UNCTarheels
06-19-2007, 09:29 AM
When the Fall sports season begins in August, Athletes, coaches, parents and offficials in the Horseheads school district will have a new code of conduct. The Horseheads school board voted 7-1 to adopt a comprehensive atheltic code of conduct. The new code is the product of months of work by committees of parents, coaches and student-athletes.
The code is built on six pillars:Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citzenship. It outlines expectation for behavior such as living up to ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and pursuing victory with honor. Several Horseheads coaches voiced disapproval of the newly adopted code. "the creation of a code of conduct for coaches is one of cowardice and deceit," said Jack Daly, who coaches modified cross country. "As a teacher, I try to build a foundation of respect with the students. As a coach, mutual respect is necessary for any athlete. This shows there's no mutual respect for staff."
Daly complained the document was developed without the approval of the Hoseheads Teachers' Association. He said union Reps were not brought into the process. Judy Christiansen, director of human resources, said district officials sent drafts of the code to the leadership of the Horseheads Teachers Association and have tried to include them in decison making. "Their response is there was no urgency," Christiansen Said."They said in September they would sit down and talk with us"
One Footbal coach said the new rules hindered his ability to coach. He referred to the section of the coaches' code that encourages coaches to use positive coaching methods and urges refraining from physical or psychological intimidation and verbal abuse. The new code also prohibits coaches from questioning the calls of officials
"How Sad that we've come to this in the athletic department," the coach said. "We have a piece of paper longer than the U.S Constitution on how to make the athletic program work. I am not sure how to coach without showing anger or questioning a call. Your're asking the impossible." In a survey taken by the district prior to developing the code, 49% of coaches felt the need for the code of conduct. The board stressed that the code of conduct is a work in progress and would be reviewed every July.
James Jacobus, the only board member to vote against adopting the code, asked why the board was adopting the code if it was still a work in progress not approved b the Horseheads Teachers Association or half the coaches in the District.-The Corning Leader
The code is built on six pillars:Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citzenship. It outlines expectation for behavior such as living up to ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and pursuing victory with honor. Several Horseheads coaches voiced disapproval of the newly adopted code. "the creation of a code of conduct for coaches is one of cowardice and deceit," said Jack Daly, who coaches modified cross country. "As a teacher, I try to build a foundation of respect with the students. As a coach, mutual respect is necessary for any athlete. This shows there's no mutual respect for staff."
Daly complained the document was developed without the approval of the Hoseheads Teachers' Association. He said union Reps were not brought into the process. Judy Christiansen, director of human resources, said district officials sent drafts of the code to the leadership of the Horseheads Teachers Association and have tried to include them in decison making. "Their response is there was no urgency," Christiansen Said."They said in September they would sit down and talk with us"
One Footbal coach said the new rules hindered his ability to coach. He referred to the section of the coaches' code that encourages coaches to use positive coaching methods and urges refraining from physical or psychological intimidation and verbal abuse. The new code also prohibits coaches from questioning the calls of officials
"How Sad that we've come to this in the athletic department," the coach said. "We have a piece of paper longer than the U.S Constitution on how to make the athletic program work. I am not sure how to coach without showing anger or questioning a call. Your're asking the impossible." In a survey taken by the district prior to developing the code, 49% of coaches felt the need for the code of conduct. The board stressed that the code of conduct is a work in progress and would be reviewed every July.
James Jacobus, the only board member to vote against adopting the code, asked why the board was adopting the code if it was still a work in progress not approved b the Horseheads Teachers Association or half the coaches in the District.-The Corning Leader