HIGH SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETES OF LYNCHBURG CITY SCHOOLS
1. It is a privilege, not a right, to participate on an interscholastic team. Therefore, this privilege can be revoked for improper conduct of a student at school or in the community. Any appeal of the revocation of this privilege may be made through the athletic director's office.
2. The student shall be a regular bona fide student in good standing of the school which he represents. (VHSL, 28-1-1)
3. An athlete who is apprehended by a school officer for smoking, dipping, and/or chewing tobacco products will be ineligible to compete in the next contest in that sport. A second offense will result in suspension from competition for the two contests immediately after the infraction. A third offense will result in dismissal from the team for the remainder of the athletic season.
4. On the athlete's first offense, an athlete who is caught stealing will be dismissed from the team for the remainder of the athletic season.
5. The next two items are independent from the drug-testing program's policies for a positive test. Make sure you understand that being found in possession of drugs/alcohol and testing positive on the drug test are different events and carry different penalties or conditions.
« Sale and/or Distribution of Drugs (including alcohol) - On the first offense, a student who is found to be selling or distributing drugs/alcohol, either on or off school grounds during the athletic season, will be suspended from school for 365 days. This will mean, in terms of the athlete's eligibility, that he will be ineligible for at least three semesters, since no passing grades will be recorded until the end of the third semester.
« Use/Possession of Drugs (including alcohol) - An athlete who is witnessed by a school official possessing drugs/alcohol off school grounds during the athletic season will be suspended from participation of any athletic squad for a minimum of 14 calendar days. During this period, the student must satisfactorily fulfill a contract written by the substance abuse educator prior to being reinstated on nay athletic squad.
6. In order to be eligible to try out for or to participate in any school-sponsored interscholastic athletic program, the student must agree to submit to a physical examination, including drug analysis. They physical exam must be conducted after May 1 for participation in athletics for the succeeding school year and must be completed before the student will be allowed to participate in any manner. Team members must agree to random drug testing throughout the season; a parent or guardian must also signify agreement with this policy.
7. If an athlete is ejected from a contest by an official, the player will not participate in the next contest unless successfully appealed. Then, the situation will be reviewed by the coach, the player, the athletic direrw, and the school administration prior to final action taken by the administration. Action could range form no additional restrictions to suspension for the rest of the season.
8. If a student or his parent(s) or guardian gives false information, written or verbal, that affects his eligibility upon entering and/or during his eight semesters of eligibility, the student shall become ineligible at any VHSL school for a period of one year from the date the information is certified as being false. This policy includes the falsifying of any information on physical examination forms.
9. A suspension from school will result in the suspended student being declared ineligible for practice or participation in athletics or in any school function for the duration of the suspension.
10. A single suspension of 6-10 days or a second suspension of 3-5 days during one athletic season or activity season would require the suspended student to appear before a committee composed of the principal, athletic director, and coach or sponsor of that team or activity to show just cause as to why the student should be allowed to continue competition in that sport or activity. If sufficient cause is not presented, that student will be declared ineligible for the remainder of that season or activity season.
11. Athletes must legally reside in the school's attendance zone with a parent or legal guardian. Any athlete obtaining a new guardian within the past 12 months must see the athletic director prior to trying out for the team.
12. Athletes must pass 5 subjects the preceding semester.
13. If the preceding semester or six weeks grade point average is less than 2.0, the athlete must attend study hall 3 days per week.
14. Athletes must obey all rules of the team, school, VHSL, city, state, and nation, being accountable for their actions during contests, at school or away from school, 7 days per week, 24 hours per day while in their athletic season.
15. No student will be allowed to try out for a team until outstanding obligations are met and required athletic forms are completed (code of conduct, drug testing consent, and medical examination).
My signature verifies that all relevant athletic policies of Lynchburg City Schools, including team rules for the sports listed below, have been explained to me. I understand and accept the above criteria and the Code of Conduct for Athletes of Lynchburg City Schools as prerequisites to being allowed to participate on an athletic squad. If I am unclear about any policies, it is my responsibility to contact my coach or athletic director.
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