For Students

Athletic Code for Middle School Students

The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the District Board of Directors to meet Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) rules and regulations as well as standards set forth by the Olympia School District. All rules and regulations apply to interscholastic activities.

ELIGIBILITY

Previous Semester Rule

A student shall have been in regular attendance in an elementary or middle school during the semester/quarter preceding the season in which the contest is held. A student shall have passed at all subjects in the immediately preceding semester/quarter with a minimum of a C grade. Provided further that exceptions may be granted for those with approved Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

Scholarship

In order to maintain athletic eligibility during the current semester/ quarter, the student shall maintain a C grade in all subjects. A student who has been in regular attendance and has failed to achieve the foregoing grade requirements in either/or the previous or current semester/quarter shall be placed on probation for a period of three (3) weeks; during this time he/she is ineligible for competition. At the end of the probationary period, if the student is passing all subjects with a C grade, he/she shall be reinstated for full participation. Provided, further, that exceptions may be granted for those with approved IEPs. The school will inform students and their parents on probation of available resources to enhance study skills and/or their abilities in specific subjects.

Total Semester/Trimester Eligibility and Age

A student shall be eligible for two years of participation. A middle school participant shall not have reached his/her 15th birthday prior to June 1 of the previous school year.

Residence

A student must be residing within the boundaries of the District and designated attendance area of the school. All requests for exceptions must be submitted, in writing, to the Athletic Director and Principal.

Transferring Students

After registering with and/or attending, students changing enrollment to/from one school district to another shall be considered transfer students. In order to be eligible for participation they must meet normal residency requirements and specific requirements stated in WIAA regulations 18.10.

Students coming to this country for a one-year cultural/educational experience are eligible to participate at all levels of competition for one (1) year only in the school in which they have been placed, provided all other rules and eligibility have been met.

Physical Examination

Prior to the first practice for participation in middle school athletics, a student shall undergo a thorough medical examination and be approved for interscholastic athletic competition by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination. The physical examination shall be valid for thirteen (13) consecutive months. For each subsequent thirteen-month period, the student shall furnish a statement or physical examination form signed by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination that provides clearance for continued athletic participation.

ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS

School Attendance

A student must be in full attendance all classes in order to participate. The Athletic Director or Assistant Principal must clear any absences. Provided, further, that exceptions shall be granted by the Athletic Director for excused tardies.

Practice Attendance

Regular attendance and promptness at practice is a must. If a student is either late or absent, he/she must notify the coach in advance and/or have a valid excuse upon return.

AMATEUR STANDING

An amateur student is one who engages in athletics for the physical, mental, social and educational benefits he/she derives therefrom and to whom athletics is an avocation and not a source of financial reward. In order to maintain his/her amateur standing, he/she may not:

  1. Accept merchandise or in-kind gifts of more than $100.00 in fair market value during any one calendar year September 1 through August 31. Reduced membership fees or reduced user fees from an athletic club, recreation center, fitness center, golf course, etc., do not count towards the $100 limit.
  2. Accept any cash awards.
  3. Enter a competition under a false name.
  4. Accept payment of expense allowances over the actual and necessary expenses for the trip (note: entry fees are not considered a reimbursable expense).
  5. Sign or have ever signed a contract to play professional athletics. Play or have ever played on any professional team in any sport.
  6. Received or have ever received, directly or indirectly, a salary or any other form of financial assistance (including scholarships or educational grants-in-aid), from a professional sports organization or any of his/her expenses for reporting to or visiting a professional team.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS

General Conduct

Participants are to abide by all the rules and regulations stated in the school’s Student Handbook, Athletic Code, and under Olympia School District policies for Student Conduct. Failure to do so will result in discipline and/or suspension from participation. Discipline that is administered is cumulative for the duration of middle school eligibility, unless otherwise noted.

Tobacco Use

The use or possession of tobacco products is prohibited and will result in the following;

  1. First Violation: A ten (10) school day suspension from participation. Provided, further, that a reduction may be granted for participation in tobacco cessation classes. The full suspension is to be reinstated if the cessation program is not completed.
  2. Second Violation: Suspension from participation for a period of one (1) calendar year.
  3. Third Violation: Suspension from participation for permanently ineligible for interscholastic competition remainder of middle school.

After any suspension for tobacco use, the student shall meet with the school eligibility committee and request approval for future participation. The school eligibility committee shall recommend to the Principal appropriate action to be taken regarding any future participation. The school Principal shall have the final authority as to the student’s future participation in interscholastic activities.

The above sanctions shall be implemented in addition to school discipline procedures. Violations are considered cumulative for the duration of middle school eligibility.

Alcohol, Legend Drugs and Controlled Substances

The following Code sanctions for possession, being under the influence, or sale/transfer of alcohol, legend drugs (drugs obtained through prescription, RCW 69.41.020-050) and controlled substances (RCW 69.50) shall be considered as one part of the total school disciplinary process for violations of Policy No. 3200. If found in violation of District Policy No. 3200, these specific Athletic Code sanctions will be imposed in addition to established District procedures. Violations are considered cumulative for the duration of middle school and high school eligibility.

First Violation: A participant shall be immediately ineligible for interscholastic participation for the remainder of the sports season. In order to be eligible to participate in the next sports season, the student shall meet with the school eligibility committee and request approval. The school eligibility committee shall recommend to the Principal appropriate action to be taken. The school Principal shall have the final authority as to the student’s future participation in interscholastic sports.

Second Violation: A participant found in violation of this rule, at any time during middle school eligibility, shall be ineligible for any interscholastic participation for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of the second violation. In order to be eligible to participate in any interscholastic activity, after the complete term of the suspension, the student shall meet with the school eligibility committee and request approval. The school eligibility committee shall recommend to the Principal appropriate action to be taken. The school Principal shall have the final authority as to the student’s future participation in any interscholastic activity.

Third Violation: A participant found in violation for a third time shall be found permanently ineligible for any interscholastic participation for the remainder of high school eligibility.

In no instance shall participation in a school and/or community-approved assistance and/or treatment program excuse a student from compliance with these regulations. However, successful completion of an approved program may be considered when requesting reinstatement by the eligibility committee.

Student athletes who attend and remain at any function where alcohol or other drugs are illegally used shall be ineligible for all participation for a period of fifteen (15) practice/game days from the date of notification. Upon return from ineligibility, a required number of practices may be necessary prior to participation in competition. If found to have been in possession, under the influence, or sale/transfer the sanctions noted for first through third violation will be imposed.

Activity Specific Rules and Regulations

Because of individual sport differences, head coaches shall inform, in writing, participants and parents of any additional rules and regulations which they believe necessary and are not in violation of any rules or regulations in this code or District policy. Activity specific rules and regulations must be approved by the Athletic Director and building Principal prior to distribution to participants and parents. Activity specific rules and regulations may not relate to scholarship, attendance, tobacco, alcohol or other drug rules and regulations as stated in the District Athletic/Activities Code.

Enforcement of Regulations

Violation of the Middle School Athletic Code will result in immediate discipline and/or suspension by the head coach or school administrator for the remainder of the sport season. The head coach will notify the Athletic Director and school administrator of all violations. The head coach or school administrator will immediately notify, by phone and in writing, the participant and his/her parent/legal guardian of the violation and disciplinary action taken and his/her right to appeal. Upon appeal disciplinary action will be reviewed by the building athletic committee. During an appeal, the participant and/or his/ her parent/legal guardian may or may not:

  1. appear personally,
  2. appear with parents, or
  3. submit a written statement to the athletic committee.

Student Appeals

Any student declared ineligible or in violation of WIAA, district/building or Athletic Code rules or regulations who wishes to appeal this decision, must first meet with the Athletic Director to review proper appeal procedures.

Athletic Committee Membership

The following building staff are to be included on the Athletic Committee:

Principal or Assistant Principal (presiding official)
Athletic Director
Coach(es) from sports not involved in the specific appeal (3)

Checklist Needed for Participation

A participant must present a completed eligibility packet, including current medical examination, insurance coverage and a copy of the Athletic Code signed by the participant and parent/legal guardian prior to initial participation. Student Athlete Information Sheet must be complete even if information is redundant.