Activities Office

LAKE CONFERENCE SPORTSMANSHIP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 A.      SCHOOL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Each member school of the LAKE should develop a program which promotes respect for 

persons of all backgrounds while fostering a sportsmanship program based upon clearly 

defined fundamentals. Programs should include specifically defined responsibilities for the 

players, coaches, faculty, cheerleaders, band, students and adult spectators.  

When possible schools should keep home fans and visitors separate at stadiums and limit 

home access to the visitor bleachers.

B.   BASIC FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RESPECT, SPORTSMANSHIP AND ACTS OF GOOD CONDUCT:

 1.          Show respect for the officials, players and fans regardless of school affiliation.

 2.          Do not engage in discriminatory or harassing conduct, including conduct based on any 

        characteristic protected by the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

3.          Maintain self–control at all times.

 4.          Spectators must remain in appropriate spectator areas.

C.    ACTS OF MISCONDUCT:

 1.          Use of artificial noisemakers – examples: megaphones, compressed air horns, duck 

        calls, whistles, cowbells, firecrackers, etc.

 2.          Display of signs, banners and/or placards 

 3.          Throwing of objects – examples: silly string, beach balls, confetti makers, baby 

         powder, flour, coins, pop bottles, folded programs etc.

 4.          Use of obscene or abusive language that seeks to offend, intimidate or show prejudice

         toward a player, cheerleader, official or spectator, including the derogatory use of the 

         names or numbers of opponents.

 5.          Being on the premises of a contest while under the influence of or in possession of

         alcohol or chemicals or in violation of the school’s tobacco free policy.

 6.          Unauthorized entry into any scheduled contest or playing surface.

 7.          Student violation of the student discipline policy.

D.        SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

 1.          Each member school should make the public aware of expectations for spectator

         behavior by printing them in the program and posting the guidelines at the ticket

         booth.

2.          Each member school should have the rules of conduct announced at each contest.

3.          The athletic director or principal of each member school should  distribute/discuss the

         policies and procedures with the student body.

4.          The athletic director should distribute/discuss the policies and procedures with the

         Following:

a.  Principal and other school administrators

b.  Cheerleaders and their advisor

c.  Players and their coaches

d.  Parents and/or Adult booster groups

e.  Police liaison officer

f.   Band Director

g.  News media – local as well as school paper.

E.      SUGGESTIONS FOR SOLVING MIDDLE SCHOOL ISSUES:

1.           Educate middle school students as to what is expected of them as spectators.

2.           As a deterrent to negative behavior, have supervisory personnel present at games

        who are recognizable to middle school students.

3.          If Steps #1 and #2 cannot be accomplished, or are not effective, collect the student

        IDs of middle school students who are out of compliance with conduct expectations

        and turn them in to the building principal for necessary action.

4.          If the conduct of middle schools students is a persistent issue, institute a limitation on

        middle school ticket sales, such as requiring middle school aged students to be

        accompanied by a parent, guardian or other paid adult admission.

F.         LAKE SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES - BANDS:

 Proper band etiquette for performance at LAKE contests includes:

 1.          A supervisor shall be present when a musical group officially represents a school.

2.          Band members shall be in proper attire when representing the school and in uniform 

        when rules specify that uniforms should be worn.

3.          Bands will perform at another school’s home by invitation only.

4.          Instruments are to be used under the direction of the band director and only while

        playing music or for cheers.

5.          All the efforts of the band members should be positive and the use of instruments and

        the selection of music may not be negative or unsportsmanlike.

G.        LAKE SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES - COACHES AND PLAYERS:

 Coaches and players have a unique position in the school community and thus have an 

opportunity to provide leadership for the school community while participating in the athletic 

program. It is important that this unique position of leadership be utilized in a responsible 

manner.

 1.          Treat your opponent with respect. Make a special effort to be courteous and respectful

         even when you feel you or your team has not been treated fairly.

a)          Be a humble winner and a proud, respectful loser.

b)         Conduct yourself in a manner of controlled intensity.

c)          Have only positive verbal exchanges with all persons, including teammates,

         coaches, spectators, the opposing team or school.

 2.          Respond to officials’ decisions in a controlled manner with a spirit of good

         Sportsmanship.

a)          Use only positive actions and words towards officials.

b)         Demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play regardless of the situation and/or 

        outcome of the contest.

 3.          Make certain that buildings and property are in good condition when you are finished 

        using them.

a)          Respect an opponent’s school and locker room areas, as well as any personal

         property in the area.

b)         Pick up any litter from the area and leave the area cleaner than when you found

       it.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 H.        SPECTATOR DEMONSTRATIONS:

 Sportsmanship and all that it entails is a primary goal of high school interscholastic 

athletics. The safety of participants and spectators is also of paramount importance. 

Demonstrations and displays at athletic contests that communicate anything other than 

positive support for the team may be disruptive, obtrusive, or misinterpreted and have the 

potential to lead to verbal or physical confrontation. The LAKE will enforce the expectation 

that all spectators will refrain from any and all such displays/demonstrations at an athletic 

contest.

Seasonal student and adult passes for sporting events are available for purchase through the Eden Prairie Booster Association.

• Activity passes are "punch cards" that save you money and grant you immediate entrance into EP home sporting events.
• Passes can be purchased from the Booster Association at PAC nights, the "Nest" (Booster store), or at home Varsity games.
• Passes can also be purchased online through Vanco Events. (Quick and easy! Just bring your receipt to the Activities Office to redeem your Activity Pass.)
• Profits earned go directly to EPHS Student Activities. 
• Activity Pass Pricing (2022-2023)
• Student Pass  5 Punches = $20
• Student Pass 10 Punches = $30
• Student Pro Pass=$50
• Adult Pass 5 Punches = $35
• Adult Pass 10 Punches = $55
• Senior Citizen Pass  5 Punches = $20

Call (952) 975-6800 for information.

Eden Prairie High School has an award program consisting of chenilles for varsity letter winners.
Standards for Awards:

• The Varsity Chenille: The first time a participant earns a letter for varsity level competition in any activity they will be awarded the varsity chenille (scarlet on black EP). Only one chenille will be awarded to a participant.
• Varsity Letter Certificates: This first varsity award and all subsequent varsity awards will be acknowledged by the awarding of the appropriate certificate indicating the number of varsity letters won by the participant of that activity. (*Please note: lettering standards are subject to the discretion of each Head Coach of a varsity sport. Lettering criteria may be different from sport to sport.)
• Manager's Awards: A manager is defined as a participant who is present at practices as well as contests. Managers will receive awards as follows:
  • 1st varsity sport a varsity chenille
  • 2nd and subsequent varsity sport as per above policies
  • Each coach will establish standards for their sport following departmental guidelines.
  • Sub-varsity level managers will receive manager's certificates and/or numerals for B-squad or Freshman certificate for Freshman level.

From the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Handbook:

Participation in Captain’s Practice:

Captain’s Practice is primarily for the purpose of physical conditioning organized and conducted by the students. Students may participate in Captains’ Practice provided that salaried or non-salaried school personnel are not involved in any capacity. It is the responsibility of school officials to become aware of the preseason activities in their school district and to insure that the spirit and intent of the League rules are observed.

• Captains’ practices are not and cannot be district sponsored. 
• Captains' practices must be initiated, organized and administered by captains only. Adult supervision is required.
• Attendance should be voluntary and should not be limited.
• Coaches may not in any way organize or enforce captains' practices. 
• Captains' practices will be limited to the two weeks prior to the start of the season and will be scheduled on a space available basis.

The following guidelines should be used as it pertains to renting district facilities for Captains’ Practice:

• Captains’ practices need to be secured through Eden Prairie Schools Rental reservations.

• Captains’ Practices must be supervised by an adult (in accordance with MSHSL personnel requirements) and the adult must remain with the students during the practice.

• Facility scheduling for each of the seasons will follow the district scheduling procedure and time frames as outlined:

  • June 1 for fall times

  • October 1 for winter times

  • February 1 for spring times

Celebrations (such as Pep Fest, Senior Awards, and Spring Celebration) are all-school events which are scheduled throughout the school year. Often times, celebrations are scheduled to coordinate with major school activities such as Homecoming and Selgaes days.

Celebrations are for EPHS students and staff only. Parents and outside guests should not attend, unless invited by EP Activity Department. (Exceptions are made for Homecoming Court.)

EPHS supports positive sport conduct by abiding by the Lake Conference Code of Conduct. The following acts of misconduct will not be tolerated and will be cause for removal without refund of admission:

• Use of noisemakers, unauthorized musical instruments, whistles, sirens, horns, cowbells, fireworks, etc.
• Displaying banners/placards: The Lake Conference does not allow banners/placards to be displayed at conference events. Banners/placards are described as any piece of paper or cardboard on which slogans, etc. are printed
• Throwing of objects/sailing of paper airplanes
• Use of obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures
• Possessing or being under the influence of chemicals
• Use of tobacco in any form
• Unauthorized entry to the game
• Harassment of opponents' team, officials, cheerleaders, band or any other performing group
• Fighting, pushing or tripping and other behavior deemed dangerous
• Climbing on, reaching over, or pounding on the glass at hockey arenas
• Interfering with the rights of others to observe the game

EPHS provides locker rooms for athletics and Phy Ed. Please note the following:

• Varsity locker rooms are for after-school athletic teams only. Phy Ed students are to use the Phy Ed locker rooms.
• Athletic team locker rooms will be open before school from 8:00-8:30 am. They will automatically lock at 8:30 and will remain locked during the school hours. They will open again after school from 3:15-6:00 pm.
• All lockers will be assigned seasonally by sport. Labels are provided to students wishing to put their names on lockers (coaches will provide these). Only these labels may be used on lockers.
• No cleated shoes are to be worn in the locker area.
• The school does not issue locks. Student-athletes must bring their own locks to use in the varsity locker rooms.
• Each athlete is responsible for all of their personal belongings they choose to keep in the locker rooms.
• Each athlete is responsible for making sure that their locker is kept locked when in use during their season.
• Each athlete is responsible for making sure that their locker is cleaned out at the conclusion of the season.
• Lockers will be emptied by EPHS Maintenance Staff at the end of each season for cleaning. (Cleaning dates will be posted and announced.)
• Items left in lockers AFTER the season is over will be kept in "Lost & Found" for one week, and then donated to charity.

According to Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) policies, "open gym" refers to the use of school facilities for recreational activities. The description and guidelines for an open gym are listed below. In order to assure compliance with these provisions, all open gyms must be scheduled through the Student Activities Office.

• The school facilities are available for students to participate in a number of activities.
• The recreational activities are open to all high school students.
• There is no coaching of the skills and techniques of activities provided in the interscholastic program.
• There is no requirement for students to attend open gym activities as a prerequisite for membership on a high school team.
• High school coaches may not participate in games, pick-up games, provide skills instruction of a sport or otherwise influence a high school athlete's participation.
• Eden Prairie Schools does not offer open gym time for the general public due to current gym schedules.

Students wishing to be excused from classes to attend a state tournament as a spectator must have a parent call the attendance office the morning of the tournament. Students will be dismissed at an appropriate time to allow for travel to the tournament. Absences will be counted as part of the student's absence allocation.

If a fan bus is offered by Student Activities, all students who ride the fan bus to the state tournament will be excused by Activities Office staff. Parents do not need to call the attendance office in this case. Students MUST return to the school on the fan bus after the contest.

Below is a checklist for student eligibility regarding EPHS activities participation. If you cannot answer YES to all 10 statements below, you are not eligible and will need to see the Activities Director, Russ Reetz or Principal Nate Gibbs.

• I am making academic progress towards graduation (based on credits passed).
• I will not have turned 20 before the start of the season in which I participate.
• I have a sports physical exam within the last three years on file with the school.
• I have not transferred schools.
• I will not play more than four seasons in any sport in grades 9-12.
• I have not dropped out of school or repeated a grade while in school.
• I have not accepted cash or merchandise for participating in a sport.
• I have not and will not compete in non-school events in my sport after reporting for the school team.
• I have not and will not use tobacco products or alcoholic beverages. This includes use, consumption, possession, buying, selling or giving away any drug or controlled substance, including steroids.
• I have not and will not violate the racial/religious/sexual harassment/violence/hazing bylaws of the Minnesota State High School League.

EPHS provides a weight room for student use under supervised hours.

• The EPHS weight room is under the direction of the weight room coordinator, Blake Freese, who will schedule its use for teams when necessary.
• Student who wish to use the weight room (outside of your team's regular season or not part of an athletic team) will be required to register online (see link below) and must pay a seasonal fee of $35.
• No one is allowed in the weight room without supervision.
• Coaches must supervise the athletes on their teams when in-season workouts are scheduled.
• Weights and other equipment must be returned to their proper place after each use.
• The room is to be locked when use is over.

REGISTER FOR WINTER WEIGHT ROOM USE 

The weight room is also available to rent (by non-EPHS students). Contact Eden Prairie Schools' Facility Use Program Supervisor, Christopher Cook for more information.