BUTLER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

COMMON RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE

 

In accordance with Board Policy #123 Interscholastic Athletics, all athletes participating in interscholastic athletic programs in the Butler Area School District are subject to the following rules for athletic conduct. Board Policy #123 provides that particular “Off Campus” conduct could result in an exclusion from participating in athletics.  Specifically, this policy applies to student conduct that occurs off school property and would violate the Code of Student Conduct if:

 

1.      There is a nexus between the proximity or timing of the conduct in relation to the student’s attendance at school or school-sponsored activities. 

2.      The student is a member of an extra-curriculum activity and has been notified that particular off campus conduct could result in exclusion from such activities. 

3.      Student expression or conduct materially or substantially disrupts the operations of the school, or the administration reasonably anticipates that the expression or conduct is likely to materially and substantially disrupt the operations of the school.

4.      The conduct has a direct nexus to attendance at school or a school-sponsored activity, such as an agreement to complete a transaction outside of school that would violate the Code of Student Conduct.

5.      The conduct involves the theft or vandalism of school property.

 

Generally, these rules apply to infractions that occur 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, in season, which commences with the first practice and concludes with the last competition. Depending on the circumstances, certain types of “out of season” conduct may also preclude a student from participating in interscholastic athletics. Please be advised students who are disciplined for violating district policies during school hours or other scholastic activities may be subject to additional disciplinary measures from the coach and athletic department. Below is a list of common rules and procedures for Butler Area School District athletes: 

 

  1. The Butler Area School District will NOT tolerate any form of HAZING of any student. There is a policy in your handbook regarding the serious nature of Hazing. Hazing is defined as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, physical health, or safety of a student or causes willful destruction or removal of public or private property for the purpose of initiation or membership in or affiliating with any organization recognized by the Board. Any Hazing activity, whether by an individual or a group, shall be presumed to be a forced activity, even if a student willingly participates.

See Policy # 247 in your handbook

 

  1. The Butler Area School District will NOT tolerate any form of Harassment and Bullying.

There is a policy in your handbook regarding the serious nature of Harassment and Bullying.

See Policy # 218 in your handbook

 

  1. The Butler Area School District will NOT tolerate any form of Racial and Ethnic Intimidation.

There is a policy in your handbook regarding the serious nature of Racial and Ethnic Intimidation.

See Policy # 249 in your handbook

 

  1. The Butler Area School District will NOT tolerate any form of Sexual Harassment. There is a policy in your handbook regarding the serious nature of Sexual Harassment.

See Policy #248 in your handbook

 

  1. Prohibition of Anabolic Steroids

 

Any pupil directly or indirectly involved in a school-related athletic program is prohibited from using anabolic steroids, except for a valid medical purpose.  Bodybuilding, muscle enhancement, increasing muscle enhancement, increasing muscle bulk or strength or the enhancement of athletic ability is not a valid medical purpose. 

This prohibition includes but will not be limited to varsity athletes, student trainers, and cheerleaders.      

 

      Violation of this policy concerning anabolic steroids will mean:

 

a.       For a first violation, as reported to and verified by the district's school physician, suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season.

b.      For a second violation, as reported to and verified by the district's school physician, suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season and for the following season.

c.       For a third violation, as reported to and verified by the district's school physician,                         permanent suspension from school athletics.

 

No student shall be eligible to resume participation in school athletics unless there has been a medical determination that no residual evidence of steroids exists.  The Board may require participation in a drug counseling, rehabilitation, testing or other program as a condition of reinstatement into a school athletic program.

 

  1. Tobacco Violations:

 

    1. First Violation: Student will receive one day suspension from all team activities including   practice and games.
    2. Second Violation: Student will receive three day suspension from all team activities, including practice and games. 
    3. Third Violation:   Removal from the team for the remainder of that sport season.
    4. Habitual offenders may be excluded from participation in all athletic programs.

 

  1. Alcohol/Drug use or possession:

 

    1. First Violation: Student will receive a two week suspension from all team activities including practice and games and will follow the Option I stipulation of Board Policy #227
    2. Second Violation: Removal from the team for the remainder of that sport season. 
    3. Habitual offenders may be excluded from participation in all athletic programs. 

           

  1. Alcohol/Drug selling or buying or distributing will result in being removed from all Butler Area School District Athletic Activities for a minimum of one calendar year. 

 

 

 

  1. Any form of Criminal Behavior outside of the defined drug/alcohol offenses will not be tolerated by the Butler Area School District in or out of season. Depending on the situation, the disciplinary action may range from suspension to permanent removal from all Butler Area School District Athletics.

 

  1. Sportsmanship rules must be followed. Actions meant to demean opposing/own players, team, coaches, spectators and OFFICIALS are not in the highest ideals of interscholastic education and will NOT be tolerated. Depending on the action, there will be the possibility of dismissal from interscholastic sports.

 

  1. While participating in and traveling to/from practices and activities, the student participant is subject to the student disciplinary policies of the Butler Area School District and the common rules and procedures for all sports. Conduct in violation of school policies and the common rules and procedures will be promptly reported by coaches to the building principal and athletic director for disciplinary action.

 

  1. You are to read the Athletic Student Handbook and adhere to its contents. If you have any questions regarding the handbook, please check with the coach. Included: NCAA Eligibility, MRSA Information

 

  1. You MUST be in school before 10:45 a.m. to be eligible to practice/compete/try out that given day. Exceptions can only be made by the building principal or his designee and prior notice must be given whenever possible.  

 

  1. If you are suspended from school, in or out, you are NOT eligible to practice or compete until the suspension is concluded: the duration of the suspension will include weekends and vacation days (example: if you are suspended Friday and including the following Monday, you are not eligible to compete/practice that Saturday or Sunday during that weekend). 

 

  1. You MUST be passing at least four full-credit subjects or the equivalent as of each Friday during the grading period or the previous grading period. If you fail to meet this requirement, you will lose your eligibility from the following Sunday through the Saturday.  You will remain ineligible until you meet this requirement. If it is from the preceding grading period, you will be ineligible for a period of 15 days.

 

  1. If you are absent from school during a semester for a total of 20 or more school days, you will lose your eligibility until you are in attendance for a total of 45 school days following your 20th day of absence. This carries over to the next semester, even after summer. Regardless of the reason, when you are not present in school, this absence counts towards the 20 days. You may not scrimmage/compete until your eligibility is determined.

 

  1. If you do not live in the Butler Area School District or do not attend one of the Butler Area School District schools on a daily basis, you must contact the Athletic Office to determine if you are eligible. You may not scrimmage/compete until eligibility is determined.

 

  1. Starting with 8th grade if you did not attend the Butler Area School District the previous school year, you must contact the Athletic Office to determine eligibility. You may not scrimmage/compete until eligibility is determined.

 

 

 

  1. You can’t practice, try out, or compete without a current physical. The physical has to be completed after June 1st for the upcoming school year. This physical will be good until the following May 31st (except for certain restrictions). At that time a new comprehensive physical will need to be completed.

 

  1. You can’t practice, try out, or compete without a parent or guardian completing a consent form consenting to your participation in the particular sport involved.

 

  1. All athletes must be given one day off from practice/competition per week. Voluntary practice is still a practice and does not count as a day off. The week is defined as Sunday through Saturday, which means the student athlete must be given off any “one” day during that defined week.

 

  1. If you repeat a grade (you must contact the athletic office), you will be ineligible for one of your competitive seasons, meaning you are only eligible for 4 seasons of competition of that particular sport.  If you turn 19 on or before June 30, you will be ineligible to compete in interscholastic athletics. 

 

  1. Written permission must be turned in to the coach and trainer from the physician authorizing participation after emergency care (such as a trip to the emergency room from a practice/contest, etc.) or rehabilitation after injury (such as a surgery, etc.). If the injury was a non-emergency situation, you must have clearance from the trainer to return to practice or participation.

 

  1. Keep all valuables secured at all times. Please do not bring valuables to practice as a precaution.

 

  1. All student athletes are required to return all school issued equipment at the conclusion of the season. If equipment/uniform etc. is not returned, an obligation will be submitted to the principal’s office.  You will not be permitted to participate in athletics until your obligation is satisfied and you will not receive a diploma if you have outstanding obligations at the end of your senior year. 

 

  1. You may NOT at any time be in the weight room/training room without a coach’s supervision.

 

  1. Qualifications for students to earn a varsity letter are defined in the Student Handbook that is distributed by the athletic department.

 

  1. All student athletes must ride to and from a contest on transportation that is provided by the school district. If the student must go home with his or her parent or guardian, they must complete a release form that is provided to the coach (parent/guardian must see coach at contest site).

 

27.  Please be advised that there is an inherent risk and danger in all sports including yours.

 

  1. Please view on our web site the specific measures for reducing the risk of staphylococcal skin infection among sports participants as well as the information in the Student Handbook. You may also ask you coach or athletic trainer for this information. (www.goldentornadosports.net) *Please use this website for all athletic information including email or a message on your cell phone for notifications of game changes, postponements, or cancellations. You will need to set up an account that is available on the athletic website.

 

  1. At the end of the school year, the student’s final credits in the student’s subjects rather than the student’s credits for the last grading period shall be used to determine the student’s eligibility for the next grading period. Four total credits must be passed or the student is not eligible the first

15 days of school the next school year.

 

  1. Subject to the Butler Area School District policies and procedures, school regulations, and state and federal law, the coach has the responsibility to make decisions with regard to the following items:

·        Selection, placement and play of student athletes.

·        Practice times, dates, and procedures.

·        Establishment and enforcement of all guidelines and training rules related to an activity.

·        Contest strategies.

·        Varsity letter awards.

 

Any dispute with a coach’s decision must follow the:  PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW OF CONCERNS FROM PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN(S)/STUDENT ATHLETES.

 

PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW OF CONCERNS FROM

PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN(S)/STUDENT ATHLETES

 

 

 

Step 1                    The parent(s) or guardian(s)/student athlete(s) should review specific concerns with the coach as soon as they arise.  Parent(s) or guardian(s)/student athlete(s) or the coach may request that the athletic director participate in the discussion with the coach.

 

Step 2                    If the action in Step 1 above fails to resolve the concerns, the parent(s) or guardian(s)/student athlete(s) will review specific concerns with the athletic director and the high school principal in a timely manner.  The coach may be included in this discussion. 

 

Step 3                    If the action in Step 2 above fails to resolve the concern(s), the athletic director and/or high school principal will review specific concerns with the coach and respond to the parent(s) or guardian(s)/student athlete(s) within ten (10) school days.

 

Step 4                    If the action in Step 3 above fails to resolve the concern(s), the parent(s) or guardian(s)/student athlete(s) will review specific concerns with the superintendent and/or the assistant superintendent.  A response will be given to the parent(s)/guardians/student athlete(s) within ten (10) school days.    

 

Step 5                    If the action in Step 4 above fails to resolve the concerns, the parent(s) or guardian(s)/student athlete(s) will review specific concerns with the athletic committee of the board of school directors.  A final response will be made by the board of school directors through the athletic committee within ten (10) school days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          BUTLER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

 

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

COMMON RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE

 

 

 

Agreement:

 

 

 

We, the undersigned, have read the COMMON RULES FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE and do hereby agree to the terms as stated. If this document is not signed and submitted by the end of the first week of practice to the coach, the student athlete may not be eligible to participate until it is submitted. 

 

We, the undersigned, have also received and read the “Student Athlete Handbook” which contains PIAA Eligibility, NCAA Eligibility, and MRSA prevention and control information.

 

We, the undersigned, have also received and read if applicable, the coaches team rules and regulations.

 

Athlete:  ___________________________________________________Date:______________

 

 

Parent/Guardian:  _________________________________________Date:_______________

 

 

Sport and Level:_________________________________________

 

 

Print Athlete Name:______________________________

 

Please detach and return this completed form to the coach by the

end of the first week of practice.