Part 7 - Student Athlete Relationships
Fort Lewis College Athletic Department Proactive Expectations
We trust all members of our teams to be honest, responsible and mature. We desire what is best for the team as a whole, what is fair and workable for all individuals on the team and is based on broad principals of fairness. These expectations are for all members of our teams who must work together for the good of the team, they have responsibilities to the team and a commitment to being a team member who is focused on contributing to achieving team goals. Relationship issues can distract a team from its competitive goals. For this reason the Fort Lewis College Athletic Department has the following expectations for all team members regardless of the type of relationship.
The following is a list of possible relationships that may be addressed with these expectations (other types of relationships not listed may also apply):
- Best friends being exclusive of others, or having a falling out.
- Two women dating the same man or the same woman, two men dating the same woman or the same man.
- A teammate dating someone you had a past relationship with.
- Heterosexual dating on the same or different teams.
- Homosexual dating on the same or different teams.
- Conflicts between student-athletes based on race, sexual orientation, sexual identity, personal belief systems or religion.
When with the team, the team comes first. Conduct yourselves as teammates. Being a member of a team requires responsible behavior, conduct yourself professionally when with the team. This includes at practice, during competition, on the team bus/van, in hotel rooms, in the training room, in the weight room, at team meetings, in the locker room and anywhere else when you are on “team time”.
Focus on the team and your role as a team member. You don’t have to hide your relationship but when on “team time” the following behaviors are expected:
- Respect team space: avoid drama on team time, leave relationship conflict at the door.
- Resolve relationship issues on your own time, not the team’s time.
- No PDA (public displays of affection), this includes hand holding, kissing, hugging, etc.
- Mix it up and get to know others on your team, sit with various teammates on the bus, eat with various teammates, share hotel rooms with various teammates and sit with various teammates in team meetings.
- If you need help resolving relationship issues, please contact the FLC Counseling Center at 970-247-7212.
Possible consequences for failing to meet these expectations:
- Meeting with Coach, review expectations and consequences of not abiding by them.
- Requested to meet with a counselor.
- Suspension or dismissal from team for failing to abide by the expectations.
Team captains play an important role in maintaining a positive team-orientated climate and helping team members maintain team focus:
- Remind teammates about Coach’s expectations and why they are important.
- Communicate with coaches when relationships issues need to be addressed.