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STUDENT ATHLETE'S HANDBOOK
Richmond Community Schools
The Richmond School
District Code of Conduct for Student Athletes has been developed to provide a
uniform set of rules and regulations to govern all district athletic
participants regardless which team or school they represent. The Athletic Code
of Conduct combines rules and regulations of the Michigan High School Athletic
Association (MHSAA), which have been adopted by the Richmond School District
with specific district rules governing athletic participation. The Code of
Conduct for Student Athletes will be in effect at all times and students are to
comply with all aspects of the code if they desire to enjoy the privilege of
continued eligibility for participation in athletics.
In addition, student
athletes who incur school disciplinary action because of violations defined in
the Richmond Community School Handbook are also subject to the disciplinary
actions contained in the Code of Conduct for Student Athletes. Please note that
when a student is academically ineligible to participate in contests and
scrimmages, he/she still may practice with the team as along as he/she is not
suspended from school as outlined in the Richmond Community Schools Handbook.
However, the participant may forfeit the opportunity to receive an athletic
award if loss of participation in contests prevents him/her from meeting the
requirements for earning the award as outlined in the written supplemental team
rules and regulations developed by the coach and distributed to each participant
at the start of the sports season. Rules which have been adopted by the
Richmond School District and are also covered by MHSAA rules are indicated by an
asterisk (*).
OBLIGATIONS-EXPECTATIONS
Anyone involved in our
athletic program is expected to represent our school and community in a first
class quality manner at all times. This includes both on and off the field of
athletic competition.
We expect all of our
students to focus on being the best they can be in the following three areas in
order of importance as they relate to our athletic program and it's true
success.
1. Be the best
Person we can be by the manner in which we act. Sportsmanship, work
ethic and how we treat others is paramount in setting the right example for our
young people in our community. Taking responsibility and representing our
teams, school and community is very important in establishing the type of
standards that we must constantly be striving for in the Richmond Community
Schools. We must realize how destructive complaining, making excuses and
blaming others can be in becoming successful teams and individuals. It is
far more important to work at having a positive attitude, team loyalty,
dedication, and placing the team ahead of individual accomplishments. These are
the characteristics that will stand the test of time and result in having an
athletic program with a solid foundation.
2. Be the best
Student we can be by stressing solid study habits and commitment in this
area. We are in school to learn first and participating in athletics is a
privilege. If a student chooses not to maintain solid study habits he/she will
be jeopardizing this privilege. To reach our potential as a student it must be
emphasized and made a priority at all times. Academic achievement must
be a goal we are willing to set with high standards that demonstrate good
organization of time and solid efforts. All athletes must be willing to make
sacrifices and pay the price of hard work in the classroom if they are real team
players. Don't let your team down when it comes to this critical matter.
3.
Be the best Athlete
we can be by taking care of being a solid person and student first. We don't
have a chance at becoming a true student-athlete without the proper attitude as
a person and student.
What we do in the
classroom and community will definitely carry over to how well we do in
athletics. Being an athlete does not mean we have special privileges. In fact,
it is just the opposite. As athletes we have even more responsibility and have
far more to lose if we fail as a person or student. The genuine student-athlete
is not afraid of the extra responsibility and work. The real athletes look at
these obligations and expectations as challenges. They aren't afraid to help
others and don't go around thinking they are better then the rest of the student
body. The real athlete appreciates the opportunity he/she has and doesn't take
himself too seriously. We want our athletes to constantly realize there are
small eyes upon them and watching what they say and do!
"Our Attitude
determines our Actions and our Actions reveal our Character."
CODE OF CONDUCT
Students are subject
to all MHSAA rules and regulations even though such rules may not be included
specifically in this document. A copy may be reviewed at the Athletic
Director's office or at the Board of Education office.
SECTION 1: RULES
OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION
The following rules of
eligibility must be observed in order to participate in the interscholastic
athletic program:
A. *ENROLLMENT
The student must be
enrolled in the school by Monday of the fourth week of the semester in which
he/she competes. The student must reside in the school service area in which
he/she attends school and must be enrolled in the school for which he/she
competes.
B. *AGE
HIGH SCHOOL: A
student in grades nine through twelve who participates in any interscholastic
athletic contest must be under nineteen (19) years of age. When a student's
nineteenth birthday occurs on or after September 1 of a current school year,
he/she is eligible for participation for the balance of that school year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL: A
seventh or eighth grade student must be under fourteen (14) and Fifteen (15)
years of age respectively. A student who reaches that age after September 1 is
eligible for participation for the balance of that school year.
C. *PARENT/GUARDIAN
CONSENT AND STUDENT APPLICATION:
The student must
submit the signed parent/guardian consent form and the signed student
application form to the coach prior to participating in tryouts, practice
sessions, or contests. Students and parents are to read the "Code of Conduct
for Student Athletes" before signing the parent/guardian consent form and the
student application form. The completed form will be kept on file in the
building athletic director's office subsequent sports session.
D. *PARTICIPANT
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
A student must have a
physical examination completed by a physician certifying that the student is
fully able to compete in athletics. The physical must take place after April 15
of the previous school year to be used for the current school year. The student
must submit the completed physical form to the coach (middle school) prior to
participating in tryouts, practice sessions, or contests. The completed form
will be kept on file in the building athletic director's office during
subsequent sports seasons.
E. *SEASONS OF
COMPETITION
A student, while
enrolled in grades nine through twelve, shall be eligible to compete in no more
than four (4) season's in either first or second semester athletics. For
example, a student may not compete in more than four (4) seasons of a particular
sport: football, tennis, etc. Students enrolled in grade seven or eight are
not limited in the number of seasons of competition. A student shall be limited
to participation in only one sport session when that sport leading to a state
championship is sponsored twice during the school year.
F. *SEMESTER OF
ELIGIBILITY
A student shall not be
eligible to compete in any branch of athletics that has been enrolled in grades
nine through twelve for more than eight semesters. The seventh and eighth
semesters must be consecutive. Enrollment in a school for a period of three
weeks or more, or competing in one or more interscholastic athletic contests,
shall be considered as enrollment for a semester under this rule. Students in
grades seven or eight are not limited in the number of semesters in which they
may be eligible.
ATHLETIC ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
The Richmond Community
Schools will abide by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)
regulation concerning eligibility.
A student must have
received passing grades in a minimum of four (4) classes during the previous
semester and must maintain passing grades in a minimum of four (4) classes
during the current semester to be eligible to participate in athletics.
In no case shall our
regulations be less than those of the MHSAA. In addition, the following
Richmond Community Schools eligibility policy will apply: Every student must be
passing each of his/her classes to be eligible to participate on an athletic
team. If a student drops/withdraws from a class and it is deemed a drop/fail.
The student becomes immediately academically ineligible.
A) The previous
semester grades will be used to determine eligibility for the start of the next
semester. Students who fail a class or classes in the spring semester may be
eligible to participate in a sport which begins before the start of the fall
semester only after the successful completion of a class or classes which makes
up for the class(es) failed. (i.e. summer school)
Students who are
ineligible at the start of the fall semester may be eligible to participate in
an interscholastic contest (game) after a satisfactory progress report is
submitted after the third week of the semester. While the student is
ineligible, he/she may practice with the team.
B) Eligibility will
begin on the first day of the fourth week of each semester. If a student
athlete receives a failing grade (i.e. one E or more), he/she will not play in
any interscholastic contest (game) for that week. The above procedure will be
repeated each Monday for the entire season. Eligibility will be reinstated at
the point when the student’s grade becomes passing. Appealed eligibility can be
reinstated at the discretion of the principal, athletic director, and/or
teacher.
C) The eligibility
check will be done by an administrator or designee.
D) An academic
ineligibility notification will be issued to the student athlete.
E) In most cases,
when student athletes are doing the best they can in a class a failing grade
will not result. However, if students become ineligible as a result of failing
grades and feel they are doing the best they can, i.e. turning in all
assignments, paying attention at all times in class, and seeking extra help from
the teacher, they may appeal the ineligibility to the Athletic Eligibility
Committee. This committee is made up of the building principal, athletic
director and the teacher(s) of the course(s) causing the ineligibility. If it
is determined by the committee that a student is giving the best effort
possible, the student athlete may be allowed to participate. It is the student
athlete's responsibility to initiate this appeal procedure by writing an
explanation of why and how he/she is doing the best work possible to succeed in
the course(s) being failed.
F) Any type of
academic misconduct that constitutes a Group Two or Three offense under
"Academic Responsibility" in the Student Handbook will result in a minimum of
two game suspension and a maximum of immediate dismissal from the team per the
discretion of the athletic director.
SECTION II:
*AWARDS
A) A student may not
accept from any source anything for participation in athletics other than an
emblematic award. An emblematic award would include, but not be limited to, any
medal, ribbon, badge, plaque, cup, trophy, banner, picture, or regular letter
award.
B) No acceptable award
shall exceed fifteen ($15.00) dollars in the value with the exception of the
regular letter award of the school. The cost of engraving a medal or similar
award need not be included in the determining the value of the award.
C) No one, such as
parent, friend, or other person, may accept an award on behalf of an athlete at
any time prior to graduation from high school.
D)
Acceptance of such items as
cash, merchandise, memberships, privileges, services, sweaters, athletic
equipment, wearing apparel, and watches would be a violation.
E)
Attendance at season banquet
is required in order to receive your award.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Any student violating
any area of this section would be ineligible for interscholastic athletic
competition for a period of at least one semester from the date of the
violation. If violation occurs after the Monday of the fourth week of a
semester, a student is ineligible for the balance of that semester and the
succeeding semester.
SECTION III:
*MAINTAINING AMATEUR STATUS
A) Students
participating or planning to participate in interscholastic athletics may NOT
(1) accept any money or other valuable consideration for participating in
athletics, sports, or games, (2) receive any money or other valuable
consideration for officiating at interscholastic athletic contests, or (3) sign
a contract with a professional team.
B) The rule in (A)
above applies to the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country,
Football, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, or Wrestling.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
A student violating
this rule is ineligible and may not apply for reinstatement until the equivalent
of one full school year has elapsed from the date of the last violation. After
that date the student may request reinstatement.
SECTION IV:
OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPETITION
A student who has
participated in any athletic contest as a member of a school team may not
participate in the same sport in the same season in any athletic competition
outside of and not sponsored by the school. The exception to this rule is the
individual sport athlete who may participate in a maximum of two (2) individual
sports meets or contests during that sport season while not representing his/her
school. A student may not compete in any "all-star" contests at any time in any
sport sponsored by the MHSAA during the school year.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
A student violating
rules in this section will be ineligible to participate in athletic contests and
scrimmages for a period from a minimum of the next three contests up to a
maximum of one school year depending on the violation.
SECTION V: STUDENT
ATTENDANCE REQUIRED FOR ATHLETICS
Students are to attend
school during the total school day in order to participate in athletics during
the same day or evening. Should there be a situation whereby a student cannot
attend school who would normally receive a verified absence, the student will be
allowed to participate in the contest with approval of the building principal or
designee.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
A student with a
non-verified absence from school may not participate in the athletic contest or
practice scheduled for that day.
SECTION VI:
ATTENDANCE AT ATHLETIC PRACTICE SESSIONS
AND CONTESTS
Attendance at practice
sessions is essential to prepare athletes physically and mentally for athletic
contests. All team members are required to be at all athletic practice sessions
and contests at the times designated by the coach.
STUDENTS MAY BE
EXCUSED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Illness and no count
absences from school and family emergencies. If interpretation is needed it
will be done by the coach in conjunction with the Athletic Director. Sunday
practices, even if scheduled in advance will be considered optional. School
suspensions will be counted as an unexcused absence. Both parent and athlete
must understand that any absences may affect an athletes performance, playing
time, and therefore his/her relative position on the team.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Failure to attend
regular scheduled practice sessions or contests without an excused absence will
lead to disciplinary action as outlined by the athletic department attendance
regulations which will be distributed at the parent meetings. However, any
athlete who misses three unexcused absences will be dismissed from the team and
not allowed to participate in that or any other sport during that season.
SECTION VII:
TRAVELING TO AND FROM AWAY CONTESTS
Any student on a team
traveling to an away athletic contest on school owned or chartered
transportation or other such approved vehicles shall return to the home school
on the same vehicle after the contest is over. The only exception is when prior
written arrangements are made and the coach grants permission for the student to
leave the contest site with his/her parent or guardian.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Any participant not
returning from any away contest with a team without permission of the coach is
ineligible to participate in athletic contests for one calendar week from the
date of the violation. The participant may practice with the team. A second
violation will result in dismissal from the team for the remainder of that sport
season.
SECTION VIII:
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Athletic participants
will be responsible for the care, security, and use of uniforms and equipment
issued to them.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Athletic participants
will be responsible to pay the replacement cost for uniform or equipment items
that are abused or not returned. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in
athletics in succeeding seasons until this obligation is met.
SECTION IX:
USE OR POSSESSION OF TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL:
IN AFFECT: 365 DAYS A
YEAR.
REGARDLESS OF THE
QUANTITY, A STUDENT ATHLETE SHALL NOT:
1)
Use or have in possession
tobacco/tobacco products including smokeless tobacco.
2)
Use or have in possession a
beverage containing alcohol.
FAILURE TO
COMPLY – FIRST VIOLATION:
The student athlete
shall forfeit 50% of the current season or 50% of the upcoming season if the
violation occurs out of that student athlete’s season. The student must also
show evidence of attending a program for chemical abuse approved by the school
administration.
IN-SEASON
VIOLATIONS:
If the forfeited
percent cannot be fulfilled during the current season the balance left (number
of games) will carry over into the next season. In this case, the student
athlete will be immediately dismissed from the current team, since eligibility
will not be reinstated. The student must also show evidence of attending a
program for chemical abuse approved by the school administration.
OUT OF SEASON
VIOLATIONS:
The student athlete
will sit out 50% of the next season of participation. The student athlete must
start and finish the sport in order for the 50% to be in affect; otherwise, the
student athlete will forfeit 50% of the next season. The sport must be finished
in good standing: The student must also show evidence of attending a program
for chemical abuse approved by the school administration.
FAILURE TO
COMPLY – SECOND VIOLATION:
Immediate dismissal
and forfeiture of 1 calendar year.
One calendar year in
affect from the date of dismissal. The student must also show evidence of
attending a more intense program for chemical abuse approved by the school
administration.
3RD
VIOLATION: PERMANENT DISMISSAL.
USE OR CONSUME,
HAVE IN POSSESSION, BUY, SELL, OR GIVE AWAY ANY MARIJUANA OR NARCOTIC, OR ANY
CONTROLLED OR LOOK-ALIKE SUBSTANCE INCLUDING ANABOLIC STEROIDS. THE
STUDENT/ATHLETE ALSO SHALL NOT BE IN POSSESSION OF DRUG SPECIFIC PARAPHERNALIA.
FAILURE TO
COMPLY – FIRST VIOLATION:
Immediate dismissal
from the team and forfeiture of 1 calendar year of athletic participation. The
student must also show evidence of attending a program for chemical abuse
approved by the school administration.
FAILURE TO
COMPLY – SECOND VIOLATION:
Permanent dismissal
from athletic participation at Richmond schools.
CODE OF CONDUCT: MISDEMEANORS/FELONIES
Student athletes
charged with a misdemeanor or felony are subject to a hearing by the athletic
review committee. Student athletes convicted of a misdemeanor or felony will
have the following consequences. Consequences can range from game suspensions
to removal based on severity.
SECTION X: SUMMER
AND OFF-SEASON PROGRAMS
A variety of sports
camps, schools, clinics, and training programs are offered to athletes during
the off-season and summer months by individual coaches and parks and recreation
departments. These programs provide opportunities for aspiring athletes to
improve their skills in a chosen sport. These summer and off-season programs
are voluntary. Athletes shall not be required to enroll in these programs as a
condition for membership or placement on an athletic team the succeeding season.
SECTION XI:
SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONDUCT
It is extremely
important that our student athletes represent Richmond Community Schools in a
first class manner at all times. This is expected while the athlete is in
school, on the athletic field and in the community. A student is eligible to
participate in athletics if in the judgment of the Athletic Director, Principal,
Coaching Staff and Faculty, he or she is a representative of the schools in
matters of citizenship, integrity and sportsmanship. Participation in athletics
is a privilege, not a right. Richmond High School will deal with
misrepresentation in any form very severely when it deems necessary.
Student Athletes who
are removed from an athletic contest for unsportsmanlike conduct will be
suspended for one athletic contest under MHSAA Regulations. If the conduct is
deemed flagrant, the student athlete may be suspended for more than one contest
or removed from the team for the remainder of the season.
ATHLETIC TEAM
PARTICIPATION
A student who signs up
to for a team that has a try out period, and does not make the final cut, will
be allowed to try out for another team (sport) upon mutual approval of the A.D.
and the coach involved, and if the roster for that team has not
been finalized by the A.D. After the first official week of practice for any
team, a student may not transfer from one team (sport) to another.
THE FOLLOWING ARE
CONSEQUENCES THAT WILL OCCUR REGARDING CITIZENSHIP AND CONDUCT DURING THE SCHOOL
YEAR:
SCHOOL REFERRALS:
IN SEASON
If a student athlete
receives a referral that is deemed a group II offense, the following
consequences will occur:
FIRST REFERRAL:
A) Sport with ten or
less game dates-- 1 game date suspension
B) Sport with more
than ten game dates-- 2 game date suspensions
SECOND REFERRAL:
A) Sport with ten or
less game dates--2 game date suspensions
B) Sport with more
than ten game dates--4 game date suspensions
THIRD REFERRAL:
A) Sport with ten or
less game dates-- Dismissal from the team for the
remainder of the season
B) Sport with more
than ten game dates--Dismissal
Substantiated group
III and IV offenses may result in immediate dismissal from the team for the
remainder of the season
OUT OF SEASON
REFERRAL
When a student athlete
receives his/her third GROUP II or higher referral, the student athlete will
suffer the following consequences:
A) Sports with 10 or
less game dates--1 game date suspension
B) Sports with more
than 10 game dates--2 game date suspensions
Fourth Group II
Referral/Third GROUP III or higher: Eligibility to participate will be
determined by vote of an athletic committee. This committee will consist of
A.D., A.P., coach involved, and a teacher of the student athlete.
TARDIES
Every six tardies (per
season per class) = 1 game suspension.
AFTER AND OUT OF
SCHOOL POLICY FOR ATHLETES
A)
Student athletes are not to
be in the locker room, gymnasium, athletic fields with school equipment, bus, or
in the school building without a coach in the immediate area.
B)
The school building is off
limits to the student-athlete after 3 P.M. on school days, non school days, and
weekends without a coach or authority from a building staff member.
C)
Anytime a building staff
member directs or requests a student athlete to vacant an area the student is to
respond in a respectful and timely manner. A student athlete is not to argue or
debate any request by a building staff member. Any disrespect or
insubordination on the part of a student athlete may result in disciplinary
action.
D)
It is important that
students and coaches adhere to all policies. Try to create as safe of an
environment as possible for everyone involved in our program.
SECTION
XII: DRESS CODES AND HAIR STYLES:
Coaches may have a
dress code for the entire season.
The dress code also
includes hair styles. At no time during the season or while the student-athlete
is a representative of his/her team will the student-athlete have an unnatural
hair color…for example but not limited to…blue, pink, orange, purple etc…
Unacceptable hair-styles or colors are at the discretion of the athletic
director.
SECTION XIII:
SUPPLEMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Supplemental rules/
regulations unique to a given sport may be implemented upon the approval of the
principal and district Athletic Director. These rules must be in writing and
submitted to participants prior to the start of the season, except under special
circumstances as approved by the athletic director.
The athletic director
is the only party who may exclude a student from athletic participation.
Exclusion is generally based on the recommendation of the coach and athletic
director.
SECTION XIV: CARRY
OVER OF PENALTIES:
In the event that a
suspension from athletics cannot be fully served during a season, it will carry
over into the following season. The only exceptions to the above rule would be
in the case of a senior, in which case the suspension would carry over into the
next sport he/she participates in that year.
SECTION XV: APPEAL
PROCEDURES:
*** The
consequences and/or disciplinary action that a student athlete is subject to,
under the guidelines of the athletic handbook, may or may not be appealed. The
decision to grant the request for an appeal is at the discretion of the athletic
director. ***
A) See Athletic
Director Regarding the Appeal.
B) The student or
parents/guardians must initiate appeals of disciplinary actions. Appeals shall
be directed to the high school assistant principal or designee.
C) A request for an
appeal must be made within three (3) days of the date of the disciplinary action
taken. The appeal shall be made in writing stating the adjustments and the
reason therefore.
D) The athletic
review committee will review the appeal.
E) The committee shall
consist of: high school assistant principal/designee (chair), athletic
director, three coaches, and an administrator from a different building.
F) The student
athlete and/or parent will be notified in writing the results of the appeal.
G) The committee’s
action is final.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
The sanctions set
forth under each section are intended to illustrate sanctions for each
particular offense. However, the district reserves the right to impose any of
the sanctions listed for any violation of the Code of Conduct.
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