Monroe-Woodbury Interscholastic Rules and Regulations
The Monroe-Woodbury Central School District is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic
Association, Section IX Athletic Council and the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association and,
therefore, adheres to the Rules and Regulations of these governing bodies.
If a student accepts the privilege of being a member of a Monroe-Woodbury athletic team, he or she must
adhere to certain rules and regulations as outlined below.
Goals of the Athletic Program
A. To develop sportsmanship by learning to play fairly and to abide by the rules of the game.
B. To train athletes to accept winning and losing graciously.
C. To develop self-discipline and confidence.
D. To develop a sense of responsibility and to make decisions.
E. To develop leadership and followership.
F. To develop the athlete's ability to express his or her emotions in a socially acceptable manner.
G. To build character and learn that personal sacrifice may be required for the good of the team.
H. To develop the respect for teammates, opponents and others.
I. To develop a high state of physical fitness to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.
Physical Examination
A student trying out for an athletic team must have a medical examination by the Monroe-Woodbury Central
School District appointed physician or school nurse. If a Family Physician is used, the student must get a
School District Medical Examination form from the Nurse’s Office, to be completed by the Family Physician.
Once the examination is completed, return the District Medical Form to the Nurse’s Office for clearance.
A. The school physician has the absolute authority to determine the physical capability of a pupil to
participate in a sport.
B. No student will be allowed to begin practice until approved by the school physician or school nurse.
C. The medical examination and approval of the school physician or school nurse is valid for one calendar
year. Medical updates are required for each sport season.
D. If a student is medically excused from Gym, the student cannot play or practice in any sport during this
“Medically Excused Gym Time.”
Conduct
Members of a Monroe-Woodbury athletic team are required to conduct themselves as good citizens both in
school and out in the community. Athletes are expected to act like ladies and gentlemen at all times when
visiting other schools for an athletic contest.
Hazing
“Hazing” is not permitted under any circumstances. “Hazing” is defined as any behavior exhibited by a
student(s) toward a student, teacher, coach or individual, which degrades, demeans, humiliates and places at
risk physical and/or emotional harm toward that individual(s). Hazing is against the law in New York State.
Hazing resulting in an injury to a person is a Class “A” misdemeanor and hazing which creates a substantial
risk of injury to a person is a law violation.
Practices Games Team Affairs
Players are expected to attend all practices, games, and team affairs unless legally excused by the coach
and/or school official.
A. It is the responsibility of the player to notify the coach in advance if he or she cannot attend practice,
game, etc.
B. If a player is detained for academic reasons or school related activities, he or she must bring a signed
note from the teacher stating the time of release for the coach’s verification.
C. If the athlete misses (Attendance Office) more than two periods in a day, he or she will not be allowed
to participate in that day's practice session or athletic contest unless for medical reasons, which must
be accompanied by a physician's note, or because of extenuating circumstances which must be verified
by a note from a parent or guardian.
D. If an athlete is illegally absent from school on Friday, he or she cannot compete in a Saturday or
Sunday contest, unless a legal written excuse is received by the coach.
Travel
A. Team members are required to travel to and from an away athletic contest on the school bus or in
transportation provided and/or approved by the school district.
B. Requests by parents for exceptions to this rule must be made to the coach in writing. These exceptions
may be granted at the discretion of the coach.
Student Eligibility
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) states:
A. “A contestant must be a bonafide student of the high school represented who is taking at least four (4)
academic subjects including Physical Education”.
B. “A student may compete for no more than eight (8) consecutive semesters beginning with the semester
in which he or she has entered the 9th grade and is between the 14th and 19th birthdays. If the age of
19 years is reached on or after July 1st, the student may continue to participate during that school year
in all sports”.
In/Out of School Suspension
Any student athlete on in/out of school suspension may not participate in any practice or athletic contest during
the day (s) of suspension. If the period of suspension includes a weekend or holiday, the student athlete may
not participate during the weekend or holiday period of time.
Leaving the Squad
Any player who joins an athletic team is expected to remain a member of that team until the season is
completed.
A. A student who is cut from one squad may go out for any other sport with the approval of the coach of
that sport.
B. It is the player’s responsibility and obligation to inform the coach if he or she desires to leave or quit a
team. Failure to accept the responsibility of notifying the coach, unless under justifiable or extenuating
circumstances, will result in automatic suspension from further athletic participation for the remainder of
the season and the next sport season.
Equipment Facilities - Property
Players are to respect the Monroe-Woodbury School equipment, facilities, and property as well as at the away
school.
Players are responsible for all equipment and uniforms issued to them and they should return these items in
the same state that they were issued.
A. Equipment, uniforms, etc. issued to player is to be used only for the purpose of team practices or
games. These issued items are not to be used in Physical Education classes or in any other way
unless permission is granted by the teacher or coach.
B. Lost or misused equipment will be charged to the player responsible for it and restitution will be
required. No awards or further participation will be granted until restitution is made.
C. Any player found to be in the possession of unauthorized Monroe-Woodbury or other property or
willfully damages Monroe-Woodbury and/or fellow student athletes property, or other schools’ property,
will be subject to suspension from the team, possible arrest and/or legal action and restitution.
Training Rules
Players are expected to abide by the training rules outlined by the coach. The Monroe-Woodbury Central
School District recognizes that the use of alcohol, tobacco, steroids, synthetic cannabinoids, or other illegal
drugs decreases long-term athletic activity performance, decreases the overall academic performance,
increases the probability for physical injury and lessens the chance for a student to reach his or her full
measure of excellence. Self-disclosure to the Coach, Athletic Director and/or Student Assistance Counselor
concerning his or her substance abuse problem will result in no disciplinary action as long as the player follows
the recommended care plan as outlined by the Student Assistance Counselor.
A player caught breaking Training Rules is subject to the following disciplinary action as outlined below:
LEVEL I Suspension from one contest
1. Conduct unbecoming an athlete.
2. Illegally absent from school on the day of a contest. (If illegally absent on Friday student cannot
participate in a Saturday or Sunday contest.)
3. Violation of any curfew established by a coach.
4. Receiving a disciplinary referral.
LEVEL II Suspension from the team for one week
Suspension from the team for one week; however the player must attend but not participate in all practices.
1. Repeat of a second Level I violation.
2. Use or possession of alcohol, tobacco (to include smokeless tobacco), steroids, synthetic
cannabinoids, or other illegal drugs:
a. Offender, with parent (s), has conference with Coach, Athletic Director and Student Assistance
Counselor.
b. To Be Reinstated as Eligible: The player must meet the requirements as outlined by the
school’s Student Assistance Counselor.
LEVEL III Suspension from the team for two weeks
1. Suspension from the team for two weeks; however the player must attend but not participate in all
practices
a. “Hazing” of a student and/or athlete.
LEVEL IV Suspension for the sport season
(cannot participate on any athletic team during the season of suspension, i.e., an athlete suspended from X-
Country would also be ineligible for soccer).
1. Hazing Resulting in an injury to a student.
2. Willfully damages facilities or property whether at Monroe-Woodbury or at another school.
3. “Harassment” of a coach/teacher.
4. Stealing
5. Quitting a team without prior discussion with the coach. (See IX-B).
6. Repeat of a Level II violation.
7. Repeat of a Level II violation (s) as outlined in Training Rules B-2.
a. Offender, with parent (s), has conference with Athletic Director, Student Assistance Counselor
and School Administrator.
b. To Be Reinstated as Eligible for subsequent season(s), an assessment and adherence to the
Recommended Care Plan as outlined by the Student Assistance Counselor.
Post-Season Athletic Contests (League, Sectional and/or State Contests)
If a Level III violation by an athletic team member occurs during post-season play, the athlete will be subject to
disciplinary action affecting the next athletic season in which the athlete will participate, for a period not to
exceed 2 sport seasons.
The athlete can practice with the athletic team, but he/she will not be able to participate in scrimmages or
athletic contests during the suspension period as outlined below:
1. Fall-Winter -- 8-week suspension
2. Winter-Spring 6 week suspension
3. Spring-Fall 6-week suspension
(The disciplinary suspension period begins the first day of practice).
Level V One school year suspension
1. The distribution of illicit drugs.
2. Physical abuse to a coach or teacher.
3. Repeat of a Level IV violation.
Any school violation or policy supersedes any level or area outlined above. The school administration has the
prerogative of exceeding any of the aforementioned steps depending upon the seriousness of the situation.
Student Appeal Process
Any student who is suspended under Level I-V can exercise his “due process” rights by making an appeal as
follows:
A. The student has two (2) school days to appeal in writing to the Athletic Director.
B. The Athletic Director should rule on the written appeal within (5) school days.
C. A subsequent appeal can be made to the Building Principal.
School District Insurance Coverage
THE POLICY IS EXCESS OVER YOUR OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGE. THIS MEANS THAT BENEFITS
WILL BE PAID ONLY FOR THAT PART OF THE EXPENSE, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY YOUR OWN
INSURANCE PLAN. PAYMENTS ARE MADE ACCORDING TO A SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY ESTABLISHED RULES OR GUIDELINES STATED ABOVE WILL BE
GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL FROM THE TEAM B THE COACH, ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR OR PRINCIPAL.
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Students Name (print) Team
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Students Signature Date
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Parent/Guardian Signature Date