MT. PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC CODE

Participation on an athletic team is a privilege and the participants must earn the right to represent Mt. Pleasant High School by conducting themselves in such a way that the image of the school would not be tarnished in any matter. Any participant whose conduct is judged to reflect a discredit upon himself/herself, the team, or the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, whether or not such activity takes place during or outside school hours and sessions of the sport season, will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the coach, the athletic director, and/or the school administration.

The school system recognizes that the use of mood altering chemicals is a significant health problem for many adolescents, resulting in negative effects on behavior, learning, and the total development of each individual. Adolescent use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs likewise affects the development of skills related to participation in extra-curricular activities.

During the school year, during the season of practice or play, and during the summer, an athlete shall not use or possess tobacco products, alcohol, marijuana, paraphernalia, steroids or other substances defined as a drug or a look-alike drug. It is not a violation for a student to be in the possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the athlete's own use by the athlete’s doctor. The term athlete shall apply to all students on the school eligibility lists for all sports, including cheerleaders and pom pon team members.

A. Adherence to the MHSAA Constitution and Rules

The student will abide by all the rules and regulations of the Michigan High School Athletic Association Constitution and Rules Handbook. Copies of the handbook are available in the athletic director's office. Coaches of each sport are responsible for interpreting, explaining, and ensuring that these rules and regulations are upheld. A summary of the MHSAA eligibility rules for the senior high and junior high students are listed below.

B. Eligibility

1. The student must meet all of the age, enrollment, attendance and scholastic requirements established by the MHSAA. MPHS teachers will determine weekly eligibility for student athletes.
   
2. Academic Eligibility Standards
   
   1. High school weekly eligibility:
   1. The student must carry a minimum of twenty-five (25) class hours, (20) class hours for dual enrolled students.
   2. The student is required to have been given credit in twenty (20) class hours for freshmen and twenty-five (25) class hours for grades ten, eleven, and twelve; with a grade of D- or higher which constitutes passing work.
   3. Ineligibility will become effective beginning one week from the date of the weekly check.
   4. Weekly eligibility is to be cumulative throughout the semester.
      
   2. High school semester eligibility. No sophomore, junior, or senior shall represent Mt. Pleasant High School who has not received credit in twenty-five (25) class hours (20) class hours for dual enrolled students in the previous semester. Second semester freshmen must have received credit in twenty (20) class hours.
      
3. Forms and Releases
   
   Before the beginning of the fall, winter, and spring seasons, the athlete and parent/guardian are required to attend a meeting with the coach and school administration to discuss the athletic code, team expectations, and to answer athlete and parent questions. In addition, before a student may participate in any athletic activity (including conditioning and practices), the student must provide the following information to the athletic director's office:
   1. A properly completed physical examination form dated on or after April 15 of the previous school year with the athlete, parent/guardian, and physician/physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner's signatures.
   2. Insurance release information with parent/guardian signature and date.
   3. A copy of the Emergency Medical Notification and History form.
   4. The Travel Permission form, signed by the parent/guardian.
   5. Mid-Michigan Conference Sportsmanship Policy signed by the athlete and parent/guardian.
      
4. Squad Selection
   
   1. Philosophy - In accordance with our philosophy of athletics and our desire to see as many students as possible participate in the athletic programs of the School District, we encourage coaches to keep as many students as they can on the team, without compromising the integrity of their sport. Obviously, time, space, facilities equipment, personal preference, and other factors will place limitations on the most effective squad size for any particular sport. However, when developing policy in this regard, coaches should strive to maximize the opportunities for our students, without diluting the quality of the program.
      
   2. Cutting Policy - Choosing members of athletic squads is the sole responsibility of the coaches of those squads. Head coaches have the responsibility of establishing policies for lower level coaches in final team selection.
      
   3. Tryouts - Prior to tryouts, the coach shall provide the following information to all candidates for the team:
      1. The extent of the tryout period
      2. General skills and other criteria that will be used to select the team members
      3. The number of team members to be selected
      4. Practice commitment, if selected for the team
      5. Game commitments, if selected for the team
   
   The coach will talk to the individuals not selected for the team informing the athletes regarding the reasons for not "making the team".
   
5. Quitting a Team
   
   Once an athlete has decided upon a to try, the athlete may not change to another sport without permission from the coach for the sport the athlete is dropping and the permission of the coach for the sport the athlete is adding. If a student is cut from a team for reasons other than discipline, the student may immediately tryout for another team.
   
6. Attendance
   
   A student must attend a minimum of three (3) classes on the day of practice (school days) of contest to participate on that day unless leave is school approved. Absence(s) before and or/after a contest may result in suspension from the team and/or other consequences. Student-athletes are required to pick up assignments ahead of time and coordiante any missed materials from their appropriate teachers. (See RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR SCHOOL WORK)
   
   Team members are expected to be present at all practices, team meetings, contests, and special occasions unless excused by the Head Coach and/or Athletic Director.
   
7. Care of School Equipment
   
   Each athlete and parent will assume the responsibility for caring for all equipment and supplies issued to the athlete by the coach or the coach’s representative(s) and for returning all such supplies and equipment to the coach or other designated personnel at the conclusion of each season. Parents and athlete will be charged the replacement value for any lost or damaged equipment.
   
   The uniform issued by the school is to be used for athletic contests scheduled by the school district. No part of the uniform should be used as a personal garment. Selected items, as designated by the coach, may be worn on game days for spirit purposes. Athletes who wear the uniform inappropriately may be suspended from the next athletic contest scheduled after the infraction.
   
8. Transportation to Athletic Contests
   
   School-approved and scheduled transportation will be used to all away events and some practices for specific teams. The student is expected to ride to the contest and return from the contest in the school-approved transportation. Any change from this policy must be cleared with the athletic director prior to the contest, unless it is an emergency.
   
9. Medical Release to Resume Participation
   
   If an athlete is seriously injured, the athlete must have a doctor's release before the athlete can practice or compete in athletic contests.
   
10. Letters and Awards
    
    The individual coach will determine any and all criteria for the winning of an athletic award by a student athlete. These criteria will be made known to the participants at the beginning of each season. Letters and awards will be given as specified by the school award program and at an appropriate recognition activity. Violations of the training regulations may result in the revoking of any awards for which the athlete might otherwise be eligible. Athletes are not considered to have completed their season until the athlete’s team has been eliminated from tournament play or the award ceremonies have been completed, whichever occurs last.
    
11. Dress Code
    
    We expect our athletes to dress appropriately and to project a favorable image of our school. Coaches may set specific dress code standards for their respective teams.
    
12. Inclement Weather Policy
    
    At the high school level, in the event of school being called for hazardous weather (i.e. snow day, ice storm), the school administration and coach will determine if practice or an event will be canceled or continue as scheduled. At West Intermediate, in the event of school being called for inclement weather, practice or the event will be canceled.
    
13. Athletic Banquets
    
    All coaches are encouraged to hold some type of awards recognition gathering with their teams. The type of gathering and location is the responsibility of the coach. The athletic director's office will assist in any manner requested.
    
14. Suspensions
    
    1. The coach of the sport, the athletic director, or school administrator will make temporary suspensions. The athletic director and/or administrator will confer with the coach before action is taken. Causes for temporary suspensions may include, but are not limited to the following:
       1. Grades
       2. Personal misconduct
       3. Unexcused absences from meetings and practices
       4. Violation(s) of athletic policies
       5. Unsportsmanlike conduct
       6. Civil infractions
          
    2. Temporary suspensions may also be invoked during that period of investigation in which an athlete may be removed from a team. An athlete suspended under this section shall be allowed the rights of due process as outlined within the MPHS Student Handbook.
       
    3. Coaches or school officials may impose more severe penalties at their discretion. Coaches of each sport will also establish additional training regulations and rules of conduct, and clearly will communicate these rules and regulations to the athletes at the beginning of the season.
       
    4. Suspensions must be appealed in writing to either the principal or the athletic director within two (2) school days of the parents’ receipt of the written suspension notice. Students will remain suspended unless the Principal’s or Athletic Director’s Office is notified that the student/parent intends to appeal. The written appeal must contain the reason(s) that the suspension is being appealed.
       
       1. The student shall be reinstated during the appeal process unless it is determined that the student's attendance would jeopardize the safety of others.
       2. Upon review, the principal/athletic director may uphold the suspension, establish an alternative suspension of lesser severity, or reverse the suspension in its entirety. The review may include, but not be limited to, a meeting with parents if, in the principal’s/athletic director’s opinion, this is appropriate.
       3. The principal/athletic director will reach the decision and inform the parents in writing within ten (10) school days after the receipt of the written request.
       4. The decision of the principal/athletic director will be final if the suspension is less than 25% of the athletic season. If the suspension is 25% or more of the athletic season, the decision of the principal/athletic director may be appealed in writing to the superintendent within two (2) school days of the parents’ notification of the decision. The superintendent will reach a decision and inform the parents in writing within ten (10) school days after the receipt of the written request.
       5. The superintendent's decision shall be considered final. The parents may appeal to the Board only in cases of alleged violation of due process (policy 5611) by the superintendent. In such cases, the appeal will be made in writing to the Board President within two (2) school days after the parents' receipt of the decision and shall include a statement of the alleged violation of the policy. The Board shall notify the parents of its decision within ten (10) school days of receipt of the written request.
          
15. Athletic Code Violations
    
    1. Penalties:
       
       1. Use and/or possession of tobacco products, alcohol, marijuana, paraphernalia, steroids, or other substances defined as a drug or a look-alike drug shall be handled using the following procedures:
          
          1. First Offense
             1. Participation in 25% of the scheduled number of contests in the current season will be denied. Current season is defined to be that season in progress at the date of the offense. The denial of participation will extend into the athlete’s next season, if necessary, to fulfill the suspension assigned, and the number of games carried over will be prorated on a percentage basis. If the athlete is not involved in a current season, then 25% of the next season in which the athlete participates will be denied.
             2. A student athlete disciplined for substance abuse will be referred to a school-approved substance abuse program. After serving the assigned penalty, the athlete may return to athletic contest participation provided the student follows through on the referral and has completed or is in the process of completing the recommended course of action. Failure to complete the screening and recommended program will result in suspension from athletics until the recommended program is completed.
             3. The athlete will be required to participate in all practice sessions.
             4. A suspended athlete is to be in street clothes at contests.
             5. While on suspension, no athlete will be allowed to be dismissed from school for athletic reasons.
             6. The athlete must complete the entire sport season in good standing in order for the athlete to be given credit for serving the suspension.
                
          2. Second Offense
             1. The athlete will be denied contest participation for one calendar year from the date the suspension is incurred.
             2. An athlete disciplined for substance abuse will be referred to a school-approved substance abuse program. After serving the assigned calendar year suspension, the athlete may return to athletic contest participation provided the student follows through on the referral and has completed the recommended course of action. Failure to complete the screening and recommended program will result in suspension from athletics until the recommended program is completed.
             3. Participation in all practice sessions is at the discretion of the coaches involved.
             4. While on suspension, no athlete will be allowed to be dismissed from school for athletic reasons.
             5. A suspended athlete is to be in street clothes at contests.
                
          3. Third Offense
             1. The athlete will be suspended for the remainder of the athlete’s high school career.
                
       2. Selling and/or Furnishing Alcohol, Marijuana and/or other Drugs
          
          1. First Offense
             1. Suspension for one calendar year.
             2. Required assessment and completion of recommended program before participation in another interscholastic program.
             3. Parents will be encouraged to attend an educational program on alcohol and other drug abuse.
             4. Notification made to the superintendent and legal authorities.
                
          2. Second Offense
             1. Immediate suspension with no option of return to the athletic program.
             2. Notification made to the Superintendent and legal authorities.
    
    NOTE: If the violation occurs on school grounds or at a school function, consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct also apply.
    
16. Implementing the Athletic Rules
    
    1. The first step in implementing this code will be that the person with information regarding a violation or possible violation will notify the athletic director of the nature of the behavior.
    2. The athletic director will implement the athletic code.
    3. The athletic director will confer with the coach as to the nature of the offense and inform the coach of any previous violations that will impact the consequences of the violations. A written record of all violations and disciplinary actions shall be kept in the athletic director's office.
    4. If the athlete and/or the parent(s) are not in agreement with the code implementation, they may appeal following the process outlined in the MPHS Student Handbook (Board of Education Policy #5611).
       
17. Athletic Booster Club
    
    The purpose of the Mt. Pleasant Athletic Booster club is:
    
    • To support all phases of the educational athletic program in order to enhance the learning opportunities for students;
    • To assist in the identification and development of program needs in order to maximize the opportunities for students;
    • To promote within the community a greater awareness of the accomplishments and needs of the school;
    • To develop close ties between the parents, students, and staff members in the program;
    • To lend assistance and support, where needed, to staff as they carry out various educational athletic functions; and
    • To continue to project a positive image of Mt. Pleasant Public Schools in providing a desirable place for students and staff members.