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2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
The Board of Education recognizes the value to the District and to the community of a program of interscholastic athletics for as many students as feasible.
The program of interscholastic athletics should provide students the opportunity to exercise and test their athletic abilities in a context greater and more varied than that which can be offered by a school or the School District alone.
The program should foster the growth of school loyalty with the student body as a whole and stimulate community interest in athletics.
Game activities and practice sessions should provide many opportunities to teach the values of competition and good sportsmanship.
The Board believes that it is the purpose of an interscholastic program to provide the benefits of an athletic experience to as large a number of students as feasible within the District.
The Board further adopts those eligibility standards* set by the Constitution of the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) and shall review such standards annually to ascertain that they continue to be in conformity with the objectives of this Board. Athletes are expected to meet academic eligibility requirements as outlined below:
| A. | have no more than one (1) E and a 2.0 in other five (5) classes. | |
| B. | All student athletes who did meet the MHSAA previous semester criteria of passing sixty-six percent (66%) of their credit hours but did not meet the 2.00 criteria will have their grades checked at the ten (10) week point. | |
| C. | If at that point the student athlete has achieved the 2.0 Grade Point Average they will become immediately eligible. Any student who passes all six (6) classes will be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. | |
| D. | have no more than one (1) E and a 2.0 in other five (5) classes during current semester. | |
| E. | All student athletes must maintain a Grade Point Average of 2.0 during the present semester. If the student athlete does not meet the current semester standard they must sit out a minimum of week defined as Monday through Sunday or until the minimum requirement is met. The student athlete may continue to practice during the ineligible period, but may not participate in competition during that time. |
*MHSAA changed time of ineligibility from current 1 (1) semester to ten (10) weeks.
Since the primary purpose of the athletic program is to enhance the education of participating students as indicated in this policy, the Board places top priority on maximum student participation and the values of good sportsmanship, team play, and fair competition, rather than on winning, particularly at sub-varsity levels. The Superintendent is to develop guidelines for coaches to follow which will ensure that as many team members as possible get the chance to play, so they have the opportunity to benefit from the learning experience.
Use of a performance-enhancing substance by a student is a violation that will affect a student's athletic eligibility and extra-curricular participation, as determined by the Board.
The Superintendent shall develop appropriate administrative guidelines for the operation of the Athletic Program and a Code of Conduct for those who participate. Such guidelines should provide for the following safeguards:
| A. | Prior to enrolling in the sport, each participant shall submit to a thorough physical examination by a District-approved physician and/or parents shall report any past or current health problems along with a physician's statement that any such problems have or are being treated and pose no threat to the student's participation. Failure to do so shall impact eligibility if the athlete does not develop and adhere to a personal improvement plan. | |
| B. | Any student who is found to have a health condition which may be life-threatening to self or others shall not be allowed to participate until the situation has been analyzed by a medical review panel that has determined the conditions under which the student may participate. | |
| C. | Any student who incurs an injury requiring a physician's care is to have written approval by a physician prior to the student's return to participation. |
The Board requires that each student enrolling in one (1) of the District's interscholastic athletic programs agree to sign an enrollment application by which they agree to participate in a random and reasonable suspicion drug-testing program, conducted and paid for by the District, during the term of the athletic program in which the student will be participating.
The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines which provide for a drug-testing procedure that will produce consistently-reliable test results and protects the student's rights to privacy. A list of performance-enhancing substances developed by the State Department of Community Health shall be included in AG 2431D.
Any athlete who tests positive for any drug other than a prescribed medication shall be disciplined in accordance with due process and the Discipline Code adopted by the Board.
In support of the Michigan High School Athletic Association's program to strengthen sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity, the Board commits itself to:
| A. | adopt policies (upon recommendation of the administration) which reflect the District's educational objectives and promote, the ideals of good sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity; | |
| B. | establish standards for athletic participation which reinforce the concept that athletic activities are a privilege, not a right; | |
| C. | attend and enjoy school athletic activities, serving as a positive role model and expecting the same from parents, fans, participants, coaches, and other school personnel; | |
| D. | support and reward participants, coaches, school administrators, and fans who display good sportsmanship; | |
| E. | recognize the value of school athletic activities as a vital part of education. | |
| F. | comply with all Michigan High School Athletic Association rules, and State, and Federal regulations resulting to interscholastic athletics. |
In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes and maintain ethical standards, school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers, and lay coaches should never dispense, supply, recommend, or permit the use of any drug, medication, or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes.
M.C.L.A. 380.1289, 380.1318
Good Sportsmanship Campaign, Michigan High School Athletic Association
Revised 7/12/07
Revised 6/3/10