Student Athlete Handbook

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Mt. Lebanon High School athletic programs. Congratulations on becoming an important part of the wonderful tradition and excellence in athletics at Mt. Lebanon. The attainment of this goal carries with it certain traditions and responsibilities that must be maintained. A great athletic tradition is not built overnight; it takes the hard work of many people and many years. As a member of an interscholastic squad at Mt. Lebanon High School, you have inherited a tremendous tradition which you are challenged to uphold.

Our tradition has been to win with honor. We strive to win, but only with honor to our athletes, our schools and our community. Such a tradition is worthy of the best efforts of all concerned. Over many years, our teams have achieved more than their share of league and tournament championships. Many individuals have set records and achieved All-American, All-State and All-Conference honors.

It will be a challenge to contribute to such a great athletic tradition. When you wear the colors of your school, we assume that you not only understand our traditions, but are willing to assume the responsibilities that go with them. However, the contributions you make will be a satisfying accomplishment to you and your family.

1. Responsibility to Yourself: The most important of these responsibilities is to broaden and develop strength of character. You owe it to yourself to derive the greatest benefit from your high school experiences.

2. Responsibilities to Your School: Once established as a Mt. Lebanon Athlete, you have assumed a responsibility to represent your school in a mature manner at all times on and off the playing field. Mt. Lebanon High School cannot maintain its position as an outstanding school unless you do your best in the activity in which you engage. By participating in athletics to the maximum of your ability, you are contributing to the reputation of your school. Make Mt. Lebanon School District proud of you, and your community proud of your school, by consistently demonstrating these ideals.

3. Responsibilities to Others: As a squad member you also bear a heavy responsibility to your family and community. When you know in your heart that you have lived up to all of the training rules, that you have practiced to the best of your ability every day and that you have practiced and played the game all out, you can keep your self-respect and your family and community can be justly proud of you.

The younger students throughout the Mt. Lebanon School District are watching you. As a student athlete, you have a responsibility to be a good role model for the younger students in Mt. Lebanon. Set good examples for them.

 

Athletic Philosophy

A. Statement of Philosophy

The Mt. Lebanon Athletic Program will ensure meaningful athletic opportunities for all students through the direction of highly qualified, dedicated professionals who utilize appropriately equipped, well maintained facilities to develop successful programs that ultimately promote well rounded student athletes who are prepared for adult life in a democratic society.

B. Athletic Goals and Objectives

Our Goal - The student athlete shall become a more effective citizen in a democratic society.

Our Specific Objectives - The student athlete shall learn:

1. To work with others - In a democratic society a person must develop self-discipline, respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice. The team and its objectives must be placed higher than personal desires.

2. To be successful - Our society is very competitive. We do not always win, but we succeed when we continually strive to do so. You can learn to handle defeat only by striving to win with earnest dedication. Develop a desire to excel.

3. To develop sportsmanship - To accept any defeat like a true sport, knowing we have done our best, we must learn to treat others as we would have others treat us. We need to develop desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation and dependability.

4. To improve - Continual improvement is an essential component of good citizenship. As an athlete, you must establish a goal and you must constantly try to achieve that goal. Try to improve in the skills and knowledge required and those personal traits that enhance the success of a team.

5. To enjoy athletics - It is necessary for athletes to enjoy participation, to acknowledge all of the personal rewards to be derived from athletics, and to give sufficiently of themselves in order to persevere and improve the program.

6. To develop desirable personal health habits - To be an active, contributing citizen, it is important to obtain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits, and to develop the desire to maintain this level of physical fitness after formal competition has been completed.

 

 Governance

A. Board of School Directors

The Board of School Directors is the ruling agency for the Mt. Lebanon School District. It is responsible for interpreting the needs of the community and requirements of the professional organization. Additional responsibilities include:

1. Developing policies in accordance with state statutes and mandates in accordance with the educational needs and wishes of the people.

2. Approving means by which professional staff may make these policies effective.

3. Evaluating the interscholastic athletic program in terms of its value to the community.

 

B. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA)

All schools are voluntary members of the PIAA. As a member school district, Mt. Lebanon agrees to abide by and enforce all rules and regulations promulgated by this association.

The primary role of the state association is to maintain rules and regulations that ensure equity in competition for the student/athletes and a balance with other educational programs. The association solicits input and is responsive to requests for rule modification from member schools, appointed committees, and coaches associations.

The state association attempts to enforce such rules that assure the greatest good for the greatest number and to ensure that competition is conducted in an appropriate manner.

 

C. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS consists of the fifty-one individual state high school athletic and/or activities associations. The purposes of the NFHS are to serve, protect, and enhance the interstate activity interests of the high schools belonging to state associations; to assist in those activities of the state associations which can best be operated on a nationwide scale; to sponsor meetings, publications and activities which will permit each state association to profit by the experience of all other member associations; and to coordinate the work to minimize duplication.

The NFHS is both a service and regulatory agency. The growth and influence of state associations and the NFHS ensures some degree of team work on the part of more than 20,000 schools and enables them to formulate policies for the improvement of interscholastic activities.

 

 D. The Athletic League

Mt. Lebanon High School is a voluntary member of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL). This league was established to encourage member schools to improve their co-curricular program in athletics. The conference membership facilitates the arranging of schedules, equalizing competition, and conducting league meets and determining league championships. The conference provides Mt. Lebanon High School the opportunity for competition without excessive travel and with schools of similar size and athletic philosophy. Membership implies abiding by conference schedules, rules and regulations.

 

CONDITIONS OF P.I.A.A. ELIGIBILITY

1. Semester Rule

A pupil shall not represent his or her school in interscholastic athletics if he or she has:

1.1 Been in attendance more than 8 semesters beyond 8th grade.

1.2 Played four seasons beyond 8th grade in any one form of interscholastic athletics.

 

2. Age Rule

A pupil shall be ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition upon attaining the age of nineteen years, with the following exception: If the age of 19 is attained on or after July 1, the pupil shall be eligible, age wise, to compete through that school year.

 

3. Amateur Status Required

In order to be eligible to participate in an interscholastic athletic contest, a pupil must be an amateur in the sport involved. An amateur athlete is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the education, physical, mental, social, and pleasure benefits derived therefrom.

 

Definition of Consideration

Consideration consists of cash, items which are the equivalent of cash items which are a representative of value, and items which have intrinsic value other than those permitted under Section 3 hereof.

 

Loss of Amateur Status

An athlete losses his/her amateur status in an interscholastic sport whenever:

3.1 He/she, or the school or organization which he/she represents, receives compensation, other consideration, or an award not permitted under Section 4 hereof, for or related to his/her athletic ability, performance, participation, or services.

3.2 He/she plays on a professional team or as an individual professional.

3.3 He/she receives consideration for becoming a member of an athletic organization or school.

3.4 He/she signs a contract whereby he/she agrees to compete in any athletic competition for consideration. It is not a violation for a high school baseball player to attend a professional baseball tryout camp, provide (1) that no expenses are paid him and (2) his participation is otherwise in conformity with the National Federation Major-Minor League Agreement.

3.5 He/she accepts compensation or other consideration for teaching, training or coaching in a sport. It is not a violation of this rule for a high school athlete to receive normal and customary compensation for acting as an instructor in or officiating recreational activities or for serving as a lifeguard at swimming areas.

3.6 He/she sells or pawns his athletic achievement awards.

 

Permissible Awards

A school may purchase a sweater, jacket, blazer, blanket, shirt, jersey, watch, ring, scroll, photograph, medal, plaque, or similar trophy, with appropriate instructional insignia or comparable identification, for an athlete who has earned the official school letter or award, and present the same at the time the school award is made.

The sponsor or sponsors of an athletic event or group of events may purchase any of the above for an athlete who has earned the official award for the event or events, and present the same at the time the official award for the event is made.

A non-profit service organization approved by the school principal or the news media, may purchase any of the above items for an athlete, in recognition of his athletic ability or performance, and present the same at the time appropriate to such recognition.

The institutions listed above in this Section 3 may also sponsor athletic banquets to which athletes may be invited, without charging admission to such athletes.

A pupil may accept from an institution of high education which he visits in connection with his prospective or possible attendance there as a student, reasonable expenses necessitated by such visit, and free admission to home athletic events of such institution which occur during visit.

 

How Amateur Status Can Be Regained

A player, who has lost his/her amateur status, may be reinstated by the suspending body after a period of one year from the date of suspension, providing that he/she refrains from all activity prohibited by Section 2 hereof during that year.

All-Star Contests and Contests to Qualify for and/or Determine a Single National High School/Interscholastic Individual Champion or Championship Team (National High School/Interscholastic Championships).

Students who participate in an all-star contest or in national high school/interscholastic championships shall be ineligible for interscholastic athletics in the involved sport for a period of one year from the date of such participation.

P.I.A.A. considers an athletic activity to constitute an all-star contest(s) if either of the following elements is present:

1. Participants qualify for participation in the activity as a result of high school/interscholastic athletic ability, performance, or reputation.

2. Participants are selected by a means other than qualifying for the activity through a try-out session.

 

Requirement for Participation

A. Physical Examination

No student shall be eligible to participate in Practices, Inter-School Practices, Scrimmages and/or Contests unless, the student has completed a comprehensive initial pre-participation physical evaluation (“CIPPE”) performed by an Authorized Medical Examiner, and the Authorized Medical Examiner has completed the PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation form (“CIPPE”).

By signing the CIPPE Form, the Authorized Medical examiner certifies that the student is physically fit to commence Practice and participate in Inter-School Practices or Scrimmages and Contests in that (those) sport(s) approved by the student’s parent.

In certifying whether a student is physically fit to participate in Practices, Inter-School Practices, Scrimmages and Contests in a particular sport(s), the Authorized Medical examiner (a) is expected to have or, if not already in possession of it, obtain, a working understanding of the physical requirements of the sport(s) in which the student is to Practice and participate; (b) should review a health history of the student; and (c) should perform a CIPPE appropriate for the sport(s) for which certification is being sought.

Any student who (1) previously participated in PIAA interscholastic athletic competition pursuant to a CIPPE; and (2) is seeking to participate in Practices, Inter-School Practices, Scrimmages and Contests in subsequent sport(s) in the same school year, must, prior to participation in the next sports season, complete and turn in to that student’s Principal the PIAA Re-Certification by Parent/Guardian form. The Principal, or Principal’s designee, of that student’s school must review the Supplemental Health History of that student and make a determination as to whether that student should be re-evaluated and re-certified by an Authorized Medical Examiner.

The CIPPE shall be performed no earlier than June 1st and shall be effective regardless of when performed during a school year, until the next May 31st.

 

B. Emergency Medical Authorization

Each athlete=s parents shall complete an Emergency Medical Authorization Card giving permission for treatment by a physician or hospital when the parent(s)/guardian(s) are not available. This card will be kept in the medical kit for availability at all practices and contests.

 

C. Parental Acknowledgment of Athletic Policies

Upon entering high school or at the time a student tries out for an athletic team, he/she will be presented with all the necessary forms and information for participating in athletics.

Each parent or guardian and athlete shall read all of the enclosed material and certify that they understand the athletic eligibility rules and policies of the school district. This signed document will be filed in the athletic director's office.

 

D. Insurance

The district maintains a special $1,000 deductible excess accident policy. If a student receives medical services for a sports related injury, the parent must submit all claims to their personal insurance carrier for payment. Costs in excess of the family=s insurance plan that are paid by the family and exceed $1,000 should be submitted to the plan carried by the district. The claim form to submit these costs can be obtained in the Principal=s Office and must be submitted to the insurance carrier within 90 days from the date of the injury.

 

E. Scholastic Eligibility

Only full time students, regardless of age, may participate in scholastic athletics.

To be eligible for interscholastic athletic competition, a pupil must pursue a curriculum defined and approved by the principal as a full time curriculum. Where required, this curriculum or its equivalent must be approved by and conform to the regulations of the State Board of Education and the Pennsylvania School Code as well as any local policies established by the local school board. The pupil must maintain an acceptable grade in such approved curriculum as certified by the principal. Eligibility shall be cumulative from the beginning of a grading period, and shall be reported on a weekly basis.

In order to be eligible for interscholastic athletics, a pupil must pass at least 4 full credit subjects, or the equivalent, during the previous grading period. Back work may be made up, providing it is in accordance with the regular rules of the school.

Any athlete declared ineligible may practice during the period of ineligibility but may not participate in scrimmages/contests with other schools, at any level.

A pupil who has been absent from school during a semester for a total of twenty (20) days shall not be eligible to participate in any athletic contest until he or she has been in attendance for a total of forty five (45) days following his twentieth day of absence. Attendance at summer school does not count toward the sixty days.

Ninth grade pupils are eligible to compete on varsity athletic teams provided the decision is made at the beginning of each season and announced by the principal.

Students may not practice or compete while under suspension.

 

F. Risk of Participation

All athletes and parents must realize the risk of serious injury which may be a result of athletic participation. Mt Lebanon School District will use the following safeguards to make every effort to eliminate injury:

1. Conduct a parent/athlete meeting prior to the start of the season to fully explain the athletic policies and to advise, caution and warn parents/athletes of the potential for injury.

2. Maintain a continuing education program for coaches to learn the most up-to-date techniques and skills to be taught in their sport.

3. Instruct all athletes about the dangers of participation in their respective sports.

 

G. Financial Obligations and Equipment

1. Uniforms - In several sports, athletes will be required to purchase a portion of the game uniform which will become their property.

2. Equipment - All athletes are responsible for the proper care and security of equipment issued to them. School-furnished equipment is to be worn only for contests and practice. All equipment not returned in good condition at the end of the season will be subject to a financial penalty.

 

STANDARD PROCEDURES

A. INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENT-ATHLETES

1. Athletes will not be permitted in any area of the building after school except those areas designated by the coaches or athletic director.

2. No practice arrangements, formal or informal, are permitted without the presence of supervisory coaching personnel.

3. Athletes may not practice until proof of a physical exam is on file in the Athletic Office.

4. Athletes are responsible for the rules and regulations presented in this handbook.

 

B. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Please find below critical phone numbers that you might need during your season:

Mt. Lebanon High School - Principals Office - 412-344-2003

Mt. Lebanon Athletic Office - 412-344-2008

Pool - High School - 412-344-3170

Stadium - 412-344-2075

Maintenance - 412-344-2090

Mt. Lebanon Police- 412-344-3400

Emergency- 911

 

C. INJURIES

Following a serious injury, an injury report must be submitted by the coach to the trainer within twenty-four hours. Furthermore, should a serious injury occur, the team doctor is consulted for appropriate disposition. A written statement from the physician and the parent or guardian must be submitted before the student resumes participation in practices or contests.

 

D. TRAINER

The athletic trainer will be responsible for the prevention and treatment of all athletic injuries. Students should report all injuries to the trainer immediately. If a trainer is not present during the injury the student should report the injury to the coach. The coach will then follow the district emergency medical procedure.  

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PLAN 

Athletic Trainers: Dan Stechly, LAT, ATC, MT 

Sarah Corso, MS, LAT, ATC 

Tony Turchetta, MSEd, LAT, ATC

Jess Falvo, MEd, LAT, ATC

Phone Numbers: 

Field House Training Room - 412-344-2078 

School Training Room - 412-344-3275 

Dan Stechly- stecde@upmc.edu - 724-263-3188(c) 

Sarah Corso– sismondos@upmc.edu - 724-344-9115(c)

Tony Turchetta - 724-433-0813(c)

Jess Falvo - 724-421-7023(c)

Mt. Lebanon Athletic Office – Cathy (after September 1) - 412-344-2008 

UPMC (Center for Sports Medicine) - 412-432-3770 

John Grogan, Athletic Director - 412-344-2008; 412-215-5211(c)

Team Physicians:  Dr. Volker Musahl,  Dr. Jeffrey Fleming

 

 E. CANCELLATION OF PRACTICE AND GAMES DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

1. All practices are canceled unless administrative approval is given.

2. Students cannot be required to attend an approved activity/practice during a school closing. Participation must be voluntary.

3. All home activities involving spectators are canceled.

4. If an early dismissal occurs all activities are canceled.

5. No outdoor practice should occur with lightning in the area.

 

F. ELIGIBILITY

The list submitted by the coach will be used to send our eligibility to the other schools that we compete against.

All athletes have their academic progress checked weekly during their season. Athletes declared ineligible will not be permitted to play from Sunday through the end of the next Saturday.

An athlete who is absent from school will not participate in a scheduled game that day unless the athlete has pre-approval from the principal. All student athletes must be in school by 8:00 AM or they will be ineligible for practice or games that day.

In order for students to be excused from classes during the school day for athletic events, they must be present in school from the beginning of the school day.

An athlete may be declared ineligible at any time by the school board, school superintendent, or school principal for any behavior or conditions which may warrant such action after such behavior or conditions have been reviewed by the administrator, the athletic director, and the head coach of the activity involved.

 

G. PROCEDURE OF AWARDING ATHLETIC LETTERING

Basic rules that apply to all prospective athletic letter award candidates:

1. All athletic programs within the school district must comply with all rules and regulations set forth by the Mt. Lebanon School District.

2. An athlete must display sportsmanship and conduct which exemplifies the school to his/her opponents, teammates, and officials.

3. An athlete must conform to all the training rules established by the coach for that given sport.

4. An athlete must have conformed to practice and game regulations as established by the coach in that sport.

5. The athlete must have returned all the equipment issued to the student to the satisfaction of the coach and/or athletic director.

6. In the event of injury or any other legitimate extenuating circumstances, letter awards will be made on the recommendation of the coach to the athletic director.

7. If the person has earned and been awarded a letter and his/her conduct and behavior has been unbecoming, the award letter can be taken away.

8. Each participant must satisfactorily complete the season, including individual and team post season competition.

9. Additional requirements for earning a letter will be determined by the head coach. The coach will file with the athletic director these requirements prior to the start of the season.

 

H. Transportation

The school district will provide transportation to all away contests. The expectation for all of our student-athletes is that they ride the bus to and from all contests. In case of a true emergency, a travel release form is available in the athletic office. This form must be completed by the student=s parent or guardian and returned to the athletic office at least 24 hours in advance.

 

Athletic Codes of Conduct

It is the belief of the Mt. Lebanon School District that high standards of conduct and citizenship are essential in maintaining a sound program of athletics. The welfare of the student is our major consideration and transcends any other consideration.

All athletes shall abide by a code of conduct which will earn them the honor and respect that participation and competition in the interscholastic program affords. Any conduct that results in dishonor to the athlete, the team or the school will not be tolerated. Acts of unacceptable conduct tarnish the reputation of everyone associated with the athletic program.

Code of Conduct

CO-CURRICULAR PARTICIPANTS

STUDENT PLEDGE

As a member of a co-curricular activity at Mt. Lebanon School District, you should be fully aware that participation in our co-curricular program is a privilege not a right.

As a representative of the Mt. Lebanon School District, your actions should be examples of our approved core values and citizenship initiatives.

Core Values

    Respect human dignity (respect for self and respect for others)
    Demonstrate active responsibility for the welfare of others
    Integrate individual interests and social responsibilities
    Demonstrate integrity
    Apply moral principles when making choices and judgments
    Seek peaceful resolution of conflict

Citizenship Expectations

    Represent the positive values of pride, discipline, honesty and perseverance
    Develop a proper perspective of the activity
    Exemplify the qualities of sportsmanship
    Emphasize the importance of working as a team
    Stress a healthy lifestyle including the importance of proper nutrition and refraining from the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco
    Participate in community service. Instilling the values of teamwork and team building outside the co-curricular activity

 

Penalties for Violation

When serious violations of the Code of Conduct occur, the athletic director and principal will meet to determine the penalty according to the degree of the infraction. Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in the temporary or permanent loss of program participation.

Drugs/Alcohol Policies

As an athlete you cannot compromise athletic participation with substance abuse. Students have to decide if they want to be athletes. If you do wish to be an athlete, you must make the commitment to be substance free in order to be a competitor. This commitment will not be easy because of the many social pressures you will face.

Mt. Lebanon School District is committed to the maintenance of an academic environment free from all forms of drug and alcohol abuse. No student shall distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, a malt beverage, fortified wine or other intoxicating liquor or unlawfully manufactured, distribute, dispense, possess, or use or be under the influence, except for a valid medical purpose, of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic substance as defined by law, before, during or after school hours at school or in any other school district location. School district location means in any school building or on any school premises, on any school-owned vehicle used to transport students to and from school or school activities, off school property at any school-sponsored or school-approved activity, event or function such as field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of the school district.

A student who violates the terms of this policy may be disciplined, suspended or expelled from school, at the discretion of the School Board in accordance with prescribed school policies, guidelines and regulations applicable to student offenses.

Steroids - Any student involved in school-related athletics is prohibited from the use of anabolic steroids, except for a valid medical purpose. Body building, muscle enhancement of athletic ability is not a valid medical purpose.

 

NON-SCHOOL RELATED DRUG AND ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS
Background

The Mt. Lebanon School District recognizes the value of interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities as an integral part of the total school experience for all students and as a conduit for community involvement. The District believes that high standards of conduct and citizenship are essential for students and considers participation in extracurricular/interscholastic activities, which include but are not limited to interscholastic, club and intramural athletics, student organizations, attendance at school functions such as sporting events, dances, musical and theatrical performances, activities office, and participation in commencement ceremonies ("School Activities") to be a privilege and not a right. The District recognizes the importance of students making healthy and safe choices, when in a position to make a decision about risky social behaviors. The Mt. Lebanon School District has the right to adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations regarding participation in extracurricular/interscholastic activities.

Objective

It is the objective of this policy to establish fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations regarding off-campus, non-school related conduct for all students and provide the student and his/her parent/guardian with notice that such off-campus, non-school related conduct will be subject to discipline by the School District in the form of restrictions from School Activities.

Policy

Students will be restricted from School Activities for a prescribed period of time for any of the following conduct that is confirmed to have occurred off-campus at a non-school related function: Use, possession, sale, distribution, or procurement of any amount of alcohol, drugs, other-controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) or drug paraphernalia or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications). Confirmation of such conduct may originate through information lawfully received by the district from law enforcement or judicial sources, such as notice of the issuance of a citation, through the student's own admission, or the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) through acknowledgment. This policy is applicable to all School Activities.

This policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any School District policies, codes of conduct, student handbooks, or other rules concerning discipline and restriction from School Activities for drug and alcohol offenses occurring on School District property or at school related events. This policy shall not apply to religious events or ceremonies or circumstances where the student's use, possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs is not in violation of the law.

First Offense

    1. Use, possession, sale, distribution, or procurement of any amount of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) or drug paraphernalia or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) by a student off-campus at a non-school related function results in a restriction from School Activities for 30 calendar days.

    2. The balance of the consequence will be rescinded for the first offense ONLY if the student undergoes a drug and alcohol evaluation by a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, which shall not be at the District's expense.

        a. Upon written confirmation that the drug and alcohol evaluation was completed and satisfactory evidence is provided that the student has complied/will comply with all recommendations contained within the evaluation, the student can resume participation in extra-curricular activities and events.

        b. Satisfactory evidence from the licensed drug and alcohol counselor must indicate that the student has complied with and/or made arrangements to comply with all treatment recommendations resulting from the assessment (i.e., counseling sessions, inpatient treatment, etc.)

    3. Prior to rescinding the restriction from school activities, the student will need to complete a minimum 3 hour community service project as determined by the coach/club sponsor (if applicable) and the Principal, or his/her designee

 Second Offense

    1. Use, possession, sale, distribution, or procurement of any amount of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) or drug paraphernalia or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) by a student off-campus at a non-school related function results in a restriction from School Activities for 30 calendar days.

 Subsequent Offenses

    1. Use, possession, sale, distribution, or procurement of any amount of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) or drug paraphernalia or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) by a student off-campus at a non-school related function results in a restriction from school activities for 60 calendar days excluding summer break.

 Procedures

    1. Timely, factual communication between the sponsors (where applicable) and school administrations critical. if a coach, club sponsor, activites/athletic director, or administrator will inform other involved parties (unit principal, athletic/activities director, coach, club sponsor).

    2. The Principal or his/her designee will schedule a meeting with the parents(s)/guardian(s) and student to discuss the consequence(s) as it relates to the offense and afford the appropriate due process as reasonable determined by the Principal or his/her designee.

 

Administration Responsibilities

It shall be the responsibility of the Administration to communicate and enforce the policy as prescribed.

 

Communication

This policy shall be communicated to:

    1. All Mt. Lebanon School District Parents and Students

    2. All District Staff

 Refer to the Mt. Lebanon High School Parent and Student Handbook Appendix B for more specific information.

 

 Hazing

Students are prohibited from organizing, soliciting, aiding or participating in any type of hazing for any class, school-sponsored club, activity, or athletic team. Hazing is any intentional, knowing or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliation with, holding office or maintaining membership in any class, school-sponsored club, activity, or athletic team. Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or belonging to a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers, regardless of the persons willingness to participate. Students are required to report any known or suspected form of hazing to a principal immediately. Disciplinary action including, but not limited to, permanent removal from the class, club, activity, or athletic team, may be taken against any students who organize, participate in, and/or fail to report a hazing rite.

 

Sportsmanship

Student-athletes who are good sports are positive role models within our school and the community at large. A good sport knows that athletic competition builds character and shapes lifetime attitudes. You, in turn, experience additional educational and leadership benefits that come from participation in sports.  

Integrity, fairness and respect - these are the principles of good sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of the results.

Working to that end, we join with the PIAA to support a program called ASportsmanship: The only missing piece is you!@ This is a program designed to positively change behavior in our schools and reinforce and reward the need for sportsmanship as one of the values taught through educational athletics.

As an athlete at our school, your sportsmanship goals should include:

    Developing a sense of dignity under all circumstances;
    Respecting the rules of the game, the officials who administer the rules and their decisions;
    Respecting opponents as fellow students and acknowledging them for striving to do their best while you seek to do your best at the same time;
    Looking at athletic participation as a potentially beneficial learning experience, whether you win or lose;
    Educating other students and fans to understand the rules of the contest, and the value of sportsmanship;
    Accepting the personal responsibility that comes with your actions during competition.

You are the spokesperson for our school when you represent us in athletic competition. Your actions are viewed by family and friends, opposing fans, the local community and media. Your display of good sportsmanship will show the most positive things about you and our school and will remind us all that in the end, sports is meant to be fun.

NCAA GUIDELINES

GUIDE FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETES

The best advice that can be given if you plan to compete athletically at the collegiate level is to start asking questions. Find out if you're on track to meet academic eligibility and core-course requirements. See what the graduation rates of the athletics programs and the athletes in your sport are at the colleges in which you are interested. Ask what academic support services are available and how academic progress is tracked.

You will notice that not one of the above questions deals with the athletics side of being a student-athlete. Instead of focusing on which college can lead to a career in the pros, consider that:

There are nearly one million high school football players and about 500,000 basketball players. Of that number about 150 make it to the NFL and about 50 make it to the NBA.

Less than three percent of college seniors will play one year in professional basketball.

The odds of a high school football player making it to the pros at all, let alone having a career, are about 6,000 to 1; the odds for a high school basketball player are about 10,000 to 1.

Take a hard look at these numbers and think about what will matter in the long run. A college education!!!

See the complete 2015-16 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete at this address:

http://mrhs.ucps.k12.nc.us/documents/NCAACollege-BoundAthlete.pdf

Or for more information, visit the NCAA website at:

http://www.ncaa.org

NIL Eligibility

Each student-athlete is required adhere to the requirement of Articles I through X of the PIAA Bylaws to maintain Amateur Status and therefore, the student-athlete and parent/guardian need to review all eligibility requirements set forth in the PIAA Constitution and Bylaws.

 

Amateur Status and Awards

Section 1. Amateur Status Required.

 To be eligible to participate in an Inter-School Practice, Scrimmage, and/or Contest, a student must be an amateur in the sport involved. An amateur student is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the educational, physical, mental, social, and pleasure benefits derived thereof and does not receive monetary or similar or equivalent compensation or remuneration for such participation. Where the official rules for a sport provided for under ARTICLE XVIII of these Bylaws establish requirements for amateur status, such requirements shall govern to the extent inconsistent with this ARTICLE II.

Section 3: J: Name, Image, and Likeness: Adopted December 2022

Students may receive Consideration for the use of their own name, image, and likeness (NIL). Such permissible activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product or service advertisements, and unique digital items/assets. NIL contracts/agreements need to come from analysis of the value an athlete brings for providing a specific service/activity, not as an incentive for enrollment decisions or membership on a team. Within 72 hours after entering into any type of NIL contracts/agreements, a student, or the student’s parents/guardians must notify the Principal or Athletic Director of the student’s school of entering into that agreement.

 No school or anyone employed by or affiliated with a member school, including booster clubs, coaches, collectives, administrators, and alumni, may solicit, arrange, negotiate or pay for a student’s, other than their own child, use of their NIL and/or the provision of Consideration to a student for the use of their NIL.

In engaging in NIL activities, students may not make any reference to PIAA or a PIAA member school (including the school and/or team name, nicknames, terms by which a school or team is commonly referred or identified, logo) and may not wear school uniforms or school-identifying apparel or items). Students may not endorse or promote any third-party entities, goods, or services during team/school activities. Students may not wear the apparel or display the logo, insignia, or identifying mark of an NIL partner during any team/school athletic activities unless it is part of the standard school uniform for that sport.

Students may not engage in any NIL activities involving, displaying or endorsing the following categories of products and services: (1) Adult entertainment products and services; (2) Alcohol products; (3) Casinos and gambling, including sports betting, the lottery, and betting in connection with video games, on-line games and mobile devices; (4) Tobacco and electronic smoking products and devices; (5) Opioids and prescription pharmaceuticals; (6) Controlled dangerous substances; (7) Weapons, firearms and ammunition.