CODE OF CONDUCT

All student-athletes are expected to read, sign, and follow the student-athlete code of conduct.

DATING

You are not permitted to date or engage in personal relationships with any member of the Department of Athletics staff, including coaches, administrators, volunteers, interns, and graduate assistants.

DRUG TESTING

All student-athletes are subject to both University and NCAA drug testing. At the beginning of each year you receive and sign information regarding the University's drug testing program. University drug testing can take place at any time during the year. No prior notice is given. Penalties range from required counseling to dismissal from the team. A list of banned substances is available in the Sports Medicine Office.

NCAA drug testing is permitted on a year round basis for track and football and during championships for all other sports. An NCAA drug testing consent form must be signed by all student-athletes prior to competition. A student-athlete who test positive for a banned substance is ineligible for practice and competition for one full year. At the end of the year, the student-athlete is re-tested. If he/she test positive a second time, he/she is permanently ineligible in all NCAA sports. A negative re-test permits the student-athlete to become eligible again.

EQUIPMENT ISSUE

All athletic equipment and apparel is distributed through the equipment room per team policy.

HAZING

The Department of Athletics prohibits hazing and initiation activities directed towards new team members. Any incidents of hazing are subject to discipline up to and including dismissal from the team.

LEAVING A TEAM

If you decide to leave your team, you are asked to complete an exit interview. This survey request information regarding your experiences on the team and is used to help improve the Department's operations. If you are on athletic scholarship, you must also sign a relinquishment of aid form.

SPORTS INFORMATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS

Some Basic Thoughts on the Media

1. Never conduct an interview by phone unless it is arranged by the Sports Information Office, including the student newspaper. When you are given a message to call a reporter, return the call at your earliest convenience. If you cannot return the call in a reasonable time, contact the SID office immediately.
2. Remember that it is a luxury to have someone interested in your opinion.
3. As a student/athlete, you will be more visible and attract more attention than the average student.
4. Practice. The media knows who is a good interview and who is not. If you're not, you will not get the media attention you deserve. You may contact the SID office for assistance with interviewing skills and tips.

Before The Interview

1. Acknowledge a reporter's presence. When he/she approaches you, make eye contact. Shake their hand.
2. Learn to use the reporter's name. Be polite and use "yes sir/yes ma'am" and "no sir/no ma'am".
3. Be prepared. Ask the reporter what the interview is about and think about your responses. Don't answer without thinking about what you are going to say.

During the Interview

1. Be honest and sincere. Always tell the truth.
2. Be yourself. Let reporters see and learn what you are like off the playing field.
3. Be sure to give proper credit to your teammates and coaches; without them, you would not be interviewed in the first place. Don't discuss teammates or coaches in a critical manner, and avoid discussing specific mistakes that may have made a difference in the game.
4. Always say complimentary things about opponents before and after games. You don't want your negative comments taped to the opponent's locker room wall for pre-game motivation.
5. Don't complain about a tough question. It makes you look bad, especially on broadcast interviews.
6. Ask the reporter to repeat the question if it is not clear. Try to help the reporter understand your message. Don't talk in technical terms that the average person would not understand.
7. Always keep direct eye contact with the reporter.
8. Never discuss anything "off the record". If you don't want to read about it, don't say it.
9. Talk in short, complete sentences. It allows the reporter to easily edit the interview without distorting your answer.
10. Be confident, not cocky.
11. Show a willingness to be helpful. Say "I'm sorry, I can't answer that question for you. I wish I could help though."
12. You don't have to answer every detail of every question.
13. Do not use foul language.
14. Appreciate and enjoy the experience. Remember, there are many people who would love to be in your shoes.

After the Interview

1. Thank the reporter for their time. Make it a pleasurable experience for you and the reporter, so that he/she will want to conduct future interviews
2. If you have any problems with a media person or the interview itself, contact the SID office immediately
3. Remember that in all phase of life, communicating with other people is important. Media interviews are a very helpful way of improving your communication skills.

Thoughts That Can Help You

1. Be able to laugh at yourself. You're not a professional interviewer, so learn with each interview.
2. It takes less than 90 seconds to make a first impression.
3. Treat all media alike, don't play favorites.

SPORTS MEDICINE

The ultimate responsibility of medical care for the student-athlete rests with the team physician and athletic training staff, therefore the following procedures must be followed. The goal of the athletic training staff is to obtain a top level of medical services in an expeditious and efficient manner.

Emergency: If you encounters a life-threatening emergency campus police should be activated by calling 911. As soon as possible, the athletic training staff must be notified.
Non-Emergency: All injuries and illnesses must be reported to the Sports Medicine Staff within 24 hours of the onset of a problem. A staff athletic trainer will make appropriate referrals to a physician or specialist. To protect your medical eligibility, please utilize the athletic training staff instead of seeking self-treatment and referral.
Outside normal operational athletic training room hours: If you encounter an impending medical problem during off hours, attempts should be made to contact a staff athletic trainer, regardless of the time of day. Each varsity sport is assigned a certified athletic trainer and you will receive a list of numbers where that staff member can be reached with instructions on who should be called if that individual is unreachable.

All students at the University are required to have proof of insurance. No student-athlete may participate in any athletic activity until the Department of Athletics has received a completed annual insurance questionnaire before the first practice of the season. The Department will not be held responsible in the event a you or your parent does not indicate changes in insurance coverage.

STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAAC)

The SAAC is composed of representatives from each of the University's varsity intercollegiate teams. It meets regularly throughout the year to provide discuss concerns and provide feedback to the athletic administration.

TEAM RULES

Each sport is responsible for developing its own team rules. Team members are informed of these rules at the beginning of each season and are expected to abide by them.

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Student Athlete Handbook