Hardin-Simmons University

HSU Spurs Behavior Handbook
2022-2023

Mission Statement

The Spurs are a team of motivated student leaders who seek to continue to challenge themselves as dancers, as well as strengthen their walk with Christ through team fellowship while attending Hardin-Simmons University.  The purpose of this team is to represent HSU both on and off campus with the goal of encouraging Cowboy pride through spirited performance, service, and character.

We exist to excel in dance performance for the Lord, to show and promote school pride, and to thrive as prominent student leaders on campus.  We expect ourselves to perform those functions persistently, cheerfully and with the utmost class as we reach towards our goals of having abundant school and Christian spirit, improving our technique, and growing in unity through respect and encouragement.

Team Requirements                                                        

The HSU Spurs are held to the highest standards and are expected to represent the University by maintaining good standing academically, socially and physically. 

• Spurs are expected to motivate, support and encourage each other.  Hateful or disrespectful attitudes toward other team members, Captains or the Coach will not be tolerated.  Team members will be expected to resolve their personal issues outside of Spurs-related events.  Spurs are held to a high standard of maturity and will be expected to manage conflict appropriately.   A continued disregard for this expectation will result in a strike or dismissal from the team.
• Underage drinking, drinking in Spurs gear of any kind or drinking at school-related events will not be tolerated and will result in a strike or even dismissal from the team.  
• Use of illegal substances will not be tolerated and will result in a strike or dismissal from the team.  
• Hazing of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a strike or dismissal from the team.  
• Exhibition of any of the misbehaviors outlined above online, including on social media, will result in a strike or dismissal from the team. Some content not included above may also be considered inappropriate for a team member's social media profile. In these cases, the Coach will request the removal of the content. Failure to do so will result in a strike.
• Spurs are expected to maintain a grade point average above a 2.3.  If a team member fails to meet that requirement they will be placed in suspension without the privilege of performing.  Team members in suspension will be expected to practice with the team but will be also expected to raise their grades by the next semester.  If an academically suspended team member does not raise their grades by the following semester they will be dismissed from the team.  Team members are also expected to maintain academic integrity and abide by the student handbook.
• Spurs are expected to take care of their bodies in such a way that they consistently maintain and/or improve their dance abilities, flexibility and overall health.  Team members are expected to maintain the required elements laid out at auditions including but not limited to: technique, skills, pom motions, and kicks. If at any point a team member fails to meet this expectation they risk losing the privilege to perform as determined by the Coach.  
• Spurs are expected to be proactive about their own injuries by letting the Captains and Coach know about the situation as soon as possible.  Team members will then be expected to visit the trainers at the earliest possible convenience and follow the treatment plan set up for them.  Spurs who are not allowed to dance, at the trainer's request, will still be expected to be present and dressed out at all practices and activities until their recovery.  Members that fail to do the rehab that is assigned to them by the trainers will not practice or perform. If a member is injured and unable to dance, they are still required to be at all team practices and performances.
• The HSU Spurs dance team takes priority over all other extracurricular activities including jobs, and each team member is expected to be present at all required activities.  Illness, academic requirements and family emergencies will be excused as long as the team member communicates with the director as soon as possible.
  • Because we are a spirit team working toward a more unified campus, other university-related extracurricular activities will have the opportunity to be considered an excused practice absence once a semester.  To request such an absence team members will need to visit with the coach. The absence request may be approved or disapproved at the Coach's discretion. If approved the absence will be excused.
  • Failure to attend an event or practice without a prior conversation with the coach will result in that team member being put on probation for the next 2-6 weeks of performances. 
• All dancers must go through the audition process to become members of the HSU Spurs dance team.  Team members will be expected to audition every year to be a part of the team. Each team member will audition for a panel consisting of judges who will score each audition as they see fit.  All decisions made are final. 
• Team members are expected to meet all financial requirements for the school year before the end of the month following their audition date.  Failure to do so before the start of camp will result in the team member losing the privilege to perform until an agreed-upon payment plan is followed. If payment arrangements are needed, the Coach should be notified. If, under any circumstances, a member leaves the team, money will not be reimbursed, no exceptions. 
• Each member of the team is required to fundraise for added expenses and competition. If unable to travel, removal from the team, or a member quits, all fundraising money will remain in the Spurs account. No fundraising money will be given to a team member.
• It is the responsibility of each individual team member to file the necessary paperwork with the Athletic Training office before they can participate in any physical activity related to Spurs. Failure to do so before the start of camp will place the team member responsible in suspension without practice until the paperwork has been completed and the team member is approved by the university for athletic activity.
• Each team member is expected to communicate with captains and Coach when necessary. Coach is available to call or text till 6:30 PM, excluding emergencies. Captains are available to call or text till 8:00 PM, excluding emergencies.
• A clean look is expected at all Spurs appearances. This requires that all visible tattoos be covered with tattoo cover up. All visible piercings are to be removed. Dancers may color their hair natural colors only. This means no red, blue, green, purple or any other exteme color. All dancers are required to have the same hair style at Spurs appearances. Do not make any drastic changes to the length of your hair that will effect your performance hair style.
• Face-to-face communication is expected when dealing with any type of conflict. Texting may be used to set up a time and place to meet in order to have an in-person conversation. If a team member is uncomfortable meeting with a teammate face-to-face. They're expected to contact a captain or coach to mediate a conversation.

In addition to the above requirements, team members will also be expected to abide by, and participate in, the demerit system as outlined below: Failure to comply with the team disciplinary contract will result in dismissal from the team.

Marks

The Coach and Captains will give marks according to the following rules.  When a team member receives a mark they will be expected to meet with the coach to run off their marks at 12:30 pm on Friday of that week. For each mark received, team members will be required to run one set of bleachers (up and down equals one mark). 

Marks will be given starting at the beginning of the school year until the end of the fall semester. Marks count will start over again in the spring.  Each member will begin with a clean slate for each semester.  Receiving more than 50 marks in a semester will result in a strike.

• Timeliness
  • A tardy is anytime a dancer is not at the required practice or performance time. For every minute that a dancer is tardy, they will receive one mark.
  • Once a team member has been tardy three times they will also be given a strike.
  • A strike will be given if a dancer is more than 20 minutes late to practice, along with marks.
  • Leaving prior to dismissal, unless otherwise excused by the Coach, will result in a mark for each minute.
• The following attire infractions will result in a mark.
  • Lack of neatness (dirty uniform, shoes, etc.).
  • Wearing jewelry, improper makeup, or hair not appropriately fixed.
  • Visible piercings other than ear lobes.
  • Visible tattoo.
  • Failure to wear or bring a designated piece of the uniform.  If a solution cannot be found, the team member will not perform.
  • Lending uniform pieces to non-dance team members.
  • Failure to dress in assigned practice wear.
  • Failure to arrive in full uniform as directed.
  • Not being prepared and borrowing items from other members (shoes, tights, raincoats etc.).
• The following behavior will result in a mark.
  • Failure to come to attention on command (talking, laughing, etc.).
  • Correcting the Coach, a captain, or leader on the team.
  • Failure to follow instructions given by the Captains or Coach.
  • Public Display of Affection (PDA) in uniform or while representing the dance team.
  • Failure to be in assigned place at games or performances.
  • Returning to the field late after the third quarter break.
  • Being seen on the phone during a game, performance, or practice. Unless express permission is given.

A record of marks shall be maintained by the coach and captain(s).  Team members may review their mark record at any time if a request is made to the coach.

STRIKES

Strikes are given for more serious infractions and the team member will receive probation as determined by the coach. After receiving three strikes, a member will be removed from the team.

• Receiving 20 marks within a month
• Not showing up to a practice
• An unexcused performance
• Inappropriate social media posts
• Pictures or videos of a member with alcohol, tobacco, or any kind of illegal substance
• Slandering a team member, coach, or any other member of the HSU community
• Hickeys that can be seen while in uniform
• Disrespecting a team member, coach, or any other member of the HSU community
• Falling below a 2.3 GPA

Dismissal

Permanent dismissal from the team will be determined by the coach. The following infractions

• Stealing of any kind
• Lying to the coach
• Receiving 3 strikes
• Physical altercation with the coach, team member

Performance Policies

If the Coach does not feel comfortable letting a team member perform, she reserves the right to remove said team member from any routine at any time.  Reasons for being cut from a routine include but are not limited to:

• The team member does not know the choreography sufficiently, having too many or recurring memory mistakes.
• The team member is unable or unwilling to execute the technique involved in the routine.
• The team member has an obvious or glaring indifference to the quality of the performance.
• The team member misses a day of practice will not dance in that week's performances.
• A member will be pulled from a routine for having made a mistake on the dance floor.

Practice Policies

The Coach sets the practice schedule at her discretion and she may schedule early morning or even weekend practices when necessary.  Morning and weekend practices may be necessary when the team needs additional practice time that is not otherwise available throughout the week.  This can usually be expected in the case of Sing or competition.

Attempts will be made to find a schedule that fits everyone's needs but it is to be understood that there is no such thing as a perfect schedule and team members are expected to be present with positive attitudes regardless. As a member of a collegiate dance team it is expected that team members value the experience of practicing and view it as an opportunity for growth. 

Campus closure practices: practices will still be called, at the discretion of the coach, if classes are canceled due to weather or other school holidays. There will be practice during spring break to prepare for the competition.

Fall 2022 Practice Schedule

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday at 5:25 am-7:45 am. Practice will be held in either the Group Exercise Room or Maybee Gym. Friday practices during football season will be around 3:45 pm. Friday competition practices will start at 1:00 pm until done. Prepare to be at these practices between 3-4 hours.

Strength and conditioning workouts are Tuesday at 8 am and Thursday at 8 am. Failure to attend a workout, unless otherwise notified by the Coach, will result in a strike.

Study Hall & Tutorials

Study hall or tutorials will be required if a dancers GPA falls below a 2.3. There will also be weekly grade checks by the coach.

Captains

When a captain position becomes available, candidates will perform a solo, teach a sidleine routine, present SING ideas, and interview with coach and the team.  The team will vote on the candidates judging them on teaching ability and leadership potential.  Team votes and Coach discretion will decide which candidates will be given the privilege of being a captain.  Captains will be announced with audition announcements. 

The responsibilities of Captains are as follows:

• Help manage the team (demerits, attendance at workouts)
• Calls team hair for games
• Summer workouts over zoom
• Assist with practice: warm up, cleaning,
• Choreograph: sidelines, SING, POMBOs, halftime routines
• Teach & video choreography
• Weekly meeting with coach
• Other small tasks may be assigned over the course of the year as determined by the Coach.

Chaplain

When a chaplain position becomes available candidates will interview with the Coach.   The candidates will be presented to the team and the team will vote.  Team votes and Coach discretion will decide which candidates will be given the privilege of being Chaplain.  The chaplain position will be announced after team audtions. 

The responsibilities of the Chaplain are as follows:

• Host a minimum of 1 team bible study every week.
• Lead the Lord's Prayer after every team prayer at performances.
• Call for prayer and praises before each practice.
• Be available to the team for spiritual leadership and guidance.
• Keep up with team community service hours
• Assist the social chair with any team bonding events.

Social Chair

When the Social Chair position becomes available candidates will interview with the Coach.   The candidates will be presented to the team and the team will vote.  Team votes are one part of the overall determination of this position, but not the deciding factor. The coach has the ultimate decision in who becomes social chair.  The position of Social Chair will be filled in the spring following audtions.

The responsibilities of the Social Chair are as follows:

• Coordinating social events with the Coach.  Including but not limited to the team Summer Social, Halloween party, Thanksgiving Party, Christmas Party and Spurs Formal.
• Plan and coordinate a minimum of 1 team bonding social event a month (excluding the Christmas Party and Formal).
• Coordinating Bigs and Littles events and gifts. 
• Working with the Coach to assign and plan the reveal for Bigs and Littles.

Constitution and Contract

The HSU Spurs Behavior Handbook is subject to change at the discretion of the Coach. If a change is made, an updated handbook will be presented to the team. Agreement with, and compliance to, this handbook is required of every team member. If a team member does not agree with the handbook they are free to refuse to sign the contract and in doing so, forfeit their place on the team. Team members are expected to keep a copy for their reference and return this page, signed copy to the Coach.

I have read and accept the contract outlined above in the HSU Spurs Behavior Handbook.  I agree to the rules and consequences described.  I will go above and beyond what is expected of me as a dancer and as a representative of Hardin-Simmons University.  I will do my best to encourage Cowboy pride through spirited performance, service and character.

Sign:                                                                                                       Date: