Coaching conduct is a concern for parents in school districts throughout the country, including Brandon and Goodrich.
The Brandon school district recently took a step to alleviate those concerns and establish a clear-cut code of ethics for its coaches.
At the Aug. 9 Brandon Board of Education meeting, the board approved a Coaches Code of Conduct to take effect for the 2004-05 school year.
‘We’ve always had a code of conduct (for our coaches,? Brandon High School athletic director Larry Lamphere said. ‘It’s the same one that each school in the state uses because the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) mandates it for our member schools. Earlier this year, a couple high school coaches and parents got together and put a more defined document out there.?
Goodrich High School athletic director Al Martus said the Goodrich district has a coaches code of conduct, but also said he would have to check with GHS principal Ken Andrzejewski as to the specifics of that policy.
MHSAA communications director John Johnson said the organization offers suggestions for local schools to use in formulating their codes.
‘In front of our handbook, we have some model codes of conduct,? he said. ‘They do serve as a guidepost for local schools.?
Johnson said although he doesn’t have any specific numbers as far as state schools which have a coaches code of conduct, such codes are becoming more prevalent.
‘It’s a good thing for a local school district to have — it’s sound business policy,? he said.
Lamphere said current Brandon coaches Jamie Kapp, Bryan Ray, and Tanya Yoder were among the group of coaches and parents that helped put the Brandon code together.
According to Lamphere, the process began on Feb. 17, when a rough draft was formulated. The code was approved Mar. 15 at the high school level by BHS principal Dr. Michael Ferguson, Lamphere said.
Among the key points established in the code are the following (see sidebar for complete list):
‘Treat all athletes consistently with the context of their activity, regardless of gender, place of origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, political belief or economic status.
‘Value each student-athlete as though he or she was the coach’s own, and his or her welfare should be uppermost at all times.
‘Strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.
Brandon school board trustee Mark Mahaffy, a member of the board’s Athletics committee, said while no coach will please everyone, a more defined set of guidelines for coaches should help put parents at ease. He also said no school board members were involved in putting the code together.
‘You’re always going to have some complaints in coaching,? he said. ‘I don’t think it was one particular thing. I think parents like to know coaches are held accountable.?
Mahaffy also said Lamphere would likely be in charge of making sure coaches follow the code.
‘I would think the athletic director would be responsible for it being enforced if there were a conflict,? he said. ‘I think that would ultimately be his area to cover.?