It's called Honor the Code, and it's calling on high school student athletes to do just that.
A collaborative effort with the Prevention Network and the LaFayette, Marcellus, Skaneateles, and Onondaga Central school districts is educating student athletes to make the right decisions in all facets of life. Each of the four districts are a part of the first year group that will have two student-athlete representatives educating the rest of their fellow athletes. Essentially an agressive extension of current athletic department codes of conduct.
While the Prevention Network is known for its work in drug and alcohol use, that's not the only behavioral issues Honor the Code will attack. Phil Rose, program coordinator at the Prevention Network tells me that any destructive behavior will be addressed and hopefully remedied. This will include the effects that say a night of drinking would do to your athletic performance, and more than that, how much potential it has to hurt the overall profile of the student athlete.
LaFayette Athletic Director Jerry Kelly says the potential problems it will reach even include such things as texting while driving. The program seems destined for success with several other districts waiting and watching to see how the program goes in its first year, but that success could hinge on one aspect.
" It'll be nice to tell all of the other athletes, just like ourselves to not do anything wrong, to follow the code....it's meaningful to come from another athlete, another peer because when you listen to parents you don't always want to listen." said LaFayette volleyball player Cassidy Ubieta
Honor the Code is holding a meeting from 12-2 on Tuesday, in which they will acclimate all the student representatives to their tasks, and strategize plans to spread the word on this great cause.
