Code of Conduct
GRACE student athletes, coaches, fans, and parents must realize that our athletic teams and athletic events are the only impression many people will have of GRACE Christian School. We want to have an excellent reputation amongst other student athletes, coaches, fans, parents and officials as being a competitive and honorable organization. Demonstrating and coaching sportsmanship at all levels of participation is paramount in achieving this reputation. Guidelines will be set and enforced to make sure GRACE has this type of reputation. Student athletes must sign the Pursuing Victory With Honor contract before they may participate in any GRACE athletic programs (this document may be downloaded from https://graceathletics.net/main/filesLinks/).
Pursuing Victory with Honor
Athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. The highest potential of sports is achieved when participants are committed to pursuing victory with honor according to six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character®”). This Code applies to all student-athletes involved in sports at GRACE Christian. I understand that, in order to participate in high school & middle school athletics, I must act in accord with the following:
TRUSTWORTHINESS – be worthy of trust in all I do.
Integrity — live up to high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and always pursue victory with honor; do what’s right even when it’s unpopular or personally costly.
Honesty — live and compete honorably; don’t lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Reliability — fulfill commitments; do what I say I will do; be on time to practices and games.
Loyalty — be loyal to my school and team; put the team above personal glory.
RESPECT – treat all people with respect all the time and require the same of other student-athletes.
Class — live and play with class; be a good sport; be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity; give fallen opponents help, compliment extraordinary performance, show sincere respect in pre- and post-game rituals.
Disrespectful Conduct — don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual or racial nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
Respect Officials — treat contest officials with respect; don’t complain about or argue with official calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
RESPONSIBILITY – be accountable for all personal actions.
Importance of Education — be a student first and commit to getting the best education I can. Be honest with myself about the likelihood of getting an athletic scholarship or playing on a professional level and remember that many universities will not recruit student-athletes that do not have a serious commitment to their education, the ability to succeed academically or the character to represent their institution
honorably.
Role-Modeling — Remember, participation in sports is a privilege, not a right and that I am expected to represent my school, coach and teammates with honor, on and off the field. Consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a positive role model. Suspension or termination of the participation privilege is within the sole discretion of the school administration.
Self-Control — exercise self-control; don’t fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration; have the strength to overcome the temptation to retaliate.
Healthy Lifestyle — safeguard your health; don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances including alcohol, tobacco and drugs or engage in any unhealthy techniques to gain, lose or maintain weight.
FAIRNESS – live up to high standards of fair play; be open-minded; always be willing to listen and learn.
Integrity of the Game — protect the integrity of the game; don’t gamble. Play the game according to the rules.
CARING – demonstrate concern for others.
Never intentionally injure any player or engage in reckless behavior that might cause injury to myself or others.
Teammates — help promote the well-being of teammates by positive counseling and encouragement or by reporting any unhealthy or dangerous conduct to coaches.
CITIZENSHIP – rights and duties.
Play by the Rules — maintain a thorough knowledge of and abide by all applicable game and competition rules.
Spirit of rules — honor the spirit and the letter of rules; avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship.
