ICHABOD CRANE 5275
ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT
Preface:
Participating on an athletic team is a privilege which results in many positive outcomes for our student-athletes. The student-athlete represents the Ichabod Crane Central School District and their Ichabod Crane Middle School or Ichabod Crane High School team. As a condition of participation, the student-athlete has the responsibility to uphold District policies and the team’s rules and codes of conduct. These regulations are in effect for the calendar year and apply to student-athlete behavior in all school and non-school locations.
Prior to or at the beginning of each sport season, coaches will distribute the interscholastic athletic guide and team rules and procedures to each student-athlete. The notice of rules and procedures must be signed by the student-athlete and their parent/guardian as a condition for participation on that team.
Student-Athlete:
A student becomes a student-athlete on the day they try out for an interscholastic sport and is considered to be a student-athlete for a full-calendar year following any involvement in interscholastic athletic participation.
Student Eligibility:
According to NYSPHSAA Regulation, a pupil shall be eligible for interscholastic competition, provided that they are a bona fide pupil of the high school represented and must be taking at least four subjects including Physical Education. In addition, High school students must be considered full-time students. In order to be considered full-time, students must be taking a minimum of 5.5 credits in their schedule, including Physical Education.
Each individual team has its own regulations concerning daily attendance at practices, and the minimum number of practices before being eligible for competition. Coaches will inform athletes of these rules.
Dropping off/Quitting a Team
Quitting a Team is defined by
a. The student-athlete informing the coach that they are quitting or
b. The student-athlete missing three consecutive days, unexcused from participation.
If a student-athlete quits a team (after teams have been selected), the student-athlete must meet with and obtain permission from the Athletic Director to try out for another team. The Athletic Director will have the option of imposing a consequence of a game(s) suspension(s) for athletes who have previously quit without an approved or valid reason.
Attendance:
In order to participate in interscholastic athletics on any day, student-athletes must be in attendance at school on such a day pursuant to Board Policy #5100, Attendance Policy, which is available on the District’s Web site.
Late to School
Student-athletes who arrive at school after 8:05 am for an unexcused tardy shall not be allowed to participate in any athletics scheduled that day.
Excused Tardies:
Student-athletes who are late to school must provide a valid excuse from their parent/guardian. Excused and unexcused absence reasons can be found in Board of Education Policy 5100R.
After 3 excused tardies, the district may contact parents/guardians to discuss future documentation for excused absences from a medical provider.
Unexcused Tardies High School Student-Athletes:
● Students who arrive after the bell to start period/block 1 but before 8:05 am without a valid excuse will be considered tardy unexcused. Upon their 4th unexcused tardy in a season, students will not be allowed to participate in athletics scheduled that day.
● Students who arrive at school after 8:05 am for an unexcused tardy shall not be allowed to participate in any athletics scheduled that day.
● Unexcused tardiness will reset each season.
Unexcused Tardies Middle School Student-Athletes:
● Students who arrive after the homeroom bell but before 8:05 am without a valid excuse will be considered tardy unexcused. Upon their 4th unexcused tardy in a season, students will not be allowed to participate in athletics scheduled that day.
● Students who arrive at school after 8:05 am for an unexcused tardy shall not be allowed to participate in any athletics scheduled that day.
● Unexcused tardiness will reset each season.
Transportation:
Athletes will be transported to and from away contests by school authorized vehicles. Parents/Guardians will be required to sign their child’s release from the coach’s supervision at the conclusion of an away contest using form CO-77.Under special circumstances, an athlete may receive permission from their coach to ride home from an away contest with an adult age 18 or over with written consent 24 hours in advance from their parent/guardian. All team members are expected to conduct themselves in a fashion that will ensure the safety of all passengers, and all safety rules must be followed.
Substance Abuse Violations-Penalties:
A student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product (including e-cigarettes, VAP pens & all similar devices); marijuana (including synthetic); steroids; or any controlled substance inside or outside of school property. This policy includes products such as non-alcoholic (N.A.) beverages. If a student-athlete is found to be in possession of illegal drugs the police will be called and the student will be subject to arrest. (Board of Education Policy 5312.1)
If a student in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury or academics, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again.
FIRST VIOLATION MINIMUM PENALTIES: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. For the student, penalties will be determined by the current or next season of participation. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program. It is recommended that the student be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. Any fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 25% of the season.
# of Events/Season # of Events/Penalty
1-7 1
8-11 2
12-15 3
16-19 4
20 or over 5
SECOND & SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS AND MINIMUM PENALTIES: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests totaling 60% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. For the student, penalties will be determined by the current or next season of participation. Any fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 60% of the season.
# of Events/Season # of Events/Penalty
1-3 1
4 2
5-6 3
7-8 4
9 5
10-11 6
12-13 7
14 8
15-16 9
17-18 10
19 11
20 or over 12
If after the second or subsequent violations the student of their own volition becomes a participant in an approved chemical dependency program or treatment program, the student may be certified for reinstatement in interscholastic contests activities after a minimum of 40% of events provided the student was fully engaged in the program throughout that penalty period. The high school principal in collaboration with a Chemical Dependency Program or Treatment Program must certify that the student is attending or issue a certificate of completion. If the student does not complete the program, the penalty reverts back to 60% of the season. All decimal part of an event will be truncated i.e. All fractional parts of an event will be dropped when calculating the 40% of the season.
# of Events/Season # of Events/Penalty
1-4 1
5-7 2
8-9 3
10-12 4
13-14 5
15-17 6
18-19 7
20 or over 8
Penalties shall be cumulative each academic year, but serving the penalty can carry over for one year. Or, if the penalty period is not completed during the season of violation, the penalty can carry over to the student’s next season of actual participation, which may affect the eligibility status of the student during the next academic year. (e.g. A student plays only football: they violate the rule in winter and/or the spring of the same academic year: they could serve the penalty(ies) during the fall season of the next academic year.) Each offense will be up for review by the Athletic Director and building Principal to determine penalties.
Conduct Rule Violations:
A. Unsportsmanlike and/or inappropriate behavior which reflects unfavorably on the school, the team or the student-athlete or which results in school discipline (pursuant to the Student Code of conduct policy #5310 applicable to students in general) or criminal prosecution or penalty. B. Disrespectful behavior toward a coach or teacher
C. Fighting in or out of school
D. Possession of unauthorized/stolen equipment
E. Internal and External school suspensions
F. Student athletes are prohibited from hosting or attending a party or other social gathering that involves underage drinking of alcoholic beverages or the use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances.
Conduct Rule Violation Penalties:
Conduct rule violations will result in a minimum penalty of probation for one (1) year. The Athletic Director in consultation with building administration may impose an additional penalty to reflect the seriousness and circumstances of the offense. Consequences may include a one game suspension up to and including removal from the team. A review of the student’s record of athletic conduct and/or training rule violations will be considered when establishing a penalty.
Violations involving disrespectful behavior toward a coach will require a conference which includes the player, coach and parent/guardian. Reinstatement to the team will not occur until such a conference is held. Written conditions of the probation will be presented and signed by all parties. Student athletes are prohibited from participating in any team events during the period of an external or internal suspension. Depending on the seriousness and the circumstances of the behavior resulting in the external or internal suspension, a more severe penalty with the use of the game suspension formula up to removal from the current team and future competition may be imposed.
Reporting Of Violations:
Information about a rules violation must be presented to the Athletic Director by a student-athlete, parent/guardian, a school staff member or community member. Anonymous complaints lacking independent corroboration will generally not form the basis of an investigation.
Academic Eligibility:
All students who participate on an interscholastic team are subject to Board of Education Policy #5205, Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities. A copy of the policy is available on the District’s Web site at www.ichabodcrane.org
Due Process:
The Athletic Director will conduct the investigation of an alleged rules violation and may request the assistance of school administrators or other staff members. The purpose of an investigation is to determine whether an actual rules violation has occurred and to decide the penalty to be imposed. During the course of the investigation, the Athletic Director or school administrator may question the student-athlete to evaluate the validity of the information associated with the allegation.
The Athletic Director will notify the student-athlete who is the subject of the alleged rule violation and they will be given the opportunity to respond to the accusation prior to any final determination regarding the matter. The student-athlete and their parent/ guardian will be notified of the Athletic Director’s final determination. The parent/ guardian of the student-athlete and/or the student-athlete may request a meeting with the Athletic Director to discuss the findings of the investigation.
The student-athlete and/or parent/guardian have the right to appeal the penalty imposed by the athletic director. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the Building Principal within one calendar week following the parental notification of the disciplinary action and must include the specific reasons for contesting the penalty. The student-athlete and the parent/guardian may request a meeting with the Building Principal. At the discretion of the Athletic Director and/or Building Principal, the penalty may be stayed during the appeal process. The determination of the Building Principal regarding the appeal is final and shall be provided in writing to the student-athlete and/or the parent/guardian.
Effective Date: December 3, 2024