DECATUR CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC HANDBOOK
& CODE OF CONDUCT
Scott DeFreese
PRINCIPAL
Kelly McWilliams
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Derrek Staton
ATHLETIC ASSISTANT
DECATURCENTRALHIGH SCHOOL
5251 KENTUCKY AVENUE
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46221
DCHS MAIN OFFICE: (317) 856-5288
ATHLETIC OFFICE: (317) 856-2109
ATHLETIC FAX: (317) 856-2196
MID STATE CONFERENCE
DECATUR CENTRAL “HAWKS”MOORESVILLE “PIONEERS”
FRANKLIN COMMUNITY “GRIZZLY CUBS”PLAINFIELD “QUAKERS”
GREENWOOD “WOODMEN”WHITELAND “WARRIORS”
MARTINSVILLE “ARTESIANS”
DECATURCENTRALHIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
Athletic Handbook for Student-Athletes
This athletic booklet is designed to inform athletes and their parents or guardians of the rules, regulations, and information that helped develop the rich tradition of competition at DecaturCentralHigh School. Participating in high school athletics is a privilege that carries with it honor, responsibility, and sacrifice. Since competition is a privilege and not a right, those who choose to participate will be expected to follow the Code of Conduct established by the administration along with additional specific coaches’ rules for their sport. You are expected to represent Decatur Central, your family and community in a positive manner. The policies in this handbook are in force the year around and apply to all IHSAA sanctioned sports, cheerleaders and sanctioned club sports at Decatur Central.
Athletic Department Philosophy
Interscholastic athletics is historically a significant part of the total educational program. They offer the opportunity for students to be a part of a team, to serve their school, to enjoy fellowship, and to develop intellectually, physically and emotionally.
We believe that DecaturCentralHigh School athletics provide a unifying influence within our student body and between our school and community. The athletic staff will endeavor to provide each participant with positive experiences that will help them develop their own philosophy toward commitment, responsibility, and loyalty which will guide them for post-school competition in society. We believe that the will to win is a natural human trait and entirely desirable, but this urge whether individual or collective, is not to be attained at the price of unfair advantage or gained through violation of established rules and principles. The desire to win is important, but will never outweigh the welfare of the athlete and will be kept in perspective towards the balance of what is good for the team and the individual player. The most significant aspect of athletic achievement is quality effort itself. Being a winner is not always recorded on the scoreboard or in the won-loss records. Being an athlete at DecaturCentralHigh School is a privilege; we therefore have the right to expect higher standards of behavior from our athletes than we do the general student body. We expect positive leadership at all times, as well as high levels of achievement academically and athletically. DecaturCentralHigh School will strive to offer the best personnel and facilities possible. Its coaching leadership will aspire to provide a positive example for the athletes by following ethical standards and presenting a professional attitude in all endeavors. They, along with parents and teachers, will help to instill a sense of pride in our school through supporting individual athletes, teams, and the Athletic Department and its policies. DecaturCentralHigh School athletics purpose is not to develop college or professional players nor to prepare gifted athletes for Olympic competition. Those areas, however, are by-products of the interscholastic athletic program. Decatur Central Hawk athletes and spectators can be proud of a program that is helping our athletes become the best that they can be in many aspects.
Responsibilities of a DecaturTownship Athlete
A student/athlete is expected to:
Achieve academically to the best of his/her abilities. Each student’s first responsibility is to be a good student.
Act in accordance with high standards of social behavior.
Display good sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Show respect to opponents, teammates, officials, spectators, coaches, and administrators.
Maintain a good appearance, including dress, grooming, and cleanliness.
Use language that reflects positively on school, community and family.
Be a positive leader in the classroom, on the playing field, in the school and in the community.
Comply with these guidelines in and out of season, on and off the playing field, at school and away from school.
Standards of Good Sportsmanship
- Good sportsmanship will always be the focal point of the Decatur Central athletic department. It will be reflected in how we treat our teammates, coaches, officials and opponents.
- Student athletes at Decatur Central will place the positive and supportive relationship with their teammates and coaches as their highest priority. Regardless of the sport, individual or team, we are only as strong as how we treat each other.
- After all contests, Decatur Central athletes are expected to shake hands with the athletes and coaches for the team(s) that we have competed against.
- After all contests, regardless of whether we agree or disagree with their calls, Decatur Central athletes will thank the officials for their work in officiating the contest.
- After any contest where ribbons, medals or trophies are presented to the opposing team(s), Decatur Central athletes will stay and watch and applaud the efforts of the athletes and teams(s) involved in that contest. At no time will Decatur Central athletes ever leave the field or floor while a presentation is being made.
- Decatur Central athletes will not use inappropriate language while taking part in any contest.
- Though all sports have some level of physical contact, and recognizing that hard physical aggressive contact is a major and important part of all sports, at no time will a Decatur Central athlete engage in physical play that would result in unsportsmanlike conduct that would jeopardize the safety of the opposing athlete or the integrity of the Decatur Central team.
Interscholastic Sports Offered at Decatur Central High School
Fall
MEN'SWOMEN'S
Varsity Football Varsity Volleyball
Junior Varsity FootballJunior Varsity Volleyball
Freshman FootballCross Country
Cross CountryVarsity Soccer
Varsity SoccerJunior Varsity Soccer
Junior Varsity SoccerVarsity Golf
Varsity Tennis Varsity Cheerleading
JV Cheerleading
Winter
MEN'SWOMEN'S
Varsity Basketball Varsity Basketball
Junior Varsity BasketballJunior Varsity Basketball
Freshman BasketballFreshman Basketball
Varsity Wrestling Swimming
Swimming Varsity Cheerleading
JV WrestlingJV Cheerleading
Spring
MEN'SWOMEN'S
Varsity BaseballVarsity Softball
Junior Varsity Baseball Junior Varsity Softball
Freshman Baseball Freshman Softball
Varsity TrackVarsity Track
Varsity GolfVarsity Tennis
I.H.S.A.A Rules of Eligibility
You are INELIGIBLE if:
Age
You are 20 years of age prior to or on the schedule date of the IHSAA state finals tournament in a sport.
Amateurism
You play under an assumed name.
You accept money or merchandise directly or indirectly from athletic participation.
You participate in clinics or camps without IHSAA approval.
You sign a professional contract.
Awards/Gifts
You receive in recognition for your athletic ability any award not approved by your high school principal or the IHSAA.
You use or accept merchandise as an award, prize, gift or loan or purchase such for a token sum.
You accept awards, gifts, trips or honors from colleges or their alumni.
Enrollment
You did not enroll in school during the first 15 days of a semester.
You have been enrolled more than 8 semesters beginning with grade 9.
You have represented a high school in a sport for more than 4 years.
Illness/Injury
You have been absent 5 or more consecutive days due to an injury or illness and do not present to your principal or designee written verification from a licensed physician stating that you may resume participation.
Parent/Physician Certificate
You do not have the completed certificate on file with your principal each school year, between May 1 and the first day of practice.
Practice
You have not completed the required number of separate days of organized practice in a sport under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staff preceding participation in a contest.
Scholarship
You did not pass 6 full credit subjects in your previous grading period or at semesters end.
You are not enrolled in 6 full credit subjects.
General Administrative Policies and Responsibilities of DCHS
Attendance Policy
An athlete must attend school the day of practice/game at least 4 full periods. Any exception to this rule must have prior approval of the Athletic Director or Principal.
Changing Sports
Athletes may be allowed to transfer from one sport to another during a given season only upon mutual agreement of both coaches and with the approval of the Athletic Director and Principal.
Should an athlete quit a sport during the season, he/she will not be allowed to join another sport squad during pre-season practice. Athletes must wait until the current sport season ends before joining a sport for the subsequent season.
Rules for Attending Practice or Games
When accepting the responsibility of participating as a varsity, reserve or freshman player in any of our interscholastic sports, the athletes are responsible for being present at all set meetings, games or practice sessions unless excused by the coach or a doctor prior to the practice, games or meeting.
Consequences for any missed practices and/or unexcused contests are based on the discretion of the coaches.
Facility Usage Procedure
At no time is it permissible for individuals or groups to use any DCHS facility indoors or outdoors without authorized supervision.
At no time will individuals or groups be working out, jogging or just “messing around” while teams or squads are having an official practice session.
Athletes in one sport practice will refrain from using equipment not specifically for their sport.
Multi-Sport Athletes
Athletes may participate in only one sport during any given sport season - unless approved by both head coaches and the Athletic Director.
Suspension/Dismissal Procedures
Head coach will inform the athlete, parents and Athletic Director verbally and in writing that the student is suspended until further notice (or dismissed) and reasons for the suspension/dismissal.
DecaturCentralHigh School Athletic Code of Conduct
Alcohol, Drugs, Criminal Mischief and Stealing
Alcohol, use of drugs, stealing and any criminal mischief which is derogatory to the proper conduct of an athlete will result in automatic suspension. The Coach, Athletic Director and Principal will conduct a review of the establishing facts and the suspension. Violation of any of these rules will result in the following disciplinary action:
- Drugs – Possessing, using or being under the influence of drugs.
- Alcohol – Possessing, using or being under the influence of alcohol.
- Criminal Mischief – Recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally damaging or defacing school property or the property of another person. The School Administration will handle school pranks.
- Stealing – Knowingly or intentionally taking unauthorized control of goods or possessing stolen goods.
1st offense for drugs, alcohol, criminal mischief and stealing:
- 50% suspension of contest season (excluding scrimmage)
- The athlete may practice and also sit on the bench (in street clothes) during the suspension period with the consent of the Coach and Athletic Director.
- The athlete must attend all practices and games until suspension is complete. Suspension will be extended for each practice and/or game missed during suspension.
2nd offense for drugs, alcohol, criminal mischief and stealing:
- 365 – day suspension from practice and contests.
3rd offense for drugs, alcohol, criminal mischief and stealing:
- Loss of high school eligibility.
- The athlete may petition the Athletic Administration for reinstatement after their 3rd offense and after a 365 – day suspension.
Tobacco – Possession of or using tobacco products
1st offense for Tobacco:
- 10% suspension of contest season.
- The athlete may practice and also sit on the bench (in street clothes) during the suspension period with the consent of the Coach and Athletic Director.
- The athlete must attend all practices and games until suspension is complete. Suspension will be extended for each practice and/or game.
2nd offense for Tobacco:
- 365 – day suspension from practice and contests.
3rd offense for Tobacco:
- Loss of high school eligibility.
- The athlete may petition the Athletic Administration for reinstatement after their 3rd offense and after a 365 – day suspension.
Hazing
Purpose - The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment that is free from
hazing for student athletes and staff members, Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the goals of the athletic department and are prohibited at all times.
General Statement of Policy -
No student, teacher, coach, administrator or other school district employee, contractor or volunteer shall plan, direct, encourage, aid or engage in hazing. No student, teacher, coach, administrator or other school district employee, contractor or volunteer shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing. Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act. This policy applies to hazing behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours. The athletic department will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or takeappropriate action against any student, teacher, coach, administrator or other school district employee, contractor or volunteer who is found to have violated this policy.
Definitions
"Hazing," means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an
act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into
or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. The term hazing includes, but
is not limited to:
Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shockingor placing a harmful substance on the body.
Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in arestricted area, calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk ofharm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product or anyother food, liquid, or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student toextreme mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from remaining in school.
Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of stateor federal law or of school district policies or regulations.
"Student organization," means a group, club or organization having students as its primary
members or participants. It includes grade levels, classes, teams, activities or particular school
events. A student organization does not have to be an official school organization to come within
the terms of this definition.
Reporting Procedures
Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge
or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to an
appropriate school district official designated by this policy. The athletic director or building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level. Any person may report hazing directly to a school district human rights officer or to the
superintendent. Coaches, teachers, administrators, other school district employees as well as contractors and volunteersshall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances or events that might includehazing. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall inform the building principal immediately. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter's future employment, grades or work assignments.
Athletic Department Action
Upon receipt of a complaint or report of hazing, the athletic department shall undertake or authorizean investigation by school district officials or a third party designated by the school district. The athletic department may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant,reporter, students or others pending completion of an investigation of hazing.
Upon completion of the investigation, the athletic department will take appropriate action. Such actionmay include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer,
remediation, termination or discharge. Disciplinary consequences will be administered
consistently. They will appropriately discipline prohibited behavior and deter others from hazing.
Athletic Department action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with other school
policies.
Reprisal - The athletic department will take appropriate action against any student, coach, teacher,administrator or other employee of the school district, or any contractor or volunteer who
retaliates against anyone who makes a good faith report of hazing, or who testifies, assists or
participates in an investigation or hearing about a hazing incident. Retaliation includes, but is not
limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.
Harassment/Bullying
Harassment means an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct
based on or motivated by a student’s or a student’s family member’s actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, or disability that has the purpose or effect of objectively and substantially undermining and detracting from or interfering with a student’s educational performance or access to school resources or creating an objectively intimidating, hostile,or offensive environment. Any incidents of harassment/bullying will be dealt with in the same manner as the Hazing Policy as written in this handbook.