Athletic Code of Conduct

WE THE UNDERSIGNED have read and understand the regulations of the code and what is required of our student-athletes as they represent our family, our school, our community, as well as our Athletic Department. I/We understand that failure to comply with our school rules as well as our Athletic rules and regulations as stated in the code can result in expulsion from a team or from the entire athletic program.

Parent:______

Date:______

Student-Athlete:______

Date:______

PHILOSOPHY:

The overall athletic policy at Italy ISD is that it is an extension of the total educational system, it is co-curricular. Our student-athletes are students first and athletes second. They are expected to comply with all rules and expectations of the school system. To compete in athletics is a privilege; it is not a “right”. This privilege is to be respected and appreciated.

The school administration has taken great care to provide for each athlete in terms of facilities, supplies, and other necessities for a successful athletic program. It will be our philosophy that we take care of those things provided, and that we utilize these things efficiently and we maintain proper care of those provisions.

Our Italy Athletic philosophy will focus on the student-athletes here at

Italy. Each athlete will be encouraged strongly to participate in EVERY sport or program offered by Italy ISD. The advantage of programs offered in smaller schools is for each student to have opportunity for multiple experiences. We will discourage our athletes from “specializing” in one sport or event. We will strongly encourage our kids to play multiple sports and be involved in every other program they can be involved in that Italy ISD offers, including FFA, FCCLA, Band, as well as other clubs or organizations. Our philosophy is that our in-school sports come before all outside clubs or institutions during any particular season. Athletes will be required to participate in two sports in order to remain in the Athletics’ Class along with the District Track Meet. Athletes must be in the Spring Athletic Class to participate in Spring Sports. i.e. (Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Track, Power lifting) seniors are the exception.

EQUIPMENT:

Each athlete understands that they are responsible for all Athletic Equipment that they will be issued. That equipment belongs to Italy ISD and not the individual athlete. Every effort will be made by the Italy Coaching Staff to take care of and maintain all athletic equipment. If equipment is lost or stolen, theathlete will be held accountable for that equipment. He or she will be expected topay for equipment that they lose or that they steal. Shorts and Shirts will be purchased for $25 in order to be uniform in our workouts.

ACADEMICS:

The Athletic tail does not wag the Academic dog. In other words all of our student athletes are expected to take care of their business in the classroom. That means they are expected to act appropriately in each class, and they are expected to maintain a passing grade in each class. The coaching staff will monitor the athletes to maintain a high academic standard. Tutorials will not be just a “recommendation” but rather an expectation of kids in academic need. In our eyes failure is not an option.

BEHAVIOR:

The Italy Student-Athlete will be expected to conduct themselves honorably during the school day in every academic setting. The Italy Coaching Staff will reinforce all school rules and be supportive of the teaching staff.

The student-athlete will also be expected to represent their school with honor.

Misbehavior will not be tolerated at other school activities whether they are on the field or court at the time. Athletes acting inappropriately while representing their school will be subject to punishment by their coach, and in severe or repeated cases may be dismissed from that team.

DISMISSAL FROM TEAM:

An athlete may be dismissed from his or her team if he or she engages in extreme misconduct detrimental to the team, or is habitually disrespecting the rules and expectations for the team. NO ATHLETE WILL BE DISMISSED FROM ANY TEAM WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ATHLETES PARENT OR GUARDIAN, AND APPROVAL OF THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR. If an athlete is dismissed from any team that athlete will not be allowed to participate in any other sport without the approval of the Athletic Director, Principal, or Superintendent.

QUITTING:

Italy Athletes will be strongly discouraged from quitting. Quitting goes against the core of what is right and good in Athletics. It also teaches negative principles in terms of future endeavors, such as a job, marriage, or any other commitment. It is important that we teach our young people to stand by their commitments. If after a two week trial period in August, and one week for the remainder of the school year, any athlete that quits a sport will not be allowed to participate in the next sport until the sport the athlete quits is over. Additionally, they will be unable to participate in any scrimmage or game for the first two weeks of the next sports’ season. The athlete will be allowed to participate in generic offseason training such as lifting, and running. However they will not be able to participate in any sport specific activities. The only exception to this will be by consent of all head coaches in thesports involved, or by the approval of the Athletic Director, Principal, or Superintendent.

TRAINING RULES:

Some expectations of student behaviors surpass the school day or the athletic day, or even the school year. Student-Athletes will be held accountable for abusing substances that are illegal and detrimental to themselves, their family, their team, as well as society in general. Student-Athletes will be subject to disciplinary actions if they illegally use narcotics or alcohol. Disciplinary actions may vary based on the offense as well as number of occurrences of such offenses. Such action may include suspension of games or contest, or even removal from a team. See IISD FNF Local Policy 070907

The head coach of the sport the Student-Athlete participates in as well as the Athletic Director will determine consequences of violation of Italy Training Rules.

Drug/Alcohol and Criminal Arrest Related Offenses: 4 Strike Approach

This approach begins the 1st Monday of August each school year. It lasts each student-athletes amateur career. The strikes do not start over each year. They are lasting through their career while in Italy ISD. Each time a student-athlete fails to live up to the standard the head coach, the athlete, and their parents and or guardian are required to meet face-face.

See IISD FNF Local Policy 070907

MULTIPLE SPORTS CONCERNS:

Italy Athletes will be strongly encouraged to participate in not only multiple sports, but also all activities available to them. If an athlete is participating in multiple sports every effort will be made to allow that student-athlete to participate in all activities. From time to time conflicts of events occur that cannot be avoided. Certain priorities will be adhered to by coaches involved with athletes in unavoidable conflicts. For example, priority will be given to school sponsored activities over non-school activities. Second, priority will be given to activities involving post-season or district competition. Third, when conflicts are reasonably equal the student-athlete will be able to choose events they will participate in. When such conflicts occur, the student-athlete will not be “punished” by the sport they were unable to participate in. They will not be asked to make up any conditioning for practice or game they missed due to representing Italy in another sport or activity.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Extracurricular students will refrain from engaging in any act that is detrimental to the reputation of the school or team.

Everything posted in social media is public information – any text or photo placed online is completely out of your control the moment it is placed online – even if security settings are listed as “private”. Information (including pictures, videos, and comments) may be accessible even after removed. Once a photo or comment on a social networking site has been posted, that photo or comment becomes the property of the site and may be searchable even after being removed. Similar to comments made in person, Italy ISD will not tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online, such as:

  • Derogatory language or remarks that may harm other teammates or coaches; other Italy ISD teammates or coaches; and athletes, coaches, or representatives of other

schools, including comments that may disrespect opponents.

  • Incriminating photos or statements depicting violence; hazing; sexual harassment; full

or partial nudity; inappropriate gestures; vandalism, stalking; underage drinking,

selling, possessing, or using controlled substances; or any other inappropriate

behaviors.

  • Creating a serious danger to the safety of another person or making a credible threat

of serious physical or emotional injury to another person.

  • Indicating knowledge of an unreported school or team violation—regardless if the

violation was unintentional or intentional.

  • Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will also be handled by campus administration in conjunction with the Italy ISD athletic discipline process.

When activity on social media disrupts the team or school, students who post/appear in inappropriate messages or pictures will be asked to remove the post. Students will receive consequences that may include game suspensions and school discipline. Subsequent inappropriate posts will include additional consequences up to and possibly including, dismissal from the team and extracurricular program. Parents are encouraged to be familiar with social media, the accounts their students own or subscribe and assist the school when necessary if social media post impact the extracurricular program or school business.

Sports directly after school except on Game Days or Meet Days:

  • Girls’ Basketball
  • Boys’ Basketball
  • Track
  • Softball
  • Baseball
  • Power-Lifting

Sports directly in the athletic period:

  • HS Football
  • HS Volleyball
  • HS Cross Country
  • JH Football
  • JH Volleyball
  • JH Boys’/Girls’ Basketball
  • JH Track

Procedures for problem solving and communication will be handled in the according fashion:

1. You must give the Team’s Coach 24 hours after any contest to discuss the issue with him/her.

2. You must then schedule a meeting with the Athletic Director and team's coach if the problem is not resolved after meeting with the team's coach.

3. If not satisfied with the Athletic Director's response, then you must schedule a meeting to discuss the issue with the school's principal, Athletic Director and team's coach.

4. The last step in handling issues is to schedule a meeting with the school's superintendent, school's principal, Athletic Director, and team's coach if you feel the problem has yet to be handled.

These guidelines are set for the betterment of the total athletic program. They will work in conjunction with, but not supersede, Italy ISD Board Policy and or the Italy ISD Student Code of Conduct.