Athletic competition of interscholastic age student-athletes should be fun and should also be a significant part of a sound educational program, embodying high standards of ethics and sportsmanship while developing good character and other important life skills. Essential elements of character building are intrinsic in the concept of sportsmanship and the six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the "Six Pillars of Character_SM"). The highest potential of sports is achieved through the T.E.A.M. concept (Teaching, Enforcing, Advocating and Modeling these values) and by committing to the ideal of pursuing victory with honor. Good-faith efforts to honor the words and spirit of this Code will improve the quality of our programs and the well-being of all sports participants.

• Trustworthiness - Always act so as to encourage and justify trust. Look for opportunities to reinforce the meaning and importance of trustworthiness in players, coaches and parents/guardians.
• Integrity - Teach and model the importance of integrity by doing the right thing and making the right call even when the cost is high. Admit mistakes openly and honestly. Enforce the rules as written, as faithfully as they can in a manner consistent with guidelines and interpretations of the rules committee.
• Honesty - Be honest and demand honesty. Do not engage in or permit dishonesty by lying, deception or omission.
• Reliability - Fulfill commitments. Impress on players and coaches the values of promise keeping and reliability. Demonstrate consistency in the way you enforce the rules throughout the season and during playoffs and championship games, regardless of the potential outcome of the game.

• Respect - Treat players, coaches and parents/guardians with respect and require the same of student-athletes and coaches.
• Courtesy - Encourage and, where appropriate, require athletes and coaches to treat opponents, teammates and others with respect and courtesy.
• Disrespectful Conduct - Seek to control the conduct of parents/guardians, spectators, coaches and players to prevent negative cheers, name-calling, insults, drinking or any other conduct inconsistent with a positive atmosphere of character development. Use proper authority to assure that rules against profanity, trash-talking, taunting, arguing calls and other forms of bad sportsmanship are consistently and strictly enforced. Where appropriate, direct those responsible for game management to exercise control over spectators, bands and spirit groups.
• Respect for Coaches - Listen to coaches and others who respectfully and in the appropriate setting wish to discuss the rules, interpretation of the rules or your control over the moral environment of the game.
• Sports Experience - Ensure that the sports experience is one of fun and enjoyment. Correct and instruct players in constructive ways. Be generous with praise when it is deserved.
• Prejudice - Treat all players as individuals, appreciating their diversity in skills, gender, ethnicity and race. Never permit statements or acts of prejudice.

• Self-Control - Exercise and demand self-control. Do not fight, scream or otherwise demonstrate uncontrolled anger or frustration. Do not permit players, coaches or spectators to display inappropriate anger.
• Grace - Encourage players and coaches to win and lose with grace and dignity.
• Accountability - Accept responsibility for your choices of both action and inaction. Those in charge of assigning officials are responsible to: 1) assure that those selected to officiate games are qualified, 2) assure that officials receive training and have been subjected to reasonable character screening, and 3) adopt and enforce rules limiting the number of games an official can work in a specified time.

• Fair Play - Model and insist on fair play. Make sure all teams compete honorably.
• Fair-mindedness - Be open to the ideas, suggestions and opinions of others.
• Impartiality - Make all decisions fairly and treat all participants with impartiality. Fair, consistent and competent officiating is essential to a quality basketball program that promotes sportsmanship and fosters respect for the game and the development of good character.

• Concern for Others - Demonstrate concern for others. Discourage selfishness.

• Play by the Rules - Strictly and consistently enforce all rules of the game. Enforce game rules in a manner that advances the goals of sportsmanship, ethics and character building.

I have read and understand the requirements of this Code of Conduct and acknowledge that I may be disciplined if I violate any of its provisions.

"Pursuing Victory With Honor" and the "Six Pillars of Character" are service marks of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.