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Participation in Cocurricular activities is a privilege. As representatives of Township High School district 214, student athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that meets the highest standards at all times.
It is the goal of Township High School District 214 to provide all students with opportunities to engage in athletic activities that enrich their education and further develop the core values of respect, responsibility, caring, fairness, trust/worthiness, and good citizenship.
Good sportsmanship and proper behavior are behaviors that are learned by engaging with others, modeling good behavior and by planned instruction. It is the responsibility of the administration, staff, coaches, parents, and the community at large to create a climate that fosters the development of these behaviors. This is accomplished by encouraging and modeling positive and appropriate behavior within the sporting environment while, at the same time striving for excellence.
Expectations for the behavior of athletes, coaches, and spectators at athletic contests, practices, and events are outlined below.
Expectations
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Athletes
Students who choose to participate in any sport must agree to read, sign, and abide by the District 214 Cocurricular Code as a condition of participation.
The Cocurricular Code establishes high expectations and standards for all student athletes. These expectations embody a total lifestyle approach with emphasis on respect for self, others, and property; loyalty to self, teammates, coaches, and school; support for the ideas of true sportsmanship; and the ability to accept the consequences for all choices.
The effectiveness of the Cocurricular Code depends on a collective commitment from students, parents, and school and district personnel and a proactive and positive approach to prevention and assistance.
The District 214 Cocurricular Code is distributed and reviewed prior to athletic participation.
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Coaches
Coaches are required to meet the following expectations.
- Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating support for all athletes, coaches and officials at all games, practices, and other events.
- Place the emotional and physical well being of players ahead of a personal desire to win.
- Treat each player as an individual and provide a safe environment for all players.
- Teach athletes to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts with civility and without resorting to hostility or violence.
- Be knowledgeable in the rules of the sport and teach the rules to players.
- Ensure that the sport is enjoyable for players and remember that the game is for the athletes and not the adults.
- Treat everyone with respect and be a positive role model for players and not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, parent, or spectator.
- Demand a drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free sports environment
- Establish open lines of communication with players and their parents so that everyone understand the expectations and can express concerns.
Coaches are also expected to communicate to athletes and parents their coaching philosophy, expectations for all team members, locations and times of practices and contests, team rules and requirements, emergency procedures, and the consequences for violation of rules.
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Parents
Parents of student athletes are required to meet the following expectations.
- Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating support for all athletes, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or event.
- Place the emotional and physical well being of student athletes ahead of any personal desire to win.
- Support coaches and officials in providing a positive, enjoyable experience for all.
- Discourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of athletes.
- Treat other players, parents, coaches, fans, and officials with respect and refrain from verbal indignities.
- Teach their child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts with civility and without resorting to hostility or violence.
- Respect the coaches and officials and their authority during games and do not question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game site.
- Discuss any issues or concerns with the coach at an agreed upon time and place.
- Help ensure that the sport is enjoyable for their child and remember that the game is for the athlete and not for the adults.
- Support a drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free sports environment for their cild and refrain from their use at all events.
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Athlete/Parent/Coach/Communication
District 214 encourages open communication among athletes, parents, and coaches. Both athletes and parents are urged to discus their concerns with the coach in the appropriate setting and at the appropriate time.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with the coach include issues of mental and physical well being, strategies for improving performance, and issues of behavior.
Issues not appropriate for a parent to discuss with coaches include playing time, starting positions, team strategy, play calling, and other athletes.
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Conflict Resolution
It is desirable for conflicts to be resolved by an athlete with his/her coach. Occasionally, however, situations arise where conflicts are not able to be resolved through this interaction and the assistance of the athletic director and/or assistant principal for student activities is needed.
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Spectator Conduct
The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois High School Association require school districts to monitor spectator behavior at all school sponsored activities. Accordingly, an event supervisor(s) may request any person involved in misconduct to leave the premises and may contact the police for assistance. The Board of Education has the authority to suspend individuals from attending all school sponsored activities for up to one year for spectator misconduct.
