The Brunswick High School Athletic Department wishes to remind all student-athletes and their parents/guardians that participation in interscholastic athletics, co-curricular activities, and extracurricular programs is a privilege extended to students who voluntarily agree to comply with additional standards of conduct established by Brunswick City Schools, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), and applicable Board of Education policies. Participation is not a right, and continued eligibility depends on compliance with those standards.

As a condition of participation, every student-athlete and parent/guardian is required to complete and acknowledge all required documentation through FinalForms. The district handbook specifically states that annual FinalForms updates are required and are essential for participation in athletic events, extracurricular activities, and other off-campus programs.
FinalForms Constitutes Acknowledgment of the Rules

Through FinalForms, student-athletes and parents acknowledge receipt of, review, and agreement to abide by the Brunswick City School District Student Code of Conduct, Athletic/ Co-Curricular / Extracurricular Code of Conduct, eligibility standards, and all participation requirements established by the district. Additionally, the handbook requires signed Code of Conduct agreements, OHSAA eligibility documents, and other participation forms before athletic participation may occur.

Accordingly, any claim that a student was unaware of the standards governing athletic participation is inconsistent with the acknowledgment process required before a student is permitted to represent Brunswick City Schools in competition. The required signatures exist specifically to ensure that students and parents are informed of the expectations, responsibilities, and consequences associated with participation.

Student-Athletes Are Subject to a Higher Standard
The Athletic, and Extracurricular Code of Conduct provides that participating students are expected to demonstrate high standards of scholarship, citizenship, and behavior at all times. The handbook further states that many provisions of the code are in effect 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, regardless of whether school is in session.

Furthermore, the Code specifically states that athletic and extracurricular consequences are separate from, and in addition to, any discipline imposed through the Student Code of Conduct, school administration, or law enforcement authorities.
Therefore, a lack of school discipline does not equate to a lack of athletic consequences.

A student-athlete may engage in conduct that does not result in suspension from school, yet still be found in violation of the Athletic Code of Conduct and face consequences affecting participation, eligibility, awards, recognition, or team membership. Those are independent processes expressly authorized by district policy.

Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and Vaping
The Athletic Code prohibits student participants from possessing, using, distributing, transmitting, selling, concealing, or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, nicotine products, e-cigarettes, vape devices, or other prohibited substances. These restrictions were acknowledged through the participation process and are conditions of athletic eligibility.

Students should also be aware that the Code specifically addresses attendance at gatherings where alcohol or drugs are present. The handbook provides consequences not only for use and possession, but also for remaining at parties where alcohol or drugs are present when a participant fails to remove themselves from that environment, regardless of possessing, using, distributing, transmitting, selling, concealing, or being under the influence of such substances. This wording also applies to pictures and social media posts containing alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and vaping.

Authority Under Ohio Law and OHSAA Regulations
Ohio law has long recognized that schools may establish reasonable eligibility requirements and conduct standards for participation in extracurricular activities. Participation in athletics is considered a privilege subject to rules and regulations adopted by local boards of education and governing athletic associations. The Brunswick Code of Conduct and participation requirements were adopted pursuant to that authority and are expressly incorporated into district policy.

Additionally, the handbook requires participating students to complete OHSAA eligibility documentation and comply with both district and OHSAA standards. Students who fail to meet those standards risk the loss of eligibility and participation opportunities.

Every athlete who represents Brunswick City Schools has acknowledged these expectations.

The Athletic Department's expectation is simple;
Student-athletes are expected to make decisions that reflect positively on themselves, their teammates, their families, and Brunswick City Schools. Participation in athletics carries responsibilities that extend beyond the classroom, beyond school grounds, and beyond the final bell. The standards are clearly communicated, formally acknowledged through FinalForms, and remain enforceable throughout a student's period of participation in Brunswick City School District activities. Signing Final Forms is a 365 day contract, not just for the duration of the season.

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The Brunswick City School District Athletic, Co-Curricular, and Extracurricular Code of Conduct is implemented pursuant to the authority granted to local boards of education under the Ohio Revised Code, including but not limited to Ohio Revised Code §§ 3313.20, 3313.47, 3313.661, and 3313.664, together with applicable policies adopted by the Brunswick Board of Education and the Constitution, Bylaws, and eligibility regulations of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). These authorities permit school districts to establish standards governing participation in extracurricular activities and to impose eligibility and participation consequences independent of academic or school disciplinary sanctions.

----Brunswick High School Athletic Department