I.             STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

Striving for fitness, fairness, teamwork and fun!

Lynden Christian students who participate in athletics/activities represent the school in a distinctive way.  These students, therefore, take upon themselves the responsibility of defending and promoting the ideals of the school by their actions and words.  Students are to conduct themselves in such a manner that they bring honor and respect upon God, their families, their school and themselves. Because participation is considered a privilege, the student accepts the training rules, regulations, and responsibilities unique to the individual activity in which they participate. 

II.            SCOPE OF ATHLETIC CODE

The rules and regulations contained in this athletic code pertain not only to student-athletes but also to cheerleaders and other students in supporting roles, such as managers, statisticians, etc. They will be in effect from the time of receipt to the termination of your athletic eligibility at Lynden Christian High School, which would be from the first day of practice until the last day of your final high school sport season, including summers and time between seasons.

III.           GENERAL RULES

1. WIAA rules must be followed in all cases of eligibility, transfer, physical examinations, insurance coverage, starting dates, use of school equipment, etc.

• No student-athlete may quit one sport and turn out for another after the season has begun without the mutual consent of the coaches.

3. Participants must travel to and from contests away from Lynden Christian High School in transportation provided by the school. The only exceptions permitted are: (1) injury to a participant which would require alternate transportation; (2) participant’s parent/guardian signs participant “out” with the coach for the student to ride with the parent/ guardian; or (3) approval by the Activities Director/administration for permission to ride with others. This request must be in writing by the parent/guardian in advance and directed to the Activities Director or designee.  (4) Approval by coach for permission to ride with others may be granted under extenuating circumstances.

4. Any display of unsportsmanlike conduct toward a teammate, opponent or official during a practice or contest will result in counseling by the coach and possible discipline or suspension.

•  Participants will not engage in delinquent behavior, unlawful acts, insubordination, inappropriate use of social media, technology, or acts of bullying/harassment/intimidation. Any offenses considered illegal in the eyes of the law (excluding minor traffic offenses) may also be considered to be in violation of the code.   

6. Use of Illegal Substances

Washington Laws and Student Eligibility. School and WIAA rules and regulations are intended to discourage the use of alcohol, tobacco, legend drugs, controlled substances and paraphernalia and to encourage the use of school and community resources.  A violation shall be considered a violation of the Athletic/Activities Code and shall subject the student to disciplinary actions, which may include suspension for the remainder of the season or the remainder of his/her high school career.

1.  Participants agree not to use tobacco (in any form), alcohol or any un-prescribed drugs. If a student is at a location, where minors are using drugs or alcohol, the participant has the obligation to pursue all means to leave the premises immediately.  If the school believes that the most expeditious means to leave were not taken, the student is presumed to have participated in the activity in fact as well as in spirit. 

2.   Participants will not possess, use, provide or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, legend drugs including anabolic steroids, other drugs, controlled substances, inhalants, or other intoxicants (including, but not limited to glue, petroleum liquid or gas) unless prescribed by a medical practitioner. In addition, participants will not possess, provide, sell or purchase drug paraphernalia including that which may be used for inhaling, “huffing,” or vaping.    

3.  Participants will not possess or use tobacco/nicotine or vaping in any form.

7. A participant shall not engage in conduct detrimental to the team or to the school.

8. A participant shall not steal or use another person’s property without permission. . 

1.   A participant is expected to attend all scheduled practices, meetings, contests or events whether or not school is in session. If a student finds it is necessary to miss any of the above, prior arrangements must be made with the coach.

• Issued equipment belongs to Lynden Christian High School. The loss or misuse of this equipment will be the financial obligation of the participant. Until this obligation is fulfilled, the student-athlete will not be allowed to participate in further competition, take exams, or to receive awards.

•    Completion of the athletic season is required for the student to be eligible for a letter or other team or individual award. (Exception: injury which limits participation.) No awards shall be given to any student suspended for the season for an Athletic Code violation. Students who do not complete an athletic season without permission from their current season coach may face a suspension from their participation in a subsequent sport season. (This may be considered as “conduct detrimental to the team or school” (see G)

IV.          PROCEDURES FOR RULE INFRACTION

All penalties for code violations are at the discretion of the Activities Director/administration subject to the following suggested guidelines. 

        a. Severe offenses may supersede recommended guidelines for 1^st or subsequent offenses.

        b. Offenses are cumulative through a student’s high school career. 

    c. For offenses involving legend drugs (drugs obtained through prescription, RCW 69.41.020-050) and

        controlled substances (RCW 69.50) see #9.

** 1.    First offense during high school – (a) The participant will be suspended for up to 30% of the allowable contests in the season (see #4 & #5 below).  For example, basketball is allowed 20 total contests; a 30% suspension would result in the athlete missing six (6) contests.  The suspension may be continued into the next sport season if not fulfilled. 

** Self report of violations – Between ten percent (10%) and up to twenty percent (20%) of the total allowable contests suspended may be waived for “first time” violations when the violation is voluntarily reported by the student or the parent/guardian to the coach or an administrator by the end of the next school day. The Activities Director or Principal will be informed immediately. The violation is still considered a first offense.

2.    Second offense during high school – (a) Suspension for a minimum of 40% of contests up to 60% (see #4 & #5 below) depending on the attitude and honesty of the athlete when dealing with the administration and may be transferred over to the next season. (b) The student may be required, at own expense, to submit to a tobacco/alcohol/drug evaluation by an approved community agency or individual to be completed within ten (10) school days from the time of the incident.

3.    Subsequent offense/offenses or severe offenses during high school – (a) Suspension from participating in all athletic programs within Lynden Christian High School for a minimum of 70% of the contests up to one complete season (see #4 & #5 below), depending on the attitude and honesty of the student when dealing with the administration, and may be transferred over to the next season.  A student who has completed an approved treatment program and provides recommendation from that treatment program will be given favorable consideration in an appeal for re-instatement of eligibility. This appeal must be submitted in writing to the administration.

4.      In-season offense will result in a five (5) day suspension from all practices. The athlete may attend games, but not suit up.  After the five (5) days without practice, the athlete may return to practice and while serving the remainder of his/her suspension (see #7 below)

5.        Out-of-season offense-the athlete may begin practicing with the team on the start date of that season and will not participate in any contests until he/she has completed their suspension period. (see #7 below)

6.        If an athlete under suspension seeks to participate in an activity in order to “get rid of his/her suspension,” he/she must first receive permission from the administration and coaches involved.  After the season is completed, his/her performance will be evaluated before being able to begin another activity.

7.        Practice Requirements:  On mutual agreement of the administration and the participant’s coach, the student-athlete will be allowed to begin practice at the start of a new season or after the 5 (five) day in-season suspension.  The honesty and attitude of the participant will be a contributing factor to whether the athlete is allowed to return to team practices. 

8.        Appeal process – *Athletic Discipline Committee (ADC) – If a student believes the discipline, as determined by the code, has been misapplied, they may appeal to the ADC.  The appeal must be a written grievance to the administration, within two (2) school business days of determination and notification of code violation. The administration will convene the ADC and the student and their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to present their case to the ADC for consideration.  The Activities Director/administration who determined the violation, will also be present to provide/verify information.

                * ADC is comprised of: 1 Non-Coaching teacher, 1 Coach (not involved in the situation), and 1 Administrator.

9.        Legend drugs and controlled substances – Penalties for the possession, use or sale of legend drugs (drugs obtained through prescription, RCW 69.41.020-050) and controlled substances (RCW 69.50) shall be as follows: (WIAA Handbook 18.27.2) 

            1st Violation – A participant shall be immediately ineligible for interscholastic competition in the current interscholastic sports program for the remainder of the season.  Ineligibility shall continue until the next sports season in which the participant wishes to participate unless the student accesses the assistance program outlined in B (below.)    An athlete who is found to be in violation of the Legend drugs and controlled substances rule shall have two options. 

A. The athlete will be ineligible for participation in contests for the remainder of that                                            interscholastic sports season and must meet the school’s requirements in order to be eligible to compete in the next interscholastic sports season.  The school principal will have the final authority regarding the student’s participation in further interscholastic sports programs. 

B.  The athlete may choose to seek and receive help for a problem with use of legend drugs or controlled substances.  Successful utilization of school and or community assistance programs may allow him/her to have eligibility re-instated in that athletic season, pending recommendation by the school.

2nd Violation – A participant who again violates any provision of RCW 69.41.020 through 69.41.050 or of RCW 69.50 shall be ineligible for interscholastic competition for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date of the second violation.

3rd Violation – A participant who violates for a third time RCW 69.41.020 – 69.41.050 or of RCW 69.50 shall be permanently ineligible for interscholastic competition.

V.            ATTENDANCE ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES

Daily:

To participate in after-school activities (i.e. a practice, contest, performance, etc.) that day, a student must have attended school the entire day. Acceptable exceptions are:

a. Pre-arranged excused absence on file in the office (i.e. medical/legal appointment, funeral, school sponsored events.)

b. Signed statement from a doctor verifying an appointment.

c. Approval from Activities Director or Building Administration.

VI.          ACADEMICS ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES

Participation in athletics/activities requires successful performance in academics.  The academic standards place proper emphasis on student achievement in the classroom to maintain eligibility. (WIAA Handbook – 18.0.0)

1. Preceding Semester

The WIAA requires that each student shall have passed the minimum number of classes in the immediately preceding semester in order to be eligible for competition during the succeeding semester beyond normal grading periods.  The record at the end of the semester shall be final, except for those class-for-class replacement credits earned in a regular, accredited summer school program (WIAA Handbook – 18.8.4 & 18.8.5).

2. End of Semester

a. FALL – If a student has failed to meet the grade requirements of WIAA Handbook – 18.8.4 in the second semester of the previous school year:

        1. LCHS requires that if a student-athlete fails one (1) class at the end of the semester they are         ineligible for 10% of contests allowed for the regular season for that sport.  (ex. Basketball is a 20-game season, 1 F would result in the student missing 2 games, football is a 10 season, student would miss 1 game). Suspension from contests begins at the start of the next semester.

        2. WIAA requirements regarding probation and academic suspension will also be followed according to 18.8.6

b. WINTER/SPRING – If a student who failed to meet the grade requirements of WIAA 18.8.4 shall be placed on suspension because the grading period ended during the same school year (i.e., second semester for a winter or spring athlete):

       1. LCHS requires that if a student-athlete fails one (1) class at the end of the semester they are

            ineligible for 10% of contests allowed for the regular season for that sport.  (ex. Basketball is

            a 20-game season, 1 F would result in the student missing 2 games, football is a 10 season,

            student would miss 1 game). Suspension from contests begins at the start of the next

            semester.

2.  WIAA requirements regarding is a student fails more than one (1) class at the end of the

      semester the student is suspended the first five (5) weeks of the succeeding semester.

      (WIAA – 18.8.6.2)

3.  During Quarter/Semester  

Lynden Christian High School requires each participant to maintain passing grades in all assigned classes to remain eligible during the current quarter/semester.

a. Each participant is eligible providing they are passing all classes. 

b.Academic eligibility is checked every 1-3 weeks. In order to be eligible to participate, a student must be registered, attending, and passing all classes. Eligibility for the student will be determined as follows:

1. Student-athlete receives a failing grade in any class at the end of a 1-3 week period they

 will be put on academic probation in that class.

2. If the student-athlete is still failing the class after the probation period, they will be

 ineligible to participate in contests/performances until the Activities Director or an

 Administrator receives a signed note, email, or verbal confirmation from the teacher

 that the student is passing their class.

3. Once a student is put on probation in a class, they remain on probation for that class for

 the remainder of the semester.

c. Each participant receiving a failing grade in any class at the end of the nine-week grading period while “in-season”, will be suspended from 10% of their contests and put on academic probation for the remainder of the semester for that class.

1. If a student receives a failing grade at 1^st quarter and first activity involvement is winter, he/she would be on probation from the start of the winter season.

                                                                                                                                                                        Updated 5/9/2025