AVON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
2022-2023
Dear Parent/Guardian and Prospective Student Athlete:
As Director of Athletics, I would like to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year. I am looking forward
to watching our student athletes compete in our eighth year as a member of the Central Connecticut
Conference. We had tremendous success all around last year and I am confident that our coaches and
players will continue to strive for excellence once again.
Successful athletic programs have specific goals. They include: a positive experience for every athlete
and a great sense of camaraderie and unity within their team; an environment that ensures high ethical
standards and expectations for fairness, equity, and sportsmanship for all of our student-athletes and
coaches. Here in Avon, we pride ourselves in demonstrating that “Character Counts.” A successful
athletic program also includes dedicated coaches, active support from the student body, outstanding
leadership from school administrators, and most importantly, a great sense of pride fostered by the
entire community. It will be our mission to facilitate all those facets together to create the best athletic
programs possible. Athletes: Play hard, play fair, and dedicate yourself to be the best you can possibly
be, but most importantly, have fun! The rewards will stay with you for the rest of your life.
In creating a positive athletic experience, we must understand that both parenting and coaching are
extremely difficult vocations. In establishing an understanding of each other’s position, we are better
able to understand and accept the actions of those involved in high school athletics. By being better able
to accept the actions of each other, we will provide greater benefit to our athletes.
As a parent, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with
clear communication from the coach of the respective team. Communication from your child’s coach
that you should expect is:
• Philosophy of the coach
• Location of practices and events
• Team requirements
• Team discipline and behavior Communication that coaches can expect from parents/guardians:
• Concerns expressed directly to the coach and in a professional manner.
• Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance
• Use of the athletics website provided, in securing the information readily available to
parents/guardians and their child.
As your child becomes involved in the programs at Avon High School, they will experience some of the
most rewarding moments in their life. It is important that your child understands, that just like life, there
may be times when things do not go the way they expect. At these times, discussion with the coach by
your child is highly encouraged.
There may be times that it is very difficult to accept your child’s lack of playing time or the position(s)
they have been asked to play. The coaching staffs at Avon High School are professionals. They make
judgments based on what they believe to be best for all athletes involved. Certain things can be
discussed with the coach but other things, such as team strategy, other players, playing time, etc.,
should be left to the discretion of the coach. There are situations that may require a conference
between the coach and parent. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of
the athlete’s position. The following procedures should be followed to help promote resolution
following communication between player and coach:
Have your child set a meeting with the coach to discuss the issue at hand. Students should always
advocate for themselves. This is a required first step.
• Contact the program head coach to set up an appointment after your child has had a meeting with
the coach to discuss any issues that may be unresolved. Please do not attempt to confront a coach
before, during, or after a game. This time can be emotional for all. Meetings of this nature do not
promote resolution. The 24 hour rule usually works best.
• If the meeting with the coach did not provide satisfactory resolutions, then a meeting with the Athletic
Director and Coach is the next step.
I hope that you are excited as we approach another year of Avon Athletics. This privilege extended to
your son or daughter will lay the foundation for future success in life. I am honored to be associated
with Avon High School Athletics. And I will work hard on your child’s behalf to promote and strengthen
the values of our programs.
I wish you all a safe and successful year. Play hard and have fun!
Go Falcons!!!
Timothy P. Filon
Director of Athletics
Avon High School