Athletics

McLean County Unit District No. 5 Athletic Code Revised May, 2007

The McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education believes that athletics are an extension of the educational process for its student-athletes. In order to enjoy the privilege of participating in athletics at the Unit 5 schools, each student-athlete and parent/guardian should read and understand the following stipulations. The parent/guardian and student-athlete signatures on the student-athlete’s Athletic Record must be present before participation will be allowed in any practice, game or other activity.

1. Middle school student-athletes must be doing passing work (60% or above) in all subjects.

2. The student-athlete must have a valid physical examination on file in the school office before the beginning of practice. This exam must be current, i.e. dated less than one year from the end of the season in which the student-athlete is to participate.

3. The student athlete must have purchased the student accident insurance or have on file in the Athletic Director’s office a form which verifies adequate coverage by a family or group policy. It is understood that McLean County Unit District No. 5 does not assume financial responsibility for accidents incurred in athletics. It should also be clarified that complete coverage by any single policy is highly improbable; therefore the policy covering any student-athlete should be fully understood prior to participation.

4. Student-athletes must comply with standard training rules: Possession and/or use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, controlled substances and/or related paraphernalia at any time, or aiding and/or abetting others to possess or use, after the very first practice as a Unit 5 student-athlete will be considered as a reason for suspension/removal from an athletic team. Suspension will be defined as not participating in competition. Attendance at any activity involving the illegal use of alcohol, controlled substances or tobacco may result in an investigation leading to an athletic code violation. The following conditions will apply in any situation in which a violation occurs.

• First Violation: A conference will be held including the student-athlete, the parents/guardians, any coaches involved, the Athletic Director and the Associate Principal. The student-athlete will be suspended from the team for the equivalent of one-fourth (1/4) of the regular season games.

• Second-Violation: A conference will be held including those same parties who met as a result of the first violation. The student-athlete will be suspended from the team for the equivalent of one-half (1/2) of the regular season games.

• Third Violation: The student-athlete is removed from all Unit Five athletic programs for the duration of the student’s middle school career. A conference will be scheduled by the Athletic Director to ensure a review process for the student and parents/guardians.

 Unauthorized possession or use of medication or over-the-counter chemical substances by a student-athlete, including but not limited to giving other students medication or over-the-counter chemical substances not prescribed for them, or taking improper dosages of medication or over-the-counter chemical substances, will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. In season or out of season: suspension from the team for one-fourth (1/4) of the entire season.

Coaches may establish additional rules for their respective sports, including rules for conduct. These rules will be communicated verbally and in writing to the student-athletes and will be on file in the Athletic Director’s office.

6. The student-athlete agrees to care for and be responsible for school equipment issued and used. Necessary restitution must be made whenever loss or damage is the student-athlete’s responsibility.

7. The student-athlete agrees to comply with all rules and regulations established by the Illinois Elementary School Association and the Student-Parent Handbooks of the McLean County Unit District No. 5 schools.

8. A season begins with the first day of practice and extends through the final competition for members of that team.

9. To be eligible for an award, a student-athlete must complete the season in good standing.

10. All rules established by this Athletic Permit will be considered to be in effect continually, year around, until the student-athlete completes eligibility or becomes a high school student, which ever is later.