Participation in athletic activities is a privilege.  As representatives of Lake Forest High School, student athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that meets the highest standards at all times. The skills of good sportsmanship and proper behavior are learned by engaging with others, modeling good behavior and by careful instruction. It is the responsibility of the administration, staff, coaches, parents and the community at large to create a climate that fosters the development of these skills by encouraging and modeling positive and appropriate behavior within the sporting environment while striving for excellence.  Expectations for the behavior of athletes, coaches, and parents at athletic contests, practices and events are outlined below.  The Athlete Student athletes who choose to participate in any sport must agree to read, sign and abide by the athletic code of conduct as a condition of participation. The code of conduct establishes high expectations and standards for all participating student athletes. These expectations embody a total lifestyle approach with emphasis on respect for self, others and property, loyalty to self, teammates, coaches and school, support for the ideals of true sportsmanship, and maturity to fully accept all choices made and the consequences they carry.  The effectiveness of this code depends on a collective commitment from students, parents and school personnel, and a proactive, positive approach to prevention and assistance. Athletes will be governed, at the minimum, by the Athletic Department training rules. Each head coach may establish additional rules for his/her team regarding curfew, attendance, personal conduct and personal appearance.

The Coach

The Coaches are required to abide by the following code of expectations:  I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating support for all athletes, coaches and
officials at all games, practices and other events.  I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.  I will treat each player as an individual and do my best to provide a safe environment for all players.  I will teach my athletes to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts with civility and without resorting
to hostility or violence.  I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach and I will teach these rules to my players.  I will do my best to ensure that the sport is enjoyable for my players and remember that the game is for the athletes and not the adults.  I will be a positive role model for my players and not engage in any unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent. I will treat everyone with respect and civility.  I will demand a drug, tobacco and alcohol-free sports environment from my players and refrain from their use at all events.  I will establish open lines of communication with players and their parents so everyone understands expectations and can express concerns.  Coaches are also expected to communicate to athletes and parents their coaching philosophy, expectations for all team members, locations and times of practices/contests, team rules and requirements, emergency procedures in case of injury and consequences for violations of rules.  Failure to meet these expectations will result in disciplinary action or dismissal.

The Parent
Parents of student athletes are required to abide by the following code of expectations:
I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating support for all athletes, coaches and officials at every game, practice, or other athletic event.  I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child and other student athletes ahead of any personal desire to win.  I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.  I will support coaches and officials working with my child to provide a positive,  enjoyable experience for all.  I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of athletes.  I will treat other players, parents, coaches, fans and officials with respect and refrain from verbal indignities.  I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts with civility and without resorting to hostility or  violence.  I will respect the coaches and officials and their authority during games and will not question, discuss or confront coaches at the game site.  If I have issues or concerns to discuss, I will take time to speak with the coach at an agreed upon
time and place.  I will do my best to ensure that the sport is enjoyable for my child and remember that the game is for the athletes and not the adults.  I will demand a drug, tobacco and alcohol-free sports environment for my child and refrain from their use at all events.  Failure to meet these expectations will result in disciplinary action. Consequences may include:  removal from the practice/contest/event, written reprimand, one game suspension, season suspension or one-year suspension.

Athlete/Parent/Coach Communication
The LFHS Athletic Department encourages open communication among athletes, parents and coaches. Both athletes and parents are urged to discuss their concerns with the coach in the appropriate setting and at the appropriate time.  Note to parents: Appropriate concerns to discuss with the coach include mental or physical treatment of your child, strategies for improving your child’s performance and behavior issues affecting your child. Issues not appropriate for a parent to discuss with coaches include playing
time, starting positions, team strategy, play calling and other student athletes.  Participation It is the goal of Lake Forest High School to provide all students with opportunities to engage in athletic activities that enrich their education and further develop the core values of respect, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, caring and good citizenship.  The following sports are available:

Boys Girls
Baseball Swimming Badminton Soccer
Basketball Track Basketball Softball
Cross Country Tennis Cross Country Swimming
Football Volleyball Field Hockey Tennis
Golf Wrestling Golf Track
Lacrosse Water Polo Gymnastics Volleyball
Soccer Lacrosse Water Polo

Students must maintain scholastic eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics.

Athletic Participation Rules
The success of the LFHS Athletic Program depends on the cooperation of the athletes, the parents, and the Athletic Department. It is important that you read and understand the following statements. THE ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION CARD MUST BE FILED ANNUALLY IN THE ATHLETIC OFFICE BY THE 1ST DAY OF PRACTICE OF THE ATHLETE’S SPECIFIC SPORT SEASON.

Every athlete must adhere to the following rules:
1. No use of tobacco and/or tobacco related products.
2. No use of alcohol or any illegal, non-prescription drugs.
3. Care for and return all school-issued equipment at the end of the season.
4. Maintain proper behavior/sportsmanship both on and off the playing field.

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO PARTICIPATION RULES OR FALSIFICATION OF ANY INFORMATION ON THIS FORM IS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
In addition to the interscholastic program, a variety of Intramural activities are available.
COEDUCATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION

The Board of Education will not allow boys and girls to compete on the same interscholastic team in contact sports including football, wrestling, baseball, basketball, field hockey, soccer, and softball, nor on the same interscholastic team when there are teams for both boys and girls in the same sport.  When interscholastic teams for both boys and girls do not exist separately in a particular sport, it will be the prerogative of the Lake Forest High School Board of Education to permit or forbid coed membership on the same interscholastic team where athletes compete as individuals or where there is no physical contact with players from an opposing team. However, the Lake Forest High
School Board of Education will be guided by the general principle: Only boys on teams designated as boys’ sports, and girls on teams designated as girls’ sports.  Lake Forest High School - Student Activities. The extracurricular program at Lake Forest High School is dedicated to providing students with a special experience, one that complements the classroom.  Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege that carries responsibilities to the members of the club/organization, the faculty, the student body, the community, and to the individual students themselves.  Participants are encouraged to reflect ideals stated in the Lake Forest High School Vision
Statement, to embody values and behavior consistent with being a student leader, and to consider their decisions and actions in relation to their position and the group they represent.  Non-Athletic Extracurricular Program Committee - Adopted April 1997