1. Sportsmanship

It is agreed that one of the primary goals for inter-scholastic athletics is to promote good sportsmanship and mutual respect among participating athletes. Cases resulting in lack of good sportsmanship will be handled by the coach, with any disciplinary action directed by the coach at the point when misconduct occurs. Punishment may result in removal from an athletic contest for only a few minutes, or a maximum punishment of removal from the team permanently at the discretion of the coach, athletic director and principal. Coaches must determine what represents isolated incidents of poor sportsmanship from those individuals who exemplify chronic unsportsmanlike conduct.

2. Profanity

The use of profanity will not be tolerated during athletic contests or during practice. It is required that all coaches will carefully define this rule to participating athletes. Disciplinary action will be taken by the coach.

3. Fighting

Fighting will not be tolerated during athletic contests or during practice. It is required that all coaches will carefully define this rule to participating athletes. Disciplinary action will be taken by the coach.

4. School Conduct

Athletes may not participate in a game or practice when they are suspended. Student-athletes who do not comply with school rules are subject to disciplinary action which may result in removal from the athletic team for a portion of, or more specifically, all of the athletic season.

5. Academic Eligibility

All student-athletes must realize that their main purpose for attending school is to receive a well rounded education. A good student usually becomes a good athlete. The Fallsburg Central School Districts committed to supporting all students in academic need. At the five week point of a marking period, student progress reports will be issued to all students. If, according to the progress report, a student-athlete is failing two or more subjects the following will happen. The student will be informed by either their coach, the athletic director, or guidance counselor. The student will have a two week "grace period" to correct the deficiencies on his/her own. The student will still be allowed to practice and compete in games during this time period only if they have attended after school tutorial each day. Within the two week "grace period", the student will be issued an academic eligibility status report from his coach, the athletic director, or guidance counselor. Teachers will record on the report the students status in each class. If the student is still failing two or more classes, the student will be declared ineligible, and will be mandated to attend the after school tutorial program and will not be allowed to participate in practice or in games. The student must continue to attend daily tutorial sessions until they are cleared from the ineligible list. Tutorial runs from 2:30 - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday.

* The two week "grace period" will be granted only one time for the entire academic school year. Any student who is on the ineligible list more than one time will not be allowed to practice or compete in games. Students must attend tutorial each day until they are cleared from the ineligible list.

6. Promptness

Athletes should report promptly to their respective locker rooms at the times designated. Athletes may not stay on campus unsupervised at any time. Regular athletic transportation should be used to go home following practice sessions. Coaches are required to supervise athletes at all times. Coaches are required to stay with the team until the last athlete leave - either by bus, car, or picked up by their parents/guardians.

7. New York State Athletic Eligibility

Athletes will be informed of state requirements at a team meeting held prior to the season, at which time a video "Informed Consent" will be shown. A particular listing of the state requirements says an athlete is eligible for high school athletics if:

He/she is between his/her 14th and 19th birthday, after September 1st.
He/she is taking four courses including Physical Education. Medically excused students cannot participate in Interscholastic Athletics.
He/she is an amateur, having never used his/her athletic skill for gain. (Includes playing, coaching, and officiating.)
For eight consecutive semesters beginning with the semester he/she enters the ninth grade.

8. Department Awards/ Athlete Recognition

All student-athletes who complete an athletic season in good standing, receive recognition. Athletes at the Modified level receive certificates, Junior Varsity athletes receive medallions, and Varsity level athletes receive a varsity letter and a pin. It is expected that any student-athlete eligible for a departmental award will be a good role model to all of our students, displaying good school citizenship qualities, as well as outstanding athletic ability.