes the Athlete Conditioning class and competes on a Geffen Academy Athletics team for the season, “in good standing,” will receive credit for the season of competition.

Geffen Academy at UCLA recognizes that participation on a competitive athletics team is a commitment of time and effort. When a student-athlete decides to join a sports team, they understand their commitment to the team may include preseason workouts and/or participation in Athletic Conditioning, regular season competition, and possibly postseason competition. A student may not join another Geffen Academy team until after the end of the full season. Multi-sport athletes must completely finish their first season in good standing before transitioning to their next season of sport. Coaches will accommodate late tryout dates for those athletes still completing a prior season of sport. Multiple unexcused absences may result in a student being dismissed from the team. Upper School students may not compete on an outside team in the same sport during their school season of sport.

Student-athletes who violate CIF Article 60 Rule 600:

• Will be removed from the current team roster.
• Will not train with the current team.
• Will be removed from any CIF Programs.
• May not be invited to any post-season team celebration for that season.
• Will not be eligible to receive any League or CIF Awards, Medals, Plaques, or Rings.
• May be removed from any Championship Banner recognition.
• Will not be able to participate in CIF Competitions that season.
• Student-athletes' eligibility to participate in any subsequent sports seasons shall be at the School’s discretion.

The competitive Athletic Program is separate from the Physical Education Department curriculum.

In High School, students must complete three semesters of Physical Education credit in grades 9-12, in addition to one semester of Emergency Preparedness. High School athletes may earn a semester credit of Physical Education if they successfully complete both the corresponding Athlete Conditioning class and the full season of sport (up to and including post-season playoffs). Students who do not complete the Athlete Conditioning course will not earn a semester of Physical Education credit.

Coed Equestrian Team (Middle School and High School) is year-round, September – May.

Students choosing to participate in an approved UCLA-affiliated club sports program may petition to receive Physical Education credit (Emergency Preparedness course excluded) per sport season. The petition can be found on the Geffen Academy Portal.

Students are dismissed from their academic classes 15 minutes prior to any scheduled bus departure. A release waiver must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian in order for student athletes to drive themselves to an athletic event on UCLA campus and/or leave independently. In addition to parental permission, student athletes must also obtain advance written permission from their coach in order to drive themselves to an event. Students are expressly forbidden from driving other students to athletic events, except in the case of siblings who share the same athletic team and have also received the required parental and coach permissions.

Student athletes are not permitted to drive themselves or leave independently to or from any athletic event that is not taking place on the UCLA campus.

We strongly advise that student athletes take advantage of the school-provided transportation where possible in order to enhance your student(s) security and timely arrival. Please note students that have been authorized to arrive or leave independently will not have coach/chaperone oversight following the conclusion of the activity.