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Athletic Code of Conduct

Interscholastic athletics is a voluntary program. Students are not obligated to participate, and participation is not required for graduation. Participation in high school athletics is a privilege and not a right. It is the responsibility of the athlete to conform to the standards set forth by the school’s athletic department and by the individual sport the athlete is competing in.

Integrity, Honor, Social Responsibility

The Irvine High School Athletic Department will not tolerate any student behavior that is detrimental to the athletic program that the student represents during or outside of their season of sport. All violations of the athletic code will be examined by an Athletic Panel that will consist of the Athletic Directors, administration, and the athlete’s varsity coach. This group will review the case and apply sanctions. The following is a list of common offenses and their subsequent sanctions:

  1. The use or possession of banned substances, including but not limited to tobacco, narcotics and steroids
  2. Hazing and/or bullying
  3. Inappropriate use of social media, including bullying, taunting or images reflecting poorly on IHS Athletics and/or IHS athletes. 
  4. Fighting
  5. Sexual harassment
  6. Theft
  7. Vandalism
  8. Lack of academic integrity
  9. Disrespect towards others, including peers, teachers, and officials
  10. Behavior detrimental to IHS or the IHS Athletics Program

20% game suspension in each sport athlete participates. The student athlete has the opportunity to earn back the 20% of games by completing a 20-hour restorative practice activity The activity must be completed within 8 weeks of Athletic Code Violation meeting. The restorative practice activity will be agreed upon and approved by the Athletic Director/Athletic Administrator.

Ineligible from all high school competition for 1 year with the ability to apply for a reduction in ineligibility to 50% of each sport after meeting the following requirements:

  1. Athlete completes educational materials/counseling, which are related to the violation of the athletic code. For example, if an athlete is suspended for use of alcohol for the second violation, they would be required to complete materials/classes relating to alcohol and substance abuse.
  2. Approval by an athletic panel, based on reviewing the seriousness of the offense and the effort by the athlete to atone for actions and move forward in a positive manner, including a pattern of good attendance, behavior and attitude. The panel will be made up by the administration, athletic directors and coaches.

1-year non-participation from all IHS athletic programs

The Athletic Panel reserves the right to adjust a suspension based on the severity of the incident.

All Irvine athletes represent not only their specific sport but also the entire school. It is imperative that athletes behave in such a way that they are a positive reflection of Irvine High School.

  1. Appearance: The athlete should dress neatly and be well-groomed at all times. No jewelry will be worn during athletic contests. This conforms to the CIF Officials Code for Safety. An athlete should dress neatly and wear shoes when traveling to an event.
  2. Profanity, cheating or illegal tactics are not part of athletic competition or practice and will not be tolerated.
  3. Game officials are to be treated with respect and courtesy at all times.
  4. Violation of required locker room conduct will not be tolerated. Horseplay results in injuries and damaged equipment, both of which hurt the team.
  5. Irvine athletes are expected to be modest in victory and gracious in defeat. We strive for self-discipline in competition and as spectators.

The athletic panel will review any conduct violations and possible sanctions to be levied.

Athletes are responsible for any uniforms or equipment they are issued. No athlete will be allowed to play on any athletic team until all uniforms and equipment from a prior sport are returned or paid for. The athlete will not be allowed to participate in any award ceremony or receive a letter until all obligations have been met. Grades may also be held until an athlete clears up any uniform or equipment obligations.

The following requirements have been established by C.I.F. for all students competing in interscholastic competition:

  1. To be academically eligible, a student must have passed a minimum of 20 units of work in the quarter preceding the athletic season. Passing is a “C” average. Only 5 units of Physical Education may be counted towards those units. All 9th graders are automatically eligible for the first quarter only.
  2. Seniors who have otherwise met all their graduation requirements must still take 20 quarter units to maintain eligibility during the duration of the sport.
  3. All athletes must be enrolled in 20 units of work during the season of sport.
  4. All students must have a current parent consent, physical exam form, and insurance card on file through Athletic Clearance to be eligible to participate.

Any student who is removed from a team or leaves the team for any reason will be subject to the following regulations:

  1. An athlete has three weeks from the official start of practice for the season to determine whether they wish to leave a team. If, after the third week, an athlete leaves a team, the athlete may not join another team without the mutual consent of both coaches. He or she may join another team at the conclusion of the season of the team he/she left.
  2. If an athlete leaves a team after the three-week period and is in 9th grade, they shall be returned to a regular P.E. class.
  3. Athletes dropped from a team for disciplinary reasons before the season is over may not go out for another sport until the season of the sport they were dropped from is over.
  4. If at any time an athlete decides to leave a program, their return to that program is up to the discretion of the coach.