This Code of Conduct establishes the expectations for behavior, sportsmanship, and academics for all athletes, coaches, and families representing the Panthers Elite Track and Field team. Our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where athletes of all ages can develop as successful leaders.

All athletes are expected to:

1. Respect Others

• Treat teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, and spectators with respect.
• No bullying, name-calling, or inappropriate language.

2. Practice Good Sportsmanship

• Accept officials' decisions respectfully.
• Win with humility, lose with dignity.

3. Be Responsible and Prepared

• Arrive on time for practices and meets with the proper gear, equipment, and mindset.
• Follow instructions from coaches as well as team rules.

4. Give Best Effort

• Always give their best effort, regardless of the circumstances.

5. Stay Safe and Healthy

• Avoid fighting, unsafe behavior, and decisions that put your wellness and safety at risk.

6. Maintain Academic Standards

• Prioritize schoolwork and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Communicate with coaches if academic struggles arise.
• Coaches will be checking regularly with parents about athletes' grades.
• Athletes who fall below academic expectations may be required to attend study sessions, reduce competition schedules, or be temporarily suspended from participation until improvement is shown.

Parents/guardians agree to:

• Support their child's academic and athletic growth.
• Encourage positive participation and sportsmanship.
• Model respectful behavior toward coaches, officials, and athletes.
• Refrain from coaching from the sidelines.
• Address concerns privately with coaches (best done during practices and not during meets).

Coaches agree to:

• Provide a safe, positive learning environment.
• Model respect, fairness, and integrity.
• Monitor athletes' academic performance through regular check-ins.
• Support athletes by adjusting schedules when academics must come first.
• Enforce rules consistently and fairly.

Consequences will be age-appropriate, consistent, and focused on teaching responsibility.

• Coach reminds athlete of rule or academic/behavioral expectation.
• Younger athletes (5-10) may receive redirection.

• Athlete may be removed from a practice drill, event, or have limited participation until they demonstrate improvement. Parent/guardian is informed.
• Younger athletes (5-10) may be returned to their parents for a short break from practice.

• For repeated or serious violations, parents will be notified in writing (via email, text, or GroupMe).
• A meeting will be scheduled with the athlete, parent/guardian, and coach to set goals.

• Athlete may be suspended from practices, meets, or team activities for 1-2 weeks.
• For academic issues, suspension may last until grades improve.

• If behavior or academic neglect continues, or if serious misconduct occurs (fighting, harassment, drug/alcohol use), the athlete may be dismissed from the team.
• Final decision rests with coaching staff and team administrator.

For severe offenses such as fighting, bullying, etc, the coaches have the right to advance to Steps 4 and 5, and skip Steps 1-3, at their discretion.

Parents may request a review of disciplinary actions (suspension or removal) with the Head Coach (Coach Tyrone).

All athletes and parents/guardians must sign this Code of Conduct before the season begins, confirming their commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.

*regardless of age, please have your athlete sign this after reading it to them or having them read it. If you have multiple athletes, please complete a separate form for each one.