Varsity Letter

Requirements for a DoDDS Varsity Letter

OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

GERMANY REGION

APO NEW YORK 02633-0005

March 9, 1988

EHP-3096

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

SUBJECT: Conditions for Awarding DoDDS Athletic Letters for Swimming

The following provisions constitute an agreement between the DoDDS-Germany Region and the European Forces Swim League (EFSL) to award junior varsity and varsity letters in official swim meets to DoDDS students who meet the eligibility requirements for school year 1987—88 to the termination of this agreement by either party:

I. DoDDS-Germany Region agrees to support and recognize athletic achievements of students who participate in the EFSL by:

A. Awarding 8—inch chenille letters for varsity and 6—inch chenille letters for junior varsity participants who are eligible according to EFSL requirements.

B. Accepting EFSL decisions as to which students are to be awarded letters, when such notification is in writing and signed by an official representative of EFSL.

C. Providing opportunities for eligible students to order and pay for the school varsity letter jackets.

D. Providing opportunities for eligible students to participate in Varsity Lettermen’s Club.

E. Recognizing official swim meets by allowing excused absences for students who participate.

II. The EFSL agrees to support the conditions necessary to fairly award junior varsity and varsity swimming letters by:

A. Meeting the age and grade level requirements adopted by DoDDS, which include the following eligibility rules:

1. Age: Any student who, on the first day of September, has reached or passed his or her 19th birthday will be ineligible to participate in athletic events. A contestant who is age— eligible prior to the first of September remains eligible throughout the school year.

2. Eight—Semester Rule: A student shall be eligible for competition only during eight consecutive semesters after entry into the ninth grade and prior to graduation.

3. Undergraduate Only: Only full—time students currently enrolled in grades 9—12 shall be eligible for a school letter. A full— time student is defined as being enrolled in at least 1/2 day of school.

4. No student may participate on a high school varsity team who has not entered the ninth grade of’ that school. Students must be officially enrolled in the particular school for which they participate. However, a ninth grade student from a feeder school is eligible to participate for the high school varsity or Junior varsity program.

5. Participation in collegiate sports disqualifies students from the DoDDS-G recognition.

B. Determining eligibility according to the published provisions of’ the EFSL as follows:

1. Must be students in good standing at their local high schools. Academic progress reports will be submitted to the local Booster Executive Board, Swim Council, or appropriate governing body.

2. Must adhere to local high school athletic regulations.

3. Must be recommended for a letter by the local Booster Executive Board, Swim Council, or appropriate governing body according to the following criteria:

a. Varsity Letters: To earn a high school letter, swimmers must meet the following requirements:

(1) Participation in practice should be 100 percent of the time with the exception of time lost to sickness, injury or other unavoidable problems. This also applies to league meets.

(2) Fulfill one of the following standards:

(a) Qualify for and participate in the EFSL Annual Championship Meet; or

(b) Set an EFSL record in any event; or

b. Junior Varsity Letters: To earn a Junior varsity letter for swimming, the swimmer must meet the following criteria:

(1) Participation in practice should be 100 percent of the time with the exception of time lost due to sickness, injury or other unavoidable problems. This also applies to league meets.

(2) Earn 25 points in any combination from Table A. NOTE High school seniors are not eligible for junior varsity letters.

c. All swimmers should understand that participation is voluntary and a privilege. Adherence to local high school eligibility requirements is essential.

d. The EFSL will not entertain individual or group cases appealing local decisions by high schools, local Executive Boards, Swim Councils, or appropriate governing bodies.

e. The EFSL will monitor, through team representatives, for fairness in granting of high school letters.

TABLE A. MEETS PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN PERCENT INDICATED

POINTS	PLACE IN MEET	PLACE IN INVINATIONAL	MEETS	PRACTICE
14		1
10	1	2	95	100
8	2	3	90	95
6	3	4	85	90
4	4	5	80	85
2	5	6	75	80
1	6	7	70	75

C. Assuring that students meet the local high school scholastic eligibility rules for participating in an official event. An EFSL representative will monitor the eligibility of all swim team members by contacting the Principal or designee as required throughout the season.

D. Agreeing to purchase all chenille letters for eligible students.

E. Agreeing to acquire and fund transportation, swimming facilities, special awards, and other expenses associated with conducting a swim meet.

F. Agreeing to acquire and fund where necessary, all coaches and meet officials.