Fox Valley Hawks Hockey
Drug & Alcohol Policy and Procedures
Policy:
Participation in the Fox Valley Hawks Hockey club is a privilege, which allows high school hockey players to enjoy their sport while enjoying the camaraderie and pride that develops while playing with their fellow students. This privilege places student participants in the role of representing the hockey organization, their high school, and their fellow students. Our goal is to have the best high school hockey program in the State of Illinois. Parents and players need to be assured that as an organization we will do everything in our power to reach this goal. The FVH Board of Directors has a strong interest in maintaining a proactive stance regarding the issue of drug and alcohol abuse among high school students. Our policy is to deal with all suspected and confirmed activities in a prompt and firm fashion while remaining sensitive to the complexity of the issue and the dignity of the players and their families.
Procedure for handling the suspicion of drugs or alcohol:
Coaches and managers should be notified immediately of any suspicion of drugs or alcohol involvement. Coaches and managers in turn should immediately notify the Rules and Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors.
A member of the Rules and Ethics Committee, appointed at the discretion of the Board of Directors, will investigate the issue. The player(s) and parent(s) will be notified and asked to discuss the related activities with the Rules and Ethics Committee. A player accused of a violation will be given the opportunity to explain or respond. All involved players will be urged to undergo appropriate counseling and/or treatment and be subject to the penalties outlined below.
A player may appeal the decision of the Rules and Ethics Committee providing such appeal is submitted to the President of the Board of Directors within 48 hours of notification of the initial ruling. A parent must attend the appeal meeting. The penalty will remain in effect during the appeal process. The decision of the President of the Board of Directors is final.
Penalties:
1. Criminal Action: When the Club has substantial knowledge that a student has beencharged with a criminal offense, he/she will immediately be temporarily suspended from participation in Club activities. The Rules and Ethics Committee will consider duration of the suspension and reinstatement of the player based on a review of the information.
2. Substance Use or Possession: It is considered a violation of the activity code if a student possesses uses, distributes, or sells illegal drugs, look-a-Iike drugs, paraphernalia, controlled substances, or alcoholic beverages. When the Club has substantial knowledge that a student is involved in an alcohol or drug-related situation, on or off the ice, it will issue the following minimum penalties. The Rules and Ethics Committee has the discretion to add additional penalties up to and including complete suspension from the program.
a. Voluntary Admission of a First Offense: A player may submit a voluntary admission of alcohol or drug use/involvement to the coach or a member of the Board of Directors counseling/education program and/or the Rules and Ethics Committee may suspend the player from one or more games. A player may admit involvement /Rules and Ethics Committee.
b. First Offense. The player will be suspended a minimum of one game. The player and his/her parents will also be required to meet with the Rules and Ethics Committee and receive counseling from an approved resource prior to being reinstated with full participation privileges.
c. Second Offense. The player will be suspended for a minimum of three games. The player will be required to meet again with the Rules and Ethics Committee and attend additional counseling sessions prior to being reinstated with full participation privileges.
d. Third Offense. The player will not participate in Club activities until submitting substantial evidence of rehabilitation to the Rules and Ethics Committee to seek reinstatement of activity privileges. If a player is suspended from club activities for any reason, including violation of this policy, there will be no adjustment to any fees owed to the FVH Club.
Communication:
The Rules and Ethics Committee will ensure that all families, coaches, and managers involved with the FVH are aware of its Drug and Alcohol Policy by distributing it and discussing it in the following ways:
• The policy will be included in the registration packages
• The policy will be posted on the Club's web site
• The policy and the consequences of drug/alcohol use or possession will addressed at the pre-season parents/players meeting
• The policy will be an item of discussion in the early season team meetings.
The coach, manager and at least one member of the Board of Directors will be present at this meeting.