-          is one component of a comprehensive youth ministry program, which

-          enables the partnership of adult Catholic leaders to manage and support a sports program, that

-          allows the youth to grow in their relationship with God and come to better understand themselves and the Catholic faith.

Such a program:

1.       employs healthy and enjoyable competition to promote the sharing of gospel values among athletes, parents and coaches

2.       assists parish leadership in nourishing the emotional, spiritual, social and physical needs of young people

3.       encourages young people to appreciate the gifts that they possess, and challenges them to share these gifts with their community

4.       allows youth to witness the life of Christian discipleship in their coaches and adult leaders

5.       encourages youth to become responsible members of their faith community

Code of Conduct

The following are examples of Offensive Actions and Penalties:

No CYO athlete, coach or spectator is permitted to….

1. Refuse to abide by an official’s decision
2. Display objectionable behavior by throwing equipment or any other forceful action.
3. Heap verbal abuse upon any athlete, coach, spectator or official
4. Lay hands upon, push, shove, strike, threaten to strike or physically attack an athlete, coach, spectator or official.

This list is not exhaustive.

Any athlete, coach or spectator who is found to be guilty of any of the above violations may face the following penalties:

1. Violation of Articles a thru c: Minimum five-game suspension for CYO league and/or playoff competitions. (A coach may not coach another CYO team while under suspension.)

2. Coach or Spectator in violation of Article d: Minimum suspension for one full calendar year from all CYO sports.

3. Athlete in violation of Article d: Minimum suspension for one full calendar year in that particular sport.

4. Violation of above imposed penalties for conduct: If a violator disregards a penalty when properly notified, his or her team will be suspended from all competition for one full calendar year for that particular sport.  The parish is responsible for enforcement.

This list is not exhaustive.

NOTES:

1. Penalties will carry over into the next season available in order to follow it to completion.
2. If the circumstances necessitate further investigation, the individual in possible violation will be suspended until an informed decision can be made.

Technical Fouls

      Technical fouls that are issued against a coach or a player for behavioral reasons (as opposed to inadvertent rules violations) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Interviews will be conducted with the offending coach or player and the game-day referees, as well as the PIAA supervisor of officials, if need be.  Abuse of officials will not be tolerated and offenders risk suspension, if the facts warrant it.

Academic Eligibility

      Student-athletes must maintain a passing grade in all subjects.  During the marking period, any student-athlete who has a failing grade or an unsatisfactory grade in either conduct or a particular subject will be put on probation for a two-week period.  Sister Wanda will notify the athletic director, who will in turn notify the coach.  During that two-week period, if the student-athlete shows improved effort and performance, he or she will be reinstated.  Any student who is suspended from school for any reason is automatically suspended from participation in CYO sports.

      Student-athletes under suspension will not participate or play in scheduled games.  They are required to attend games, out of uniform, and sit on the bench in support of their teammates.

Please note that the Code of Conduct is derived almost entirely from the CYO rulebook of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  It is also in accordance with established rules that are in effect in many other parishes.  Last year, the attitude and behavior of our coaches, students, and parents were exemplary.  With a repeat of that performance, the penalties of this code will never become an issue.  However, a clear reading of the text indicates that the parish is responsible for enforcement if team eligibility is to be maintained.  Our sports programs are, above all else, Christian in nature and it is in that spirit that the Diocese and St. Aloysius have crafted these principles of sportsmanship and good behavior.

This code applies to all sports, in all seasons,

here at St. Aloysius.

Rev. Walter J. Benn, Pastor             Rev. Angelo J. Hernandez

Sr. Wanda Marie Schlager                 Richard Brady, AD