Spartan Athlete Expectations

Participation

1.   Athletics/Activities are voluntary.  Participation is not required for graduation and thus, being on a sports team is a privilege, which must be earned, and is not a right.

2.   With that privilege come responsibilities to maintain the established standards of conduct of this district as defined in this document, the Student Handbook, and the CIF Code of Ethics both on and off the field.

Athletics as a Part of the Educational Program

1.   Athletics are just one of many parts of the education program that are offered to students.

The reason students are in school is to learn, and therefore, academics will always come first.

2.   Maintaining academic eligibility is the student’s responsibility, not that of coaches or teachers.

3.   Eligibility can also be lost because of poor attendance or citizenship.

4.   Participating in athletics and being on a team may mean making sacrifices.  The commitment a

a student-athlete makes to his/her team and coach, requires that choices be made and priorities kept.

Being a Part of the Team

1.   Athletes learn many skills to play their chosen sport but the most important skill that

must be learned is teamwork.

2.   To be successful, every member of the team must work together to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

Coming Ready to Play

1.   Athletes should come to practice on time, ready to listen and ready to learn.

2.   Athletes should be prepared physically and mentally for the season. This includes training in the preseason and taking care of your body and mind during the season.

Conduct On and Off the Field

1.   On the field: Student-athletes are respectful towards their teammates, coaches, opponents, fans, and officials.  Student-athletes must play by all the rules of the game all the time.

2.   On campus: Student-athletes set an example of good citizenship. They help promote school spirit and they should strive to be positive leaders in school activities.

3.   In the classroom:  Student-athletes must show respect for teachers and fellow students. 

4.   At all times: Student-athletes represent their team, school and community, and must be conscious of their appearance and manners at all times.

Sportsmanship

Participation in athletics and activities means more than competition between individuals or teams representing different schools.  It is a means of learning the lessons of life.  Winning and losing are a part of competition and should be done with modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.

Violations – Discipline

Fights in Sports

The league believes that the primary purpose for athletics is to promote good sportsmanship and declares its intent to do all within its power to guarantee that athletic contests are held in a sportsmanlike environment.

All member schools are committed to enforcing a code of behavior that encourages good sportsmanship and provides for appropriate consequences for unsportsmanlike conduct.  Therefore, the member schools agree to enforce the following:

1.       Any student spectator who steps onto the court/playing field to start or join in a fight is to be automatically ejected from the playing facility. Suspension from school and denial of future opportunities to participate as a spectator at athletic contests/games are but two penalties which should be imposed.

2.      Any player ejected from an athletic contest for fighting may be subject to any or all of the following disciplinary actions.  This rule applies to any verbal or physical confrontation that occurs anytime before, during, or after an athletic contest. 

1. Removal from the next regularly scheduled contest.

2. Suspension from school.

3. Removal from the team.

4. Removal from all athletic programs for a period of time to be determined by the school.

5. Other appropriate disciplinary action.

3. Any team or group of players that leaves the bench while a fight is in progress may cause the game to be forfeited.  If either teams or groups of players from both teams leave the bench while a fight is in progress, a double forfeit may be imposed.  This rule applies to a fight that may occur after the game has ended and before the teams have vacated the playing area.

Citizenship in the Classroom - Athletes/participants are representatives of Esparto High School and the Esparto community.  Students are expected to act with exceptional citizenship while in class, traveling to and from contests, during practice, and any other function sponsored by Esparto High School.  Citizenship in the classroom will be governed under school rules; however in the event a student is suspended for multiple violations of school rules, the Athletic Director, Head Coach, and Principal may agree to a suspension of playing time. Any of the following infractions may lead to disciplinary action.

1. Disrespect to EHS staff.

2.  Unexcused or excessive tardies or absences

3.  Commits an obscene act or engages in profanity/vulgarity before, during, or after school.

4.  Violation of league sportsmanship standards.

5. Offenses resulting in suspension from school.

Behavior 

A Behavioral Infraction occurs when the student-athlete, while at school during a school activity, or while going to or from school or school activity, commits any of the following acts which are prohibited by the California State Education Code or Esparto Unified School District Policy. Any of the following infractions may lead to suspension of playing time and student suspension from school.

1.         Causes or attempts to cause physical injury to another person.

2.         Disrupts school activities or otherwise defies the valid authority of school personnel.

3.         Commits theft or receives stolen property.

4.         Habitual truancy (student school absences fall below 90%).

The following behavior is unacceptable at all CIF high school contests:

1. Berating your opponent’s school or mascot

2. Berating opposing players.

3. Obscene cheers or gestures.

4. Complaining about officials’ calls (verbal or gestures).

First Offense: The student-athlete will be suspended from competing for one (1) week.    Participation in practice shall be at the discretion of the coach and principal.

Second Offense: The student-athlete will be suspended from competing for two (2) weeks.  Prior to reinstatement; the student must conference with the coach, athlete’s parent/guardian, athletic director, and school principal regarding future eligibility.   Participation in practice shall be at the discretion of the coach and principal. 

Third offense: Removal from athletic participation for one season or up to one calendar year, depending upon the severity of the infraction.

The principal may, at his/her discretion, increase or reduce the disciplinary action. The student will also face the consequences related to demerit loss (see Student Handbook for further details). 

Substance Abuse Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco

Athletes are expected to care for their bodies and will discipline themselves for the highest level of competition. A Substance Abuse Infraction occurs when commission of either of the following violations of Education Code Section 48900 (c) and (d) at any time during the school year, at school, school sponsored event or in the community, when observed by school officials or law enforcement. 

1. Possession or use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, including chewing tobacco.

2. Possession or use of controlled substances (drugs) including steroids, other than those which are medically prescribed.

3. Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Disciplinary Actions:

First Offense: The student-athlete will be suspended from competing for one (1) week.    Participation in practice shall be at the discretion of the coach and principal.

Second Offenses not within the same season: The student-athlete will be suspended from competing for two (2) weeks.  Prior to reinstatement; the student must conference with the coach, athlete’s parent/guardian, athletic director, and school principal regarding future eligibility.   Participation in practice shall be at the discretion of the coach and principal. 

Second Offense, within the same athletic season.

Denial of all athletic eligibility for up to one (1) calendar year.

Reasonable Suspicion or Admitted Use

As determined by the school administration, if there is reasonable suspicion that the individual in question may be using, or has used anabolic steroids or any other performance enhancing drug:

• The student will be removed from the athletic program as per stated in the Extracurricular Eligibility Policy.

• The student may be asked to participate in a voluntary drug test, at his or her own expense, in order to continue athletic participation.  If a student tests positive, then the student must test, at his or her own expense, negative on a second voluntary drug test prior to participation in any other Esparto High School athletic program.