Guidelines for Student Athletes

Mission Statement

As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Mid-South Conference, and consistent with Shawnee State University’s mission, it is the mission of the Department of Athletics to encourage participation in intercollegiate athletics by offering a variety of competitive opportunities and recruiting student athletes with the potential to be successful both academically and athletically.

The athletics department ensures that intercollegiate athletics is an educational activity.  It also encourages the development of sportsmanship and positive social attitudes in all participants as well as active participation in campus and university life.  We continue our commitment to developing and maintaining a positive image for both the athletics department and the University and to provide equitable opportunities for male and female student athletes.

Student Athlete Standard of Conduct

With membership to an intercollegiate athletic team comes the requirement of high standards of effort, a commitment to participation, and the acceptance of the student-athlete role. The following is expected of all team members.

1. The student-athlete must fulfill academic responsiblities while progressing toward a degree.
2. The student-athlete accepts the responsibility of being an effective and contributing member of the university community and the larger society.
3. The student-athlete accepts the responsibility of following team rules and accepts the role of team membership.
4. The student-athlete accepts the responsibility of performing as a positive role model on and off campus.
5. The student-athlete accepts the responsibility for maintaining academic eligibility for participation in every athletic contest.
6. Hazing in any form will not be tolerated. Please see the SSU Student Handbook for more details.

Coaches Standard of Conduct and Code of Ethics

With membership to the athletic staff comes the requirement of high standards of honesty, sincerity, and integrety along with the responsibility of performing duties in the following manner.

1. The positive moral, mental, and physical health of the student athlete is considered uppermost in all activites and decision of the department.
2. Sportsmanship, fair play, and adherence to the rules on the floor, on the field, and in all other areas of responsibility is the expected mode of behavior.
3. Intolerance or discrimination has no place in the activities of the department or its staff.
4. The use of student-athletes for political or financial gain is not permitted or tolerated by the department of its staff.
5. Adherence to all Shawnee State University employee policies and Shawnee State University Guidelines for student-athletes is expected.
6. Shawnee State University athletic staff are public figures and their conduct, both on and off the field/court, reflects on the University. Therefore, athletic department staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner at all times.
7. All coaches (head, assistant, volunteer) must be under contract. Coaches are not to drink alcohol with members of their team during the term of their contract.

Eligibility Requirements

A Shawnee State University student-athlete must meet both the NAIA eligibility requirements as well as the Shawnee State requirements for athletic participation. The official NAIA Handbook can be found at www.naia.org and be reviewed with the athletic director or faculty athletic representative.

1. An entering freshman student must be a graduate of an accredited high schol or accepted as a regular student, in good standing, by the enrolling institution.
2. A first-time entering freshman must meet two of the three entry level requirements:
   1. A score of 18 on the ACT of 860 on the SAT; and/or,
   2. An overall high school grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale; and/or
   3. Graduating in the top half of the student’s high school graduation class.

Those students not meeting at least two of the three standards shall be denied athletic participation at a member institution the first full year the students is in college.

Note: Equivalency scores and/or conversion tables are used for GED students and international students.

Academic Eligibility Requirements for Continued Participation for Students

NAIA eligibility requirements can be found at www.naia.org. Click on NAIA legislative services and the NAIA Constitution, Casebook, and Bylaws.

Important information:

1. You must maintain 12 semester hours during all semesters of competition.
2. A minimum of 24 semester hours must be passed during your last two semesters of full-time (12 hours or more) attendance.
3. Withdrawals are counted in determining your terms of attendance.
4. Repeating classes you previoulsy passed does not count toward the 24-hour rule or total hours required.
5. Summer semester does not count as a term of attendance.

Academic Advising

Students have a primary faculty advisor who is assigned by the chair or dean of their academic area.

1. Withdrawal from a course

A student-athlete comtemplating withdrawal from a scheduled course should, in order to insure acaemic eligibilty, adhere to the following procedures:

1. Consultation concerning eligibility and withdrawal should be conducted with the academic compliance coordinator.
2. Consult and follow all institutional procedures as set forth by the Shawnee State Univeristy Catalog.
3. Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is expected of all athletes at Shawnee State University.

Drug Program

The Athletic Department of Shawnee State Unviersity believes the use of drugs and alcohol has a negative effect on the performance of the student-athlete, both in the classroom and in sports.

The university is committed to maintianing a campus free of illegal drugs or the unlawful use of alcohol. Shawnee State Unvierstiy prohibits the possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensation, or use of illegal drugs and the unlawful use, possesstion, or distribution of alcohol on all universtiy property, at any location where employees or students are conducting university related business or activities, when using university vehicles and when using private vehicles on university business or in the conduct of universtiy activities.

Medical Evalution

Each student-athlete is required to have a physical examination conducted by a physician prior to particpation in any intercollegiate sport. The final decision regarding physical qualification or rejection is the responsibility of a physician specified by Shawnee State University. No individual is permitted to return to participation after any acute illness, operation, or after being in the care of a physician without the consent of a physician.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Disciplinary sanctions, in accordance with the Shawnee State Unviersty Handbook, administered by designated university officials must apply equally to all student-athletes, as well as nonathletes. (Please review the Code of Student Conduct in the Student Handbook.)