Athlete Code of Conduct

Westmont High School believes that a student should consider participation in athletics as both a privilege and a responsibility. The privilege is the opportunity to take part in the athletics program provided by the school, and this privilege may be revoked when the student fails or refuses to comply with the rules. The responsibility is found in representing the school, which involves maintaining academic eligibility, high standards of citizenship at all times, sportsmanship and playing the game to the best of his/her ability. Respect for and compliance with the school’s Student-Athlete Code of Conduct is expected of every student who participates.

To view the most updated Eligibility Requirements, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14H1Yze8J0-NEfevEUUzuxAiZum-EYI2YuemzkPWIvW8/edit?usp=sharing.

Academic Eligibility / Attendance: In accordance with BVAL and CCS rules and regulations, student athletes must meet the following minimum requirements:

Current enrollment in five classes for a minimum of 25 units.
Passing grades in 20 or more credits of course work.
Total non-weighted GPA of 2.0 in the previous 6 week grading period. Should the student athlete fall below a 2.0, a probationary period may be applied for at the discretion of the coach and administration, once during frosh/soph years and once during junior/senior years. (though not in concurrent semesters)
Transfer students must meet all eligibility guidelines.
Must attend 2 out of 3 classes daily in order to be eligible for athletic contests, and must participate fully in all classes including P.E. Students who are absent from school for “unexcused reasons” are not eligible to participate in athletics for that day. Students who are excused early for a game are responsible for missed work and should use tutorial to make up work; making up work after school is not an excuse to miss practice, but if this becomes necessary the student must communicate with his/her coach prior to missing practice.
Practice attendance is required every day that a student is at school. Student-athletes must notify their coach prior to missing a practice.

Quitting a Sport: A player who quits a sport after making the team will not be eligible for another team until the previous season has ended, including postseason.

Competing on an Outside Team: A student on a high school team becomes ineligible if the student competes in a contest on an “outside” team in the same sport during the student’s high school season.

Grievance Procedure: The grievance process is intended to be a process whereby concerns of alleged unfair treatment of athletes can be addressed in a timely manner. We believe that a quick and honest discussion between all parties will result in the positive resolution of concerns and an improvement of the atmosphere for both athletes and coaches. The list below of legitimate and non-legitimate grievances is intended to be a guideline, not an all inclusive list.

a) Legitimate grievances:

Failure to provide due process in disciplinary action.
Failure to provide a fair opportunity to compete to make the team (cut-off).
Mistreatment of athletes: Foul, inappropriate language.
Any violation of an adopted code: ethics, conduct, and expectations.

b) Non-legitimate grievances:

Athlete not given enough playing time.
Athlete not playing the right position.
Strategies used by the coach.
Win/Loss record of the team or coach.

Legitimate grievances should be addressed first with the coach at a scheduled time (not before, during, after practice or contests). If this meeting does not bring about a satisfactory resolution a meeting may be held involving the student, parent, coach and athletic director in a reasonable and timely manner.

Disciplinary Actions: The following actions will be applicable through the entire school year. Ex: A student/athlete who is suspended from a fall sport for his/her first offense will be dismissed from a winter/spring sport for his/her second offense. Student/athletes involved in non-school related, off-campus offenses or other illegal activity will face disciplinary actions at the discretion of the coach and school administration. At any time administration can choose to remove athletes from sports participation due to disciplinary action.

Social Media Policy: Students/athletes are responsible for good behavior on the Internet just as they are in a school building or on the athletic field of competition. If a student/athlete’s use of the Internet creates a disruption to the school, the Athletic Department and/or the team, even if it is a first offense, the student/athlete will be held responsible and will face consequences as determined by the coaching staff/administration including but not limited to:

Suspension from the team for one contest.
Suspension from the team for 25% of the team’s season.
Dismissal from the team.

Violation of Alcohol/Drug/Tobacco/Steroid Policy: Any student/athlete caught in violation of school alcohol/drug/tobacco/Steroid policy will face the following disciplinary actions:

1st offense will result in a suspension of 25% of the team’s season.
2nd offense will result in the student/athlete being dismissed from the team.

Assault/Fighting: Any student/athlete involved in an assault/fight either on campus or off will face the following disciplinary actions:

1st offense will result in a suspension of 25% of the team’s season.
2nd offense will result in the student/athlete being dismissed from the team.

Suspension: Any student/athlete who is suspended from school for defiance of authority or any action not mentioned above will face the following disciplinary actions:

1st offense will result in being suspended from the team for the amount of days missed for the suspension (Ex: for a three day suspension the student/athlete will be ineligible to compete with his/her team during the suspension and an additional 3 school days after he/she returns from the suspension).
2nd offense will result in the student/athlete being dismissed from the team.

Referral: Referrals to and disciplinary actions taken by the deans will be communicated by the deans to coaches. Student/athletes may face disciplinary actions at the discretion of the coach, including suspension from competition.

Participation Donations: In order to meet the rising costs of transportation, officials, and league dues, a $100 Participation Donation will be requested from student/athletes for each sport played.

Student-Athletes must read and agree to respect and comply with the Westmont High School Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.