Archive: Sports

Starting in the coming school year Lansing schools will institute a new code of conduct.  At the July 12 Board of Education meeting Lansing High School Principal Eric Hartz presented the new code, explaining some of the reasons for significant changes.

"In the Spring of 2009 we started considering an athletic code of conduct that included academic eligibility and have a little higher set of expectations for our athletes," says Superintendent Stephen Grimm.  "An athlete could be failing four or five subjects and still be participating fully, off the radar of getting the intensive service that you really need."

The code has been in development for a year.  Former Athletic Director John Taylor formed a committee of teachers, coaches, and principals to work on a new policy.  Principal Eric Hartz worked with Taylor on the policy through last school year.  A few weeks ago Hartz and Adam Heck, the new Athletic Director, produced a final draft, which was presented to the Board Of Education earlier this month.  Grimm says the school board will act on the policy at their meeting next Monday.

The 29 page document lays out expectations for student athletes relative to dress, behavior, and academic performance.  The first section covers knowledge and competence required for athletes, and lays out guidelines for character, civility, and citizenship.  Next the school philosophy of athletics is spelled out.  Other sections speak to the code of ethics as well as a code of conduct for spectators at athletic events.

A coach's code spells lays out 15 requirements for coaches.  Hartz says that Heck is developing a separate coach's handbook.  Coaches will be required to attend meetings including a mandatory meeting in which the new Code of Conduct will be reviewed.  Coaches will also be required to go over the new document with athletes at the first practice session starting this year.

Hartz says that the new code spells out many practices the district has followed but that were never written out before. 

"Academics is probably the biggest change," Hartz says.  "One of the things that was brought to the attention of this committee was that a student could be failing four, five, or even six courses.  As long as the student went to a study hall with each teacher once a week, he could still practice and play in games.  When they originally looked at this I think it went too far the other way.  Everybody wanted it to change so much that kids wouldn't have the opportunity to succeed."

The compromise was a matrix of consequences that lays out a 'three strikes' policy.  The chart shows levels of poor academic performance and specific consequences that follow.  A student failing three courses is permitted to practice, but not to play in games.  Additionally they are restricted from extra-curricular activities, and must stay after with the teachers of the classes they are failing.

"The important part is that the student may still practice," Hartz explains.  "It would be very unfair to a student who is working hard academically and be missing practices.  They would be physically out of shape and then come back and possibly be injured.  Practice is still important.  I also think the student is motivated to practice and be part of that team.  If there are games during that time they would attend in street clothes.  They could wear their jersey, but would not be eligible to play."

Hartz says that while the document strictly spells out expectations and consequences, that each case would be considered on an individual basis.  Consideration would be given, for example, to athletes who could not comply due to circumstances beyond their control, such as difficult family situations.  But loopholes were also closed.  For example a student will not be permitted to drop a course to avoid a failing grade in order to play on a team.

Grimm added that adding the coaches to the support network of a struggling child could only have a positive impact.  Hartz says that an important part of that support network is the players themselves, who may tutor a fellow team mate so he or she can play.

Another new piece is that 7th and 8th grade students may elect to have a physical by a doctor that certifies that they can play on a varsity team.  They will also be checked out by a school teacher.  Coaches will not be permitted to certify these students to play.  The vetting will have to be done by a physical education teacher that is not associated with the team.  A policy on dealing with concussions is also part of the new code.

The code of conduct also includes a detailed policy on tobacco and drug use.  Among other things athletes will be expected to leave parties where they notice drugs or alcohol being consumed.  A cyber-image policy is part of that, stating that images of athletes abusing drugs found on the Internet will be considered a confirmation of violating the code.

Hartz says that a parallel code of conduct is being developed for students who participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.  He plans to present that code to the school board in August.

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