Athletic Code of Ethics

Cape Henlopen High School is proud to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, respect, and integrity through its Athletic Code of Ethics. This code applies to all individuals involved in interscholastic athletics, including school administrators, coaches, players, officials, and spectators.

🏫 School Administrator & Athletic Director Responsibilities

  • Promote good sportsmanship and proper conduct across the school and community.

  • Educate all students and supporters on the values of courtesy, sportsmanship, and mutual respect.

  • Review Sportsmanship Rules regularly with athletic staff.

  • Ensure full compliance with all Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) rules and regulations.

  • Provide safe environments for athletes and spectators.

  • Evaluate program success based on participant and spectator behavior, not win-loss records.

  • Require athletes to model good sportsmanship on and off the field.

  • Maintain clean, functional, and welcoming facilities for visiting teams and officials.

🎟️ Spectator Expectations

As a spectator, you represent Cape Henlopen just as much as the athletes. Your support and behavior matter.

You should:

  • Encourage good sportsmanship and applaud skill and fair play.

  • Respect referees and officials, recognizing their decisions reflect real-time observations.

  • Welcome and respect visiting teams and fans.

  • Show humility in victory and grace in defeat.

The following behavior is NOT tolerated:

  • Profanity, vulgarity, or obscene gestures

  • Abusive language or derogatory remarks

  • Throwing objects or disrupting the game

  • Use of alcohol or controlled substances at events

🏈 Athlete & Cheerleader Code of Conduct

Participants are expected to:

  • Represent Cape Henlopen with integrity in school and the community.

  • Compete with effort, respect, and sportsmanship.

  • Respect opponents, officials, and facilities—home and away.

  • Avoid complaining, cheating, or making excuses.

  • Learn and follow all eligibility rules and regulations.

  • Play fair, win humbly, and lose with dignity.

🎓 Coach Responsibilities

Coaches are leaders and role models. They are expected to:

  • Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and respect at all times.

  • Teach athletes that competition’s value lies in effort, teamwork, and fair play.

  • Accept both victory and defeat with composure.

  • Channel disagreements through proper procedures, not public confrontation.

  • Avoid gambling, profanity, and disrespectful conduct.

  • Focus on athletes’ wellbeing over game outcomes.

  • Encourage leadership, initiative, and sound judgment in players.

  • Never disparage opponents, officials, or any individuals involved in athletics.

⚖️ Official Conduct

Officials must:

  • Be well-versed in the rules and trained in proper enforcement.

  • Maintain composure and fairness at all times.

  • Avoid emotional responses or actions that provoke players or coaches.

  • Remain unbiased, firm, and consistent.

  • Avoid public discussion or commentary on teams or plays.

  • Promote cooperation and respect among all participants.

By following this Athletic Code of Ethics, we uphold the values that define Cape Henlopen athletics — respect, responsibility, and Viking pride.

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