Code of Ethics for Athletic Administrators

The National Collegiate Athletic Association regulates college athletics and often serves as the model for high school sports. As prospective student-athletes, many high school students are similarly bound by NCAA rules. Their athletic programs also subscribe to the guiding principles (including the rules and regulations) of the NCAA. In recent years, one area of focus for athletic programs nationwide has been on the area of sportsmanship and ethical conduct, with respect and integrity identified as two specific areas of concern for programs (NCAA, 2011, p. 2). As such, athletic directors and administrators have been charged with combating ethical issues such as dishonesty, unsporting conduct or unprofessional behavior. At the same time, they are expected to demand certain ethical behavior from the student-athletes, including honesty and responsibility. Given this task, it would be wise for Athletic Administrators to adopt a Code of Conduct addressing these areas.

A proposed Code of Conduct for Athletic Administrators should arguably include two distinct areas of responsibility – one to the student-athletes, and one to the program as a whole. The Code of Conduct, modeled after the guiding principles of the NCAA (2013), should then include the following regarding its student-athletes:

1. The Athletic Administrator will conduct a program designed to protect and enhance the emotional, physical, ethical, and moral well-being of student-athletes. One of the guiding principles of the NCAA (as provided for within the overall scope of Bylaw 2.2) is to protect the student-athlete, and not force that student into any behavior that would compromise any area of their overall well-being (NCAA, 2013, p. 3). This would include behavior ranging from health and safety issues (use of illegal or performance-enhancing drugs) to moral and ethical ones (cheating or gambling). Ultimately the student should be protected above everything else, even if it is at the expense of winning.

2. The Athletic Administrator will conduct a program designed to protect and enhance the educational progress of student-athletes. Another guiding principle of the NCAA (as specifically provided for in Bylaw 2.2.1) is for programs to maintain an environment conducive to learning, where athletics is not the primary focus of the student-athletes educational career (NCAA, 2013, p. 3). As such, it is important for the Athletic Administrator to create an environment where education remains a priority. Practice times and team activity should be ancillary to educational activities and players should never be monetarily compensated for their sport's contributions.

In addition to these areas, the Code of Conduct as it relates to the athletic program, overall, should include the following:

1. The Athletic Administrator will control the athletic program in a manner that promotes sportsmanship and ethical conduct by all members. Modeled after sections of NCAA Bylaws 2.1 and 2.5, it is the Athletic Administrator’s responsibility to ensure that the program as a whole adheres to all rules of sportsmanship and ethical conduct, and does so in the spirit of the rules of the NCAA (NCAA, 2011, p. 107; NCAA, 2013, p. 3-4). It is imperative that all members of the program operate under certain fundamental ethical values, beginning with the Athletic Administrator.

2. The Athletic Administrator will be responsible for the conduct of the members of the Athletic Program, including coaches and student-athletes. It is important to build a culture of accountability within an organization. A Code of Ethics should include that the senior leadership of an institution is ultimately responsible for the honesty and integrity of an athletic program. The rationale behind this area is attributable back to NCAA Bylaw 2.1.2 (NCAA, 2013, p.3). It is important for the Athletics Administrator to set the tone for the department.

3. The Athletic Administrator will conduct a program designed to respect diversity. All institutions should operate a program free from discrimination, with the mindset that every individual is to be respected, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation (NCAA, 2013, p. 3-4). This also requires a commitment from senior leadership to foster a positive relationship between all student-athletes and department staff, including coaches.

4. The Athletic Administrator will conduct a fair and transparent program. It is important for all members of an athletic program to be treated fairly and honestly. It is also important that individuals participate that operates this way, where such behavior is encouraged. All members should actively participate (to the extent possible) in decisions that affect their future (See Bylaw 2.2.4, 2.2.5 and 2.2.6) (NCAA, 2013, p. 3). If a department operates under these principles, it helps foster an ethical program.

Even the act of implementing a Code of Ethics helps achieve a moral and ethical athletic program. By definition, a Code of Ethics sets the standard of acceptable conduct within an organization (“Code of Ethics”, n.d.). Members of the organization, in this case Athletic Administrators, should look to the code as a set of guidelines in making moral and ethical decisions. Further, in operating under the Code of Ethics, the senior leadership of the program further solidifies a moral and ethical environment for everyone.

Lastly, one ethical issue that continues to be a concerning issue for all student-athletes, and particularly those participating in high school basketball, relates to the medical treatment of sports-related injuries. Both trainers and coaches continue to question what should take priority when treating a sports injury for college-bound hopefuls – should it be treating the injury or preserving the student athlete’s ability to play (Cummings & Matava, 2011)? If operating under the proposed Code of Ethics, the answer to this question should be clear. The physical, ethical and moral well-being of the student-athlete is paramount (NCAA, 2013, p.3). As such, it would be unethical to consider anything but the physical health of the student-athlete and treat his injuries in the manner medically indicated. It would also be unethical to represent to colleges that a student-athlete, no matter how talented, is fit for competition when he/she is actually injured. The Code of Ethics should govern this situation.

References

Code of Ethics (n.d.). Law & Legal Definition. Retrieved from http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/code-of-ethics/

Cummings, N., & Matava, M. (2011, September 1). Ethical issues and sports medicine. Ethical issues and sports medicine. Retrieved from http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/sep11/clinical2.asp

NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs Staff. (2011). 2011-12 and 2012-13 Basketball Men’s Rules and Women’s Rules. Indianapolis: National Collegiate Athletic Association.

NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs Staff. (2013). 2013-2014 NCAA Division I manual. Indianapolis: National Collegiate Athletics Association.