TO:                 All Butler Area Student Athletes and Parents/Guardians

  

SUBJECT:     Physical Procedure

 

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) changed its requirements for participation in interscholastic athletics as of the 2008-2009 school year.  The PIAA has instituted a new procedure whereby all student athletes are mandated to have a Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (CIPPE) completed by an authorized medical examiner (which includes a licensed physician of medicine or osteopathic medicine, a certified registered nurse practitioner, a certified physician’s assistant, or a school nurse practitioner).  All student-athletes are required to complete the new PIAA physical examination known as CIPPE.

 

All students interested in participating in athletics at Butler Area School District are required to undergo a comprehensive physical evaluation for participation in his/her first sport of the school year, sign an Insurance Waiver Form, NovaCare Form, and complete an Eligibility Questionnaire Form.  The CIPPE forms, Insurance Waiver form, Eligibility form, and NovaCare form are available to download from our website at www.goldentornadosports.net, and then click on “physical forms”.  All forms may be picked up at the Athletic Office or at any of the three secondary buildings. 

 

To be eligible to play a sport during the school year, the initial CIPPE physical evaluation form must be completed no earlier than June 1.  Any CIPPE physical turned in after that date will be valid ONLY for the school year.  After June 1st of any year, a new comprehensive physical will be required regardless of when the physical was performed during the school year.  This comprehensive evaluation can be performed at your family physician’s office or with our school doctors when the district offers the physical in July “ONLY” for the entire school year. (see attached schedule).  There will be a $10.00 fee for physicals when done at the school district. If you decide to have your primary care physician perform the physical evaluation, please make sure that the CIPPE forms are the only form provided to your doctor.  When making an appointment with your family doctor, please take all physical forms to the authorized medical examiner and have him/her fill out Section 4 of the evaluation. 

 

Note: Butler Area School District does not offer the following interscholastic sports: field hockey, gymnastics, spring soccer and water polo.  Please add cheerleading in Section (2) into the “other” line.  Girl’s volleyball, for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade, will be held in the spring only.

 

PIAA Butler Sports for grades 7-12: Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Wrestling, Track, Baseball (8-12 only), Softball, and Volleyball.

 

PIAA Butler Sports for grades 9-12: Golf, Bowling, Tennis, Rifle, Swimming, Lacrosse and Indoor Track.

 

All forms must be sent directly to the Athletic Office, “NOT” the coach, as soon as completed, but at least one week prior to the first day of practice.  Physicals turned in at the last minute may result in the student not being permitted to practice or to participate in tryouts.  Such delays may result in a loss of tryout time or perhaps losing the opportunity to tryout completely.  Physicals will not be accepted after the start of the PIAA defined season unless approved by the Athletic Director.  Once the physical is turned into the Athletic Office and reviewed for eligibility, the student will be granted permission to participate in athletics.  When a student athlete has a desire to participate in a sport that has roster reductions or cuts, it is imperative they have all of their paperwork submitted in a timely fashion.

 

For any athlete participating in multiple sports seasons, please follow the guidelines on page one for the initial CIPPE for the first sport season.  For the 2nd and/or 3rd sport season, or if the physical was performed 14 days prior to the start of the PIAA defined season, the parent/guardian and student will need to re-certify their contact information and health assessment on Section 5. Your doctor does not need to re-certify any information unless there has been a change in the student-athlete’s health or if he/she has sustained a serious injury since the initial evaluation.  If you check or circle yes to any of the questions on the “Supplemental Health History” Form on Section 5, you are “required” to go to a certified by licensed physician of medicine or osteopathic medicine and have him/her complete Section 6 prior to being eligible to participate in the next sports season.

 

If so, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible so there is no delay in eligibility and participation for the next sport season.  If you are going to a different doctor other than the one who performed the original comprehensive physical (CIPPE), you must also take a copy of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 with you to your personal physician so they can complete Section 6. Without Section 6, you are not permitted to try out, practice, or play.

 

Lastly, the Butler Area School District Athletic Department mandates that all students in grades

9-12 participating in football, soccer, wrestling, and lacrosse complete the UPMC Impact Concussion baseline-testing program prior to the first day of official practice as outlined by the PIAA.  This innovative process known as IMPACT, which stands for Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, is offered by the Butler Area School District.  As of now, we do not have a date and time.  The head coach of each sport will also have this information when available.  Additional information or scheduling IMPACT testing appointments may be obtained by contacting our Certified Athletic Training staff at 724-822-5869.

 

 If further information is necessary, please contact the Athletic Office at 724-214-3232.

  

START DATE FOR PIAA FALL SEASON IS AUGUST 16, 2010
START DATE FOR PIAA WINTER SEASON IS NOVEMBER 19, 2010
START DATE FOR PIAA SPRING SEASON IS MARCH 7, 2011