PURSUING VICTORY WITH HONOR CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS |
Athletic competition should be fun and also be a significant aspect of a sound educational program. Everyone involved in sports programs has a duty to assure that programs impart important life skills and promote the development of good character. Essential elements of character building are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.
TRUSTWORTHINESS
- Trustworthiness—Be worthy of trust in all you do.
- Integrity—Live up to high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship.
- Honesty—Live honorably. Don’t lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest conduct.
- Reliability—Fulfill commitments.
- Loyalty—Be loyal to the school and team; Put the interests of the team above your personal glory.
RESPECT
- Respect—Treat all people with respect at all times.
- Class—Teach your child to live and play with class and be a good sport. He/she should be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity, compliment extraordinary performance and show sincere respect in pre-and post-game rituals.
- Disrespectful Conduct—Don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
- Respect for Officials—Treat game officials with respect. Don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
- Importance of Education—Support the concept of “being a student first.” Commit your child to earning a diploma and getting the best possible education. Be honest with your child about the likelihood of getting an athletic scholarship. Reinforce the notion that many universities will not recruit student-athletes who do not have a serious commitment to their education.
- Role Modeling—Remember, participation in sports is a privilege, not a right. Parents/Guardians too should represent the school, coach and teammates with honor, on and off the court/field.
- Self-Control—Exercise self-control.
- Healthy Lifestyle—Promote to your child the avoidance of all illegal or unhealthy substances including alcohol, tobacco, drugs and some over-the-counter nutritional supplements, as well as of unhealthy techniques to gain, lose or maintain weight.
- Integrity of the Game—Protect the integrity of the game.
FAIRNESS
• Fairness and Openness—Live up to high standards of fair play.
CARING
• Caring Environment—Consistently demonstrate concern for student-athletes as individuals and encourage them to look out for one another and think and act as a team.
CITIZENSHIP
• Spirit of the Rules—Honor the spirit and the letter of rules. Teach your children to avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of
