Leicester Public Schools
Interscholastic Athletic Agreement
Code of Conduct for Secondary School Athletes
Athletes participating in middle and secondary school programs should:
· Emphasize good sportsmanship and the spirit of fair play.
· Place a premium on the values which accrue from fair play.
· Eliminate as much as possible the activities which tend to destroy the values of the game.
· Teach respect and consideration for opponents as either the guest or the host of the game.
· Cultivate respect for the authority of school personnel, coaches, and game officials.
· Develop self-control, self-direction, and sound judgment.
· Discourage profanity and obscene language at all times.
· Demonstrate that the rules of the game are honorable.
· Convince everyone that the aim of athletics is really to promote the mental, social, and
moral welfare of the participant, was well as his/her physical well-being.
· Promote the game for the players and as a game only.
The Athletic Code of Conduct supports the social, emotional and physical well-being of students. Participation in athletics and holding leadership positions are privileges, not rights.
The purposes of the Athletic Code of Conduct are as follows:
- To build a sense of ownership, pride, and collaboration among those who participate in athletic activities;
- To discourage students from using tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs;
- To encourage students who have made the choice to use illegal substances to take personal responsibility for their actions and get help in making better choices;
- To maintain a positive public view of the school district, its activities and teams. This extends to social networking and online personas.
Students participating in extracurricular activities are expected to refrain from using or possessing tobacco, alcohol, other illegal substance/drugs, or illegal paraphernalia associated with these substances/drugs. Consequences for violating the Athletic Code of Conduct are outlined below and may include additional consequences determined on a case-by-case basis by Athletic Director, school administrators, and the MIAA.
Students participating in athletics are also expected to refrain from illegal activities that demonstrate a serious disregard of the Leicester High School Core Values including but not limited to theft, burglary, assault, vandalism, and lewd/indecent acts. Minimum consequences for these violations of the Athletic Code of Conduct are outlined below and may include additional consequences determined on a case-by-case basis by the coach, or Athletic Director and school administrators, and the MIAA.
Self-Reporting Rationale: In order to encourage personal responsibility; promote communication among students, parents, and the school; and further educate students about the health consequences of the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances; there are reduced consequences for violations that are self-reported.
Definition of a Self-Report: If a student or his or her parent/guardian initiates the report of that student’s violation to a school official (administrator, athletic director, coach) prior to school officials initiating an inquiry into the matter and does so in not more than seven days after the actual violation, this will be considered a self-report.
Meeting with Athletic Director and school administration: For all violations of the Athletic Code of Conduct, the student must meet with the school's Athletic Director and /or school administration to review the violation.
Violation and Consequences
1st offense Self-Reported
No restriction provided that the student athlete meets with the Athletic Director and/or school administration.
1st offense Investigated
· 7 calendar days suspension from all athletic contests. After 3 days, the student may return to practices and meetings, but may not compete until the 7 days is completed.
· Students will meet with Athletic Director and/or school administration as outlined above.
2nd offense Self Reported
· 7 calendar days suspension from all athletic contests. After 3 days, the student may return to practices and meetings, but may not compete until the 7 days is completed.
· Students will meet with Athletic Director and/or school administration as outlined above.
2nd offense Investigated
· 14 calendar days suspension from all athletic activities. After 7 days, the student may return to practices and meetings but may not compete until the 14 days is completed.
· Students will meet with Athletic Director and/or school administration as outlined above.
3rd and subsequent offenses
· Athletic season suspension from all athletic activities.
· Students will meet with Athletic Director and/or school administration as outlined above.
The policy will be in effect from the first official day of preseason in the fall (determined by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) until either the last day of school or last day of spring sports, whichever is later.
If a student violates the Athletic Code of Conduct close to the end of the school year and does not serve all of the days of suspension from athletic activities before the last day of school, the remaining days will be served in the next school year, beginning on the first day of preseason in the fall.
Violations are cumulative during a student’s middle school years, but do not carry over to high school. Violations during high school are cumulative.
Captain/Leadership Positions: For any violation of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct, elected or appointed leaders will lose the leadership position for the remainder of the sports season or term of the office. Prior code violations will be considered by coaches and advisors together with school administrators in selecting future leadership positions.
Practice and Game Limitations
All Leicester High School students are bound by the rules of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). Participants in individual sports should check with the Athletic Director regarding restrictions in their individual sport.
Baseline Eligibility
The violation of any eligibility rule may result in the forfeiture of a game won. A mistake could spoil a good season record. If, in your opinion, there is any doubt concerning your eligibility, you should consult with the Athletic Director or the Principal. The following MIAA rules are those that should be especially understood:
· If a student becomes 19 years old before September 1, he/she is no longer eligible.
· A student is eligible for no more than eight (8) consecutive semesters beyond grade 8. A
student my not participate for more than four seasons of any sport after the completion of
grade 8.
· A student will wear whatever protective equipment is supplied by the Leicester School
District and is required to be worn.
· Has permission to travel to and from games only by school provided transportation.
Medical Eligibility – MIAA Rule 56
All student-athletes are required to have a current physical on file with the school nurse in order to be eligible to try-out for or play on a school sponsored interscholastic athletic team. The student must pass a medical exam performed within thirteen months. Students are no longer medically eligible to participate after the 13 month anniversary of the examination. Students do not retain medically eligibility from season to season unless their physical meets the previously stated criteria.
Academic Eligibility – MIAA Rule 58
· No student is eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at Leicester High School unless they have received a passing grade in three out of four courses during the previous making period. Academic eligibility is determined by the grade received during the previos academic quarter, not semester.
· The fall season is based on a student’s final course grades at the end of the previous school year. To be eligible in the fall season, a student must have passed six of the eight courses taken during the academic year.
· A student who repeats work upon which he/she has once received credit cannot count that subject
a second time for eligibility.
· A student cannot count for eligibility any subject taken during summer vacation, unless the subject has previously been pursued or failed.
· No student will be allowed to try out for a team or participate in practice sessions unless they are
academically eligible.
· If a student becomes ineligible during the season when grades are issued, the student-athlete will
be removed from the team.
School Attendance
Students violating the school’s attendance policy will not be permitted to participate in practice or competition that day without the approval of the Athletic Director or Administration. Please refer to the student handbook regarding the attendance policy.
Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Member MIAA Rule 45
A bona fide team member of the school team is a student who is regularly present for, and actively participates in team practices and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to practice or compete with an out-of-school team. The first offense of the bona fide team rule will result in a suspension for 25% of the season. The second offense will result in a suspension for 25% of the season, and ineligibility for tournament participation. See MIAA rule 96 for additional tournament penalties.
Chemical Health – MIAA Rule 62
During the period from first allowable day of fall practice, through the end of the academic year or final athletic competition of the year, whichever is later, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy or sell or give away any substance containing tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or any controlled substance. Loss of eligibility, based upon violation of this rule will be assessed using MIAA Rule 62. Member schools are alerted that this rule represents only minimum standards upon which schools could develop more stringent requirements.
1st Offense - 25% of the season (total contests and partial contests are rounded up)
2nd Offense - 60% of the season (total contests and partial contests are rounded up)
Athletic Fees
Athletic fees are required for a roster position, but do not guarantee playing time. Individual playing time is determined by many factors such as ability, chemistry, practice and sportsmanship. Athletic fees are not refundable. Athletic fees are not refunded for loss of academic eligibility, violation of MIAA rules, or departure from the team.
Playing Time
Middle School Teams
At this level, students become accustomed to interscholastic practice and play. For many it is their first introduction to competitive sports, different from recreation in its demands and philosophy. All players will receive playing time, as safety and positive participation in practice allow.
Junior Varsity Teams
This level of competition has an increased emphasis upon team play, physical conditioning, and refinement of basic skills. Although being successful on the JV level is important, winning is not the sole objective. An attempt will be made to allow as many participants as possible to play, but not all will play equally. At the J V level, playing time will be based on the degree of effort, skill improvement, ability to compete, and the execution of skills at game speed demonstrated by the student athlete in practice and during games.
Varsity Teams
Varsity competition represents the culmination of each sport program. Squad size at the varsity level is limited. The number of participants on any given team is a function of the number needed to conduct an effective and meaningful practice and to play the contest. It is vital that each team member has a role and is informed of its importance. The number of roster positions is relative to the student's acceptance of their individual roles in pursuit of the team's goals. While contest participation over the course of a season is desirable, a specified amount of playing time at the varsity level is never guaranteed.
Communication Procedures for Parents and Coaches
It is important to have good communication between coaching staff members, parents, and athletes. If there is an issue or concern, parents should follow the athletic department three-step process.
1. If appropriate, talk with your son or daughter about the question. What is the student athlete’s perspective? Can he/she solve the problem on his or her own?
2. Set up a meeting with the coach if you still have a question. This should be an informal meeting where you ask questions, listen and have a discussion. Remember that the coach makes decisions for the good of the team based upon practice, ability, and chemistry.
3. If questions remain, set up a meeting with the athletic director, coach and yourself.
If a meeting is to occur, the following guidelines should be adhered to:
1. Conversation must be in a professional manner with regard to both language and conduct.
2. Everyone receives a chance to talk, but everyone must listen as well.
3. Emotional control by all parties is imperative.
4. Meetings are by appointment.
Spectator Decorum
It is expected that all spectators, student and adult, set a proper example at all times while in attendance at Leicester High School. Improper behavior will result in exclusion from future athletic contests governed by Leicester Public Schools. The athletic fields and courts are an extension of the classroom and good sportsmanship needs to be of the highest priority at all times.
Middle School Athletics
Parents and guardians should be aware that student participation in middle school athletics, while managed by the Athletic Director and Assistant to the Athletic Director, is under the control of the middle school administration. As student athletes at this level have different needs than those at the high school level, the final decision regarding student athlete participation, and enforcement and application of the rules for participation, is the decision of the middle school administration.