Athletic trips

Required Training

The Athletics Director provides individual training for coaches who lead groups off-campus. Please contact the Director (bockl@juniata.edu) for the training schedule or additional information.

Juniata College athletic teams typically travel to and from intercollegiate contests by charter busses or fifteen passenger vans. Distance of travel, size of travel party and financial circumstances will determine the mode of transportation to be used for each contest. Student-athletes are required to travel with the team to and from all sport-related activities. Permission may be granted to allow a student to travel back to campus with a family member only after the proper waiver has been granted by the coach, parents and Athletic Director (see above). And also as stated below, the Athletic Department requires that all athletics related driving be done by coaches or approved Juniata College personnel.

When departing from or returning to campus in a college van for an event it is the coaches responsibility to record beginning and ending mileage prior to leaving the parking lot (college fleet vehicles only). Upon return to campus the head coach is responsible for assuring that all vehicles are clean of debris and personal belongings. Boxes of garbage should be taken to the dumpster behind Ellis Hall (not left in front of the gym). When returning college fleet vehicles to the proper parking lot the coach has a responsibility to fill gas tanks in preparation for the vehicle's next excursion, record ending mileage, and deposit mileage form, credit cards and keys to the designated slot located on the physical plant building.

Travel Conduct and Rules

1. Dress for travel on a Juniata athletic trip should be appropriate as directed by the coach. When attending meetings and coaches' functions as a representative of Juniata College athletics, please dress in a professional manner so that a positive image is projected. Whenever possible please wear Juniata clothes and especially refrain from promoting other colleges.
2. Tobacco - No use of tobacco is permitted while on any part of a college sponsored trip.
3. Alcohol - Athletes are not to consume alcoholic beverages while traveling and representing the college. Student-athletes of legal drinking age are included in this rule. Although coaches are not restricted from alcohol consumption, the department recommends minimal usage if any.
4. Drugs - No controlled substances other than for medical purposes shall be taken at any time while on a Juniata athletics sponsored trip.
5. Safety
   • The Head Coach is responsible for the traveling party and has an awesome responsibility in caring for the lives of other peoples’ children.
   • Coaches must follow safe driving practices at all times while transporting athletes.
   • Coaches should obtain directions and a reasonable estimate of driving time before departing.
   • Speed limits must be strictly observed. Any speeding tickets are the responsibility of the driver, not the College.
   • For safety purposes, teams should caravan when more than one vehicle is involved. If vehicles get separated, it becomes impossible to monitor the trip.
   • As stated above, the athletic department requires that coaches or other Juniata College personnel are the only drivers during college-sponsored trips. In the event that an absolute emergency arises during a trip and a student must fulfill this responsibility, the student driver must, if at all possible, have previously passed the College’s driving exam, be at least 21 years of age and possess a current, valid driver's license.
   • While traveling in vans on college-sponsored trips all athletes and coaches are required to use safety belts.
   • When drivers are tired or when encountering potentially dangerous road conditions, coaches should exercise extreme caution and good judgment in terminating a trip and finding lodging en route. Budgetary, time or academic concerns should not be factored into these decisions.
6. Leaving the group
   • In order for a student to have permission to travel to or from an event by means other than school provided transportation, prior approval from the coach, athletic director and parent/guardian (written/signed) is required. The head coach may allow travel in non-school transportation provided the athlete has a legitimate, necessary need for alternate travel and permission as defined above has been granted.
   • Permission to go out after arriving at a given destination may be granted by the coach. The coach should be informed at all times with respect to where each student can be reached. The coach is legally responsible for everyone on the trip.
7. Travel Party- Apart from rostered and NCAA registered Student-Athletes, only working Athletics Department and Juniata College Personnel are permitted to travel in college owned vehicles, leased buses, or any Juniata subsidized transportation during trips to and from competitions sites. Working personnel could include trainers, sports information personnel, equipment managers, coaches or administrators. Any individual not meeting the above criteria must have approval from the Director of Athletics prior to joining a travel party.

Vehicle Use and Insurance

1. Trip leaders are encouraged to reserve College vehicles from Facilities Services at least five days prior to travel date.
2. If College vehicles are not available, rental vehicles should be obtained under Juniata’s name to provide College insurance coverage.
3. The College’s insurance policy does not cover the use of privately-owned vehicles for College-sanctioned travel.