Interscholastic Code of Ethics - Interscholastic Division - Maine Principal's Association (MPA) (ME)

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Interscholastic Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics for Secondary School Activities

It is the duty of all concerned with secondary school activities programs to..

Cultivate an awareness that participation in high school activities is part of the total education experience and, as such, no one should either seek or expect academic privileges for the participants.
Emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play as they related to the lifetime impact on the participants and spectators.
Develop an awareness and understanding of all rules and guidelines governing competition, both in letter and intent, and to comply with them in all activities.
Recognize that the purpose of activities in school programs is to develop and promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of individual participants.
Avoid any practice or technique which would endanger the present or future welfare or safety of a participant.
Avoid practices which force or encourage students to specialize or which restrict them from participation in a variety of activities.
Refrain from making disparaging remarks to opponents, officials, coaches, or spectators in any aspect of school activities.
Vigorously encourage the development of proper health habits and discourage the use of chemicals, including alcohol and tobacco.
Exemplify proper self-control at all times and accept adverse decisions without public display of emotion or dissatisfaction.
Encourage everyone to judge the true success of the activities programs on the basis of the attitude of the participants and spectators, rather than on the basis of a win or loss.

Code of Ethics for Coaches

National Federation Coaches Association
The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. An interscholastic program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Each student-athlete should be treated as though he or she were the coaches' own, and his or her welfare should be uppermost at all times. Accordingly, the following guidelines for coaches have been adopted by the NFCA Board of Directors.

The coach shall be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the student-athlete and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.

The coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the professional. In all personal contact with student-athletes, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.

The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse.

The coach shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players.

The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or her program in harmony with the total school program.

The coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members.

The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.

The coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, both directly and by working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs, and administrators.

The coach shall respect and support contest officials.

The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of officials or players is unethical.

Before and after contests, coaches for the competing teams should meet and exchange cordial greetings to set the correct tone for the event.

A coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student-athletes special consideration.

A coach shall not scout opponents by any means other than those adopted by the league and/or state high school athletic association.