By Dani Ricker Posted June 4, 2015
As any student who has participated in a high school sports knows, under NIAA rules student-athletes are not allowed the “possession or use of any controlled substance, designer or synthetic drug or naturally occurring drug, alcohol or any tobacco products, e-cigarettes or other product that delivers nicotine or mimics the reaction of nicotine without a prescription from a physician by a student-athlete, whether it occurs on or off of school property…”
Due to recent incidents in Humboldt and Elko County School Districts, starting next school year, coaches will be required to sign the same contract as the athletes.
Meaning coaches will not be allowed to kick back and enjoy a cold beer or cigarette at the end of the day, not even in the comfort of their home.
“I think this is a great idea,” said Lowry coach Austin Mayo. “How can we expect kids to stay away from this stuff when we ourselves don’t?”
This new rule goes into action starting August 1. All coaches, whether head or assistant, will be required to sign said contract before attending practice, just like any athlete.
“This problem was recently brought to our attention, and we hope that through our actions coaches will be able to set a better example for their athletes, and create a safer learning environment for them as well,” said an NIAA representative. “Coaches should have been required to sign a contract similar to the athletes’ a long time ago. Had this happened earlier, recent events could have been avoided.”
Not all coaches are as accepting as Mayo of these new rules, however.
Don Walton shared his opinion, “I’m not convinced this is the correct approach. Coaches are already held to a high standard. There are off-days during the course of any season when they have no contact with their athletes. At those times, they should be able to act like adults, within the law, and not be bound by a contract.”
Unfortunately for coach Walton, the decision has been finalized. Lowry is becoming now, more than ever, an even more sober atmosphere.
