Russ Collegiate Prep Academy Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that positively represents the Academy and its educational mission, to follow all Academy regulations as outlined in the Academy handbook and to follow all federal, state, and local laws.
In addition, students associated with the Russ Collegiate Prep Academy program and all participating student athletes will also be held accountable for all NCAA, NPGAA Conference rules as well as athletic department and team rules.
Participation in intercollegiate athletics is a privilege and not a right. To maintain that privilege student athletes must follow the above guidelines and conduct themselves as role models who exemplify good character at all times. All student athletes are also expected to adhere to the highest standards expected by the Academy , the NCAA, NPGAA Conference, and the department of athletics in competition and practice, on campus, and in the community.
The athletics program promotes personal growth and education of students through athletics participation and expects academic integrity, good sportsmanship, citizenship, and positive team membership from all participants. Russ Collegiate Prep Academy has adopted this Code of Conduct to ensure all athletes are held (at a minimum) to the same standard and they understand the minimum consequences associated with each violation.
Any violation of the Code of Conduct by a student-athlete must be reported to the head coach, assistant head coach within 24 hours of the incident year-round, including breaks, summer, and off-seasons. Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to:
1. Academic Dishonesty
This is any violation of the Honor Code including cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, multiple submissions, facilitating academic dishonesty, or any other academic misconduct.
2. Violence
Students are prohibited from engaging in any act of violence that violate college regulations or law. Physical or verbal abuse of teammates, coaches, opposing students, officials, faculty, and spectators will not be tolerated. This includes illegal, disruptive or disorderly conduct, assault of a person or property, offensive or anti-social behavior or harassment none of which will be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the program. Russ Collegiate Prep Academy strives to maintain a safe environment for each of its participating athletes.
3. Alcohol and Prohibited Acts
This includes the illegal consumption of alcohol under the age of 21, public intoxication, using a false form of identification to purchase or be served alcohol, providing alcohol to minors, violation of team rules on alcohol, and consuming alcohol during team travel.
4. Drugs
This includes possession or use of illegal drugs defined by law, possession or use of controlled substances defined by law, and the use of tobacco products by student-athletes during practices or competitions.
5. Hazing
Any act of hazing is strictly prohibited. The NCAA defines hazing as “Any act committed against someone joining or becoming a member or maintaining membership in any organization that is humiliating, intimidating or demeaning, or endangers the health and safety of the person. Hazing includes active or passive participation in such acts and occurs regardless of the willingness to participate in the activities. Hazing creates an environment/climate in which dignity and respect are absent. ”
6. Cyberspace
Offensive or inappropriate photos, comments, or material posted technologically that violates the Code of Conduct, the Russ Prep Collegiate Prep Academy Policy Against Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence, or the law are strictly prohibited along with public statements that demean an opponent, team member, coach or another institution.
7. Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence
The NCAA recognizes that the “prevalence and damaging effects of sexual violence on college student-athletes are extreme and unacceptable.” Violations of Russ’s Policy Against Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence, such as dating violence, sexual harassment, stalking, or sexual assault threatens the personal safety, educational experience, and the well-being of members of the Russ Collegiate Prep Academy community. Any such behavior is strictly prohibited and grounds for removal from the program.
8. Poor Sportsmanship and Disrespect
Student-athletes are expected to behave with the utmost respect for themselves, their teammates, their coaches, opposing coaches and students, officials, faculty, and spectators. Disrespect or poor sportsmanship in the form of negative verbal expression (including profane or vulgar language), gestures or actions will not be tolerated. All people deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and concern for their well-being regardless of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, ethnicity or national origin. Any behavior exhibiting harassment on the basis of any of these characteristics is prohibited and are grounds for removal from the program.
9. Failure to Meet Team Obligations
Team members must meet all team requirements including attending team practices, events, meetings and competitions as well as following all team rules.
Sanctions for violations include but are not limited to:
- First Offense – Meeting with coach and written warning
- Second Offense – Meeting with coach, probation and community service
- Third Offense – Suspension from program (7 days)
- Fourth Offense – Expulsion from the team and/or athletic department activities
Violations accumulate on an annual basis. The owner/head coach may administer sanctions in addition to the above and beyond sanctions administered by the Academy. Sanctions can vary based on the severity of the violations and are at the discretion of the athletic director or head coach (i.e. If the violations are deemed to be particularly severe an athlete may be immediately suspended or dismissed from a program).
