Contract

Cheerleading Contract & Personal Code of Conduct

I. Philosophy and Objectives

This statement is intended to inform current and potential cheerleaders and other interested parties of various policies of the ODU cheerleading program. In all policy and program matters, members of the cheer team shall first be good, law-abiding citizens of the nation, state, and city, and secondly, all team members shall abide by all the University policies included in the ODU Student Handbook. Above all, an ODU cheerleader shall be an exemplary representative of Ohio Dominican University on and off campus.

The primary purpose of a cheerleader is to be a member of the team. The goal of this team as a whole is to support intercollegiate athletics at ODU and to perform at competitions. ODU Cheer’s purpose is directed into four areas of conduct, as follows: (1) to excel at academics and make being a college student the primary focus; (2) to participate in community outreach by serving at functions for charitable and public causes; (3) to serve as public relations ambassadors of intercollegiate athletics and Ohio Dominican University; to uphold, reflect and project the goals and ideals of the University. This also includes representing the University and the cheerleading program as an outstanding citizen with moral and positive actions on and off campus; (4) to lead cheers and to raise the level of fan support for intercollegiate athletics; as well as to lead in positive vocal support for the team towards the University and its teams. This is accomplished in both game day and competition settings.

II. Membership

The Ohio Dominican University Cheerleading program has one team. The team is open to males and females. The team is composed of a maximum of 16 persons who are expected to cheer year-round for Men’s Football and Men’s and Women’s Basketball home events. Attendance to away games will be discussed as a team and will depend on available funds.

There is one major tryout in April of each year. This is the tryout when the majority of the positions are filled by qualified candidates. If needed, additional tryouts are held to fill vacant spots or to allow incoming freshman who missed tryouts the previous April to try out for the team. It is possible that some girls may meet very minimum requirements; however, we will only take the most qualified individuals for the positions. The main purpose of tryouts is to take the best and most talented individuals for the ODU Cheer team.

III. Team Selection

When selecting the team we are looking for individuals that demonstrate proper technical skills, confidence, leadership, effective communication skills, and will be committed to the program on and off the field. We select individuals who are also committed to being successful students academically as well as being well rounded individuals.

If a member personally resigns/quits the team or is removed from the cheerleading team by the coach for negative reasons, violations of rules, or insubordinate behavior, that person is no longer eligible to try out for the following season without special written or verbal permission from the head cheerleading coach or athletic/academic staff. If no permission is granted, the individual will have to wait one full season cycle to tryout again.

A candidate demonstrating the elite and proper skills to be a member of the ODU Cheer team shall not be denied to any person(s) because of race, color, creed, or national origin.

IV. Alcohol and Nicotine Consumption

As stated earlier, cheerleaders are expected, first, to be good, law-abiding citizens of the nations, state, and city and have the skills to ascertain right from wrong. This expectation is foremost when it comes to alcoholic beverages and nicotine. Cheerleaders are reminded that, as highly visible members of the University community, their actions and behavior are under constant observation. While in uniform, but also while not in uniform, ODU Cheerleaders are known and can easily be the object of critique for their behavior or actions. Students should have an understanding of expectations outlined in the ODU Student Handbook. Cheerleaders shall not consume alcoholic beverages or any form of nicotine in uniform or when representing ODU.

Members of the team shall adhere to the following rules:

- Cheerleaders shall not possess or drink alcoholic beverages, or any form of nicotine products, while traveling, from the point of departure until return to campus; should we travel to an away function

- Cheerleaders shall not consume alcoholic beverages or use any form of nicotine before or during a game or practice

- Cheerleaders shall not offer to procure for cheerleaders who are under 21 or attempt to coerce any cheerleader who do not want to drink alcoholic beverages into doing the same.

- Cheerleaders who violate these rules shall be subject to serious disciplinary measures up to and including immediate dismissal from the team

- If there is a time in which an ODU cheerleader causes embarrassment to the University, the community, or the team; they may be immediately dismissed from the team.

V. Drugs

The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for the cheerleading program. Thus, conduct which involves the unlawful possession, use, dispensations, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances by a cheerleader while traveling for the University or at any official cheerleading functions and activities shall result in termination form the ODU cheer program. These individuals will also be referred to Student Life for disciplinary action. Similarly, the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances by a cheerleader at any other time shall result in appropriate discipline, up to an including termination from the cheer program. These individuals may also be referred to Student Life for disciplinary action. The legal use of prescribed medicines under the direction of ODU athletic trainers or personal licensed physician is permitted.

VI. Social Media

ODU Cheerleaders are not restricted from using social media sites. However, they must understand that any content they make public, regardless of privacy settings, via social websites is expected to follow acceptable social behaviors and also to comply with regulations.

The following guidelines outline the expectations of every student-athlete in regards to social media:

- Understand and follow the rules of each particular social media site

- Do not post anything private, confidential or sensitive. Think twice before posting.

- Do not post comments that attack a student-athlete, coach or athletic administrator of ODU or any institution

- Do not post information, photos, or other representations of sexual content, harassing language, inappropriate behavior or items that could be interpreted as demeaning or inflammatory

- Understand that freedom of speech is not unlimited. Social media websites are NOT a place where you can say and do whatever you want without repercussions.

- Remember the Internet is permanent. Even if you delete something on the Internet, it still exists out there somewhere.

- Remember many different audiences will see your posts, including fans, alumni, children, student-athletes, parents, staff, faculty, etc.

- Be honest, respectful, positive, professional and polite

- Be accurate. If you make a mistake, own up to it and correct it quickly.

- Do not post anything that you would not speak about openly in a work place or public, such as comments on drug use, sexual humor, skin color, or ethnic slurs.

- Be in the proper state of mind when you make a post. Do not post when your judgment is impaired in any way.

- Protect yourself by maintaining a self-image/personal brand that you can be proud of years from now.

- Use the privacy/security settings made available on social media sites.

VII. Rules and Regulations

All team members are expected to attend all scheduled practices and games, regardless of work schedules and holiday/academic break schedules. Those members that live on campus are able to access campus during holiday/academic break schedules during days provided to residence life by the coach. It is expected that you are willing to plan your schedule around that of ODU Cheer.

Each team member is responsible for all of the clothing, uniforms, and equipment assigned to him/her. Care must be taken to insure such clothing, uniforms, and equipment is in a clean and presentable condition. Each team member shall safeguard his/her clothing, uniforms, and equipment and shall be, therefore, personally liable for its replacement for loss or damage, excluding normal wear and tear. In the event a uniform must be altered for fitting purposes, all alterations MUST be cleared by the coach.

Should a piece of clothing not be returned at the completion of a season or a termination of membership, the person who was in charge of that clothing will be charged after 30 days.

Further, uniforms are the responsibility of the individual cheerleader and will be fixed and/or replaced if damaged, and cleaned before each event and/or game.

ODU Cheerleaders are known, subject to scrutiny, and can easily be the object of criticism for their behavior or actions. Any actions that compromise the image, reputation, or goals of ODU or the ODU Cheerleading program are subject to immediate dismissal from the team.

Cheerleading may be expected to meet certain financial obligations. Examples for cheerleaders will include: hats, headbands, and gloves. We do have fundraisers during the summer to try to cover these items, but in the event we do not raise enough money, the cheerleader is then responsible.

Cheerleaders are not permitted to wear or display piercings or tattoos of any kind during cheerleading events.

No public display of affection during schedule events or during team travel is permitted.

Violations of any cheerleading rules shall be subject to discipline. The coach with consultation and advice of the assistant coaches always makes the final decision on discipline sanctions.

These rules and regulations are subject to addition and change when found necessary and beneficial. The coach makes final acceptance of all rules.

VIII. Practices

Cheerleaders shall:

Not practice as a team, or a portion of the team, without a coach or captain present

b) Attend all practices and required workouts (more details to follow)

c) Not be tardy or absent from practice/games

d) Notify the coach as soon as possible if he/she finds it impossible to attend practice/workouts or knows he/she is going to be tardy

e) Not consume alcoholic beverages before a practice or game

f) Cooperate with the captains and other team members, concentrating on individual improvement, listening to instructions, and letting the captains and/or coach know if any problems are present

g) Wear the proper practice attire

Tardiness will not be accepted and penalties, including suspension for games and the team can result from a pattern of tardiness.

In the event of illness, all cheerleaders will be expected to notify the cheerleading coach at least one hour in advance of practice.

An excused absence is strictly at the discretion of the coach. An excused absence consists of a death in the family and illness in which the team member is unable to perform without inflicting harm to self or other team members. Proof of each much be shown to the coach to be excused. In cases of illness that the member is unable to practice but is not harming the team by being present, the member must be present and sit practice.

Any conflicts with class and practices/workouts must be reported to the coach at least one week in advance and in writing via email. All conflicts must also have supporting documentation.

When possible, cheerleaders should schedule classes around practice times. The coach will try to set practice times around each member’s class schedule, though this is not always possible. Arrangements will be made to those who are unable to attend practice or games due to class schedule conflicts.

IX. Games and University Events

Cheerleaders shall:

Attend all home football and basketball games, required scrimmages and/or special scheduled games, fundraisers, or activities

b) Arrive at the game warm-up site, taped and stretched at designated arrival time prior to the scheduled game time

c) Not consume alcoholic beverages before a game

d) Arrive at all games fully prepared to perform for any kind of weather – that means with full uniforms.

e) Perform only approved skills that have been learned, practiced, and perfected; if a new skill is attempted without approval, all persons involved will be subject to disciplinary action.

f) Must not attempt new stunts while in front of crowds at scheduled games/events.

An excused absence is strictly at the discretion of the coach. An excused absence consists of a death in the family and illness. Proof of each must be shown to the coach to be excused.

Team members are expected to perform up to full potential at all functions.

No gum or jewelry is allowed during practices and/or during scheduled events.

X. Cheer Captain

Stretch out the team for at least 15 minutes at the start of each practice.

--Keep the team focused and on track at practices

--Meet with the coach on a weekly basis to discuss progress and concerns

--Responsible for delegating duties of the team. “Sign duty, flag duty, radio duty, etc.”

--Responsible for informing the coach of any conflicts that arise between team members

--Responsible for assisting the coach in the running and execution of scheduled workout

--Responsible for welcoming visiting teams and setting a good example friendliness to other cheerleaders

--Responsible for keeping the team in proper formation during games

--Be at practice early and help start practice on time

--Confer with coach prior to each practice

--Role model attitude and set the standard for behavior for the program

--Should a captain not be able to perform all the duties listed above, a new captain will be selected

X. Disciplinary Actions

Failure to abide by the rules and regulations will result in disciplinary action. These consequences will range from additional conditioning to sitting out games.

Specific Disciplinary Action for Tardiness/Absences

a) Tardiness without notifying coach = Every 5 minutes late will be a set number of additional conditioning. Every additional 5 minutes late will increase the amount of conditioning

Tardiness with notifying coach = After 2 warnings, disciplinary action will follow the above

* 1 minute late = 5 minute late punishment, 6 minutes late = 10 minute late punishment, etc.

b) If sick or unable to attend practice and you fail to notify the coach in advance = Sit a full game

c) Failure to provide proper documentation for absence or tardiness = Receive full disciplinary action for rule broken

d) Absence from practice with an inappropriate excuse = After 2 warnings, sit first half of the next game. On fourth unexcused absence, sit the next full game. After 5 unexcused absences, automatic 2 week suspension

e) Leaving practice early ­= 15-30 minutes early = Sit one quarter/half of the first half of the next game, 30-60 minutes early = Sit first half of the next game

f) Absence from an event assigned to absent member = Sit a full game (ex. Absence from a summer fundraising event without notification, disciplinary action is in effect at first game)

g) Leaving designated performing area while a game is in progress or during pregame without permission of coach = Sit for 10 minutes of regulation game play

h) Wearing the wrong uniform to event/forgetting equipment = Additional conditioning

i) Insufficient knowledge of material at a game = Sit out game for remainder of quarter/half

j) No talking during stunts, pyramids, and basket tosses = Additional conditioning

Conduct/Appearance – The following actions will constitute additional conditioning

a) Profane language or inappropriate conduct in uniform, depending on situation may require strong action by the coach

b) No chewing gum at practice and especially at a game

c) No visitors at practice without prior approval from the coach

d) No taunting of opposing teams players and/or referees

e) Cell phones at games, practices, or other official events should NOT be used and shall be put on vibrate/silent

f) Talking excessively to others, other cheerleaders or fans during events

g) Flirting with and acting inappropriately with football and basketball players during cheerleading events

h) Wearing jewelry at practice or games and has not had prior approval from the coach. This includes but is not limited to necklaces, bracelets, anklets, watches, belly-rings, rings, or other body piercing items. All piercing should be removed, not taped.

Conduct/Appearance – The following actions will constitute sitting out a game

a) Profane language or inappropriate conduct at practice, including talking back, arguing with the crowd or other team members, and any physical altercation

b) Presenting oneself at an official function (especially games) wearing a soiled, wrinkled or unkempt uniform. This includes soiled shoes. The member may be required to sit out that game

c) Altering uniforms without prior approval from the coach. Disciplinary action depends on the degree of alteration to the uniform. Member will be required to repair or replace the uniform(s)

d) No tattoos should be visible while in uniform or while representing the cheerleaders at a function

e) Wearing a uniform at an inappropriate occasion in which the member is not acting in an official capacity

XI. Enforcement of Guidelines

Participation as an ODU Cheerleader is voluntary and is done so with the understanding that there are certain requirements and expectations that are necessary in order to maintain a high-quality cheerleading program. Failure to comply with these guidelines can result in the cheerleading coach making a decision to either temporarily suspend an individual from one or more contests/events or to permanently dismiss the individual from the team. Team members may receive disciplinary action for the following:

- Missing practice/workout without approval of the coach

- Being late to practice/workout without prior approval of the coach

- Safety violation

- Violation of any team rule or regulation

- Missing a game or scheduled event without prior approval of the coach

- Other- left to coach, based on the severity of the situation

XII. Fundraisers

The Ohio Dominican Cheerleading program participates in a variety of fundraisers. All team members are required to participate in these fundraising events. Summer fundraisers such as car washes, are scheduled in advance and each team member is expected to be in attendance. The head cheerleading coach is to be notified no later than two weeks prior to the event of any scheduling conflicts; otherwise disciplinary action will be enforced.

The ODU Cheer team may hold an agreement with outside organizations during a season. These companies rely on all workers to be present to carry out their duties, and in return, the ODU Cheer team receives fundraising money to use during the season. During our commitment with each company, it is each team member’s duty to be respectful to the company leaders/employers. Each member that is scheduled to work these events must be in attendance. If a member is to miss a scheduled event, the head cheerleading coach is to be contacted immediately and it is this member’s responsibility to find a replacement. Death in the family or illness with a doctor’s excuse is the only excused absence. Any other reason for absence will be unexcused and subject to disciplinary action. An unexcused absence with notification will result in sitting out the next game. An unexcused absence without notification will result in a week suspension. These rules apply to any company in which the ODU Cheer team has a commitment with.

XIII. Academics

Each member is to maintain a full-time academic status to remain eligible. To be a successful athlete at Ohio Dominican University, you must be successful in academics as well. The minimum GPA that is to be maintained to be academically eligible is 2.0, but the ODU Cheerleading team will not be satisfied with settling at or around this GPA. Grades will be turned in to the coach at midterm and finals. Members with a GPA lower than 2.0 will be immediately suspended from any games or performances. Those individuals whose GPA is lower than 2.5 will be required to attend study tables in Spangler Library. If 60% of the team’s GPA is lower than 2.5, then every team member will have to participate in study tables regardless of GPA.

XIV: Camps and Instruction

The ODU Cheer team will attend a summer camp. For this camp, purchase of campwear and camp fees are required. Also, the ODU Cheer team attends stunting and tumbling instructions during the season. If all members do their part in fundraising, money from the cheerleading club account will help cover the cost of these fees and will not require much out-of-pocket expenses for each team member.