BALDWINSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT

APPENDIX C:
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

1. Introduction
Athletics are an important component of the District’s educational program. The Code of Conduct for Student Athletes applies to student athletes from their first interscholastic participation through graduation. These rules are in effect from July 1 through June 30 of each school year, and apply to all student athletes in grades seven through twelve.

Participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right. Students’ participation in the District’s athletic program is conditioned upon their adherence to the provisions of this Code of Conduct for Student Athletes. Two principles serve as the basis for the specific provisions of this Code, and will guide the conduct of student athletes:

• Student athletes will show respect and concern for the rights and feelings of others.

• Student athletes will behave in a manner that reflects favorably on themselves, their families, their teammates, and their school and community.

2. General Requirements
• Student athletes participating on an athletic team/athletic club, and their parents, are required to sign a contract signifying that the athletes and their parents understand and accept all Rules, Code/Standards and expectations of the Athletic Code of Conduct.

• Student athletes must be enrolled in three full-time courses and actively participate in physical education classes, as required by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

• Student athletes must have received a current physical examination and returned all of the appropriate forms needed by the school nurse. (“Current physical” is defined on an individual basis by the school nurse.)

• Student athletes are required to attend all practices and games during the sport season, unless absence is approved by the coach, for as many as six days per week throughout the season. Interscholastic sport teams in-season must have priority over club or recreational type programs. Failure to attend interscholastic team functions during the season is a violation of the code.

• Student Athletes are required to meet all eligibility standards and abide by the rules set forth by the Baldwinsville Central School District, the Central New York Counties League, Section III, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

Revised & Board Approved 6/2008

3. School Attendance
Student athletes must be in attendance for the entire school day in order to be eligible to participate in practices or athletic contests on that day. Student athletes who are truant or who are serving in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension will not be eligible to participate in a practices or athletic contests on that day. The athletic director, principal, or superintendent of schools may make exceptions for the following reasons:

• death or serious illness in the family;
• court appearance;
• college visitation;
• medical appointment verified by a note from the medical office personnel;
• religious observance;
• extraordinary circumstances.

4. Rule Violations
It is a violation of the Code of Conduct for Student Athletes to:

• use, possess, sell or distribute tobacco products;
• use, possess, sell or distribute or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or performance enhancing substances (e.g., caffeine pills, steroids), whether legal or illegal, look-alike drugs, or drug paraphernalia on school grounds, off school grounds, whether during sport season or out of sport season;
• host or remain present at events, activities or locations where illegal distribution of alcohol, drugs or other performance-enhancing substances are present or used.
• use, possess, or distribute firearms, weapons or explosive devices on school grounds or at school events;
• engage in illegal gambling activities;
• engage in threatening, hazing activities, bullying, vandalism, harassment, or other personal misconduct, including, but not limited to, conduct that involves police or court action.

For purposes of this section, “possess” shall mean to have in one’s possession or control, e.g., on one’s person or in one’s physical control or keeping, or to have in one’s presence or close proximity.

5. Enforcement and Consequences – Rule Violations
Following the investigation of the facts by the coach, Athletic Director or building administrator, the following actions will be taken for violation of the Code of Conduct for Student Athletes by the Athletic Director:

• parental notification;
• suspension from participation in District athletic programs until the student has been through the reinstatement process.

Both student and parent(s) may request a meeting with the Athletic Director to discuss the conduct violation and to discuss whether the suspension should be imposed or continued.

A. In-Season Rule Violations
The student athlete is immediately suspended from the team or athletic club for the remainder of that sport season. This includes all regular season games and post-season play. The suspension continues for future interscholastic sports participation while the student’s appeal or request for reinstatement is pending.

The student athlete may seek reinstatement for eligibility for the next season of desired participation.  If approved participation would commence following completion of the in-season suspension and completion of any additional consequences imposed. The reinstatement process requires that a student submit a written request for a meeting with the Athletic Reinstatement Committee, i.e., principal or assistant principal, athletic director and coach(es), who will determine whether the student shall be reinstated to the District’s athletic program.  This meeting will be held within two weeks from receipt of the student's written request.  Within five school days, the athletic director shall notify the student in writing of the decision of the Athletic Reinstatement Committee.

If the request for reinstatement to participate in future season is denied, the student and his or her parent or guardian have the right to appeal the decision within five (5) days to the Superintendent of Schools.

Once the Athletic Reinstatement Committee or the Superintendent of Schools has determined that the student will be reinstated, then as a condition of such reinstatement, one or more of the following additional consequences will be applied based on seriousness of the violation:

• A minimum of three hours of substance abuse awareness counseling or education may be required for drug- and alcohol-related infractions.

• If the suspension is for less than 25% of the regular-season contests in the present sport season, the student will have the difference applied to the next sport season of participation to meet or, if applicable, exceed 25% minimum number of contests. The suspension is applied the next sport season of participation for which student previously participated on during the past calendar year and also applied to any sport which the student did not participate on during the last calendar year, which takes place prior to the sport of previous participation.

Example: A soccer/lacrosse player is suspended from the fall season and for 20% of the next season of participation. Reviewing the previous year, this individual would sit out 20% of the upcoming spring season. If he elects to participate in the winter season, the student will sit out 20% of both seasons (spring and winter).

• The minimum suspension after student reinstatement process is 25% and could range up to one calendar year.

Post-season play is not calculated into the percentages nor will participation in post-season play be permitted during the season of the initial violation.

B. Out-of-Season Rule Violations
The student athlete is immediately suspended from future athletic participation while the student’s appeal or request for reinstatement is pending. Both student and parents may request a meeting with the Athletic Director to discuss the conduct violation and to discuss whether the suspension should be imposed or continued.  The student athlete may seek reinstatement for eligibility to participate in the District's Athletic program, which shall, if granted, be effective for the next season of participation. The reinstatement process requires that a student submit a written request for a meeting with the Athletic Reinstatement Committee - the principal, assistant principal, athletic director and coaches, who will determine whether the student shall be reinstated to the District’s athletic program. Within five school dyas, the athletic director shall notify the student in writing of the decision of the Athletic Reinstatemnt Committee.

If the request for reinstatement is denied, the student and his or her parent or guardian have the right to appeal the decision within five days to the Superintendent of Schools.

Once the Athletic Reinstatement Committee or the Superintendent of Schools has been determined that the student will be reinstated, then as a condition of such reinstatement, one or more of the following additional consequences may be applied based on seriousness of the violation.

• A minimum of three hours of substance abuse awareness counseling or education may be required for drug- and alcohol-related infractions.

• The suspension may be more than 25% of the regular scheduled contests of the next season of participation.

• Suspension is applied the next sport season of participation for which student previously participated on during the past calendar year and also applied to any sport which the student did not participate on during the last calendar year, which takes place prior to the sport of previous participation.

• The minimum suspension after student reinstatement process is 25% and may range up to one calendar year.

During the period of suspension, the student athlete is ineligible to participate in any contests or team activities for the duration of the suspension. At the discretion of the coach, athletic director and principal, a determination will be made whether the suspended student athlete will participate in tryouts, practices and/or attend contests. In no case will the suspended student athlete dress in a school uniform, sweats or team jacket during the suspension period.

6. Additional Conduct/Standards
1. Student athletes will adhere to individual team rules, which are established in writing by coaches and on file in the athletic office, and which shall not be inconsistent with the Code of Conduct.

2. Student athletes will not engage in indecent exposure at any time or place.

3. Student athletes will return school equipment and uniforms at the end-of-season, or they will forfeit post-season awards and will not be eligible to participate in any other sport until the matter has been resolved.

4. Student athletes who quit or are unable to finish the season or post season play because of disciplinary action, academic ineligibility, or other reasons, will forfeit all awards, including team awards, certificates, letters, pin, etc.

5. Student athletes will dress appropriately and participate in scheduled physical education classes.

6. Student athletes will not engage in activities or actions which bring discredit to the school program or team as determined by the coach, athletic director or principal.

7. Student athletes will be responsible for theft or damage of uniforms, money or school property related to the athletic program.

8. Athletes will not be absent from practices or games to attend other sports, clubs or recreational type activities. In-season interscholastic program will take priority over these activities.

7. Conduct/Standards
Decisions regarding the enforcement of the Conduct/Standards are made by the individual coach(es), who submit a written report to the athletic director regarding the violation and the consequences imposed as a result of the violation.

1st Offense: The penalty for a first offense may range from an official warning to exclusion from athletics for up to three contests, and forfeiture of awards and post-season recognition.

2nd Offense: The penalty for a second offense may range from exclusion from athletics for up to two contests to one-fourth of the season, which could be carried over to the next sport season of participation, and forfeiture of awards and post-season recognition.

3rd Offense: The penalty for a third offense may include suspension for up to one calendar year, and forfeiture of awards and post-season recognition.

Both the student and parent(s) may request a meeting with the person or body imposing the discipline to discuss the conduct being reviewed and to consider whether the suspension should be imposed or continued.

During the period of suspension, the student athlete is ineligible to participate in any contests or team activities for the duration of the suspension. The coach, athletic director and principal will determine whether the suspended student athlete will participate in practices and/or attend contests. In no case will the suspended student athlete dress in a school uniform, sweats or team clothing during the suspension period.

8. Parent Responsibility
Parents and guardians are essential partners in maintaining a safe, educational and enjoyable program of athletics for students. When present at the District’s athletic events, including practices, they are expected to model the kind of citizenship and sportsmanship that is expected and required of students. The following are among the District’s expectations for the parents of student athletes:

1. Parents are knowledgeable about the Rules and Conduct/Standards to which their children have committed as student athletes.

2. Parents know the consequences for violations of those Rules and Conduct/Standards, and assist in their enforcement.

3. Parents are supportive and encourage their children to demonstrate appropriate behavior while representing the District as student athletes.

4. Parents hold their children accountable for their actions and guide them in making proper decisions regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

5. Parents are knowledgeable about individual team rules and expectations and address concerns regarding their children’s program to the coach.

6. Parents are knowledgeable spectators, knowing the rules of the game and serving as role models for sportsmanship. They cheer our successes, and show understanding in the wake of defeat. They encourage the efforts of their children’s teams, and they respect the efforts of the opposing teams.

7. Parents adhere to state laws that prohibit smoking on school grounds or in school buildings.

8. Parents bring their concerns to the attention of the appropriate coach(es), including concerns about the mental and physical treatment of their children, ways to help their children improve, and their children’s behavior. They schedule meetings with coaches in order that their concerns may be discussed at appropriate times and places.

9. Parents demonstrate a respect for the privacy of all student athletes, and an understanding of the coaches’ responsibilities to all student athletes, by refraining from speaking with coaches about such issues as playing time, athletic ability, and team strategy, insofar as those subjects relate to student athletes other than their own child.

9. Acknowledgement of the Risk of Injury
Parents and guardians acknowledge that participation in athletic programs exposes participants to the risk of injury, including, but not limited to, the risk of sprains, fractures and ligament and/or cartilage damage which could result in a temporary or permanent, partial or complete impairment in the use of limbs, brain damage, paralysis or even death. Having been so cautioned and warned, participation in the District’s athletic program by the student athlete indicates the parent’s full knowledge and understanding of the risk of injury.

SCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY CODE
Academic success is a priority for all students at Baldwinsville Central School District. To that end, parents and students should be aware of the Baldwinsville Central School District Eligibility Code to remain eligible to participate in interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities.

Varsity/Junior Varsity and Freshman Interscholastic Athletic Teams
If a student is failing one subject in any five week marking period, the student may continue to participate but will be required to contract with the teacher, coach, parent and administration to bring the grade up to passing. Students will be allowed to participate with one failing grade, but must continue their efforts to bring the grade up to passing. If, in the opinion of the teacher, the student is not making a valid effort to correct his/her deficiencies, the Building Principal or his/her designee may exclude the student from participation for a specific period of time within a five week marking period.

If a student is failing two subjects in any five week marking period, the student has two weeks to bring at least one of the subjects up to a passing grade and the student may continue to participate. The student will contract with the teacher, coach, parent and administration to bring his/her grades up to passing. If, after the two weeks, the student is failing two subjects, he/she will be suspended from the activity until the next five or ten week marking period, whichever comes first. At that point the ineligibility continues until at least one grade is brought up to passing. Whenever a student is participating with one failing grade, the conditions set forth in item one above will be in effect.

If a student is failing in excess of two subjects, the student will be declared ineligible to participate in any activity until the next five or ten week marking period, whichever comes first. At that point, the ineligibility continues until the student is passing all subjects (except that he/she may participate with one failing subject under the conditions set forth in item one above).

7th, 8th and 9th Modified Interscholastic Athletic Teams
Students will be allowed to participate with one failing grade, but must continue their efforts to bring the grade up to passing. If, in the opinion of the teacher, the student is not making a valid effort to correct his/her deficiencies, the Building Principal or his/her designee may exclude the student from participation for a specific period of time within a five week marking period.

If a student is failing two or more subjects in any five week marking period, the student will be declared ineligible to participate for the remainder of the current modified athletic season. Students who are declared ineligible will regain eligibility status at the start of the next modified sporting season.

Communication of Eligibility Status
Ineligibilities will become effective on the Monday immediately after the end of the marking period. When a student is placed on the ineligible list by failing two or more classes, the Assistant Principal will contact the parent/guardian in addition to contacting the Athletic Director/Club Advisor(s) to communicate the student’s academic status.

Revised 7/2007

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