8.1  PRINCIPLE OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND ETHICAL CONDUCT

It shall be the responsibility of each institution to ensure that all individuals employed by or directly associated with the athletic programs of that institution conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner when representing their institution, especially at intercollegiate athletic contests.
 
8.1.1        Unsportsmanlike and/or unethical conduct may subject an individual to disciplinary action by the Commissioner and/or the individual member institution(s) involved. The institution that the offending individual is associated with may also be subject to disciplinary action if it is found that the institution's policies, action, or failure to act substantially contributed to the individual's misconduct.
 
8.1.2      Acts of unsportsmanlike and/or unethical conduct may be reviewed by the Commissioner and/or the individual member institution(s) involved. Individual penalties and/or discipline may be determine by the Commissioner and/or the individual member institution(s) involved.

8.1.3      If the Commissioner is incapacitated or unable to fulfill his/her duties the Conference office staff member responsible for Compliance duties shall continue Conference operations by reviewing acts of unsportsmanlike and/or unethical conduct and levy appropriate penalties in such cases until the Executive Board has the opportunity to vote on an interim Commissioner.(Revised 5/25/23)
 
8.1.4          Acts of unsportsmanlike and/or unethical conduct may include, but are not limited to, a student-­- athlete, coach or other institutional representative who:
 
a)       Strikes or physically abuses an official, opposing coach or player;
b)       Intentionally incites participants or spectators to violent or abusive action;
c)       Uses obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or action toward officials, opponents, or spectators;
d)       Publicly criticizes any game official, Conference personnel, another institution or its personnel;
e)       Engages in negative recruiting by making statements to a prospective student-­athlete, his/her parents, high school coach, or other persons interested in the prospective athlete which are unduly derogatory of another member institution, its personnel, or its athletic program or;
f)        Any other acts or conduct not specifically described herein that bring disrepute on the Conference or one of its member institutions.