University of Richmond Department of Athletics General Policies and Performance Expectations for Student-Athletes

Transcription

1 University of Richmond Department of Athletics General Policies and Performance Expectations for Student-Athletes STUDENT-ATHLETE CONDUCT Student-athletes are representatives of the University of Richmond and Richmond Athletics. As such, they shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, and not engage in conduct that demeans, belittles, harasses, or threatens any person. Additionally, student-athletes shall refrain from using profanity or vulgarity. Student-athletes are subject to all applicable team, University, NCAA, and conference rules and regulations. Student-athletes shall demonstrate good sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity at all times and shall not make or assist others in engaging in dishonest act s or statements. Additionally, studentathletes shall not allow their participation in intercollegiate athletics to interfere unnecessarily with their educational responsibilities. Student-athletes found to be in violation of these policies are subject to disciplinary action by their respective Head Coaches, Sport Administrator, and Director of Athletics. PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS The Department of Athletics has adopted Performance Expectations for all student-athletes. These expectations include standards for conduct, health, and fitness. Academics All student-athletes are expected to: Earn an undergraduate degree within four years. Accept responsibility for maintaining their athletic and academic eligibility. Seek assistance from instructors and academic support staff when needed. Prepare for and attend every class (not including excused absences). Attend study, tutoring, counseling, and advising sessions as required. Meet regularly with their academic advisors and academic support staff. Adhere to the University's policies on academic integrity and the University Honor Code. Maintain full-time academic status as required by the NCAA. Meet academic progress benchmarks as required by the University and NCAA. Participate in diagnostic testing as required. Sportsmanship As representatives of the University, student-athletes should look for ways to encourage effort and fair play, regardless of whether it is exhibited by a teammate or an opponent. To that end, student-athletes shall not engage in fighting or taunting of a teammate, opponent, official, or spectator. This expectation of sportsmanship extends to practice, competition, travel, and media interviews.

2 Health and Fitness Before student-athletes may begin any type of athletics participation, they must be medically cleared by the team physician and sports medicine staff. In order to be cleared, student-athletes shall provide a current and complete medical history. Student-athletes are also required to participate in all departmentally-sponsored student enhancement seminars or functions, including but not limited to, drug testing, drug education, nutrition or alcohol education. Additionally, student-athletes are expected to maintain a high level of health and fitness as determined by their respective Head Coaches, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine staff. Alcohol Alcohol consumption is highly discouraged at all times and is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia for anyone under age twenty-one. Student-athletes are responsible for complying with all state laws, University policies, and team rules as related to alcohol. All student-athletes are specifically prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages while representing the Department of Athletics in any capacity (i.e., practice/competition, travel for away contests, team dinners, recruiting visits, banquet etc.). Additional rules governing the consumption of alcohol may be included as part of sport programs team rules and regulations at the discretion of the Head Coach. If a student-athlete is charged or has been found responsible for violating the University s Alcohol Policy, the Director of Athletics or his designee may approve sanctions per the recommendation of the Sport Administrator and the Head Coach which can include the following: Suspension from team activities and competitions Required participation in a mandatory assessment at an Athletics Department approved facility at the student-athlete s own expense Required to follow a treatment and/or counseling plan per the recommendation of the approved substance abuse counseling facility at the student-athlete s own expense Drug Policy The unauthorized use of anabolic steroids, stimulants, diuretics, performance enhancing drugs, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, synthetic amphetamines, dietary supplements, synthetic marijuana or stimulants, and any other substance proscribed by federal or state law, or the abuse of alcohol by any member of an intercollegiate athletics team, at the University of Richmond, is expressly prohibited, regardless of whether such use or abuse occurs before, during or after the team s competitive season. Proscribed substances include, but are not limited to, those drugs listed in NCAA Executive Regulations, The institution may test for banned substances at its discretion and at cut off levels lower than those used by the NCAA. The unauthorized use of the proscribed substances or abuse of alcohol constitutes an abuse of the privilege of practicing for and representing University of Richmond in intercollegiate athletics competition. Such unauthorized use or abuse may result in sanctions, including dismissal from intercollegiate athletic teams, loss of a student-athlete s athletic grant-in-aid, and a permanent prohibition against competing in the intercollegiate athletics program at University of Richmond.

3 *A complete version of the University s Drug and Alcohol policy can be found at Dietary Supplements The University of Richmond does not condone the use of dietary supplements. As there are minimal federal government labeling requirements for dietary supplements, some products may contain NCAA and/or University of Richmond banned substances, which are not listed on the label. It is important for student-athletes to remember that they will be held responsible for each and every substance that enters their bodies. Any student-athlete who is considering taking a supplement must report it to a member of the Sports Medicine Department. Tobacco Use of tobacco products during any official Department of Athletics function (i.e., practice/competition, travel for away contests, etc.) is strictly prohibited. Such use could result in an NCAA rules violation of Bylaw and suspension from practice and/or competition. Practice and Competition Student-athletes shall meet their Head Coaches expectations regarding fitness, attitude, and effort in practice and competition. If a student-athlete does not meet these expectations, the respective Head Coach may prohibit the student-athlete from participating in practice and competition. Additionally, a student-athlete may be removed from the team and have his or her athletics grant-in-aid non-renewed for the following year. Participation in Co-curricular Activities Student-athletes are encouraged to participate in University sponsored co-curricular activities (i.e. Study Abroad, Living Learning, Fellowships, etc.). Student-athletes should coordinate participation in these activities with the Athletics Department Academic Support staff and their respective head coach. Participation in Extracurricular Activities Student-athletes must prioritize participation in extracurricular activities (i.e. Social Organizations, Clubs and Recreational Sports and Activities, etc.) after their academic and athletic commitments and obligations. Criminal Activity A student-athlete charged with a criminal offense will be immediately suspended from intercollegiate athletic participation and will only be reinstated following a review and determination by the Director of Athletics, Sport Administrator, and Head Coach. Gambling Pursuant to NCAA and University rules, student-athletes may not gamble on intercollegiate or professional athletics in any manner. Gambling includes providing information to individuals involved in

4 organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics, using a bookmaker or parlay card, soliciting or accepting a bet on any team, and participating in informal gambling (i.e., fantasy leagues and tournament pools). A student-athlete found to have gambled on college or professional athletics will be ineligible for intercollegiate competition for one calendar year. A second instance of a studentathlete gambling on collegiate or professional athletics will result in a permanent loss of eligibility. Moreover, a student-athlete found to have gambled on University of Richmond athletics shall be dismissed from the team upon a first occurrence and have his or her athletics grant-in-aid cancelled. Hazing All forms of hazing are prohibited. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any type of physical, mental, or emotional degradation of another. Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to, activities that humiliate, degrade, abuse, or endanger the health or safety another person, regardless of whether the person is a willing participant. Disciplinary action for hazing will be determined by the Head Coach, Sport Administrator, and Director of Athletics, and may include dismissal from the team and cancellation of athletics grant-in-aid. Official and Unofficial Visits During official and unofficial visits, prospective student-athletes and their hosts shall not engage in any type of inappropriate activity. Inappropriate activities include but are not limited to, visiting an adult entertainment venue, providing adult entertainment, arranging an escort service, using alcohol or drugs, and participating in unethical or illegal activity, including gambling. The Head Coach, Sport Administrator, and Director of Athletics may terminate an official or unofficial visit at any time if any of the aforementioned activities have occurred or are planned to occur. Current or prospective student-athletes are subject to disciplinary action if any inappropriate conduct occurs during an official or unofficial visit. Student-Athlete Hosts A student-athlete may be asked to host a prospective student-athlete on an Official Visit. Only current student-athletes who are enrolled full-time may be hosts. Student-athlete hosts may be provide with money to entertain himself or herself and the prospective student-athlete. However, prior to receiving student host money, all student hosts shall read and sign the Student Host Instructions and Receipt Form. Student-athlete hosts shall not provide any cash to the prospective student-athlete and may not use any portion of the host money to purchase gifts for the prospective student-athlete or alcoholic beverages. Following the Official Visit, the student-athlete host shall turn in all receipts and any remaining host money. Social Networking Student-athletes are expected to use social networking websites in a responsible and appropriate manner. Posting inappropriate or explicit material may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the team and cancellation of athletics grant-in-aid. Equipment and Facilities

5 Student-athletes are expected to exercise appropriate care when using all equipment and facilities. Student-athletes may not alter uniforms or equipment and shall maintain locker rooms in a clean and orderly fashion. Student-athletes shall not sell, trade, donate or otherwise transfer any institutional apparel and equipment. Equipment shall be returned promptly and in accordance with equipment room policies and procedures. Complimentary Admissions Student-athletes may not receive payment or compensation in any form from any source in exchange for their complimentary admissions to Richmond athletic events. A violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action from the NCAA and the University, including dismissal from the team and loss of athletics grant-in-aid. Appearances Student-athletes shall not allow their name, picture, or likeness to promote a commercial business, enterprise or venture. Also, student-athletes shall not make a public appearance in support of an institutional, charitable or educational agency without prior written approval from the Director of Athletics. Compliance and Student Services Student-athletes shall provide information involving compliance concerns when requested. Also, student-athletes shall report any University, NCAA, or conference rules violations and cooperate fully with any investigation of alleged violations. Additionally, student-athletes shall participate in all mandatory educational and life skills programs. Travel Student-athletes shall conduct themselves in a manner that reflects favorably upon the University when traveling as official representatives of the University. Student-athletes are expected to follow all dress code, nutrition, and curfew rules while traveling. Student-athletes are also expected to depart and return with their team unless they are officially released to a parent through a Department of Athletics release agreement. Violations In the event of a violation of the provisions in the Performance Expectations, the Head Coach may dismiss a student-athlete from participating in team activities, including permanently dismissing a student-athlete from the team and cancelling his or her athletics grant-in-aid. Any disciplinary action for a violation of the Performance Expectations is subject to review and approval of the Sport Administrator and Director of Athletics. Student-athletes may request a review of any imposed disciplinary action by first contacting the Sport Administrator.