Policies & Procedures
1). Enrollment Policy:
A). Valley City Thunder Football Program enrollment policy is open to all 5th & 6th graders at the start of the new school year
who attend school at Washington School or St. Catherine's School in Valley City.
B). The enrollment will be based on first come, first served.
2). Practice & Game Attendance:
A). Each player will have the opportunity to start and play either on offense, defense or both.
B). Each player must participate in a minimum of 7 practices before their first game in order to play in the game.
C). Attend every practice unless excused by a coach.
D). Excused absence: The coaches must be notified PRIOR to the practice that will be missed.
E). After the first game:
1). If you miss one practice during the week = reduced playing time in next game.
2). If you miss both practices during the week = very little or NO PLAYING time in the next game.
F). The Thunder Coaches of each team will determine the amount of playing time if practices are missed.
3). Sportsmanship:
A). Applies to players, parents, family members and fans.
B). No person shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner before, during or after practices or games.
C). Examples are, but not limited to:
1). Taunting, baiting, using profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures.
2). “Show-Boating”, dancing, spiking, kicking or throwing of the ball or equipment.
3). Refusing to comply with a coach or game official’s request.
D). No chewing or smoking of tobacco, use of drugs or alcohol during practices and games. (School property)
E). There will be no verbal or physical abuse of players.
F). There will be no verbal or physical abuse of coaches, opponents’ coaches, other parents, players or officials.
G). The Thunder Football Board of Directors will have the final authority and will determine the degree of punishment
depending on the unsportsmanlike act.
H). Must follow the rules set by the North Dakota High School Activities Association.
4). Behavior:
A). We have a “3 Strikes & You’re Out” policy for misbehavior detrimental to our Thunder Football program.
B). Bad behavior consists of, but not limited to:
1). Talking back to Thunder Coaches and game officials.
2). Direct Defiance (Not doing what you are told to do)
3). Behavior that disrupts or affects teammates at practice or games.
C). Strike 1: Punishment will be issued at practice or the next practice & parents will be notified.
D) Strike 2: Not allowed to practice for one week and one game suspension.
E). Strike 3: You will be asked to turn in your equipment and your season will be over.
5). Fighting:
A). NO fighting, striking, kicking or kneeing teammates, opponents, coaches, parents and officials will be tolerated.
B). First Offense: 1 Game Suspension
C). Second Offense: Season is over for the player(s).
6). Equipment:
A). Equipment is to be used for Thunder Football ONLY! Please don’t wear your equipment outside of Thunder Football
practices or games. DO NOT ALTER ANY OF THE THUNDER EQUIPMET…INCLUDES CHIN STRAPS.
B). Replacement cost is $400. If the equipment is returned damaged other than the wear & tear of football, replacement
costs will be issued:
1). Helmet: $150 2). Shoulder Pads: $75 3). Practice Pants: $25 4). Game Pants: $25 5). Rib Guards: $25 6). Game Jerseys: $60
C). If the equipment is lost or stolen, you are responsible for the replacement of the equipment.
D). If the pants or jerseys are damaged / altered DUE TO laundry mistakes, replacement is required.
E). Game Jerseys & Game Pants are to be worn for GAMES ONLY! Game pants or jerseys are NOT to be worn for
practice.
F). On Game Days, we encourage our Thunder Players to wear their game jerseys to school and show their Thunder Pride!
7). Medical Conditions:
A). If your child has a medical condition that we need to be aware of, we will require a doctor’s note indicating that it is okay
for your child to participate.
B). If your child is on special medication or may need special medication, we need to know how to administer the medication
and how much in case of an emergency.
C). You are required to sign a medical release during the time of registration.
8). Transportation:
A). Because of the high cost of renting a bus, we car-pool to our away games.
B). Each parent is driving is responsible for those players traveling with him or her. The players are to return from away
games with the same people they came with unless other arrangements have been made between parents.
C). There are NO changing facilities at home or away games, so the players must come to games ready to play.
9). Mouth guards:
A). We will provide players with mouth guards when equipment is issued. If your athlete is required to have a special mouth
guard for dental reasons, you will be responsible for that mouth guard.
B). Thunder Players are required to have their mouth guards on their helmets at all times and they will NOT BE allowed to
practice or play in games without a mouth guard.
10). Football Shoes:
A). It is best if your athlete wears rubber cleats for games and practices. Soccer shoes will work, but metal baseball spikes
will not be allowed.
B). Without cleats, your athlete is at risk of getting hurt because grass becomes dry and slippery.
C). When we play in the FargoDome, regular tennis shoes are the only shoes allowed on the turf.
11). Volunteers:
A). The success of Thunder Football will be based on availability of volunteers.
B). We always need volunteers to run the chains/down-marker, clock & scoreboard, announcing line-ups at games, setting up
and taking down the field after games, and working in the concession stand.
C). Our concessions is a constant fund-raiser for us. It helps pay for the Thunder Banquet so there is no cost to you and
your family.
D). Our Thunder Classic Jamboree is another big fund-raiser for us. We need tickets takers, football raffle workers,
concession workers, chains/down-marker, running the clock and announcing.
12). Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one of the Thunder Football Board of Directors:
A). Mike Lentz 845-8049(h) 840-2782©
B). Jeff Brown 490-1849(h) 490-1849 ©
C). Clay Adams 845-5006(h) 490-1332 ©
D). Brent Gustafson 845-8925(h) 840-1617 ©
Policies & Procedures
1). Enrollment Policy:
A). Valley City Thunder Football Program enrollment policy is open to all 5th & 6th graders at the start of the new school year
who attend school at Washington School or St. Catherine's School in Valley City.
B). The enrollment will be based on first come, first served.
2). Practice & Game Attendance:
A). Each player will have the opportunity to start and play either on offense, defense or both.
B). Each player must participate in a minimum of 7 practices before their first game in order to play in the game.
C). Attend every practice unless excused by a coach.
D). Excused absence: The coaches must be notified PRIOR to the practice that will be missed.
E). After the first game:
1). If you miss one practice during the week = reduced playing time in next game.
2). If you miss both practices during the week = very little or NO PLAYING time in the next game.
F). The Thunder Coaches of each team will determine the amount of playing time if practices are missed.
3). Sportsmanship:
A). Applies to players, parents, family members and fans.
B). No person shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner before, during or after practices or games.
C). Examples are, but not limited to:
1). Taunting, baiting, using profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures.
2). “Show-Boating”, dancing, spiking, kicking or throwing of the ball or equipment.
3). Refusing to comply with a coach or game official’s request.
D). No chewing or smoking of tobacco, use of drugs or alcohol during practices and games. (School property)
E). There will be no verbal or physical abuse of players.
F). There will be no verbal or physical abuse of coaches, opponents’ coaches, other parents, players or officials.
G). The Thunder Football Board of Directors will have the final authority and will determine the degree of punishment
depending on the unsportsmanlike act.
H). Must follow the rules set by the North Dakota High School Activities Association.
4). Behavior:
A). We have a “3 Strikes & You’re Out” policy for misbehavior detrimental to our Thunder Football program.
B). Bad behavior consists of, but not limited to:
1). Talking back to Thunder Coaches and game officials.
2). Direct Defiance (Not doing what you are told to do)
3). Behavior that disrupts or affects teammates at practice or games.
C). Strike 1: Punishment will be issued at practice or the next practice & parents will be notified.
D) Strike 2: Not allowed to practice for one week and one game suspension.
E). Strike 3: You will be asked to turn in your equipment and your season will be over.
5). Fighting:
A). NO fighting, striking, kicking or kneeing teammates, opponents, coaches, parents and officials will be tolerated.
B). First Offense: 1 Game Suspension
C). Second Offense: Season is over for the player(s).
6). Equipment:
A). Equipment is to be used for Thunder Football ONLY! Please don’t wear your equipment outside of Thunder Football
practices or games. DO NOT ALTER ANY OF THE THUNDER EQUIPMET…INCLUDES CHIN STRAPS.
B). Replacement cost is $400. If the equipment is returned damaged other than the wear & tear of football, replacement
costs will be issued:
1). Helmet: $150 2). Shoulder Pads: $75 3). Practice Pants: $25 4). Game Pants: $25 5). Rib Guards: $25 6). Game Jerseys: $60
C). If the equipment is lost or stolen, you are responsible for the replacement of the equipment.
D). If the pants or jerseys are damaged / altered DUE TO laundry mistakes, replacement is required.
E). Game Jerseys & Game Pants are to be worn for GAMES ONLY! Game pants or jerseys are NOT to be worn for
practice.
F). On Game Days, we encourage our Thunder Players to wear their game jerseys to school and show their Thunder Pride!
7). Medical Conditions:
A). If your child has a medical condition that we need to be aware of, we will require a doctor’s note indicating that it is okay
for your child to participate.
B). If your child is on special medication or may need special medication, we need to know how to administer the medication
and how much in case of an emergency.
C). You are required to sign a medical release during the time of registration.
8). Transportation:
A). Because of the high cost of renting a bus, we car-pool to our away games.
B). Each parent is driving is responsible for those players traveling with him or her. The players are to return from away
games with the same people they came with unless other arrangements have been made between parents.
C). There are NO changing facilities at home or away games, so the players must come to games ready to play.
9). Mouth guards:
A). We will provide players with mouth guards when equipment is issued. If your athlete is required to have a special mouth
guard for dental reasons, you will be responsible for that mouth guard.
B). Thunder Players are required to have their mouth guards on their helmets at all times and they will NOT BE allowed to
practice or play in games without a mouth guard.
10). Football Shoes:
A). It is best if your athlete wears rubber cleats for games and practices. Soccer shoes will work, but metal baseball spikes
will not be allowed.
B). Without cleats, your athlete is at risk of getting hurt because grass becomes dry and slippery.
C). When we play in the FargoDome, regular tennis shoes are the only shoes allowed on the turf.
11). Volunteers:
A). The success of Thunder Football will be based on availability of volunteers.
B). We always need volunteers to run the chains/down-marker, clock & scoreboard, announcing line-ups at games, setting up
and taking down the field after games, and working in the concession stand.
C). Our concessions is a constant fund-raiser for us. It helps pay for the Thunder Banquet so there is no cost to you and
your family.
D). Our Thunder Classic Jamboree is another big fund-raiser for us. We need tickets takers, football raffle workers,
concession workers, chains/down-marker, running the clock and announcing.
12). Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one of the Thunder Football Board of Directors:
A). Mike Lentz 845-8049(h) 840-2782©
B). Jeff Brown 490-1849(h) 490-1849 ©
C). Clay Adams 845-5006(h) 490-1332 ©
D). Brent Gustafson 845-8925(h) 840-1617 ©
