1
Butler University
Department of Athletics
Code of Ethics
Collegiate athletic programs are an integral part of the educational process and coaches and
support staff are, above all, teachers. By signing this document you are agreeing to make
good-faith efforts to honor the words and spirit of the Code of Ethics and agree that your
compliance is a condition of employment and violation of any provision may result in
disciplinary action.
I PROMISE TO:
Trustworthiness
1. Be honest and honorable in all communications and actions.
2. Be a teacher first – think of yourself, and encourage others to think of you as a teacher;
faithfully pursue the educational, sportsmanship and character-development objectives of
our institution without compromise by teaching, enforcing, advocating and modeling the Six
Pillars of Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and
citizenship;
3. Keep your promises even when it is inconvenient, disadvantageous or economically
costly.
4. Be loyal, always place the academic, emotional, physical and moral well being of athletes
above desires and pressures to win and above personal interests.
5. Honor yourself and the sport – don’t cheat or engage in gamesmanship tactics (such as
devious rule violations, alteration of equipment of the field of play or tactics designed
primarily to induce injury or fear of injury) that discredit you or demean the sport.
6. Honor the educational mission of our institution and recruit only student-athletes that
can compete academically with the general student body and that have a serious interest
in education and graduation.
7. Protect the integrity of the sport – don’t engage in nor permit gambling on sports nor
association with professional gamblers.
Respect
8. Be respectful – treat athletes, officials, coaches, parents and spectators with respect and
require the same of the student-athletes; don’t engage in or permit taunting, boastful
celebrations, fighting or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
9. Be a good sport – show class, be gracious and dignified in victory and defeat; teach
athletes to honor the highest traditions of good sportsmanship; recognize and praise acts
of good sportsmanship; establish pre-and post-game rituals; demand respect for the
national anthem.
10. Communication with parents – be clear about your expectations, goals and policies
and maintain open lines of communication.
11. Avoid profanity – don’t engage in or permit profanity or obscene gestures during
practices, sporting events, or any other situation where the behavior could reflect badly on
our University, Department of Athletics or sports.
12. Use positive techniques that increase confidence and self-esteem and foster a love and
appreciation for the sport; refrain from physical or psychological intimidation and verbal
abuse; encourage effort and improvement in the pursuit of victory and excellence.
13. Promote teamwork – teach student-athletes to think and compete as members of a
team and encourage them to put team success above personal statistics and recognition.
14. Be professional – respect proper teacher-student boundaries; strictly avoid sexual or
romantic comments or contact with athletes.
9/9/2009
2
Responsibility
15. Teach Life skills – strive to enhance the physical, mental, social and moral development
of student-athletes and teach them positive life skills that will help them become wellrounded, successful and socially responsible.
16. Stress the importance of education and work with faculty and parents to help studentathletes set and achieve academic goals.
17. Foster the development of good character by teaching, enforcing, advocating and
modeling high standards of sportsmanship.
18. Be a worthy role-model, consistently conduct yourself in public, private and coaching
situations in a manner that exemplifies ethics, sportsmanship and good character; control
your ego and emotions and avoid unseemly and inappropriate displays of anger and
frustration; do not use alcohol or tobacco in front of student-athletes.
19. Require athletes to be good role models – assure that student-athletes understand
that participation in intercollegiate sports is a privilege not a right and that they are
expected to represent the university, team and teammates with honor, on and off the field.
20. Strive to continually improve competence and maintain knowledge of current sport
and competition rules.
21. Put safety and health considerations first – maintain a sports environment that is
physically and emotionally safe; never encourage or allow reckless behavior that could
cause injury or the intentional injury of an opponent; forbid demeaning or dangerous
hazing.
22. Discourage use of unhealthy substances including dietary supplements, alcohol and
tobacco and strictly forbid the use of illegal recreational and performance-enhancing
drugs.
23. Discourage unhealthy eating habits including eating disorders and extreme
techniques to gain, lose or maintain weight; be vigilant for signs of unhealthy eating or
dieting.
24. Seek the advice of a physician and/or an athletic trainer when determining whether
an injured student-athlete is ready to play.
25. Enforce the Code of Ethics consistently in all sports-related activities even when the
consequences are high.
26. Avoid unwholesome commercialism including exploitation of student-athletes, your
name, or the name of our university and avoid undue financial dependence on corporate
entities.
Fairness
27. Be fair in team selection, playing time decisions, disciplinary issues and all other
matters.
28. Play fair by honoring the rules and traditions of the sport.
29. Be fair in your relationships and decisions with students, alumni, staff, faculty, corporate
partners, donors, parents, fans, media and the public.
Caring
30. Create a caring environment by consistently demonstrating concern for studentathletes as individuals and encourage them to look out for one another.
Citizenship
31. Model responsible behavior and abide by all local, state and federal laws.
32. Honor the letter and spirit of rules including the rules of the sport and those NCAA
rules relating to eligibility, recruitment, transfers, financial aid, practices and other
provisions regulating competition.
9/9/2009
3
I have read and understand the requirements of this Code of Conduct and acknowledge that I
may be disciplined if I violate any of its provisions.
___________________________________
Staff Signature
9/9/2009
_____________________
Date