Student Parent Athletic Handbook

A major objective of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Athletic Program is to provide wholesome opportunities for students to develop positive leadership habits and attitudes of social and group interaction. Remember that participation in athletics is a privilege granted by the Board of Education, and along with this privilege and its benefits come certain responsibilities: It is expected that all athletes will participate in all practices and games, adhere to all rules set forth by the school and Athletic Department, as well as their individual coaches, and conduct themselves in an exemplary manner at all times. Those who do not are subject to appropriate school and team consequences.

Coaches, Parents, and Students are also expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Failure to exhibit good sportsmanship shall include, but not be limited to the following conduct: 

1. Any person who strikes or physically abuses an official, coach, player, or spectator; 

2. Any person who intentionally incites participants or spectators to abusive action; 

3. Any person who uses obscene gestures or unduly provocative language or action towards officials, coaches, opponents, or spectators;

4. Any school or athletic staff member who is publicly critical of a game official or opposing coaches and/or players;

5. Any person who engages in conduct which exhibits bias based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation or sex, social or economic status, or disability; 

6. Schools or school organizations engaging in pre-event activities of an intimidating nature, e.g., the use of fog machines, blaring sirens, unusual sound effects or lighting, or similar activities. 

7. Other conduct judged by the Athletic Director or Principal to be unsportsmanlike in character. 

8. Any violation of the rules of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. 

Failure to exhibit good sportsmanship may result in the administration denying the opportunity for any individual to participate in the athletic program or attend athletic events.

Student Responsibility is extremely important in the Athletic Program. This responsibility begins from the time the student is accepted as an athlete on a team until the completion of the interscholastic season.  The student is responsible to the coach from the moment he/she reports to the school for the contest until the termination of the contest.  This would include behavior on and off school grounds, behavior in the locker room, behavior on the bus, and behavior at the opposing school’s facilities.  Athletes are responsible for conforming with the established rules of conduct set forth by the school and the coach with respect to their actions with coaches, teammates, opponents, spectators, and official personnel of the home and visiting school.  

Any violation of the established rules of conduct may result in a conference with the coach, Director of Athletics, or building administration.  Any conduct judged unbecoming an athlete by the Director of Athletics, Assistant Principal, or Principal will result in a five-day suspension from the program.  The maximum penalty for an offense may be team expulsion. 

Students who have been assigned in-school or out-of-school suspension can not participate in extracurricular activities and athletics until the day after the suspension period is over.

Ex. A student who is suspended on Friday for three days starting on a Monday won't be allowed to attend practice on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Ex. A student who is suspended on Monday for one day (Tuesday) will be allowed to return on Wednesday and will miss their extracurricular activity on Monday and Tuesday.

Ex. A student suspended on Tuesday for the remainder of the day will not be allowed to attend their extracurricular activity until after school on Wednesday.