Student-athletes at New Canaan High School should stay classy and keep out of trouble if they want to stay on the playing fields, according to new regulations from the Board of Education.
The athletics regulations, which were approved by the school board earlier this month, make it clear that wearing a New Canaan athletics uniform comes with great responsibility, board President Nick Williams said. The regulations come on the heels of a board policy on athletics passed in September.
Williams said the board wanted formal rules for student-athletes to support administrators and to make sure athletes knew what is expected of them both on and off campus. "Athletics are important, and we want to encourage students to participate. But we want to remind everyone that participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right," he said.
Under the regulations, students charged with criminal offenses are immediately suspended from their teams. New Canaan principal Tony Pavia and athletic director Jay Egan can review how long that suspension should last and whether a student will be reinstated.
A student charged with substance abuse will be placed on probation for 10 days and cannot participate in any team activities, including meetings. A second offense would have the student suspended for at least 10 days and possibly an entire season.
The regulations also cover student behavior during play and while attending sporting events.
Pavia said the regulations are similar to what the high school already had in place with its athletes' code of conduct. "I think it means a lot to us that the board has a statement that supports what we're doing," Pavia said.
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