GBNHC - Player Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT

In accordance with the Bylaws of the Glenbrook North Hockey Club (“GBNHC”), each player, along with his/her parents, as members of the GBNHC, agrees to abide by the rules in this Code of Conduct along with all other GBNHC policies as a prerequisite to participation in the hockey program. All Board Members, coaches, and other officials are instructed to carry out the enforcement of this Code of Conduct.

GENERAL STATEMENT

In an effort to make hockey a more desirable, enjoyable, and rewarding experience for all participants, and to further promote the organization’s objectives of providing an environment where all participants can have fun, develop skills, and learn sportsmanship, team play, and conduct themselves as responsible law abiding citizens, the GBNHC has implemented a “Zero Tolerance Policy” with respect to the behavior of players, coaches, managers, and parents who are members.  

As representatives of the GBNHC, all participants have an obligation to represent themselves in an exemplary manner at all times. 

Participants in the GBNHC program also have a responsibility to adhere to the policies established by the GBNHC, Glenbrook North High School, School District 225, the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), USA Hockey, and the Scholastic Hockey League (SHL). The GBNHC supports Glenbrook North High School’s enforcement of its academic standards and rules of behavior by taking disciplinary action when a player is determined by the school to have violated a school rule or academic standard.

ADHERENCE TO GLENBROOK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL RULES

The GBNHC’s teams are not affiliated with or governed by Glenbrook North High School, School District 225, or the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). However, the GBNHC has decided to adopt the IHSA minimum academic requirements1 and the Code of Conduct outlined in the Glenbrook North Student/Parent Handbook (“Handbook”), a copy of which can be viewed online at Glenbrook North High School’s web site. In the event of an inconsistency between the Handbook and the GBNHC Code of Conduct, the provisions of this Code of Conduct shall apply.

Code of Conduct rules are in effect during the Academic School Year and apply to all rostered Glenbrook North players on Varsity and Junior Varsity teams.  

1 Players will be ineligible for participation in any games if minimum academic requirements are not met.

Nothing herein shall prevent the GBNHC and/or its coaches from implementing rules that are more restrictive than those described herein or in the Handbook.

PLAYER’S CODE

As a student-athlete, a member of the GBNHC, and the community, I recognize that I have a responsibility to conduct myself in a manner that represents me, my family, the GBNHC, my school, and my community with dignity and respect. I further understand that actions I choose to commit which negatively impact myself, my family, the GBNHC, my school, or community are grounds for consequences, up to and including dismissal from the hockey team and the GBNHC program.

I affirm that:

• I will play for fun, work hard to improve my skills, be a team player, get along with my teammates, and have a positive attitude
• I will demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline
• I will be on time for practices and games
• I will abide by these and any coaches’ rules 
• I will not openly dispute an official’s decision or argue in an unreasonable manner

I understand that I will be subject to discipline if I commit any of the following actions:

• Use, possession, sale, or transfer of alcohol
• Use, possession, sale, or transfer of a controlled or illegal substance (including, but not limited to, mood-altering drugs and performance enhancing substances)
• Use, possession, sale, or transfer of tobacco products 
• Use, possession, sale, or transfer of electronic cigarettes or vaping products
• Use, possession, sale, or transfer of drug paraphernalia, syringes, or similar types of paraphernalia
• Hosting or organizing a gathering or providing a venue where minors and any of the above referenced prohibited substances or equipment are present
• Use, possession, sale, or transfer of weapons except as permitted pursuant to State law
• Failure to abide by any other GBNHC policy (including, but not limited to, harassment, bullying, and hazing policies) and/or failure to act in accordance with any regulations set forth in the Code of Conduct, the objectives of the GBNHC, or the rules of USA Hockey, AHAI or SHL.
• Violations of academic integrity as determined by Glenbrook North High School or School District 225
• Falsification of any signatures on GBNHC forms or authorizations
• Violations of major school and GBNHC policies (including, but not limited, to fighting, assault, battery, vandalism, theft, and acts of gross disobedience) as well as any conduct that results in a Glenbrook North High School suspension or expulsion
• Conviction of any felony criminal offense under Federal or any state’s law
• Conviction of any misdemeanor criminal offense under Federal or any state’s law or administrative action by a municipality in the State of Illinois involving theft, fraud, dishonesty, hate crimes, or intentional/willful injury to another person
• Repeated acts of insubordination or unsportsmanlike conduct during or surrounding games, practices, and/or team events, such as or abuse of officials, other players, coaches, or spectators

PENALTIES:

Penalties for violation of the GBNHC Code of Conduct will operate based on the ‘Three Strike Rule.’ All offenses are cumulative and will carry over from freshman through senior years.

1st offense: Typically 10 hours of community service plus a 2 game suspension. Community service must be completed within two weeks or the player will continue to sit out of games until community service is complete.

2nd offense: Typically 20 hours of community service plus a 6 game suspension. Community service must be completed within two weeks or the player will continue to sit out of games until community service is complete. 

3rd offense: Dismissal from the GBNHC program

Consequences for multiple offenses shall be served consecutively. 

1. In the case of a disciplinary suspension by the GBNHC, the player will not be allowed to participate in the next game(s), whether it is a league game, practice game or tournament game, and the player will not be able to participate in practices during that period. They will, however, be expected to attend all games and practices during a suspension.
2. In the case of a school suspension, the player will NOT be allowed to participate in practices or games while on suspension. They will, however, be expected to attend all games and practices during a suspension. Additional consequences imposed by the GBNHC will begin after completion of the school suspension.
3. Players expelled from school will immediately be dismissed from the GBNHC program unless and until they are permitted to re-enroll at school. Additional consequences imposed by the GBNHC will begin after re-enrollment at school following expulsion.
4. Players serving a GBNHC suspension for either a first or second offense at the time of the GBNHC’s fall tryouts will be allowed to try out but must then continue to serve the remaining balance of their punishment during the new season. A player serving a school suspension at the time of tryouts may NOT try out but may be placed on a team according to the GBNHC’s policies for accommodating players who are unable to try out due to injury or illness.
5. In the event that a member of a GBNHC team withdraws from or quits a team without prior approval of the head coach or Board of Directors, the player will forfeit indefinitely his/her eligibility to participate on future GBNHC teams as well as in alumni activities. Each situation will be reviewed by the Rules & Ethics Committee with input from the player’s head coach. 
6. Under certain circumstances, players in violation of the Code of Conduct for alcohol or substance use or abuse may be offered the option to participate in a recognized, community-based substance use or abuse education program. If a player chooses to enroll in (and successfully completes) such a program, their suspension may be lessened. Participation in such a program is voluntary and at the player’s sole expense.
7. Players will receive written notice of any Code of Conduct penalty assessed by the GBNHC. They will be expected to confirm receipt of this notice by signing and returning a copy.

The GBNHC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust the length of any penalty assessed under this Code of Conduct based on the best interests of the player and the GBNHC. The GBNHC may also impose additional penalties depending on the circumstances of the Code violation(s). Such additional consequences may include, but not be limited to, letter(s) of apology, financial restitution, and/or attendance/behavioral contracts. 

ALL PENALTIES SHALL BE ASSESSED BY THE RULES AND ETHICS COMMITTEE UPON A DULY FILED COMPLAINT AND HEARING. ALL DECISIONS OF THE RULES AND ETHICS COMMITTEE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO APPEAL PROVIDED THAT THE PLAYER ADVISES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, IN WRITING, OF HIS/HER DESIRE TO APPEAL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE COMMITTEE’S DECISION. IF TIMELY NOTICE OF AN APPEAL IS NOT PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE PLAYER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED HIS/HER RIGHT TO APPEAL AND THE COMMITTEE’S DECISION WILL BE FINAL IF PROPER NOTICE OF AN APPEAL IS PROVIDED, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL HEAR THE APPEAL IN A REASONABLE AND TIMELY MANNER. A suspension or termination of a Member or player may be reversed upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors. ALL DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE FINAL.