The primary purpose of the athletic program in the Iroquois School District is to promote the physical, social, emotional and moral well-being of the participants. It is hoped that athletics in our school will be a positive force in preparing youth for an enriching and vital role in American life.

Iroquois High School is a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and subscribes to the philosophy and intent of its by-laws. The PIAA by-laws that pertain to age, awards, attendance, health, transfers and residence, participation, representation, curriculum, and seasonal rules will be followed. Each coach is responsible to know the rules, inform team members and parents, and to enforce them.

Student-athletes in the Iroquois School District must keep in mind that they are always in the public eye and that their personal conduct will always be subject to the scrutiny of their fellow students, fans, opponents, and the media. They, therefore, have an obligation to serve as positive role models by subscribing to the following:

1. Showing respect for authority and property.
2. Maintaining academic eligibility and training rules.
3. Emphasizing the ideals of sportsmanship, loyalty, ethical conduct and fair play.
4. Understanding that striving to win is important to success in athletics just as in every facet of life.

Any display of unsportsmanlike behavior toward an opponent, official, coach, spectator or school personnel during the season will result in counseling by the coach and/or the school district and possible suspension from the team.

Academic eligibility for athletic activities is based on the premise that academic performance is the keystone of the curriculum and the standard against which participation is measured.

1. To be eligible for interscholastic athletics, a student must pursue a minimum four-year approved curriculum as outlined by the high school principal.
2. Eligibility shall be cumulative from the beginning of a grading period and shall be reported on a weekly basis.
3. A student must be passing a minimum of four (4) credits in order to participate in the Athletic Program. Since Iroquois is in a block schedule, each one credit in an intensified course will count for two credits for PIAA academic eligibility.

1. The athletic department will provide (to the high school principal) a list of all students involved in the interscholastic athletic program for each season.
2. The principal, each Friday, will provide staff members with the names of students participating in interscholastic athletics. Staff members are to report failures before the close of the school day. The grades should be cumulative from the beginning of the marking period and conclude at the end of the marking period.
3. The principal or his secretary will compile athletic eligibility reports which will be distributed to the coaching staff by the athletic director.
4. In the event that a student has failed to pass two or more classes in an intensified block schedule, he/she is ineligible to participate in contests for a period of one week. At the discretion of administration, ineligible student may practice with their team. The weekly ineligibility begins and ends on Monday of each week at 8:00 a.m.
5. In accordance with PIAA by-laws, any student who is not passing at least two (2) or more courses in an intensified block schedule at the end of a grading period will be ineligible for the first fifteen (15) days of the next grading period.
6. These academic eligibility requirements are applicable to all students participating in the athletic program in grades 7 through 12 at Iroquois Junior-Senior High School.

A student must be in their first period classroom prior to the bell ringing and remain in school the balance of the day in order to actively participate in an athletic contest/practice on that day. If the student has an approved medical appointment, an exception will be made. The student must present a signed statement from the doctor to the principal and a copy to the athletic director regarding the absence. College visitation, funerals, and other extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis.

If a student is absent the last school day of the week, and the competition is on the following non-school day, the student must have administrative and parental permission to participate. It is also recommended that the coach call the parent regarding the absence.

A student who has been injured and has had medical treatment cannot participate until medical clearance has been granted in writing by the parent and the physician.

Each member of any team is required to make a commitment to that sport during the season. Part of thatcommitment involves being at every scheduled practice and contest throughout the season. Unexcused absence from scheduled practices/contests will result in:

1. Counseling by the head coach and notification of parents, if necessary.
2. Suspension from the team and possible dismissal for the remainder of the season if subsequent violations occur. Suspension is at the discretion of the coach; dismissal requires administrative knowledge and approval.

Athletes must travel to and from contests in transportation provided by the school. The only exceptions are:

1. Injury to participant which would require alternate transportation.
2. Prior arrangement made in writing between the participant's parent and the coach for the student to ride with the parent/guardian.
3. When the principal has granted permission for alternate transportation.

Equipment and uniforms are issued to students on a loan basis and are to be worn only when authorized by the coach. If any of the equipment is not personally returned at the conclusion of the season, an obligation will be issued to the student for the fair cost of replacement. The student will not be eligible for athletic awards and will not be permitted to participate in any future athletic season until the obligation is resolved to the satisfaction of the athletic department.

In order for the student-athlete to be eligible for a letter, team and/or individual awards, the athlete is required to complete the sports season, including post-season playoffs, tournaments, and exhibitions. The exception will be illness and/or injury which limits participation. No awards will be given to any student suspended and/or dismissed for the remainder of the season for "Student Conduct Policy" violations. All athletic candidates must be active participants in a sport prior to the third week of practice.

The use and/or possession of alcohol and other drugs on school property, or within the school authority, is a violation of school rules.

1. Drug paraphernalia are not permitted in the schools.
2. Items will be confiscated, parents will be notified, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken following school district established guidelines.

The Iroquois School District considers participation in athletic competition to be a privilege and not a right. Students choosing to participate in athletics are expected to accept the responsibilities which accompany the privilege. Among these responsibilities is the obligation to be drug, alcohol and nicotine-free on a year-round basis. Toward this end, students participating in Iroquois athletics are required to cooperate with and agree to testing for drugs and/or alcohol in accordance with the School District Policy on drug and alcohol testing.

As an athlete, a student is a representative of the school district and the community at large. The district recognizes our athletes as role models for younger students who frequently model their own conduct and lifestyle on that of the student-athlete. Thus, when a student chooses to participate in athletics, he or she has also chosen to accept to be a role model, and with that choice comes the responsibility of living a drug, alcohol, and nicotine-free lifestyle.

1. The district recognizes that drugs, alcohol, and nicotine have a serious and deleterious effect on motivation, memory, judgment, reaction time, coordination and performance and that continued or long-term usage of these substances can compound these problems and affect the user academically, medically, emotionally, as well as athletically.
2. The purpose of this policy is not to punish students. It is not the intention of this policy to penalize a student who is taking amedication prescribed by a licensed physician for treatment of a medical condition.
3. The district wants to provide a legitimate excuse for students to refuse to consume or use drugs, alcohol or nicotine and to provide assistance for those who have a problem with the substances.
4. It is not the intention of this policy for school district officials to report any positive test results to the law enforcement, or any officials outside the school district, without a subpoena (which the school district will not initiate), unless the student violates other policies, such as bringing prohibited substances, or paraphernalia onto school property, etc.

Drug - Any substance considered illegal or controlled by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States Government or the Food and Drug Administration; or any controlled substance which has as one of its effects, the enhancement of athletic performance, including but not limited to steroids. For purposes of this policy, this definition includes the use of tobacco products, which are prohibited by the school district for all student-athletes. This policy includes beer, wine, and/or liquor and any substance containing ethyl alcohol to the extent that it can impair judgment or function if taken in sufficient quantities.

Student-Athlete - Any student choosing to participate on an athletic team or cheerleading squad (including managers, student trainers, student aides, etc.).

Athletic Year - The athletic year begins the date of the first official physical examination for that sport and continues for 365 days thereafter. Each student participating in athletics at Iroquois agrees to be tested at any time, or any number of times, during the athletic year.

Sanctions are intended to apply to participation in PIAA sanctioned interscholastic sports and to any Iroquois sponsored or sanctioned sports activity. If a student's test indicates that this policy has been violated, or if a student has been observed in possession of drugs or using drugs, or if a student has been observed in possession of alcohol, using alcohol, or under the influence of alcohol, or if a student refuses to take a test upon request, then the following sanctions shall apply:

The student shall be immediately dismissed from the team on which he or she is currently participating. If the student is not currently participating in a sport, then the student shall be required to miss the entire season for the next sport in which the student normally would participate, even if that sport takes place the following school year. The district will consider past participation, sign-ups and participation in off-season events as evidence of intent to participate. The district will not accept an unsupported, first-time, after-the-fact statement of intent to participate in a new sport.

1. If a student is participating in an Iroquois sponsored or sanctioned sports activity, which is not a PIAA sanctioned interscholastic sports activity, and tests positive, the student shall immediately be dismissed from the activity and shall be prohibited from participating in the next PIAA sanctioned interscholastic sport in which the student would normally participate. The district will consider past participation, sign-ups and participation in off-season events as evidence of intent to participate. The district will not accept an unsupported, first-time, after-the-fact statement of intent to participate in a new sport.
2. The student is required to undergo drug counseling, with a counselor or program approved by the district, without expense to the district. The student is required to comply with all recommendations of the counselor prior to applying for re-admittance to the Iroquois athletic program.
3. After the student misses the athletic season required by this policy and completes the counseling and satisfies the administration of the student's intention to remain drug, alcohol and nicotine-free, the student may be re-admitted to the Iroquois athletic program, but shall not practice or participate in any athletic activities until the student has first been tested as specified by the MRO and tests drug free.
4. In the event of a second violation of this policy, the student shall be permanently prohibited from participating in any Iroquois athletic event.
5. A record of the positive test as well as the student's subsequent compliance with counseling, retesting, etc., shall be maintained at school, but shall not be included in information provided to colleges, employers, the armed services, etc. and shall remain in an envelope within that file marked "confidential".
6. Unless it is apparent that the prohibited substance was possessed, used or consumed on school premises or while engaged at a school-sponsored activity, no further sanctions, such as suspension or expulsion from school shall apply.

Nothing in this policy shall curtail or render ineffective any other existing policy of this district with regard to the possession or use of illegal substances or paraphernalia or those policies dealing with expected behavior of students on school property or while engaged in school-sanctioned activities.

1. First Violation
   • If a student is found selling or providing drugs, narcotics, or alcohol, he/she will be dismissed from the Iroquois athletic program for the balance of his/her high school career.

1. Minimum Penalties for Students
   • First Violation - Suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season.
   • Second Violation - Suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season and the following season.
   • Third Violation - Permanent suspension from school athletics.
2. Eligibility for Participation in School Athletics

• a. No student shall be eligible to resume participation in school athletics unless there has been a medical determination that no residual evidence of steroids exists.
• b. The administration of the school may require participation in any drug counseling rehabilitation, testing, or other program as a condition for reinstatement into the school's athletic program.

Violations of the Iroquois School District "Student Discipline Standards Handbook" which require administative action will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the specific sections as outlined in the manual.

1. For example, if a violation involves in-school suspension (ISS) or out of school suspension (OSS), then said athlete will be suspended from active participation (attendance required) in practice/contests throughout the suspension period.
2. It should be clearly understood that the same standard of behavior and discipline for the regular student shall be the minimum acceptable level for the student-athlete and any violations of the "Student Discipline Standards Handbook" may result in forfeiture of the privilege to participate on an Iroquois athletic team.

Any additional disciplinary rules and regulations developed by the head coach of any sport must be approved by the principal and athletic director prior to the season. These additional rules and regulations must be in writing and on file in the athletic office.

1. Student-athletes should leave all valuables at home or with coaches, not in the locker room.
2. Student-athletes should be neatly groomed and properly dressed when traveling to any contest.
3. No athlete may quit one sport and try out for another after the season has begun without mutual consent of both coaches and the athletic director.
4. Any civil law infraction or conduct by a student-athlete that occurs during a sport season that is determined by the administration to be detrimental to the athletic program or the school district will result in counseling by the school administration and head coach and possible suspension/dismissal from the team.

The "Rules and Regulations for the Student-Athlete" have been approved by the Iroquous Administration and the Board of School Directors and shall apply to any violations, on and off school premises.