Athletes and coaches saw posters stating new locker room rules when they returned to school this year.
Athletic directors also published the rules in the Aug. 27 edition of the Raider Roundtable, a weekly email newsletter.
“As our athletes and coaches/staff return to action, they will notice updated Locker Room signage throughout the high school to reinforce the importance of making good choices and acting responsibly both on and off the field,” the newsletter stated.
Athletic Director Mike Babinec said that the Athletic Department is taking the rules very seriously and that coaches must take responsibility for their players’ actions. He also said players should be respectful to their area of use.
The list includes rules that address loitering, behaviors concerning privacy and use of cellphones, safety, security and cleanliness.
“That is a good poster,” said Jack Geisler, a senior football player, “after last year with the teams.”
According to the poster, “Any violation of locker room rules must be reported immediately to the Athletic Department or a staff member; will be dealt with according to student, athletic, and staff codes of conduct; and may result in suspension, expulsion, termination, and/or referral to law enforcement.”
Babinec said, “We aren’t going to tolerate the stupidness in the locker room. Everybody is older and should understand the locker room rules. The poster is there so we don’t have to talk to every kid about the same things. We want everyone to be safe and respectful to the locker rooms and have a good time at school.”
Cross-country Head Coach David Englander said that he “certainly understands administration not wanting student-athletes hanging out in the locker rooms for extended periods of time.”
He said that he understands that some students would be upset with the cellphone rules but that liability and privacy issues exist. “With the recording potential of cell phones,” said Englander, “it is entirely possible that someone could be recorded, intentionally or unintentionally, without consent, inside a locker room.”
He said, “This should not be an area where anyone has to worry about their privacy.”
