Coaches Code of Ethics

Statement of code of ethics, Colorado High School Activities Association

In order to be of maximum effectiveness in serving and fostering the education of the students so entrusted to us and in promoting and supplementing the regular curriculum, it is the duty of all concerned with our secondary athletic and activities programs to ...

1. Cultivate an awareness that participation in athletics and activities is part of the total educational process and as such, the coach/advisor should neither seek nor expect academic privileges for the participants.
2. Emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play as they relate to the lifetime impact on the participants.
3. Develop a working awareness and understanding of all rules and guidelines governing competition, both in letter and intent.
4. Recognize that the purpose of athletics and activities is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well-being of the individual participants.
5. Avoid any practice or technique which would endanger the present or future welfare or safety of any participant.
6. Adhere to policies which do not force or encourage students to specialize or restrict them from participation in a variety of activities.
7. Refuse to disparage an opponent, an official, an administrator or spectator in any aspect of the activity.
8. Strongly encourage the development of proper health habits: the non-use of chemicals, including alcohol, steroids, tobacco in any form and other mood-altering substances.
9. Exemplify proper self-control at all times, accepting adverse decisions without public display of emotion or dissatisfaction with the officials or judges.
10. Encourage all to judge the true success of the athletic and activities programs on the basis of the attitude of the participants and spectators, rather than on the basis of a win or loss.

I WILL NOT:

1. Approve commercialism, solicitation, subsidizing, or professionalism entering into high school athletics.

COACHING/ADVISING PERSONNEL CONDUCT

Coaches have earned a unique position of esteem in the community that allows them to influence many of the young people with whom they work. This prestigious position carries with it a special responsibility. Because young people respect and emulate coaches, it is important that the coach have a positive influence on young people. Always be sure that the young men and women who have participated under the leadership of the Smoky Hill coaching staff are better persons for having done so. Never place the value of a win above that of instilling the highest desirable ideals and character traits in athletes.

Adherence to the code of ethics of the Colorado High School Activities Association and the guidelines included in this manual will be expected from all coaches. Any coach in violation of state or district policy is subject to consequences which may include suspension or dismissal.

The mature coach always has emotions under control, does not attack officials, never uses foul language, and maintains the dignity of the coaching profession.

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

Open Enrollment, Graduate Incentives, and other state programs facilitate student movement from school district to school district. The intent of these programs is to insure that student movement is based on academic, not athletic reasons.

Coaches are expected to observe the following guidelines:

1. No Smoky Hill coach is to initiate contact, directly or indirectly, with any prospective student athlete and his/her parent from outside the Smoky Hill attendance area at any level, under any circumstances.

2. If the student athlete or his/her parent from outside the Smoky Hill attendance area contacts a coach, directly or indirectly, the coach will refer them to the Athletics Director or Principal.

3. Transfer students, whose families are moving into the school district, will not be affected. These students will be processed through the Guidance Office as they have been in the past.

SECURITY/THEFT

1. Coaches must remind student participants that thefts occur and they should be discouraged from bringing large sums of money and/or other valuables to practices or events.

2. Coaches are responsible for securing locker rooms during and after practice.

3. Remind them to lock their lockers and check them for security each time they use them.

4. Use a “valuable bag” when appropriate to store money, purses, billfolds, and other valuables for practices and events.

5. If a theft occurs from a locker room, students should contact the security office immediately.