INTRODUCTION
Questions regarding specific sports should be directed to the coach of the team on which your son/daughter is playing.
By design, athletic participation is filled with a great many challenges. Winning is not always the most important thing, but trying to is. Parents can make a big difference in the success of the athletic program by encouraging their student/athletes and by supporting the coaches’ and officials’ decisions.
Parents and student-athletes are encouraged to contact the coach for clarification, understanding and counsel.
The GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT is held in high regard by the NJSIAA, UNION COUNTY CONFERENCE, and Union County Interscholastic Athletic Association. Athletes are expected to uphold this tradition by exhibiting the highest level of competition and sportsmanship. Governor Livingston athletes traditionally are noted for dedication to their sport, intense competitiveness, and respect for opponents and officials.
PHILOSOPHY and OBJECTIVES
It is the intent of GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON’S ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT to provide to the students of the high school a comprehensive, well-planned and balanced program of interscholastic athletics and to show how the student can benefit from participation in this type of activity.
The purpose of the athletic program at Governor Livingston is to provide for the pursuit of competitive excellence in all sports, with the understanding that the pursuit of that excellence is educational in purpose. The prime concern is to develop the student-athlete physically, mentally, socially and emotionally in a positive environment among all coaches, and participants.
The athletic program shall be conducted in accordance with existing Board of Education policies, rules and regulations. While the Board of Education takes great pride in winning, it does not condone “winning at any cost!” The Board discourages any and all pressures, which might tend to neglect good sportsmanship and good mental health. Infractions are all inclusive for disciplinary purposes no matter the nature of the offense.
The program shall be managed and teams coached in a manner which strives to achieve the following objectives:
Athletes should be required to maintain academic standards consistent with our eligibility policy.
Participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right. Athletes must learn to abide by rules, regulations, and decisions associated with their particular sport.
The coach has the responsibility to determine an athlete’s ability and talent, who shall make the team, and the coaching techniques and strategies that, will be employed.
There must be mutual respect for all who are involved in the competition – teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Participation helps develop character, cooperation, and the moral and ethical values that lead to useful citizenship.
Participation teaches a student that discipline and self-sacrifice are necessary ingredients of teamwork.
Through participation, the student-athlete will develop a healthy body, sound mind, and an appreciation of individual differences.
Participation leads to a better understanding of ethics, sportsmanship, integrity, and fair play.
Valuable lessons are learned in the course of the competition, both winning and losing. They help us grow up and develop.
The Board of Education, administration, members of the athletic staff, student-athletes, and parents should do everything within their power and ability to promote the athletic program and to create an atmosphere of learning that is in the best interest of students and the community.
Athletic Goals and Objectives
#1 Goal – The student-athlete shall become a more effective citizen in a democratic society.
Specific Objectives
The student-athlete shall learn teamwork: To work with others in a democratic society, a person must develop self-discipline, and respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice. Athletes must place the team and its objectives higher than personal desires.
To have fun and learn: The main reason student-athletes participate in sports and games.
To be successful: Our society is very competitive. We do not always win, but we succeed when we continually strive to do so. You can learn to accept defeat only by striving to win with earnest dedication. Develop a desire to excel.
Sportsmanship: To accept success and defeat like a true sportsman, knowing you have done your best. We must learn to treat others as we would have others treat us. We need to develop desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation, and dependability.
To improve: Continual improvement is essential to good citizenship. As an athlete, you must establish a goal and constantly try to reach that goal. Try to better yourself in the skills involved and in those characteristics set forth as being desirable.
Enjoy athletics: It is necessary to acknowledge all of the personal rewards we derive from athletics and to give sufficiently of ourselves in order to preserve and improve the program.
To develop desirable personal health habits: To be an active, contributing citizen, it is important to obtain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits and to develop a desire to maintain this level of physical fitness after the formal competition has been completed.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
Dear Governor Livingston Highlander Community:
It is an honor for me to be the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Governor Livingston High School community. As a proud New Jersey resident, I am very familiar with the prestige and excellence associated with the Berkeley Height Public School District. The common theme of outstanding academics, extra-curricular offerings and championship interscholastic athletics is synonymous with the Highlanders. I am excited every day to work to build on these legacies and be part of the Highlanders community!
I would like to share a bit about my background for your reference. I began my career in education with the Randolph Township Public School District as a teacher and coach of several sports. As the Head Girls Soccer Coach, I was fortunate to develop a nationally recognized program. As I continued to hone my coaching craft, I was offered the opportunity to become the first full time Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Villanova University. Under my tutelage, the women’s soccer program rose to national prominence. The pinnacle of the experience was when the team won the Big East Tournament and competed in the NCAA National Tournament Sweet Sixteen game at home. During my tenure, I held leadership positions with several NCAA National Committees and was the President of the Big East Conference Coaches Association. These experiences directed me to the next phase of my career, Athletic Administration. It was difficult to hang up my coaching hat but I have been able to direct my passions to improving the overall student athlete experience within all sports offerings.
I would like to explain my personal philosophy of athletic administration; it lies in the belief that the student athlete experience is paramount. The process of administration must be nurtured and continue to evolve based on the needs of the student athlete and coaching staff. The athletic arena setting provides a wonderful and unique opportunity to foster each student athlete’s desires to develop as a player and a person. I believe that it is a coach’s role to be a facilitator of each student athlete’s journey to become a valuable member of the team and society. It is my job to provide the highest quality of guidance to the coaching staff, supporting them as they enlighten each individual team member to achieve great success.
The opportunity to represent the Governor Livingston High School community and the Highlander athletic program will require determination, dedication, discipline and hard work. Our student athletes will embodied these traits during their high school careers wearing the Red and Blue. We will win many competitions and will represent the communities of Berkeley Heights and Mountainside with great pride and class.
In closing, I greatly look forward to meeting all our supporters and championing the Tradition of Honest Excellence in all facets of the Athletic Department.
Go Highlanders!
Ann B. Clifton, Director of Athletics
