Athletic Code

     The purpose of this athletic code for Westville High School is to assure the physical, mental, and moral well being of all student athletes.  The administration and athletic department will adhere to the following regulations for all sports for boys and girls, including cheerleading and pompettes, throughout their entire high school athletic career.

Policy Provisions
1.  This code is in effect 365 days per year.  Thus, athletes must be aware that out of season or out of school conduct is important and may affect their future participation.
2.  Student athletes having graduated from the 8th grade are accountable to these rules and regulations during the summer between the 8th grade and freshmen years.
3.  Coaches with AD review and approval, will develop specific rules pertaining to individual sports.
4.  Participants will be provided with a copy of coaches' rules and the athletic code.  Coaches' rules are to be reviewed and signed by student participant.
5.  Penalities and rules of conduct reflect each building's programs, coaches, and age of participants.

Application of Policy
     An administrator, coach or law enforcement official who has written documentation from a law enforcement agency and/or district employee that an athlete has violated the athletic code shall notify the administration of the violation and the circumstances.  The administration and/or his or her designee shall:

     1.  Give the athlete verbal notice of the violation.
     2.  Inform the athlete of the penalty involved.

     In the event the athlete denies the charge, the AD shall give the athlete an explanation of the evidence and facts leading to the charge, and an opportunity to present his/her version.

     Following the outcome of the meeting with the AD, the student may appeal the AD decision to the Athletic Hearing Committee.

The Athletic Hearing Committee
     The committee will consist of the Principal, Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, a Faculty Representative, and Coaches.

     1.  The committee will meet within one week from said offense with the athlete and parent.  If school is not in session, then the committee would meet in the first week after returning to school.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the student's behavior and to determine whether the offense occurred.  If the committee believes that an offense has been committed then it shall impose the penalty provided by the rules.  In the event that the committee cannot reach a decision, the Principal will make the final ruling.

     2.  If dissatified with the decision of the Committee, the student and/or parent/guardian may request a hearing before the Board of Education, to review the decision.

Sportsmanship and Conduct
     All athletes, managers, assistants, coaches and fans will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times before, during, and after all contests.  Sportsmanship violations include but are not limited to swearing, stealing, disrespect for any school personnel, vandalism, taunting (trash talking), or other serious acts of misbehavior.
     Coaches may immediately discipline students for serious unsportsman-like behavior which occurs in the coaches' presence, including dismissal from the team.  However, prior to dismissing an athlete from the team, the coach shall discuss the athlete's behavior with him/her and provide an opportunity for the student to respond.  Misconduct which occurs outside the presence of the coach shall be reported to the athletic director.

Athletic Appearance Policy
     All athletes must recognize that they represent our school and therefore shall be properly dressed and well groomed.  In particular, guidelines regarding hair length will be determined by the coach of each sport in question, with safety and appearance as primary consideration.  The decision as to whether the policy is being met shall rest with the athletic committee.

Tobacco Products, Drugs and Alcohol Policy
     Any athlete who uses or is in possession of tobacco in any form, behavior altering substances such as alcohol or unlawful drugs, steroids, and/or unauthorized prescription medication, on or off school property at any time, or who frequents a business whose primary purpose is selling alcoholic beverages (i.e.  tavern, lounge, pub) may receive the disciplinary actions outlined below.
     This policy applies to private parties where alcohol may be illegally consumed, or riding in vehicles where alcohol and/or drugs may be consumed or transported.  The intent of this policy is to assure that our student athletes rise above the peer pressure to consume alcohol, drugs, or use tobacco products.
     This policy is not intended to prohibit students from accompanying his/her parents to establishments that serve food and alcoholic beverages.  In addition, this policy does not prohibit student athletes from working in businesses that serve food and alcoholic beverages.

Athletic Code Violation Procedures

All athletic code violation suspension calculations will be based on varsity (A-team) contests of all scheduled athletic contests including all tournament games except end of the season state tournament series competition.  For example: If the student  athlete's suspension consists of five contests, then the five contests will be varsity contests, even if the athlete only participates at the junior varsity or freshmen level.  Likewise, to calculate the total number of suspension games in a basketball season for a first offense one would count all scheduled contests and all scheduled contests in tournaments except for the state tournament series and multiply that total by .30 for a first offense of 30% suspension.

If a suspension period included a fraction of an athletic contest and that fraction is .5 or higher, the athlete will not be allowed to participate in any part of the contest.  If the fraction is lower than .5, then the athlete will be allowed to participate in the entire contest.

An athlete's suspension will carry over to the next sport he/she participates in .  For example: if an athlete has a 30% suspension from football and only 10% of the season remains, then 20% of his/her season would be suspended.

Athletes who violate the athletic code in regards to the Westville CUSD #2 Drug Testing program are subject to the drug testing'ss procedures for reinstatement regarding a negative drug screen and participation in drug counseling before becoming eligible to return to athletic competition regardless of the period of suspension.

Suspension periods for athletic code violations will carry over from one school year to the next.

Other than any carry over suspensions that may apply, student discipline status will re-set at the beginning of each school year.  For example, a freshman who violates the athletic code for a first offense will receive a 30% suspension.  If the freshman has no future penalties that school year, his or her status will reset as an incoming sophomore the next year.

To assist the suspended athlete to be in proper conditioning and to be sport knowledgeable, the athlete will be required to continue to practice with the team and follow sport rules.  In addition, te student must complete the season in good standing with the team.  If these stipulations are not met, no credit will be given for any time served for the suspension (i.e. the student suspension starts over).  (Note: Permission to practice must have coach and administrative consent, if approval is withheld, the suspension days will begin to accrue immediately).

All honors may be forfeited for the suspended sport.

Athletic Code Violation Consequences

A.  First Offense
30% suspension of all athletic contests of the sport in which the athlete involved, which may carry over under the provisions stipulated above.

B.  Second Offense
50% suspension of all athletic contests of the sport in which the athlete involved, which may carry over under the provisions stipulated above.

C. Third Offense                                                                                                                                            One calenday year suspension from athletic participation from the date of suspension.

Criminal Activity Policy
     Convicted felons or those with felony charges pending, may be barred from further competition by the Westville Community Unit School District #2 Board of Education, in Westville High School extra-curricular activities.

School Detention Policy
     Suspension from play applies only to the specific day or days, of an out of school suspension, not detentions.  Out of school suspension automatically bans practice and play.

WESTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AWARD POLICY
1.  Varsity letter (6" "W") to be determined by coaches pre-determined criteria.
2.  Numerals - awarded to freshmen.
3.  Certificate - awarded to juniors and seniors who do not qualify for varsity "W".
4.  Plaque - awarded to seniors who have participated in the same sport at Westville High School for 4 years.
5.  An athlete at Westville High School will receive only 1 each of numerals or varsity "W".

FOOTBALL AWARDS
The following criteria is set for earning a varsity letter:  the athlete MUST:
     1.  Play at least 1/2 the quarters in varsity game.
     2.  Make a major contribution to the squad.
     3.  Must finish season.

AWARDS
     1.  M.V.P. Varsity Trophy - selected by teammates.
     2.  Most Improved Senior - selected by teammates.
     3.  Most Improved Junior - selected by teammates.
     4.  Most Improved Sophomore - selected by teammates.
     5.  Most Improved Freshmen - selected by teammates.
     6.  Outstanding Lineman
     7.  Outstanding Back
     8.  Tackling Award