PHILOSOPHY

The conduct of the student-athlete should exemplify the highest ideals of citizenship, leadership, and sportsmanship and should be characterized by an enthusiasm for these ideals that will inspire all with whom he/she comes into contact with to accept them as their own.

The athletic program should always conform to the general objectives of the school, and the athletic policies should align with the school policies. At no time should the program place the educational curriculum secondary in emphasis; the program should function as a part of the whole curriculum and should constantly strive for the development of a well-rounded individual, capable of taking his/her place in today's society.

CODE OF ETHICS

1. To emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play.
2. To eliminate all possibilities which tend to destroy the best values of the game.
3. To stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.
4. To show courtesy to visitors and hosts.
5. To establish a good relationship between visitors and hosts.
6. To respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.
7. To achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility.
8. To encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by the players on the team.
9. To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, social, and emotional well being of the individual players.
10. To keep in mind that an athletic contest is only a game - not a matter of life or death.

STUDENT-ATHLETE ETHICS

1. The student-athlete should serve as an example of good sportsmanship and well roundedness that should be promoted through athletics.
2. There should be accord among student-athletes regardless of what sport/sports you are playing.
3. The coaches, not a student-athlete, will handle disagreements with officials.
4. Profanity by student-athletes will not be tolerated. It will in no way improve your performance.
5. Attire of student athletes:
   1. Student-athletes should dress appropriately for all contests. The impressions you make reflect upon you, your team, and the school. Team members should all wear the same attire, i.e. uniform.
   2. Suitable practice attire will, of course, depend upon the nature of the sport, weather conditions, etc.
   3. Wearing spiked or cleated shoes in school buildings is prohibited. This is a matter of maintenance and safety.
   4. Coaches will take responsibility for communicating the standards and expectations for dress to his/her team and enforcing them.
6. Team-Rivalry: A student-athlete should encourage pride within the team, but this should never be developed by belittling another team or sport. Every team should support every other team in the school.

BUS TRIP POLICY/RULES

• All students have assigned seats and the sponsor will keep a written record.
• Students should report damage done to their seat before leaving the bus. Students will be responsible for any damage that is found by the bus company.
• Students are to remain in their assigned seats for the duration of the trip.
• Male and female students should be kept in separate areas of the bus. The only exception to this rule is on extremely long trips where there are numerous chaperones that can sit among the students in appropriate places.
• Sponsors will sit in seats that allow them to make sure male and female students are separated.
• Students participating in a school-sponsored event must notify the sponsor if they are going home with their parents. The parent must provide this information in writing. The sponsor will keep a written record.
• Permission to use cell-phones, CD players, et cetera, by the students should be determined by the sponsor prior to bus departure.
• All school rules apply on the bus (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, conduct, et cetera).

TRAINING RULES AND PERSONAL CONDUCT OF TEAM MEMBERS

1. The coach is responsible for disciplining inappropriate athlete behavior:
   1. Proper conduct on buses, locker rooms, practice fields, etc. is essential. Athletes who act inappropriately will be disciplined by the coach and possibly in-school as well.
   2. The student-athlete represents the coach, the school and their individual families.
2. Drug Abuse and Drinking: Drinking and drug abuse are direct violations of the school district rules. Any violations of this nature may result in suspension from athletics for the remainder of the season, if not longer. In addition, further punishment in school may be appropriate. The head coach, in cooperation with school administration will decide the appropriate punishment.
3. The Western Beaver County School District will prohibit the use of anabolic steroids or any other performance enhancing drug that has been deemed illegal or unsafe, by anyone involved in school related athletics, except for a valid medical purpose as prescribed by a physician. Violations of this code may result in suspension from athletics for the remainder of the season, if not longer. See the School Board Policy for further information.
4. The use of tobacco or tobacco products is strictly prohibited by student-athletes. Coaches will set the standard for the following of this rule.
5. The rules and regulations in this code shall apply to any violations on and off school premises during the season of participation. Any violations during the off-season could result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the head coach.
6. Personal Conduct: The athlete should exemplify an outstanding school student in all ways. Some areas to be considered are:
   1. Classroom-school building behavior
   2. Mode of dress
   3. Conduct at social and school functions
   4. Class cutting by an athlete
   5. Habitual tardiness to school (See Athletic Director)
   6. Be a Leader: set a positive tone for your peers and teammates

INSURANCE

WESTERN BEAVER ATHLETIC POLICY

ELIGIBILITY

• One must attain a grade point average of 2.00 (based on a 4.00 scale) in a successfully completed core curriculum of at least 14 Academic Courses (Grades 9-12).
• One must achieve a 700-combined score on the SAT verbal and math sections or an 18 composite score on the ACT.

SPORTS AT WESTERN BEAVER

1. Choosing the members of athletic teams is the sole responsibility of the coaches of those teams.
2. Cheerleading squads will be chosen in the spring by an impartial panel not associated with the school.
3. Non-varsity coaches shall take into consideration the policies established by the head coach in that particular program when selecting final team rosters.
4. Prior to team selection, the coach shall provide the following information to all candidates for the team:
1. Extent of try-out period
2. Criteria used to evaluate and select the team
3. Number or range of numbers to be selected
4. Practice commitment if they make the team
5. Game commitments

SPORTSMANSHIP

1. Regard the rules of the games as mutual agreements that no person would break.
2. Seek no advantage over others except those in which the game is understood to show superiority.
3. Never use unsportsmanlike or unfair means.
4. Treat visiting teams as honored guests of the home team.
5. Request any spectator who continually shows poor sportsmanship not to attend future contests.
6. Abide by the decisions of officials, even when they seem unfair; let coaches handle these situations
7. Regard the practice of booing as discourteous and unsportsmanlike.
8. Remember that a student-spectator represents the school in the same way an athlete does.

TRANSPORTING PLAYERS FROM AWAY GAMES

1. On the day of an athletic event, a note must be presented to the office, signed by the parent/guardian, stating with whom the child will return home. (Only parents or guardians, will be permitted to take the student.) Please put a telephone number on the note where the parent can be reached that day. The note will be signed and returned to the student.
2. The student will present the permission form to the coach prior to leaving for the away event.
3. Before the student is released, the parent/guardian who is taking the student home must present him/herself to the coach.
4. Many parents attend all away games and may sign a form to release their child(ren) for the entire season for that particular sport.

PARENT/COACH COMMUNICATION

1. Locations and times of practices and games
2. Special team requirements (i.e. equipment, off-season training)
3. Discipline that results in the denial of participation

1. Treatment of your child(ren): both mentally and/or physically
2. Concerns and/or questions regarding strengths/weaknesses/behavior of YOUR child
3. Ways to assist your child(ren) to improve
4. Notification of schedule conflicts well in advance (these will be reviewed on an individual basis)

1. Playing time
2. Team strategy
3. Play calling
4. Other student-athletes

1. Please do not attempt to confront the coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promise a resolution.
2. Call to set up an appointment with the coach. (Western Beaver's main number at the Jr.-Sr. High School is (724) 643-8500.) The Athletic Director's extension is 1013.

HAZING

• Any type of activity that intimidates or threatens a student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation, or that adversely affects the student's mental or physical health, safety, or dignity.
• Any type of physical activity that subjects a student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects the student's mental or physical health or safety, such as exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or carrying objects not normally associated with the individual's activity.
• Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, or placing a harmful substance on the student.
• Any activity that discourages someone from entering or remaining in the organization or that may reasonably be expected to cause someone to leave the organization rather than submit to such activity.
• Any activity that induces, causes, or requires someone to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.

• Requiring calisthenics such as sit-ups, push-ups, etc.
• Requiring the carrying of items such as: rock, helmets, books, horns, etc.
• Preventing or restricting class attendance
• Forcing someone to eat or drink against their will
• Placing items or substances on a person's body such as Ben-Gay, etc.
• Forcing a student to wear inappropriate garments
• Throwing items at an individual
• Paddling or striking in any manner
• Marking or branding

DISCRIMINATION