Athletics

Purpose

To promote and uphold the principles of sportsmanship as an essential part of the
educational experience in high school athletics. This guidance defines expectations for
behavior and outlines the shared responsibility of students, coaches, parents, and
community members to model respect, fairness, and integrity.

Core Principles of Sportsmanship

• Respect: Show respect for opponents, officials, teammates, coaches, and the game itself.

• Integrity: Compete honestly and fairly; avoid unsportsmanlike conduct.

• Responsibility: Accept the outcome of competition with grace and hold oneself accountable for words and actions.

• Self-Control: Manage emotions, especially in high-pressure or competitive situations.

• Inclusiveness: Promote a safe, welcoming environment for participants of all backgrounds and identities.

Expectations By Role

Student Athletes

• Compete hard but fair; play within the rules.
• Shake hands before and after games.
• Respect officials’ decisions even when in disagreement.
• Avoid taunting, trash talk, or celebrations that demean others.
• Serve as a role model for peers and younger students.

Coaches

• Teach and reinforce sportsmanship as a core value.
• Model calm and respectful behavior on the sideline.
• Hold players accountable for unsportsmanlike actions.
• Support and respect officials; address concerns through proper channels.
• Encourage positive parent and fan conduct.

Parents & Guardians

• Demonstrate respect for all players, coaches, and officials.
• Let coaches coach and officials officiate—do not yell at them.
• Cheer positively—avoid negative remarks about other players or teams.
• Refrain from arguing, taunting, or engaging in confrontations at events.
• Support team values, even if your child is not starting or playing.

Spectators

• Be courteous and respectful to all attendees.
• Applaud effort and skill, regardless of team affiliation.
• Avoid profanity, racial/sexist remarks, and inappropriate gestures.
• Follow all event guidelines and instructions from event staff.
• Understand that inappropriate behavior can lead to removal from venues.

Consequences for Unsportsmanlike Conduct 

• Students: Warnings, game suspensions, removal from team, or school disciplinary actions.
• Coaches: Ejection penalties, NCHSAA disciplinary action, or employment consequences.
• Parents/Spectators: Verbal warnings, removal from premises, bans from future events.
• Teams: Possible forfeits, fines, or postseason ineligibility if issues persist.

Reporting Sportsmanship Concerns

• Concerns should first be addressed through the Coach.

• If unresolved, contact the Athletic Director or Principal.

• For major violations or repeat behaviors, district-level or NCHSAA reporting procedures
• may apply.

“As a student-athlete, parent, coach, or supporter of Orange County Schools, I commit to promoting respect, fairness, and positivity in all athletic events. I understand that my behavior reflects on my school and community, and I will uphold the values of sportsmanship at all times.”

OCS Sportsmanship Pledge 

Mission 

Foster student-athletes' physical, mental and emotional growth through sports.

Goals

• Promote sportsmanship and teamwork. 
• Encourage academic excellence alongside athletic participation.
• Develop leadership skills and personal responsibility.
• Participation in athletics is completely voluntary.
• It is a privilege to be a member of a school's athletic team, which can only be earned when students abide by the rules of the state, district, the school, and the specific team.
• Our student athletes and coaches are expected to be models of good behavior and sportsmanship.
• They are representing the school and community at the athletic events throughout the area and across the state.
• A participating student athlete who engages in any conduct on or off campus, which is inconsistent with the students position as a role model or representative of Orange County Schools, is subject to disciplinary actions including suspension and/or removal from the team as determined by the school principal or other school officials.
• Providing false information about residence, domicile, home address, or with whom the student resided is grounds for revoking the privilege of participating in athletics and can lead to a 365-day suspension from participation in athletics statewide by the NCHSAA.
• Remember, participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right.

Academic Standards

All student-athletes must: 

• Be enrolled in Orange County Schools 
• Have a primary residence in the OCS district as defined by local policy
• Pass all subjects taken with a 70% average during the previous semester 
• Be in attendance 85% of the previous semester and must attend at least half of the school day to be considered present
• Be in good standing and on a path to promotion or graduation 
• Have been promoted to the next appropriate grade 
• Pass English each year to meet local promotion standards

Age Limit

• Must not turn 19 on or before August 31st of the current academic year.

Physical Examination

• A current physical exam is required, valid for 395 days and must be updated and on file with the athletic department before the first practice to include all summer or out-of-season participation.

Concussion Protocol

• Completion and submission of the Concussion Information Form (Spanish) before the first practice. 

Insurance

• All students are covered under the district's catastrophic insurance programs. For details and filings, please contact the school athletic trainer or administration. 
• All families are encouraged to have their private insurance
• Our school insurance is a supplemental plan
• For more information, please contact the school athletic director

Registration in Dragonfly athletic management online portal.

Behavior Expectations

• Display respect towards coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials.
• Maintain academic integrity; instances of cheating or plagiarism will result in disciplinary action.

Substance Abuse Policy

• Strict prohibition of illegal or unauthorized substances; violations may lead to suspension or dismissal from the team.

Attendance

• Regular attendance at practices and games is mandatory unless excused by the coach.
• Attendance is crucial to our student athletes' success, and therefore a student athlete must be in school a minimum of 1/2 of the school day to be eligible to participate in any school athletic events to include practices, games, scrimmages, skill development & workouts

Equipment and Uniforms

• Athletes are responsible for the care and return of all issued equipment and uniforms.

Transportation

• Details regarding travel arrangements for away games and events will be provided by your coach. 
• All student-athletes are expected to ride to and from events by the provided OCS transportation.

Concussion Management

• Protocols are in place for the prevention, identification, and management of concussions.

Injury Reporting

• The process for reporting injuries to coaches and athletic trainers promptly is strictly enforced.
• Our school EAP will be practiced and rehearsed regularly

Emergency Procedures

• All participants will have the opportunity to view emergency action plans during athletic events.
• Our emergency action plans will be available to all staff, fans, and participants.
• Our emergency action plans will be displayed throughout each venue.
• Our staff will review, practice, and rehearse our emergency action plans each season and without notice.

Support

• Encourage and support student-athletes in balancing academics and sports.

Communication

• Maintain open lines of communication with coaches regarding any concerns.
• OCS will maintain a 24-hour rule. Please schedule a conference/meeting with a coach within 24 hours of the event.
• Playing time will not be discussed before, during, or after an event.
• The OCS Athletic Department chain of command should include the coach, the school athletic director, principal, and, if necessary, the county/district athletic director. 

Volunteering

• Opportunities to assist with events, fundraising, and team activities should be coordinated through the coach or the school booster club. 

Clear Bag Policy

For safety. OCS has implemented a Clear Bag Policy for all athletic events. Click here to learn more.

If your student-athlete is home schooled and plans to participate in middle school or high school sports, please review the information below.

Students/parents must:

• Reside in our school district.
• Be enrolled as an Orange County student.
• Attend the school that you are assigned based on your primary residence (see #7 below).
• Meet all NCSBOE, NCDPI, NCHSAA, &  OCS eligibility requirements.
  • Residence requirements
  • Enrolment requirements
  • Scholastic requirements
  • Attendance requirements
  • Age requirements
  • Medical requirements
  • Meet the academic and curricular requirements of the PSU and the State Board of Education to be promoted to the next grade level or to graduate within the next calendar year.
  • Other requirements not listed in this document.

In addition, all Home School Student Athletes/parents must: (per Board Policy 3620)

1. Present a home school card from the Division of Non-Public Education for the previous and current years, as well as a transcript, attendance record, and immunization records. 
2. Before the first date of practice, the student must provide the results of a nationally standardized achievement test, taken within the last year, that indicates the student was on grade level at the time the test was taken. 
3. Present proof of catastrophic accident insurance coverage unless the student is covered under the board’s catastrophic athletic accident insurance policy.
4. Have been enrolled in a registered home school for 365 days before participation in athletics. 
5. Maintain continuous enrollment.
6.  Maintain continuous enrollment, and failure to maintain continuous enrollment would render the student ineligible for athletic participation for 365 days.
7. Participate in a class scheduled at the assigned school that is at least one-half of the assigned school's instructional day.
8. Take a minimum of one class on campus each semester. 
9. Pass all classes in which the student is enrolled at the assigned school to maintain athletic eligibility.
10. Notify the principal of the assigned school in writing of the student’s intent to try out for an athletic team at least 10 days before the first practice date of each sport season in which the student wishes to participate. Failure to comply with this requirement renders the student ineligible for that sport season.