Inspiring. Exceeding. Leading.

Code of Ethics
Student athletes must adhere to the code of ethics set out in the Upper School Handbook. All students participating in athletics at Brownell-Talbot will also adhere to the following:

No use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
Be sincere and loyal to the team, school, and coach.
Show respect and cooperate with all teachers and coaches.
Create, maintain, and promote the elements of good sportsmanship.
Set a positive example in school, at home and in competition.

Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship is expected from all Brownell-Talbot student athletes. This demands responsible actions on the part of all participants. In order to promote sportsmanship, players should observe the following guidelines:

Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing your school and your fellow students. Display positive actions publicly at all times.
Cooperate with officials, coaches, and fellow participants to conduct a fair contest.
Respect the judgment of contest officials, abide by the rules of the contest, and display no behavior that detracts from the spirit of good competition.
Shake hands and compliment your opponent after the contest.

Any student expelled from a contest will sit out the next scheduled contest, and be subject to any other discipline as set out in the NSAA rules.

Practice Attendance
Players are expected to be at each and every practice at the times and places designated by your coach. A player in school on the day of practice must have prior approval of the coach to be absent from practice. Players missing practice or late to practice for any reason may be subject to disciplinary actions as set out by the coach. Habitual or excessive absences will result in suspensions from games, loss of letter, or dismissal from the team.

Excused absences include illness or emergency situation. Excused absences (for practices only) with prior approval of team coach include doctor appointments, approved school related activities and college visits.
Unexcused absences include personal appointments, family vacation, studying for tests, driver's license exams, hair appointments.

On a school day, players must be in attendance for at least five periods (except for school related activities) in order to practice that day. Players serving in-school or out-of-school suspensions will not be allowed to practice.

Contest Attendance
Student athletes are expected to attend all games in his or her specific sport, whether participating or not, unless prior permission is granted by the coach. The coach must be notified as far in advance as possible when a player is to be absent from a game.

On a school day, unless prior approval by the coach or upper school principal is given, players must be in attendance for at least five periods in order to compete. A player serving an in-school or out-of-school suspension the day of the game is not eligible to participate that day.

Failure to attend games may result in loss of letter or dismissal from the team.

Training
Players are expected to maintain good physical conditioning. Proper diet, rest, and exercise are necessary for good athletic performance. In keeping with this philosophy, students should adhere to dietary suggestions provided by their coach or the athletic department. To ensure the proper rest, athletes are encouraged to maintain a 10 p.m. weekday curfew.

Substance abuse is highly detrimental to the health and performance of an athlete. Therefore, in addition to the rules regarding tobacco, drugs, or alcohol as stated in the student handbook, the following regulations apply.

Players smoking or using other tobacco products will suffer game suspensions, dismissal from the team, or both as determined by the coach, athletic director, and upper school principal.
Players using alcohol or illegal drugs will result in game suspensions and loss of letter as a minimum. The coach, athletic director, and Upper School principal will determine dismissal from or retention on the team.

In or out of season, including summer, Brownell-Talbot athletes and participants in co-curricular activities are expected to abide by these policies in regard to alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

Brownell-Talbot does not support or encourage performance enhancing drugs or supplements of any kind.

Pre-Season Training
Student athletes are expected to participate in pre-season training, which is invaluable for safety and skill development. Any athlete having an extenuating circumstance, which prohibits him or her from participating in pre-season training, must inform their coach prior to this training period and eligibility for the sport will be determined. If a student is participating on another Brownell-Talbot athletic team during pre-season training, the coaches and student will determine an appropriate pre-season training program for that athlete. Pre-season training is but not limited to summer team camps, weight lifting and individual camps.

Uniforms
Players will adhere to the NSAA rules and guidelines with regard to proper uniform wear. In addition, players will not wear distinctive clothing (socks, etc.) that sets them apart from other team members.

Uniforms will be issued to players before the first contest. A student athlete is responsible for the care and maintenance of all school-issued uniforms and equipment. A student athlete agrees to return all uniforms and equipment in good condition within one week of the end of season. The Business Office must receive payment for lost uniforms. The specific uniform or equipment will determine amount owed to school.

Travel
Transportation to and from athletic events are provided for all athletes competing in the event and managers. Students may ride home with a parent with prior approval of the team coach. At no time are students to ride home with other students from an away contest.

Attire
Coaches will provide guidelines on proper attire during a home or away game. Only prior approval by the coach will allow the players not to follow these guidelines. Dressing like a team and looking professional is a part of the process to being successful as a team.

Conduct
Respect and sensitivity for all participants on trips will be observed. Radios, CD players, or similar devices are permitted only when used with personal headsets. Loud conversations or other disruptive behavior detracts from the comfort and enjoyment of the team and will not be permitted. When boy and girl athletes are traveling together, the coach(s) will separate them in different seating sections. There shall be no public displays of affection.

Academic Eligibility and Responsibility
A student athlete is responsible for arranging his or her schedule to fulfill his or her commitment as an athlete and a team member. A student athlete who leaves school early for an athletic contest is responsible for all academic work missed, including class notes, quizzes, tests, and papers. The student must notify the coach of any tardiness to or absence from practice due to academic reasons.

Academics are a priority at Brownell-Talbot. To insure this, Brownell-Talbot has established guidelines for your participation in athletics.

Players with academic deficiencies may be withheld from competition. Each case will be decided on an individual basis.
Help sessions. Players are encouraged to schedule help sessions as needed with teachers. Inform the coach when you are scheduled for a help session.

Lettering
Each coach will specify exactly how a player earns a letter while participating on a team. The player must also complete the season as a team member. Habitual absences from practices or games, or other team code violations may result in loss of letter.

Participation on Non-Brownell-Talbot Teams
Many students participate on club teams outside of school. The Athletic Department strongly encourages students to get as much experience as possible, and this can be beneficial but also time consuming. A student's school commitment must come first and missing a school practice or game for a club activity is not acceptable and will be considered an unexcused absence. Brownell-Talbot athletic obligations take priority over athletic contests and practices outside of school.

The NSAA places strict restrictions on participating on teams or in athletic contests outside of their school teams during the season of that sport. A violation of this NSAA regulation will make the athlete ineligible for the remainder of the season and will cause his or her Brownell-Talbot team to forfeit any games in which he or she has played. Contact the Activities Director with questions.

NSAA Guidelines
Brownell-Talbot is a member of the Nebraska School Activities Association, which governs all athletic contest rules and regulations for high school athletics. Rules and regulations can be found on the NSAA website at www.nsaahome.org.

NCAA Clearinghouse
All prospective College Division I or II athletes must go through the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Students should:

register at the beginning of their senior year;
graduate from high school.

Grievance Policy
Any student athlete who does not feel he has been given due process in trying out for an athletic team, or after having made the team, or concerning violations of policies, should observe the following guidelines:

The student athlete and/or parent/guardian should first schedule a meeting with the coach of the sport involved. Most problems should be solved at this level. If the explanation provided by the coach is not satisfactory for the student athlete, then proceed to step 2.
The student athlete and/or parent/guardian should then meet with the Activities Director to discuss the situation. If this meeting does not resolve the situation, then proceed to step 3.
The final stage is to meet with the Principal to discuss his or her previous two meetings and why he or she is still not satisfied with the situation.

Student Parent Agreement
Before participation on any team is permitted, all students who wish to participate and their parent(s) shall receive a copy of these Athletic Policy and Guidelines and the individual Sport Guidelines as set out by each coach, and shall sign an agreement indicating that they have reviewed and understand all policies and guidelines. The parent or guardian or the student athlete must also sign this agreement.

Each student athlete must have the required emergency and medical forms completed and on file at the school office before they are allowed to participate in any practices or games. This is a NSAA requirement of all students in Nebraska competing in high school athletics. Forms are available in the front office.

Failure of a student to comply with any of this Athletic Policy and Guidelines could result in disciplinary action and dismissal from the team. Coaches will communicate to the student and his or her parents any disciplinary action resulting in the denial of a student-athlete's participation and the reasons for that action.