ATHLETICS | COVENTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS CODE OF CONDUCT

We believe that our athletic pursuits must submit to the call of Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Even in athletics, our goal is to glorify God.

The purpose of the Coventry Christian Schools athletic program is to provide students with an opportunity to glorify God in the athletic arena by:

• Exhibiting the splendor of God's creative power evident in the unique capabilities of the human mind, body, and spirit. (Gen. 1:27) Athletic pursuits are a testament to man’s supremacy over all creation. The superiority of the mind, body, and spirit of man point to the Creator who made us in his own image.
• Developing and exhibiting a strong work ethic. (Col. 3:23-24) Athletes must learn to give every practice and game their best efforts as though working for God in their pursuits.
• Developing and exhibiting exceptional unity and teamwork. (1 Cor. 12:12, John 13:35) All players will learn to work together as a team, valuing the contributions of others and seeking to benefit the team rather than himself/herself.
• Developing and exhibiting self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) Students will learn to be self-controlled in even the most heated competition.
• Loving the opponent. (Rom. 12:16, 17; Gal. 5:26; Eph. 4:29) Students will hold the opponent in higher esteem than themselves, seeking to promote peace, to look first to the needs of the opponent, and to speak only words that encourage him/her.

Although one of the collective goals of our sports programs is to win games, and although we expect that players, coaches, and fans should eagerly desire to win, the desire to win games will never supercede the principal purpose stated above. For we are convinced of what the Lord teaches us in 1 Timothy 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 9:25:

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. . .Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

Interscholastic Sports Disciplinary Policy
All fans, athletes, coaches, and staff are expected to exhibit commitment to the principles outlined above while in attendance or competition at all interscholastic sporting events. Failure to honor these principles will be taken seriously by the coaches, athletic directors, and administration of Coventry Christian Schools.

In an effort to encourage all fans, athletes, coaches, and staff to keep a Christian focus on athletic competition, the following disciplinary strategies will be implemented when an individual fails to live up to the high standards of the CCS interscholastic sports program.

Due to the dynamic nature of athletic competition, an exhaustive list of infractions can not possibly be printed below, but the following will serve as a guide for coaches, the athletic director, and the administration to implement appropriate disciplinary strategies in response to an infractions that may unfortunately occur. These are in addition to the general school behavior policies, which are, of course, also applicable in the athletic arena.

Minor
These offenses and consequences are applicable to all athletes, fans, and staff members. Negative behaviors include but are not limited to:

Obvious displays of arrogance, temper, rudeness, dishonesty or disrespect such as facial expressions, quiet comments, or physical gestures that are not flagrant but violate the code of conduct nonetheless. Such infractions might only be noticed by a few players or fans and the coach or officials but might not even be deemed by the officials as offenses worth penalizing.

Disciplinary action to be administered by the coach (or athletic director if the coach is the offending individual) may include any and/or all of the following:
1. Verbal reprimand by coach, athletic director, or administrator.
2. Time out of or away from the game.
3. A more difficult practice regiment at the next team practice.
4. A meeting with the fan, athlete, or staff member and the athletic director or principal.

Major
These offenses and consequences are applicable to all athletes, fans, and staff members. Negative behaviors include but are not limited to:

Flagrant displays of arrogance, temper, rudeness, dishonesty or disrespect such as yelling or shouting with the intent to berate, insult, complain, or discourage any athlete, official, coach, or opposing fan. Also included would be behaviors resulting in a response from the officials such as a technical foul in basketball and any physically threatening gestures or violence.

Disciplinary action will include all of the following. #1 and #2 may be initiated by any coach, athletic director, or administrator on the premises, depending upon who committed the offense (coaches should primarily take action with players, administrators or athletic directors with coaches or fans, etc.).
1. Removal from the game or bleachers.
2. The individual(s) may be asked to leave the premises.
3. A written or personally delivered apology to any deemed by the coach, athletic director and principal to have been offended by the infraction.

Disciplinary action to be administered by a committee consisting of the coach, athletic director, and principal may include any of the following pending a majority vote of the committee:
1. Suspension from playing in or attending future game(s).
2. Removal from the team for the remainder of the season.
3. Individual may be banned from attending games for the remainder of the season.

Eligibility
Please read the eligibility standards for extracurricular activities in the parent/student handbook for regulations regarding academic performance and athlete eligibility to attend practices and games.