ATHLETIC CODES and EXPECTATIONS

Zion-Benton High School considers student participation in athletics as a voluntary, non-required activity. Students selected to represent ZBTHS in such extracurricular activities are offered a privilege which may be revoked if the student violates established athletic rules. Athletic rules may be different from established school rules, since student-athletes represent the finest that ZBTHS has to offer. The status and high visibility of student-athletes make them influential as school leaders and as public representatives of their school and community.

The following athletic rules must be followed on a year-round basis by any student desiring to represent ZBTHS in athletic competition. The student-athlete will be penalized for any violation. All rules and penalties imposed on student-athletes for violating training rules are subject to direction and interpretation by the Superintendent or designee. Penalties will carry over from one year to the next and/or from one sport to the next in which the student participates. Also, student-athletes must successfully complete the sport season in which they serve an athletic suspension, or the suspension will be served in full at the beginning of their next sport.

Alcohol and Other Drugs: The use or possession of alcohol or any other drug, that is not a prescription to an athlete, is strictly prohibited. If any coach, administrator or professional staff member has reasonable suspicion that a student-athlete has been using, is under the influence of, or possesses alcohol or any other drug not prescribed by a physician, the student-athlete will be subject to the consequences listed under “All Drug and Alcohol Offenses”. Reasonable suspicion is substantiated by at least two members of the professional staff of ZBTHS. If verified, the student-athlete will be informed that the consequences of the policy will be implemented. If the student-athlete denies any involvement with alcohol/drugs, he/she will be offered the opportunity to substantiate innocence by submitting to a drug test. Prior to testing, every effort will be made to notify the parents/guardians. Also, school staff will strive to maintain confidentiality during this procedure. For purposes of the drug test, a local certified healthcare agency will be used. The school will pay for the test and make an appointment for the student.

If the student-athlete accepts the “reverse burden” drug test, and results are negative, all allegations will be dropped. If the student-athlete refuses testing, the reasonable suspicion standard will be adhered to and the consequences of the policy will be implemented.

Drug Testing: All student-athletes at ZBTHS are subject to drug tests. A brief description of the program is listed below. A complete rundown of the program will be given at the beginning of every school year during the new athlete meeting. These tests are conducted on a random basis with the following exceptions:
1) When there is reasonable suspicion and an athlete accepts the reverse burden procedure as detailed above;
2) An athlete has tested positive previously within the last year;
3) An athlete has had an athletic code violation relating to drugs or alcohol; or
4) The student has self-reported to the Athletic Director or a coach.

When randomly selected, student-athletes will be given a pass to the testing site the day of the test. Students who receive a pass are required to report to the testing site or they will be judged as testing positive. Any student refusing to be tested will likewise be judged as testing positive. Students are required to provide a proper sample (both in amount and purity). If the student-athlete cannot provide a proper sample, the Athletic Director will decide between waiting, allowing the student-athlete to return to class and having the test done later that day, on a future day or testing at the next all-school date. If the student-athlete tries to alter their urine sample or substitute someone else’s urine, it will be considered a positive test.

If the test is taken and it is found to be negative, the Athletic Department will send home a congratulatory letter within the week. If the result is positive, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) from the testing agency will contact the student-athlete who was found to be positive. If the MRO should call you, please be sure to return their call. They are there to protect the student-athlete’s rights and to research the possibility that a prescription may have caused the positive drug screen. After the MRO has made their final ruling (which they are required to do within three days of contacting you), the school will follow through with the terms of the athletic suspension, if the drug test is found to be positive.

All Drug and Alcohol Offenses (including reasonable suspicion cases) will minimally be subject to the following consequences:

First Occurrence – minimum – suspension from competition for 1/3 of a season and enrollment in and successful completion of a counseling program.
Second Occurrence – minimum – suspension from competition for 2/3 of a season and enrollment in and successful completion of a counseling program.
Third Occurrence – minimum – suspension from participation for one calendar year with enrollment in and successful completion of a counseling program.
Carry-over Provision – penalties will carry over from one year to the next and/or from one sport to the next sport in which the student participates.

If an athlete has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs, there is an avenue to get help without jeopardizing athletic eligibility. Student-athletes may self-report under the following conditions:
1) The self-referral must come from the athlete.
2) The self-referral must be an honest attempt to seek help and not avoid the consequences of a pending drug test. Therefore, a student-athlete may NOT self-report on the day that they receive a pass to get drug tested.
3) The student-athlete must self-report to the Athletic Director or a coach.
4) Student-athletes who have referred themselves for help must enroll in and successfully complete a counseling program (normally the ZBTHS Student Assistance Program [SAP]).
5) Student-athletes agree to be drug tested every time it is conducted through the ZBTHS Athletic Department for the next year.
6) Student-athletes may only self-report themselves once.

Smoking: The use or possession of tobacco, in any form, is prohibited.

First Offense – minimum – suspension from competition for 20% of a season or a 10% suspension plus one week of public service.
Second Offense – minimum – suspension for 40% of a season or a 20% suspension plus two weeks of public service.
Third Offense – minimum – suspension for 60% of a season plus mandatory enrollment in a Board of Education approved smoking cessation program.
Fourth Offense – minimum – one calendar year suspension.

Stealing: Any substantiated report of stealing, made by school personnel or law enforcement personnel, will result in Athletic Department action.

Penalty – career suspension to a minimum of one-week public service.

School Suspensions: Any school disciplinary action resulting in school suspension will warrant Athletic Department action.

Penalty – career suspension to a minimum of school required penalty.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Reported gross unsportsmanlike conduct before, during or after an athletic contest will result in Athletic Department action.

Penalty – IHSA guidelines will be used in the case of game ejections. This means the student-athlete is minimally ineligible the remainder of the contest plus one additional contest. Other acts will result in a minimum of one-week public service.

Hazing: Initiation or harassment of students is prohibited by State law and school regulations. Incidents of this nature will cause appropriate athletic and school disciplinary action.

Absence from School: Success in school is directly related to school and class attendance. Class participation will make up a percentage of each student-athlete’s grade for which a student must be in attendance to receive the credit. Therefore, you cannot participate in a practice or athletic contest if absent from school during the day, unless excused in advance by the Class Administrator. To qualify for ½ day of official school attendance, and thus qualify for athletic participation, a student must minimally be in school for four complete class periods.

Practice Sessions: All student-athletes are required to attend practice. Absences from practice will result in a team penalty. Each coach will inform the squad about the penalties for missing practice.

Personal Grooming: As representatives of ZBTHS, the impression made on opposing teams and schools is important. The major emphasis on personal grooming will be “neat in appearance.” The head coach, conferring with assistant coaches, will determine the appropriate dress for student-athletes.

Electronic Devices: Any inappropriate or illegal use of any electronic device will cause athletic and school disciplinary action and possible referral to an appropriate law enforcement agency.

Curfew Hours: The City of Zion curfew laws will be followed. In addition, on nights of a game and the night before, the coaches may dictate special curfews. For special events, such as Homecoming, Prom, school plays, etc., extended hours may be granted if requested of the coach by the student-athlete.

Weekdays (Sunday through Thursday) • 11:00 PM
Weekends (Friday and Saturday) • 12:00 Midnight

Situations involving student-athletes not covered under the current policy will be dealt with by the Superintendent or designee on an individual basis.

APPEAL PROCESS
Athletic Council: Will be a one-year appointment, with the Athletic Director as Chairman, Class Administrator, and a blind draw of three head coaches. Two alternate head coaches will be blind drawn to serve, in case a coach is eliminated due to sickness or is coach of the sport the student-athlete is involved in. Student-athletes who wish to appeal their athletic disciplinary action must do so, in writing, to the Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will convene the Athletic Council as quickly as possible after receiving the written appeal, to hear the appeal and render a verdict.

Athletic Council Meeting: The Athletic Council will convene as quickly as possible and follow the guidelines in rendering a decision listed below:

1. Statement of offense by Athletic Director
2. Student-athlete has opportunity to express views
3. Parent or guardian has opportunity to express views
4. Questions are asked by both parties
5. Determination of guilt or innocence
6. Penalty imposed if finding is that athlete violated training rule.

Public Service: Work assigned by the Athletic Department. Examples of public service would be: working at athletic contests, locker room clean-up, preparation of facilities (sweeping, raking diamonds, turning track pits), and officiating at home contests. Public service will be assigned at the discretion of the Athletic Department. A rate of seven hours equals one week.

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