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Code of Conduct / Policy on Negative Spectator Behavior

CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY
The Glen Ellyn Titans program hold athletes, parents, coaches, and community members to a high standard of sportsmanship. Enforcing this Code of Conduct allows the Titans to promote a safe, rewarding, and fun sports experience for our entire community. Please read the document carefully before registering for each season. Each participant must abide by the Code of Conduct throughout the entire season.  Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action including suspension - either temporarily or permanently as determined by the Titans Disciplinary Committee.  

COACHES CODE OF ETHICS

  • Player emotions and physical well-being before winning

  • Understand and treat each player as an individual.

  • Provide a safe playing environment.

  • Know and practice basic first aid principles.

  • Organize practices that are fun and challenging.

  • Lead by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship.

  • Know and teach the rules of the game.

  • Coach to the appropriate skill level.

  • Treat players, parents and officials with respect.

  • Set realistic expectations.

  • Positive, constructive feedback.

  • Have fun.

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

  • Support your teammates, on and off the court.

  • Positive attitude, have fun.

  • Do not argue with officials. You won't change their mind.

  • Attend all practices and games where possible. Notify the coach in advance when possible.

  • Family, health and school come before basketball.

  • Improve, learn. Every practice, every game.

  • Play like you practice, practice like you play.

  • Social time is before and after practice, not during.

  • Desire to win, care if you lose.

  • Good sportsmanship.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

  • Support the players and team.

  • Be positive, enjoy the game.

  • Respect officials.

  • Arrange for players to attend all practices and games, where possible. Notify the coach in advance if possible.

  • Discuss concerns, not complaints, with coaches in private.

  • Respect coaches' decisions.

  • Family, health and school come before basketball.

  • Positive encouragement at home.

  • Display good spectatorship

BULLYING POLICY

  • Purpose: The Glen Ellyn Titans Basketball Program is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all athletes. This policy establishes clear expectations and procedures for coaches when they are notified of, observe, or suspect bullying behavior within the program.
  • Scope: This policy applies to all Glen Ellyn Titans coaches (head coaches and assistant coaches) parents, and teammates and covers conduct:
    • During practices, games, tournaments, team meetings, and travel
    • In locker rooms and team facilities
    • Through team-related digital communication (texts, group chats, social media)
  • Definition: Bullying is repeated, intentional behavior that causes physical, emotional, or psychological harm and involves an imbalance of power. Bullying may include:
    • ​​​​​​​Verbal: teasing, name-calling, insults, threats
    • Physical: hitting, pushing, damaging belongings
    • Social/Relational: exclusion, spreading rumors, public humiliation
    • Cyberbullying: harmful messages or posts through digital platforms
    • Important note: Isolated conflicts or disagreements between athletes of equal power are not bullying but should still be addressed appropriately.
  • Coach Responsibilities:
    • ​​​​​​​Take all reports or observations of bullying seriously
    • Respond promptly, calmly, and objectively
    • Protect the confidentiality, safety and dignity of all athletes
    • Model respectful behavior at all times
    • Make necessary adjustments to team practice, game, or communications to remove bullying behavior
    • If the situation continues or cannot be resolved by the coach, elevation to Boys/Girls Lead Coordinator and Titans President is the next step to determine right course of action.  Coaches must not impose disciplinary consequences without discussion and direction from program leadership.
  • Commitment Statement: The Glen Ellyn Titans Basketball Program believes that every athlete deserves the opportunity to compete and grow in an environment free from bullying. Coaches especially, but also parents and players all play a critical role in upholding this commitment and ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly, fairly, and consistently

NEGATIVE SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR POLICY

The Glen Ellyn Titans program must set the highest standards.  Beyond just being a great example for our kids, there is a genuine shortage of referees right now as the abuse of referees has escalated to the point that referees are refusing to stay involved.  This will have negative implications unless the situation changes.  The Glen Ellyn Titans will not tolerate negative behavior of any type at our practices, games, and events.  

We will instruct our referees to take a very strong position to reduce verbal abuse, while also asking them to be equally as tolerant with our coaches and spectators.    The referees have complete authority over the conduct of the players, coaches, and spectators from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave the gym.  The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

WARNING: If a spectator is harassing or heckling the referees, players, or coaches, or in any way interfering with the progress of the game a spectator will first be given a warning to discontinue the behavior and enjoy the game. 

REMOVAL: If the referee needs to address the same individual again, he/she may be asked to leave the gym immediately.   If the offending individual refuses to leave the area, the referee may stop the game, resulting in a forfeit for the team. Do you want to be the reason for a team loss?  Visiting teams will be notified and will be subject to the same warning and ejection from the gym. 

DEFINITIONS - Making a negative comment or gesture directed toward the referee or asst. referee. Making comments about the referee or directing the referee (ex. “Are you blind?”, “Argue a travel call,  Get in the game!”, Call it both ways!”); or refusing to follow the instructions of the referee.  

CONCERNS:  If there are concerns regarding safety of the players or actions of the referee during the game, please address with your head or assistant coach at the quarter break or halftime.  Coaches will discuss any concerns directly with the referee at the appropriate time.  Coaches should hold discussions privately and respectfully with referees during timeouts, quarter or halftime breaks. 

REPORTING:  Titans coaches are instructed to report any incident within 24 hours to the Titans Disciplinary Committee who will reach out and discuss the situation and provide an opportunity to explain the situation.   If there are any violations to the Code of Conduct of our Policy on Negative Behavior swift action will be taken.

CONSEQUENCES (for coaches, players and parents):

  • 1st occurrence – depending on the situation may range from a warning to a 2 game attendance suspension

  • 2nd occurrence – 4 game attendance suspension

  • 3rd occurrence – coach, player or parent will be suspended for the remainder of the season

PLEASE SIMPLY ENJOY THE GAME AND BE A POSITIVE EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUNG PLAYERS.