Philosophy

Your membership on a University of Richmond intercollegiate athletics team is considered a privilege, not a right. You are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity.

As a University of Richmond Student-Athlete, you are among the most visible students on campus, as well as in the community. Because of America's fascination with sports and those who play, a unique platform exists for you to be a role model, mentor, spokesperson, etc. The University, the athletic program, and you benefit from this exposure. However, this platform brings with it a whole set of privileges and responsibilities. Your social interaction and personal deportment on and off campus will become public knowledge. Whenever violations of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct occur, the Director of Athletics will review the misconduct and may apply sanctions as they relate to participation in intercollegiate athletics.

To this end, the University of Richmond Department of Athletics has adopted a standard of ethical conduct and behavioral expectations which may exceed those of non student-athletes. Every student is expected to abide by the University of Richmond Code of Student conduct, all other University policies and rules and policies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Conference, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10). In addition, Student-Athletes are subject to the rules and regulations specified by each head coach for team membership. Further, it is the policy of the Department of Athletics that any Student-Athlete charged with a felony crime be immediately suspended from intercollegiate athletic participation and will thereafter be eligible upon subsequent determination by the Director of Athletics.

Academic Responsibilities

A priority for the Department of Athletics is to augment and support wholeheartedly every effort that will foster intellectual development and graduation for our Student-Athletes. While several levels of support exist at the University of Richmond, ultimately, responsibility for success rests upon your shoulders. As a result, each Student-Athlete is expected to:

• Set a primary goal of obtaining a degree.
• Seek assistance from the course instructor and Office of Student-Athlete Development and Support Services (OSADSS) when academic difficulties occur.
• Attend and be prepared for every class except for excused absences (see University of Richmond Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Policies and Procedures Manual, Article Six - STUDENT-ATHLETES, Appendix A, Procedures for Obtaining Excused Class Absences for Student-Athletes at www.richmond.edu/~athletic.html).
• Attend all study tables, tutorial, counseling, and advising sessions as scheduled.
• Meet regularly with faculty advisor and OSADSS staff.
• Adhere to the University's policy regarding academic integrity.
• Maintain NCAA Minimum course hours requirements per semester.
• Make progress toward degree based on NCAA and University standards.
• Participate in diagnostic testing as requested by OSADSS or the Department of Athletics.

Good Sportsmanship

Our Student-Athletes are ambassadors of the University of Richmond and enjoy certain privileges of such status. They also bear the responsibility of behaving with dignity and sportsmanship. Student-Athletes will conduct themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship during games and competition. Behavior at all times must reflect the high standards of honor and dignity that should characterize participation in competitive intercollegiate sports. Student-Athletes will conduct themselves in a manner reflecting positively on the reputation of University of Richmond both on and off the "field of play," in pre-game and post-game comments to media, and when traveling and participating at other institutions.

Our objective is for our Student-Athletes to always maintain an attitude of respect toward our opponents. As models of good sportsmanship, University of Richmond Student-Athletes should look for ways to encourage and appreciate quality play and effort, regardless of whether it's exhibited by a teammate or an opponent. While intense and emotional game action and conduct are certainly a reasonable part of intercollegiate sports contests, the intent of our Student-Athletes should never be to demean the dignity and personhood of the opponent.

To that end, our Student-Athletes are expressly prohibited from engaging in the following behavior at any University of Richmond sporting events:

• Fighting opponents, fans, or officials.
• Taunting opponents.
• Celebrating Inappropriately with the intent to demean opponents.
• Showing disrespectful attitude toward opponents.
• Inciting crowd hostility toward opponents in an unsportsmanlike manner.
• Using profane and vulgar language.
  

Athletically Related Financial Aid

Athletically related grants-in-aid are awarded for one-year periods, as outlined by NCAA regulations. The Department of Athletics makes recommendations to the University's Financial Aid Office regarding the renewal of athletically related financial aid, and failure to abide by the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct or team rules and regulations may be grounds for non-renewal of or reduction of athletic aid. In such circumstances, Student-Athletes have the right to appeal to the University Committee on Financial Aid. Summer school aid will be considered for approval when a Student-Athlete makes a formal application.

Medical Responsibilities

Participation in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Richmond is contingent upon medical approval by the Athletics Team Physician and the Athletics Trainers staff. Student-Athletes are required to show evidence of proper medical insurance and provide a current medical history for the Sports Medicine staff and/or Team Physician, and are required to participate in all Departmentally-sponsored student enhancement seminars or functions, which may include but are not limited to, drug testing, drug education, nutrition or alcohol education.

Alcohol consumption is highly discouraged at all times. Virginia state law sets the minimum age for the purchase and drinking of alcoholic beverages at 21 years of age. However, after legal age requirements are met, Student-Athletes are prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages whenever traveling as an official representative of the University of Richmond. In addition, Student-Athletes are prohibited from consuming alcohol at a Department of Athletics sponsored event (football, basketball game. etc.). Individual sports team rules may also govern consumption of alcohol in and out of season. Student-Athletes are expected to keep themselves in top physical condition and are responsible for continuing training programs prescribed by medical and coaching staffs.

Residence/Dining Hall Responsibilities

All Student-Athletes are required to abide by residence hall and the Heilman Dining Center regulations and policies (see Richmond College and Westhampton College Student Handbooks - Residence Life Polices and Residence Hall Security). If a Student-Athlete voluntarily leaves an athletic team or is removed for disciplinary reasons, the Student-Athlete may be subject to reassignment through the University Housing Office, if said Student-Athlete was assigned housing arranged by the Department of Athletics previously reserved for Student-Athletes in good standing with their respective sport.

Compliance Responsibilities

Student-Athletes must participate in all mandatory educational programs and the First-Year Student-Athlete Life Skills Program, and Student-Athletes are to assist the Department of Athletics administration by providing information to assist with certification of eligibility and NCAA compliance issues whenever sought. Student-Athletes are obligated to report any rules violations which they are aware and to cooperate fully with any investigation of alleged violations.

Travel Expectations

When traveling as official representatives of the University of Richmond, Student-Athletes* actions should reflect favorably on the University, their team, and themselves. Student-Athletes are expected to adhere to their particular team*s dress code, nutritional needs, and curfew. All Student-Athletes are expected to depart and return with their team/coach unless they are officially released to their parent through a Department of Athletics release agreement.

NCAA, Colonial Athletic Association, and Atlantic 10 Conference Responsibilities

All Student-Athletes are required to adhere to applicable NCAA rules and policies as addressed in the NCAA Student-Athlete Statement which is administered annually prior to certification. Additionally, all Colonial Athletic Conference and Atlantic 10 Conference rules and policies must be followed explicitly.

Violations of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

The head coach, subject to the review and approval of the Director of Athletics, may ban a Student-Athlete from participating in team activities for violations of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct. This sanction may be imposed as soon as the head coach notifies the Student-Athlete of the violation, gives the Student-Athlete a chance to explain what happened, and determines that a sanction is justified after consideration of the Student-Athlete*s statement.

Violations resulting in permanent dismissal are reviewed by the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics, at the request of the Student-Athlete, will conduct a hearing to review the nature of the violation and the subsequent dismissal from the team.

In addition to the foregoing procedures, sanctions involving elimination or other changes in athletically-related financial aid during the period of the award shall be imposed pursuant to the relevant NCAA procedures, which are available from the Department of Athletics.
Student-Athlete Acknowledgment of Requirements

I have read and l understand the foregoing University of Richmond Student-Athlete Code of Conduct. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions and have clarification. All my questions about the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct have been answered to my satisfaction.

I understand that agreement to and compliance with the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct are required for my participation in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Richmond.

Any violation of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct by me may result in disciplinary action against me, including, but not limited to, reduction or revocation of my athletic scholarship award and suspension (temporary or permanent) from participation in intercollegiate athletics.

My signature below, in addition to acknowledging the requirements of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, also is my authorization for any professor or party to release to the Office of Student-Athlete Development and Support Services my progress in class, course grades, or the results of any diagnostic tests of an educational nature.

Student-Athlete's Signature Date

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Student Athlete Handbook