Ethics and Eligibility

Director of Athletics –Bruce Ellsworth, [email protected]

ETHICS

Athletics should foster clean sports. It in the privilege and duty of every person connected with athletics to exemplify high standards in his/her own actions and advocate them in others. This includes, the coaches, players, fans, administrators, and officials. Some guidelines that are expected at Jefferson-Morgan include the following:

1. Unsportsmanlike or unfair means to gain an advantage are not to be used.
2. Student spectators represent their school as well as the players and should conduct themselves accordingly.
3. Decisions of the officials are to be abided by, even if they seem unfair.
4. Visiting teams are to be treated as guests of the home team.
5. The practice of “booing” is regarded as discourteous and unsportsmanlike.

ELIGIBILITY

Jefferson-Morgan’s interscholastic athletic program is conducted in accordance with the existing

Board of Education policies, rules, and regulations. It is also governed by the rules of the

Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The following eligibility rules

highlight and summarize the major requirements that must be met to participate in

athletics. It does not list every rule and regulation in detail. The Principal of your school

is responsible for certifying the eligibility of all students representing your school in

interscholastic athletics. Questions of rules not addressed here should be directed to the

building Principal or Athletic Director.

1. AGE

A pupil shall be ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition upon reaching the age

of nineteen years unless the age of 19 is attained on or after July 1. In such instances, the

pupil is eligible, age wise, to compete that school year. (15 years of age for competition

in grades 7 and 8).

2. ATTENDANCE

You must be regularly enrolled in your school and in full-time attendance. If you are absent from school during a semester for a total of 20 or more school days, you will lose eligibility until you have been in attendance for a total of 45 school days following your 20^th  day of absence.

3. PHYSICAL EXAMS AND PARENT/GUARDIAN CONSENT

You are eligible to participate in athletics only if an approved parent/guardian form (JMHS Physical Packet) to your participation in the particular sport involved is on file. In addition to

this consent form you are eligible to participate only if you have had a physical examination by a licensed physician or other PIAA approved licensees before you begin practice for your sports season. Each parent is advised there is an inherent risk of injury in every sport in which an athlete participates.

4. STUDENT INSURANCE

A student can participate in PIAA sponsored sports unless they have insurance and the insurance form is filled out in its entirety in the physical packet.

5. AMATEUR STATUS

In order to be eligible to participate in an interscholastic athletic contest, a pupil must be

an amateur in the sport involved. An amateur athlete is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the pleasure, educational, mental, physical, and social benefits derived there from. Acceptance of gifts, gift certificates, and/or contracts to endorse products of any nature will  jeopardize your amateur status.

6. ATHLETE’S CONDUCT

Athletes may be dismissed from the team or have disciplinary action taken for any of the

following:

1. Failure to comply with eligibility requirements.
2. Failure to meet academic or attendance requirements.
3. Continued discipline problems either in school or in sport or sports in which

they participate.

4. Unsportsmanlike conduct at events such as profanity, abusive remarks, attempts to do harm to others, display of emotional instability; or acts detrimental to the welfare of the team, school, or others.
5. Failure to attend practices without approved excuses, coaches’ discretion.
6. Accumulation of limited number of excused absences, coaches’ discretion.
7. Failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the coach, school, or sport.
8. Possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or any controlled substances.
9. Defiance towards coaches
10. Racial or ethnic slurs at any member of the team or opponent’s team or fans Each dismissal is subject to review by the High School Principal and the Athletic Director. Students who are dismissed from the team for any reasons relinquish the rights and benefits of the team.