Team Policies
Attendance Policy -
NICA's stated goals are to build strong body, mind and character in our athletes. It's impossible for Hutch Tigers Cycling to achive those goals if athletes don't commit to attending team events. Attendance is also key in forming team camaraderie, which is a major goal of the organization. We could all just practice on our own, show up to the events and go our merry way but there’s no memories being formed there! Half the fun is lining the race courses in sleeping bags with your teammates cheering the competitors on, relay races against the 'oh so old' coaches at practice or listening to goofy music in the wee-early hours en route to a race venue. To encourage team camaraderie and memories, Hutch Tigers Cycling does have an attendance policy.
We ask athletes to commit to attending ½ of all required events as this ensures that the riders will adequately progress in safe bike handling and establish adequate levels of fitness to finish races. We only have 2 practices per week so if there are schedule conflicts with one of those days our policy accommodates such conflicts. We ask that all individuals communicate required event absences PRIOR to the event as we plan events for full attendance. In the case of a lack of communication of an absence we will record that as an unexcused absence. 3 unexcused absences and we will ask the athlete to leave the team.
The aforementioned policy is a balance between ensuring a TEAM of competent riders and flexibility for the individual as we ride throughout the busy summer season. Over the years we have seen the correlation between high attendance and high performance. This high performance always correlates to high fun. It is not fun to be out of shape, lack skills and then try to race. So the coaching staff of Hutch Tigers Cycling STRONGLY SUGGESTS ATTENDANCE AT ALL REQUIRED EVENTS in order to maximize the individuals mountain biking experience.
Concussion Policy -
The recognition and treatment of athletes who have suffered a concussion has become a national priority. To better manage instances of concussion in our sports program, NICA/MN League training requires...
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All coaches must complete annual training in the area of current concussion management practices and provide proof of that training to NICA. This training includes up-to-date information on the identification of concussion, the signs and symptoms associated with the injury, the risks involved with allowing athletes to continue to play while symptomatic, methods of concussion assessment, and the importance of gradual return to play practices.
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If, during a practice or race, an athlete sustains a concussion or exhibits the signs, symptoms or behaviors of a concussion, that athlete must be removed from all activity. That athlete may not return to any practice or race until he/she is evaluated by a licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussion (i.e.,physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or athletic trainer). The athlete and his/her parent/guardian must provide written clearance from that provider prior to the athlete being allowed to resume physical activity.
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To assist in the above health care professional evaluations Hutch Tigers Cycling has adopted a MANDATORY CONCUSSION PRE-SCREENING policy.
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Once the athlete receives written medical clearance to return to physical activity, coaches will allow a the athlete to gradually return to cycling.
Lettering Policy -
Minimum Requirements:
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Start 2 races
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60 hours of training (40 with the team)
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Only excused absences
Points by 3 categories, matching the core values of the MN NICA League:
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100 points needed to Letter
1. Strong Body (placement in their top 2 races, 50 points max)
Min Max
25 50 Varsity Race Placement
20 40 JV3 Race Placement
10 30 JV2 Race Placement
20 Improvement bonus (point per percentile increase, 20 points for category increase)
2. Strong Character (40 point max)
Min Max
10 Perfect attendance (approved make-up training allowed)
Up to 10 Advanced training (pre-season, MN series races, extra practices/week) 30 additional hours
Up to 10 Trail maintenance & fundraising
Up to 10 5 points per additional finished races (or finish all races in season)
3. Strong Mind (40 points max)
Min Max
10 Points per prior year on HS biking team
Up to 20 Skills & knowledge test
Disciplinary points are removed for...
• -25 points for unexcused absence from required event.
• -10 to -50 points for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Points can be awarded on coaches discretion for special circumstances.
Pass-It-On Events Policy -
The Hutch Tigers Cycling exists because there were others that preceded us and passed it on. We pass it on as well so that future Hutch Tiger Cycling teams can say that they exist because of the work that we are doing today. Therefore there are required team events in which the goal is to build the team. Events range from Take A Kid Mountain Biking in the fall to Fundraising to performing Trail Work. Please see the calendar for Pass-It-On events.