SAVE OU SPORTS.ORG

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PETITION

Please sign our petition to save dropped OU sports. Click here. If your current circumstances or position with Ohio University do not require anonymity, we request that you sign with your name rather than as "Anonymous" as some have. Thank you and thanks to the Women's Lacrosse blog for setting up this petition.

Bobcat Attack Message Board

Ohio University Alumni Association

OU Students have an active discussion going on in FaceBook.Com. Click here to go to FaceBook.Com and join in.

OU Student Newspaper "The Post Online"

www.EquityinAthletics.org

Save James Madison University Sports.org

Taking Inside Higher Ed to the Mat

EMAIL CONTACT FOR THIS SITE: SaveOUSports ATgmailDOTcom

IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

OU CODES OF CONDUCT

Editorial below on OU's Code of Conduct

Student Code of Conduct

Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

Student Athlete Handbook

OU Student Athletes: Late last year you were all required to sign a document acknowledging that you had read and understood the Codes of Conduct governing students and student athletes at OU.

Specifically, the new Student Athlete Handbook dated "Fall 2006," states that making online "...indiscreet or hurtful comments about student-athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and/or the Department of Athletics will not be tolerated."

The unexpected announcement on January 24, 2007, that four OU varsity sports teams were being cut, and subsequent statements from OU that decision was "final" have stirred strong emotions.

We ask you to review the codes again and to avoid actions that could be construed as violations, especially if you are actively engaged in efforts to restore the cut teams.

The recently revised Student Athlete Code of Conduct and Student Athlete Handbook, and the Student Code of Conduct are all linked above and below for your ready reference.

Please exercise caution and protect your interests.

ONLINE ACTIVITIES

For your reference and convenience, the specific sections that address online activities of student athletes appear on pages 9 & 10 of the Student Athlete Handbook and are repeated here:

"Student-Athletes are responsible for information contained in written or electronic transmissions (e.g. email) and any information posted in a public domain (e.g. internet, chat room, FaceBook, You Tube, My Space). Student-athletes are not precluded from participating in such online social networks or cyber communities; however, Student-Athletes should be reminded that they serve as representatives of Ohio University. As such, student-athletes' sites are reflective of themselves, their team, their coach, the Department of Athletics and Ohio University."

"Inappropriate or embarrassing information or pictures should not be posted to any public domain. Displaying indiscreet or hurtful comments about student-athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and/or the Department of Athletics will not be tolerated. Upon request, a student-athlete must grant access for coaches and/or department administrators to view his/her account."

Further below on page 10:

"Ohio Athletics Disciplinary Policy"

"Violations of the Ohio Athletics Student-Athlete Code of Conduct will result in immediate disciplinary action, above and beyond what action may be taken by the Office of University Judiciaries on behalf of the institution."

Student Code of Conduct

Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

Student Athlete Handbook

Some food for thought:

We researched the Internet and found the info below on coaches' and athletic directors' codes of ethics. OU specifies how its student athletes must behave. Is it equally strict with those who mean to lead its student athletes and who play a major role in shaping their current opportunities and future prospects?

Student athletes are expected to respect established rules both on and off the field. Are OU's leaders bound by similar rules and regulations?

We found information in the "NCAA Division One Manual," The Athletic Directors Association, and the National High School Athletics Coaches Association that appears to be pertinent to our current situation. Please see below:

FROM THE "NCAA Division One Manual"

Please pay particular attention to 2.2.6 below:

(Downloadable at the above link but it is a large pdf file 476 pages long)

Page 3

"2.2 The Principle of Student-Athlete Well-Being

2.2.5 Fairness, Openness and Honesty. [*] It is the responsibility of each member institution to ensure that coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes."

Page 3

"2.2 The Principle of Student-Athlete Well-Being

2.2.6 Student-Athlete Involvement. [] It is the responsibility of each member institution to involve student-athletes in matters that affect their lives. (Adopted 1/10/95)"*

Page 4

"2.4 The Principle of Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct [*]

For intercollegiate athletics to promote the character development of participants, to enhance the integrity of higher education and to promote civility in society, student-athletes, coaches, and all others associated with these athletics programs and events should adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. These values should be manifest not only in athletics participation but also in the broad spectrum of activities affecting the athletics program. It is the responsibility of each institution to: (Revised 1/9/96)

(a) Establish policies for sportsmanship and ethical conduct in intercollegiate athletics consistent with the educational mission and goals of the institution; and (Adopted 1/9/96)

(b) Educate, on a continuing basis, all constituencies about the policies in the Constitution 2.4-(a) (Adopted 1/9/96)"

Page 5

"2.16 The Principle Governing The Economy of Athletics Program Operation [*]

Intercollegiate athletics programs shall be administered in keeping with prudent management and fiscal practices to assure the financial stability necessary for providing student-athletes with adequate opportunities for athletics competition as an integral part of a quality educational experience."

Page 54

"11.1 - Conduct of Athletics Personnel

11.1.1 Standards of Honesty and Sportsmanship. Individuals employed by or associated with a member institution to administer, conduct or coach intercollegiate athletics shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their institutions and they, as individuals, represent the honor and dignity of fair play and generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports. (See Bylaw 10 for more specific ethical-conduct standards.)"

Athletic Directors' Association

Association Members

"Ohio University -- Mr. Kirby Hocutt"

"Association Values & Ethics

The AD places the highest value upon the following principles. Every decision he/she makes should promote and support these values/principles.

Student-athlete welfare (health, safety, personal growth, educational and athletic development)
Sportsmanship and fair play
Academic integrity
Ethical business practices
Gender and racial equity
The mission of the school where employed
Personal integrity

Principles that should be addressed in a Code of Ethics

Student-Athlete Welfare

Academic achievement - The AD should ensure that student-athletes are fully engaged in the higher education learning process and are provided academic support services to assist in this process. The AD should recognize that the commitment of student-athletes to be the best they can be in their sport(s) and also academically and as responsible citizens is indeed challenging and valuable educationally.
Physical development, health and safety:
1. The AD should ensure that each student-athlete has a support system that protects and prioritizes his/her physical health and personal safety.
2. The AD should provide programs that ensure student-athletes are physically prepared to compete safely and to their full potential.
Personal and social development - The AD should provide programs that nurture the full personal development of student-athletes. The goals of such programs are:
1. Develop leadership
2. Prepare student-athletes to accept responsibility for their own future.
3. Prepare student-athletes to make sound decisions.
4. Prepare student-athletes to be good citizens.
5. Prepare student athletes to serve others.
Our recommended policy: CHAMPS

Personal Integrity

The AD should hold himself/herself to the highest standards of personal integrity.
The AD should set a personal example for each student-athlete and staff member through his/her own behavior and decision making. [Emphasis added]
The AD must recognize his/her role as a public figure, role model and institutional representative by conducting himself/herself with dignity at all times.

Academic Integrity

The AD should ensure that recruited student-athletes have the preparation and aptitude to succeed academically at their institution.
The AD should promote, especially with all coaches, the goal that every student-athlete is a legitimate degree-seeking student, making satisfactory progress toward his/her degree.
The AD should ensure that the academic progress of student-athlete is a top priority.

Sportsmanship and fair play

The AD should ensure that all coaches, staff, and student-athletes understand the principles of good sportsmanship and are held accountable to abide by them.
The AD should ensure that each contest is held in an environment that prioritizes and honors sportsmanship.
The AD should promote the value of athletes' effort as different from winning (honestly recognizing that for every honorable winner there is also a worthy loser).

Ethical Business Practices

The AD should have an unwavering commitment to ethical business practices.
The AD should honor the virtues of intercollegiate athletic competition, as opposed to the "winning at all costs" mentality. [Emphasis added]
The AD should ensure that commercial interests do not undermine our other Core Values. [Emphasis added]

Equity

The AD should ensure the athletics program is respectful of gender and race, offering equivalent services to every student-athlete.
The AD should honor and encourage diversity in the work place.

Mission of the School

The Ad must understand and be an advocate for the mission goals of the school he/she serves.
The AD should ensure that each employee and student-athlete understands and supports the mission and goals of the institution."

From the National High School Athletic Coaches Association

"Coaches Code of Ethics

As a professional educator and leader, the high school Coach or Athletic Director will:

Exemplify the highest moral character as a role model for young people.
Recognize the individual worth and reinforce the self-image of each team member.
Encourage and assist team members to set personal goals to achieve their highest academic potential.
Create a set of training rules for athletes which reflects the positive values of abstaining from the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Strive to develop the qualities of leadership, initiative, and good judgment in each team member.
Communicate and interpret program goals and objectives to parents and community.
Provide a safe environment for practice and competition.
Gain an awareness of the importance of prevention, care and treatment of athletic injuries.
Respect the integrity and judgment of the game official.
Teach and abide by the rules of the game in letter and in spirit.
Build and maintain ethical relationships with Coaches and administrators.
Strive for excellence in coaching skills and techniques through professional improvement.
Promote personal fitness and good nutrition.
Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
Encourage a healthy respect for the overall athletic program and its vital roles in education."

From "The Post Online," April 3, 2007

Your Turn: Code of conduct needs to go to athletes who violate it, not cut teams

Letter to the Editor

On March 2, 2007, Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt sent a letter to all parents of the men’s swimming and diving team (and all sports that were impacted by the university’s decision to eliminate four varsity sports). The purpose of the letter was to provide the parents and athletes “with documentation affirming the commitment of Ohio Athletics and Ohio University to support your son to the extent we are able to….” Is commitment really the right word to describe the actions of the Athletic Department?

Mr. Hocutt attached the Ohio University Student-Athlete Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy because “student-athletes that receive athletic financial aid, and choose to remain at Ohio University, are expected to adhere to the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.” According to this code, “student-athletes at Ohio University are expected to uphold at all times, high standards of integrity and behavior, reflecting well upon themselves, their families, coaches, teammates, the Department of Athletics and Ohio University.”

The first irony is that since Mr. Hocutt announced the final decision to eliminate four sports, neither he nor President McDavis has demonstrated a shred of character or integrity. That Mr. Hocutt would send a letter to the parents of the men’s team, the vast majority of whom do not receive any athletic financial aid, and attach this code of conduct, is highly insensitive. These men would like nothing more than to compete for Ohio University and, if the university honored its words and commitments — in other words, demonstrated the integrity that it demands from its student-athletes — they would have that opportunity.

The second irony is that Mr. Hocutt would feel the need to send the code of conduct only to the parents and athletes of the cut programs. Our sons (and all of the athletes that were cut) have represented Ohio University at all times, both before and after the announcement, with “pride, class and dignity.” These were the words that the athletic director of a rival MAC school used to describe our team and fans after the recent MAC Men’s Championship Swimming and Diving meet. Of course, unlike the other schools that participated in the championship meet, Ohio University had no representation from its Athletic Department — they abandoned the team a month prior. Rather than send the code of conduct to our sons, we suggest that Mr. Hocutt visit with the athletes and coaches who have embarrassed the university with repeated violations of its conduct code.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind Dr. McDavis that he still owes us an answer to the following question: Does a university with a core value and guiding principle of integrity have an obligation to honor its word and commitments to its student athletes?

Tim and Jan Herlehy write from Batavia, Ill., and are members of United Swim Parents.

DROPPED TEAMS

2006 Women's Lacrosse Team

Women's Save Ohio Lacrosse Blog

LaxPower.com message board discussion on OU LAX

Women's Lacrosse web page at OU website

Swimming and Diving

Save Ohio Swimming and Diving

and

Save Ohio Swimming

Swimming and Diving web page at OU website

Save Ohio University Swimming Discussion Forum

Track and Field

Bringing Back Ohio Track Blog

Track and Field web page at OU website

YouTube video put together for the Track and Field Team

[ Back ] [ Home ] [ Next ]

SaveOUsports.org is a non-profit group devoted to action that will reinstate discontinued varsity sports at Ohio University.

SAVE OU SPORTS.ORG

GO BOBCATS!

LINKS

PETITION

MORE LINKS

OU Students have an active discussion going on in FaceBook.Com. Click here to go to FaceBook.Com and join in.

EMAIL CONTACT FOR THIS SITE: SaveOUSports ATgmailDOTcom

IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

OU CODES OF CONDUCT

OU Student Athletes: Late last year you were all required to sign a document acknowledging that you had read and understood the Codes of Conduct governing students and student athletes at OU.

Specifically, the new Student Athlete Handbook dated "Fall 2006," states that making online "...indiscreet or hurtful comments about student-athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and/or the Department of Athletics will not be tolerated."

The unexpected announcement on January 24, 2007, that four OU varsity sports teams were being cut, and subsequent statements from OU that decision was "final" have stirred strong emotions.

We ask you to review the codes again and to avoid actions that could be construed as violations, especially if you are actively engaged in efforts to restore the cut teams.

The recently revised Student Athlete Code of Conduct and Student Athlete Handbook, and the Student Code of Conduct are all linked above and below for your ready reference.

Please exercise caution and protect your interests.

ONLINE ACTIVITIES

For your reference and convenience, the specific sections that address online activities of student athletes appear on pages 9 & 10 of the Student Athlete Handbook and are repeated here:

Further below on page 10:

"Ohio Athletics Disciplinary Policy"

"Violations of the Ohio Athletics Student-Athlete Code of Conduct will result in immediate disciplinary action, above and beyond what action may be taken by the Office of University Judiciaries on behalf of the institution."

Some food for thought:

Student athletes are expected to respect established rules both on and off the field. Are OU's leaders bound by similar rules and regulations?

We found information in the "NCAA Division One Manual," The Athletic Directors Association, and the National High School Athletics Coaches Association that appears to be pertinent to our current situation. Please see below:

Please pay particular attention to 2.2.6 below:

(Downloadable at the above link but it is a large pdf file 476 pages long)

Page 3

"2.2 The Principle of Student-Athlete Well-Being

2.2.5 Fairness, Openness and Honesty. [*] It is the responsibility of each member institution to ensure that coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes."

Page 3

"2.2 The Principle of Student-Athlete Well-Being

2.2.6 Student-Athlete Involvement. [*] It is the responsibility of each member institution to involve student-athletes in matters that affect their lives. (Adopted 1/10/95)"

Page 4

"2.4 The Principle of Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct [*]

(a) Establish policies for sportsmanship and ethical conduct in intercollegiate athletics consistent with the educational mission and goals of the institution; and (Adopted 1/9/96)

(b) Educate, on a continuing basis, all constituencies about the policies in the Constitution 2.4-(a) (Adopted 1/9/96)"

Page 5

"2.16 The Principle Governing The Economy of Athletics Program Operation [*]

Intercollegiate athletics programs shall be administered in keeping with prudent management and fiscal practices to assure the financial stability necessary for providing student-athletes with adequate opportunities for athletics competition as an integral part of a quality educational experience."

Page 54

"11.1 - Conduct of Athletics Personnel

"Ohio University -- Mr. Kirby Hocutt"

"Association Values & Ethics

The AD places the highest value upon the following principles. Every decision he/she makes should promote and support these values/principles.

Student-athlete welfare (health, safety, personal growth, educational and athletic development)

Sportsmanship and fair play

Academic integrity

Ethical business practices

Gender and racial equity

The mission of the school where employed

Personal integrity

Principles that should be addressed in a Code of Ethics

Student-Athlete Welfare

Physical development, health and safety:

The AD should ensure that each student-athlete has a support system that protects and prioritizes his/her physical health and personal safety.

The AD should provide programs that ensure student-athletes are physically prepared to compete safely and to their full potential.

Personal and social development - The AD should provide programs that nurture the full personal development of student-athletes. The goals of such programs are:

Develop leadership

Prepare student-athletes to accept responsibility for their own future.

Prepare student-athletes to make sound decisions.

Prepare student-athletes to be good citizens.

Prepare student athletes to serve others.

Our recommended policy: CHAMPS

Personal Integrity

The AD should hold himself/herself to the highest standards of personal integrity.

The AD should set a personal example for each student-athlete and staff member through his/her own behavior and decision making. [Emphasis added]

The AD must recognize his/her role as a public figure, role model and institutional representative by conducting himself/herself with dignity at all times.

Academic Integrity

The AD should ensure that recruited student-athletes have the preparation and aptitude to succeed academically at their institution.

The AD should promote, especially with all coaches, the goal that every student-athlete is a legitimate degree-seeking student, making satisfactory progress toward his/her degree.

The AD should ensure that the academic progress of student-athlete is a top priority.

Sportsmanship and fair play

The AD should ensure that all coaches, staff, and student-athletes understand the principles of good sportsmanship and are held accountable to abide by them.

The AD should ensure that each contest is held in an environment that prioritizes and honors sportsmanship.

The AD should promote the value of athletes' effort as different from winning (honestly recognizing that for every honorable winner there is also a worthy loser).

Ethical Business Practices

The AD should have an unwavering commitment to ethical business practices.

The AD should honor the virtues of intercollegiate athletic competition, as opposed to the "winning at all costs" mentality. [Emphasis added]

The AD should ensure that commercial interests do not undermine our other Core Values. [Emphasis added]

Equity

The AD should ensure the athletics program is respectful of gender and race, offering equivalent services to every student-athlete.

2.2.6 Student-Athlete Involvement. [] It is the responsibility of each member institution to involve student-athletes in matters that affect their lives. (Adopted 1/10/95)"*