SAHS Athletics Resources > Athletic Handbook: Athletic Department Code of Conduct

Expectations

1. Every student-athlete who represents the Souderton Area School District on an athletic team is expected to conduct himself/herself in such a manner as to reflect positively upon the Souderton Area.
2. Every student-athlete must remember that he or she is a student first, and an athlete second. Participation in athletics is a privilege granted to a student, not a right guaranteed to them. Student-athletes are held to a higher standard than a regular student.
3. Being a member of an athletic team does not entitle any student special privileges in school. Rather, it may carry a burden of being a good school citizen in the face of peer pressure to be a participant in some action that violates school rules. Our student-athletes are expected to set examples of good school citizenship and cooperation, which reflect upon them as an individual and upon all athletes in the Souderton extra- and co-curricular program.

• Out of School Behavior: The use of alcohol or other illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Participants in extra -and co-curricular activities are expected to avoid the consumption, possession, or distribution of tobacco, alcohol, any illegal substances, controlled substance, anabolic steroids, abuse of prescription drugs or look alike drug paraphernalia whether on or off school property. Student-athletes are expected to avoid any affair or activity at which alcohol or any illegal substance is being used or presented with the possible intent of use. Failure to leave such an activity may result in a suspension or removal from the team.
  
  Upon conviction, a plea of guilty, determination of the district administration after an administrative investigation, or a plea of no contest to the consumption, possession, or distribution of tobacco, alcohol, any illegal substances, controlled substance, anabolic steroids, abuse of prescription drugs or look alike drug paraphernalia within 90 days prior to the beginning of the season or during the season will result in the following consequences:.
  • First-time offense will result in the suspension for 3 games. The student-athlete may practice and travel with team. Uniforms may not be worn.
  • Second offense (within your four years of eligibility) will result in a suspension for 6 games. The student-athlete may not practice or travel with team.
  • Third offense (within your four years of eligibility) will result in the revocation of the privilege to participate in any Souderton Area High School Sport.
• Any student-athlete who has been charged with a crime committed on or off school property, which constitutes a summary offense, misdemeanor or felony may be suspended from participation or dismissed from the team by the administration while awaiting the outcome of administrative or legal proceedings. The suspension may last the duration of the season or the entire school year. This may include exclusion of any extracurricular activities or off season training. Upon conviction of a felony or misdemeanor the student-athlete is denied participation or is removed from the team.
• Suspension from school for three (3) or more days for any reason within 90 days prior to the beginning of the season or during the season will require that the student-athlete submit a written request to the building principal for review before the student-athlete may participate in the next sport season, or continue in their present sport season.
• The coach of each athletic team may establish additional rules and procedures which he/she expect his/her team members to follow. The coach may also establish disciplinary action for breach of these rules or procedures.
• The Building Principal, as stated in the student handbook, may deem student-athletes who continually violate school policy, ineligible.

Note: During a suspension from a team, (or if the student-athlete is removed from the team) the student-athlete may not have any contact with the team unless specifically approved by the building principal.