Cobb County School District Administrative Rules
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Student Activities: Sportsmanship JJI 8/10/05
RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

The interscholastic activity program in the Cobb County School District (District) is an important part of the educational process. It provides opportunities for learning experiences in athletics, competitive band, and literary competitions which are difficult to duplicate in other school activities. The activity program teaches attitudes of responsible team play and cooperation. The program provides a vehicle for learning mental and physical self-discipline, loyalty, personal pride in the school, respect for the rights of others, and the will to win.

Participation in interscholastic activity programs in the District is entirely voluntary. The opportunity to participate in the program is extended to all eligible students who are willing to assume the responsibilities congruent with the privilege.

RULE:

GUIDELINES FOR PROPER SPORTSMANSHIP:

A. COACH/TEACHER:
The coach/teacher responsible for the development of activity programs shall abide by the rules of the game in letter and in spirit, respecting the integrity and judgment of activity officials. This includes the following:
    1. The coach/teacher is influential in setting the tone of conduct of students,
        spectators, team members and interested citizens, therefore he/she must visibly show
        that he values fair, honest rivalries, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of
        results.
    2. The behavior of the coach/teacher must at all times be marked by dignity and self-
        control. He must not use provocative language or engage in any actions or remarks
        which would tend to incite the displeasure of the spectators or provoke disorderly
        behavior.
    3. The coach/teacher shall immediately take corrective action on any player/participant
        who intimidates an official or displays unsportsmanlike behavior.

B. ATHLETES/PARTICIPANTS:
Athletes/participants who exercise their privilege to engage in the program shall abide by the rules of the game or contest in letter and spirit, as well as those guidelines established by their administrators and coaches. This shall include:
    1. Maintaining standards of eligibility established by GHSA, State Board of Education, the
        District and the school of attendance.
    2. Being respectful and courteous to visiting teams and officials.
    3. Refraining from disrespectfully addressing officials, antics to intimidate, taunting or
        baiting visiting opponents and using insulting language and/or swearing.
    4. Respecting the integrity and judgment of officials and accepting their decisions
        without question.
    5. Being modest when successful and gracious in defeat.

C. ADMINISTRATORS:
Administrators responsible for hosting activities shall strive to provide the following:
    1. The environment, at the site of contests, should present an atmosphere where
        personal security is assumed for teams, officials and spectators through visibility and
        actions of law enforcement personnel and proper spectator behavior.
    2. The student bodies of the host and visiting schools should show evidence of schooling
        in proper sportsman behavior.
    3. Visiting teams and officials should feel safe before, during and after contests due to
        proper crowd control, easy access to dressing quarters, transportation vehicles and
        escort service when necessary.

Adopted: 8/25/88
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 5/28/92; 8/10/05