The Official Site of the Fighting Saints

Commitment:  noun to pledge oneself intellectually, emotionally and physically to a course of action or to another person or persons.
 
Excellence: noun a title of honor given to those who have the potential to achieve greatness.
 
I.  Standards of Conduct
Participation in intercollegiate athletics at Carroll College is a privilege afforded to a select group of individuals. At certain times this privilege may present responsibilities that would not apply to a student not participating in athletics. As a student-athlete, you are provided an opportunity to enhance your life through competitive events, enhance lifelong skills and prepare for your future while representing Carroll College. As a result, you will be expected to conduct yourself in a manner representative of the mission of the institution, the athletic department and your team. As a student-athlete, it is your responsibility to follow all federal, state and local laws, as well as regulations set forth by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Frontier Conference, Carroll College, the athletic department and individual coaches. This includes, but is not limited to, academic misconduct, the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, assault, theft, sexual misconduct and/or general conduct related to the interaction with others in a manner displaying respect and appreciation for different cultural values and/or beliefs.
 
Carroll College expects its student-athletes to demonstrate academic integrity and accomplishment, train and strive for their highest degree of athletic excellence and sportsmanship, and to conduct themselves responsibly as members of the campus and larger community.
 
Every student-athlete is required to report his or her violations of this Commitment to Excellence to his or her Head Coach and the Director of Athletics within 24 hours of such violation. This obligation is in effect year-round, including semester and summer breaks.
 
II. Prohibited Conduct
Prohibited conduct includes violation of any of the standards established by the governing authorities identified above. By way of illustration, and without limitation of those prohibitions, student-athletes must not violate any of the policies described below (please also refer to the Carroll College Student Handbook):

1. Academic Dishonesty: The Athletic Department denounces acts of academic misconduct which includes, but is not limited to: cheating, falsification/fabrication, tampering, plagiarism, facilitating academic misconduct, multiple submission and other academic misconduct.

2. Alcohol: Prohibited acts include 1) Possessing or consuming alcohol if under the age of 21, 2) Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, 3) Misrepresentation one's age for the purpose of purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol, 4) Purchasing, furnishing or serving alcohol to or for an underage person, 5) Public intoxication, 6) Violations of additional Team Rules regarding alcohol use, and/or 7) Consumption of alcohol during team travel or team functions.

3. Other Drugs: Prohibited acts include 1) Possessing or using illegal substances, as defined by law, 2) Possessing or using controlled substances as defined by law, 3) Distributing, selling or possessing with the intent to distribute illegal or controlled substances, as defined by law, 4) The use of tobacco products by a student-athlete during practice, competition or other team functions.

4. Cyberspace (including social networking websites): Student-athletes are permitted to have profiles on social networking websites, such as Myspace and Facebook, provided that a) no offensive or inappropriate pictures are posted, b) any information placed on the website(s) does not violate ethics and intent behind the Commitment to Excellence, the Carroll Student Handbook and other applicable state, federal and local laws.

5. Gambling or Bribery:  Student-athletes shall not knowingly 1) Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletic competition, 2) Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team, 3) Accept a bet on any team representing the institution, 4) Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item that had tangible value (e.g. cash, clothing, equipment, meals) 5) Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.  In addition a student-athlete may not accept money or gifts from a "fan" for a game "well played".  A student-athlete must report any person who attempts to secure information concerning situations, which may alter normal team performance.

6. Violence: Carroll is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which its members are free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, intimidation and violence. Student-athletes are prohibited from engaging in violent acts, including assault on a person or property, hate crimes, stalking, sexual violence or any other conduct prohibited by Carroll policy or law.

7. Sexual Assault: The Athletic Department will not tolerate sexual harassment, intimidation, stalking, rape, sexual violence or other related violations.

8. Disrespect: At all times, student-athletes are required to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of themselves, their team, Carroll College, the Athletic Department, game officials, opponents and property. Student-athletes are to refrain from disrespectful conduct such as unsportsmanlike conduct; profane, abusive, demeaning, harassing, threatening, or obscene expression; or deliberate damage to equipment or property. Disrespectful conduct will be reviewed by the Head Coach and Director of Athletics and may result in disciplinary action.

9. Poor Sportsmanship: Student-athletes are held accountable to a high standard of ethical conduct in all activities affecting the athletics program, whether as a participant or as a spectator. "Unsportsmanlike" conduct will be reviewed by the Director of Athletics and may result in disciplinary action.

10. Unexcused Class Absences and Poor Academic Performance:  Student Athletes are expected to attend class regularly and punctually, and fulfill course load and academic performance requirements.  Failure to meet such obligations may affect eligibility to participate, scholarship eligibility, and academic standing.

11. Failure to Meet Team Obligations:  Student-athletes must complete training requirements; arrive promptly to team practice, meetings, and departure for away games and other team events; attend team functions; and otherwise fulfill their responsibilities as team members.  Absences must be excused in advance by the Head Coach unless an unforeseeable emergency arises.

III. Disciplinary Process and Sanctions
The Athletic Department disciplinary process is independent of, and supplements, the College judicial process. Sanctions levied by Athletics may occur over and above those levied by the College. Sanctions will vary depending on the type and circumstances of the violation.
 
When the Department of Athletics becomes aware of an alleged violation of this Commitment to Excellence, the Director of Athletics or his/her designee will take reasonable steps to verify the validity, reliability and accuracy of the report. These steps may include interviews of students and employees, or of non-Carroll persons having knowledge of relevant facts; examination of documents; and other steps necessary for the Director of Athletics to determine the merits of the report. A meeting with the student-athlete will ordinarily occur before any discipline is imposed; however, in extenuating circumstances, the Director of Athletics may suspend the student-athlete before the meeting.
 
Determination of responsibility will be based on a preponderance of evidence and information available. A first-time offense may be serious enough to warrant any of the possible listed sanctions below. A student-athlete's refusal to participate and cooperate in an Athletic Department, Carroll or NAIA investigation of possible violation of this Commitment to Excellence, institution rules and/or NAIA regulations, may itself constitute a basis for disciplinary action.
 
 Sanctions for any violation will include but not limited to one or more of the following:
 
A.  Reprimand:  a written warning that further violations will result in more severe sanctions. 
B.  Sanctioned Work/Restitution:  the completion of designated hours of campus/sanctioned work and/or payment to the college or community for damages resulting from misconduct.
C.  Probation:  remain as a member of the team but must abide by restrictions imposed during probationary period.
D.  Suspension:  removal of a student-athlete from the team and all athletic department activities for a specific period of time and must abide by restrictions imposed during suspension period.
E.  Withdrawal/Reduction of Scholarship: forfeit all or part of athletic related aid and must abide by restrictions imposed.
F.  Expulsion:  Permanent removal from the team and/or department activities and forfeits all athletic           aid.
 
Any violation of the above stated policies will result in minimum sanctions of 10 hours of community service and a verbal apology to your team.  The Director of Athletics and head coaches have the authority to impose sanctions and to add additional sanctions beyond the ones listed in this document.
 
Possible sanctions for team violations include but are not limited to:

1. Team Probation
2. Team Community Service     
3. Cancellations of Contests
4. Cancellation of Season

Violations of Team Rules: Each student-athlete is responsible for following his/her specific team policies. These policies shall be in writing and posted /distributed to team members at the first team meeting.  If a team, with the approval of the head coach, amends the team policies, the new policies must also be posted or in writing. 
 
Violation of Criminal Law: Criminal Law is a body of rules and statutes that defines conduct prohibited by the government because it threatens and harms public safety and welfare and that establishes punishment to be imposed for the commission of such acts. When a student-athlete has engaged in conduct alleged to be in violation of criminal law, the Head Coach must report the information to the Director of Athletics immediately upon receipt of notice of such possible violation.
 
Student-athletes arrested for, or charged with, violating the criminal law will immediately be suspended from practice and competition. Within 48 hours of notice of a suspension, the student-athlete's coach or designee shall review the suspension and recommend to the Director of Athletics whether the suspension should continue. Within 10 days of notice of suspension, the student-athlete shall be afforded the opportunity to present his or her position before the Director of Athletics, the Associate Director of Athletics and the Faculty Athletics Representative. Based on available information, the Director of Athletics may at any time prior to a finding or plea of guilty to a criminal charge may lift or modify the suspension. If the student-athlete is found guilty of the felony charge, such student-athlete shall be barred permanently from participation in intercollegiate athletics at Carroll.
 
A student-athlete suspended from participation as a result of a criminal charge shall not be prohibited from receiving financial aid while such criminal charges are pending. Upon plea of guilty or a finding of guilt in a felony case, the Director of Athletics shall immediately determine whether the student-athlete's aid shall continue. This policy is applicable to all renewals of current athletic aid commitments and to all subsequently awarded athletic financial aid.
 
IV. Appeal Process
A.  Any DUI, drug selling and/or distribution offense cannot be appealed. 
B.  If a student-athlete believes extenuating circumstances are pertinent to the offense, he/she may file a written appeal to the Director of Athletics stating the circumstances involved in the incident. The Director of Athletics must receive the written appeal within two (2) days of the student-athlete receiving notification of consequences for committed violation. Upon which time, the Director of Athletics will review appeal and determine whether it warrants further review.