A thletics C ompliance M eeting

1. Athletics Compliance Meeting August 16, 2004 2:00-4:00 p.m. Student Service Eagle Center, Room 255

2. Athletic Mission Statement The mission of the University of North Texas Department of Athletics supports the mission of the University and is as follows: • To promote and monitor the educational achievement and personal growth of student-athletes, emphasizing that their educational growth and development is the primary purpose of intercollegiate athletics; • To conduct an athletics program that protects and enhances the physical and educational welfare of student-athletes;

3. Athletic Mission Statement, cont. • To provide fair and equitable opportunity for all student-athletes and staff participating in intercollegiate sport activities, regardless of gender or ethnicity; • To promote the principles of good sportsmanship and honesty in compliance with University, State, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and conference regulations; • To conduct a competitive athletics program that promotes faculty, staff, student, and community affiliation with the University; and • To serve the community through public service and outreach activities which positively reflect on the University and promote good will in the community.

4. SBC Sporting Behavior Statement Public Announcement For Home Athletics Events It is a principle of the Conference that student-athletes, coaches, athletics, administrators, support groups, and all others associated with intercollegiate athletics adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and accountability.

5. Sporting Behavior Policies and Procedures • Authorities • University of North Texas • Sun Belt Conference • NCAA

6. Sporting Behavior Policies and Procedures • Institutional Accountability • Chief Executive Officer • Athletic Director • Coaches • Student-Athletes • Spirit Groups • Spectators

7. SBC Sporting Behavior Policies and Procedures 5.0 Sporting Behavior It is a principle of the Conference that student-athletes, coaches, athletics administrators, support groups, and all others associated with intercollegiate athletics adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and accountability.

8. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1 Institutional Accountability: Each institution shall: • 5.1.1 Demonstrate that it is committed to the fundamental values of sporting behavior and ethical conduct. • Policies • Education/Training • Enforcement

9. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.2 Formally adopt a written plan that ensures the institution maintains a program that is characterized by sporting behavior and ethical conduct. • 5.1.3 Have available information for assessing the status of plans related to sporting behavior and ethical conduct.

10. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.4 Chief Executive Officer Responsibilities: • 5.1.4.1 The CEO of each institution shall conduct a campus meeting for the purpose of discussing sporting behavior, crowd control and ethical conduct. • 5.1.4.1.1 Enforcement: The CEO shall ensure that polices regarding sporting behavior and ethical conduct are strictly enforced • 5.1.4.1.2 Reporting: The CEO shall require that athletics administrators submit in writing a report of all incidences of non-sporting behavior or unethical behavior

11. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.5 Athletics Director Responsibility: The Athletics Director shall have responsibility for game management of all events conducted on campus. • 5.1.5.1 Education: The AD shall review sporting behavior and ethical conduct definitions with athletics groups and outside support groups. • 5.1.5.2 Enforcement: The AD shall ensure that institutional policies regarding non-sporting behavior and unethical conduct are enforced consistently.

12. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.5.3 Reporting: The AD shall report all incidences of non-sporting behavior and/or unethical behavior to the conference. • 5.1.5.4 Leadership: Conduct herself or himself in a manner that is not abusive to opponents, fans, game officials, student-athletes or other friends of the athletics program. Set the tone.

13. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.5.5 Mascots/Motorized Vehicle/Explosive Devices: The home athletics director has responsibility for the use of explosive devices (cannons, rifles, shotguns, rockets, etc.); live mascots (horses, dogs, etc.); and motorized vehicles at their events. Visiting athletics directors must request permission for the use of such devices at least two weeks on advance.

14. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.5.6 Noisemakers: Artificial noisemakers are any item that interferes with the normal playing of the game or is disturbing to a significant group of persons who have purchased tickets. Artificial noisemaker (air horns, electronic amplifiers, whistles, etc.) are not permissible in Sun Belt Conference arenas or stadiums except as part of the official band. Such items will be removed immediately from the arena by home management. Cheerleaders may use electronic amplifiers provided the use is limited to giving instructions to the crowd. Bands will be seated in appropriate areas and will be instructed that they may not play while the game is in progress. Public address announcers may not speak during times when play is in progress.

15. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.5.7 Signs: Signs of a derogatory nature directed toward an individual opponent, visiting team or game officials are not permitted. It is the responsibility of game management to remove the signs.

16. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.6 Game Ejections: The Commissioner shall review each incident involving a coach or student-athlete being ejected from a contest. Disciplinary action may be taken.

17. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.6.1 Due Process: Documentation shall be forwarded to the offending party (ies) to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident, and to show just cause as to why the Commissioner shall not take immediate action. The offending party (ies) will then prepare and return a written response to the Commissioner within a stated period of time. The commissioner will then review each incident, and notify the offender of the penalties (if any).

18. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.6.2 Non-Sporting Behavior Due Process: Any participant in a athletic contest that is cited for non-sporting behavior that does not lead to an ejection shall be counseled by the athletics director within 24 hours of the contest. Proofof consultation with the offending party should be forwarded to the Conference office within 72 hours of completion of the counseling session.

19. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.7 Coaches Responsibility: Coaches are an extension of the institution and as such are expected to reflect institutional and conference values. Coaches are expected to display sporting behavior and ethical behavior at all times to all athletics groups, opponents, and officials.

20. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.7.1 Education: Coaches are expected to teach and continuously reinforce sporting behavior and ethical behavior of student-athletes and his or her respective sport’s staff. • 5.1.7.2 Enforcement: Coaches are expected to control the behavior of his or her staff and student-athletes by assessing penalties for non-sporting behavior or unethical behavior.

21. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.7.3 Reporting: Coaches are expected to report non-sporting behavior or unethical behavior and any reprimands that have resulted from such behavior to their respective institutional sport administrator.

22. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.7.4 Coaches/Officials Policies: • 5.1.7.4.1 Sun Belt Conference coaches will not discuss officials or officiating in any public forum. • 5.1.7.4.2 Coaches are prohibited from visiting the officials’ dressing area prior to, during or at the conclusion of a contest. • 5.1.7.4.3 Concerns about the quality of officiating must be addressed to the Coordinator of Officials with a copy to the Athletic Director and the Commissioner.

23. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.7.6 Negative Comments: Sun Belt Conference coaches shall refrain from any negative comments concerning member schools, the conference, and other coaches, players or other institutions or personnel of the same. Coaches/Officials Policies:

24. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.8 Student-Athletes Responsibility: Student-athletes are expected to become knowledgeable of the institution, conference, and NCAA policies regarding sporting behavior and ethical conduct. Student-athletes are expected to treat all athletics groups, officials and opponents with the utmost respect. Athletics administrators will not tolerate aggressive behavior and such acts of aggression could result in the student-athlete being removed from the team and the potential for his or her scholarship to be withdrawn.

25. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.9 Spirit Groups: Spirit groups are expected to understand their role as a representative of the institution and are required to become knowledgeable of institutional, conference and NCAA policies regarding sporting behavior and ethical conduct. Spirit groups are expected to treat all athletics groups, officials and opponents with the utmost respect. Taunting of opponents and other aggressive behavior could result in the individual being removed from the group.

26. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.1.10 Spectators: The conference sporting behavior statement will be read prior to the start of each contest. The host institution is expected to monitor the behavior of spectators and to handle displays of non- sporting behavior and/or unethical behavior swiftly and consistently.

27. 5.2 Non-Sporting Behavior

28. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.2.1 Fighting: Any attempt by a person to strike an opponent or contest participant in a combative manner unrelated to the sport involved or any act that incites an opponent to retaliate by acting in a similar manner shall be described as non-sporting behavior.

29. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.2.2 Aggressive Behavior: The use of obscene gestures, profane language, or a display of hostile action toward officials, spectators, or opponents shall be described as non-sporting behavior.

30. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.2.3 Competitive Conditions: The failure of an institution to provide an environment for a contest that is safe and fair to competition shall be described as non-sporting behavior.

31. Policies and Procedures, cont. • 5.4 Exchange of Films/Materials: There shall be no exchange of films/videotapes or the giving of any other material or information, either written or verbal, involving member institutions with opponents outside the Sun Belt Conference.

32. Athletics Compliance Meeting August 16, 2004 2:00-4:00 p.m. Student Service Eagle Center, Room 255