Ticonderoga Central School
Athletic Code of Conduct
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
It is the intent of the Ticonderoga Central School District to provide a well-rounded,
educational experience for its students. Interscholastic athletics are a major
part of the educational process. The combination of academics and athletics
enhances the quality of our students’ daily lives. However, the District’s
primary focus will always remain academics.
OPENING STATEMENT
Students who are representing the Ticonderoga Central School District in interscholastic
athletics should realize that they have an obligation to themselves, their teammates,
and the school community to strive for excellence. It is hoped that participation
in our interscholastic athletic program will enable these students to value
their learning experience, to develop self-control, and to exercise mature behavior
and judgment.
Participation in our interscholastic athletic program demands a commitment which
definitely involves sacrifice and dedication. Respect for one’s health
and physical development must be an integral part of daily living.
The following rules are set forth to help all participants properly condition
themselves mentally and physically in order to perform well in the classroom
and in athletics.
The Code of Conduct is in effect during the athletic season in which the athlete
is participating. The season is defined as beginning with the first day of practice
set by the CVAC and ending with the last contest in that sport which includes
postseason play. An athlete and his/her parent/guardian will sign one Code of
Conduct per year at the beginning of the athlete’s first sports season
for that year.
If the athlete signed an athletic code in a previous year but failed to sign
one for the current year, the code is still in effect. An administrative oversight
does not void the code. It is assumed that the athlete understands and agrees
to the terms of the code even though the athlete did not sign a new one. No
code violation while in Middle School will carry over to High School.
1. ATHLETIC /ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Academic achievement is the primary focus of the Ticonderoga Central School
District. Athletes are expected not only to maintain, but to improve academic
performance during any sports season.
All in-season athletes who have three or more failures and/ or incompletes will
be athletically ineligible (prohibited from competing in games or scrimmages)
until the next grade reporting period. Athlete with two failures and/or incompletes
may or may not be given probationary eligibility by attending and productively
using time in the athletic/academic intervention study hall twice per week and
showing significant academic improvement. Those athletes with three or more
failures and/or incompletes will be required to attend the athletic/academic
study hall twice per week in order to stay on the team.
2. ATTENDANCE
Athletes who are illegally absent may not practice or participate in competition
on that day.
3. USE OF ALCOHOL/DRUGS TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Respect for one’s health and physical development must be an integral
part of daily living. Health research clearly indicates the harmful effects
of using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products. The Ticonderoga Central School
District endorses these findings. In addition, the use and/or possession of
these substances is illegal for the athlete involved in our program. Therefore,
it is the philosophy of the Ticonderoga Central School District to absolutely
forbid the use and/or possession of alcohol, drugs and tobacco products.
It is the intention of the Ticonderoga Central School District to offer athletes
the opportunity to make responsible, well informed choices based on honesty
and integrity as well as to offer help to those students who exhibit a substance
abuse problem.
A) First Offense:
Suspension from competing in games for 25% of the scheduled games. (the CVAC schedule will be used to determine the number of games) Suspension will take effect with the first game after the offense and will include non-league games. A non-league game is defined as an interscholastic athletic contest that counts towards the team’s overall record and is played under that sport’s normal National Federation and State rules.
Athletes are expected to practice with their team during this time but cannot compete in contests.
Athletes who are honest and admit their involvement when first questioned, will have a reduction in the penalty to 12.5%. Also any athlete and/or parent volunteering themselves or a family member will have the participation penalty reduced to 12.5%. (minimum penalty for first offense is 1 game). For determining number of games, if 25% or 12.5% does not figure out to a whole number, i.e.. 1, 2, 4, etc., then the number of games will be determined by the following method. Up to and including .5 will be rounded down (i.e. 1.4 will be a one-game suspension), .51 and up will be rounded up (i.e., 1.6 will be a two game suspension.
If an athlete is a captain, they will lose that position for the remainder of the season.
Three meetings with the school substance abuse counselor, guidance counselor, or outside counselor agreed upon by parent and school is mandatory.
A meeting between the principal, athletic director, parent, athlete and their coach, when possible, before returning to competition is mandatory.
B) Second Offense:
Suspension from competing in games for 50% of scheduled games. (See first offense for determining number of games and what constitutes a game). Athletes are expected to practice with the team during this time but cannot compete in games.
Athletes who are honest and admit their involvement when first questioned, will have a reduction in the penalty to 25%. Also athletes and/or parents volunteering information about themselves or a family member will have the penalty reduced to 25%.
If an athlete is a captain, they will lose that position for the remainder of the season.
Athletes will not be eligible for any school sport award at the end of the season. This includes, school letter, CVAC All Star recognition in that sport and John Herbert CVAC All Academic/Athletic Award.
A formal substance abuse evaluation by the school substance abuse counselor or equivalent agreed to by parent and school and a follow-up to evaluation as recommended by the initial evaluation is mandatory.
A meeting between the principal, athletic director, parent, athlete and their coach, when possible, before returning to competition is mandatory.C) Third Offense:
Suspension from participation (practice and competition) for 12 months from the date of the offense.
Athletes who are honest and admit their involvement when first questioned will have a reduction in the penalty to the following:1 – Suspension from competing in 8 scheduled games.
2 – Completion of 10 hours of approved community service.
3 – Evaluation by and enrollment and satisfactory attendance in an approved substance abuse program for the remainder of their High School career.A meeting between the superintendent of schools, principal, athletic director, parent and athlete is mandatory before the athlete can return to competition.
4. CONDUCT
Athletes are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reflects
positively on their team, school and themselves. Violations under this section
will be reviewed, and a discipline committee consisting of the building Principal,
Athletic Director, and one coach will make determinations.
The athletic director and principal will make the decision as to whether or
not the violation will be reviewed by the Discipline Committee
5. TEAM RULES
Team rules approved by the athletic director will be given to the athletes by
their coaches.
6. EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS
Equipment and uniforms issued to each athlete must be properly cared for and
not abused. It is the responsibility of the athlete to return all equipment
and uniforms in good condition to their coach at the end of the season. The
athlete must pay for all items not returned in good condition. The athlete will
not be allowed to participate in another sport until this matter is resolved.
7. HAZING / INITIATION
Hazing or initiation by athletes is prohibited by the Ticonderoga Central School
District. Violation of this section will result in suspension and/or removal
from the team.
8. MEDICAL EXAM
The school’s physician will administer athletic physical exams yearly.
The physical exam is required before an athlete will be allowed to participate.
The school physician has the absolute authority to determine the capability
of the athlete to participate in a particular sport.
9. INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTS
Interscholastic athletics involve the risk of injury to the participants. In
case of an injury, coaches and qualified school personnel are authorized to
provide first aid and arrange for emergency treatment they deem necessary. Ticonderoga
Central School District carries a secondary insurance policy for injuries. The
parent’s insurance will be billed first. The school’s insurance
may not completely pay all bills. The parent will be responsible for bills not
paid by insurance. It is the responsibility of the athletes to report all injuries
to their coach immediately. The coach will then complete appropriate accident
reports and file the report with the school nurse.
10. TRANSPORTATION OF ATHLETES TO AWAY CONTESTS
All transportation will be arranged by the athletic director. All athletes will
ride to and from away games with the teams. A coach will accompany the team
on all trips. A complete travel list will be submitted to the athletic director
and the bus driver by the coach. An athlete with a written request signed by
their parent may travel from an away contest with a parent.
*The penalties set forth in this Athletic Code of Conduct are in addition to any penalties which may be imposed by the School’s Code of Conduct.