Eligibility

McLean County Unit District No. 5 Athletic Code
Updated August 2026

     The McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education believes that athletics are an extension of the educational process for its student-athletes.  In order to enjoy the privilege of participating in athletics at the Unit 5 schools, each student-athlete and parent/guardian should read and understand the following stipulations. The parent/guardian and student-athlete signatures on the student-athlete’s Athletic Record must be present before participation will be allowed in any practice, game or other activity.  The complete Board-approved guidelines can be found here.

1.  High school student-athletes must be doing passing work (60% or above) in all subjects.

2.  The student-athlete must have a valid physical examination on file in the school office before the beginning of practice. All physicals that are now issued are good for 395 days.

3.  The student athlete must have purchased the student accident insurance or have on file in the Athletic Director’s office a form which verifies adequate coverage by a family or group policy. It is understood that McLean County Unit District No. 5 does not assume financial responsibility for accidents incurred in athletics. It should also be clarified that complete coverage by any single policy is highly improbable; therefore the policy covering any student-athlete should be fully understood prior to participation.

4.  Student-athletes must comply with standard training rules: Possession and/or use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, controlled substances and/or related paraphernalia at any time, or aiding and/or abetting others to possess or use, after the very first practice as a Unit 5 student-athlete will be considered as a reason for suspension/removal from an athletic team. Suspension will be defined as not participating in competition. Attendance at any activity involving the illegal use of alcohol, controlled substances or tobacco may result in an investigation leading to an athletic code violation. 

5.  The following conditions will apply in any situation in which a violation occurs.

First violation:  A violation will be considered a first violation if 365 days have passed since the student’s previous violation. 

• Use, ingestion, possession, buying, selling, offering to sell, bartering, or distributing: A suspension of one-fifth (⅕) of the total number of performances, activities, or competitions or the remainder of the season, whichever is shorter. This penalty may be reduced if the student is enrolled in a school-approved alcohol or drug counseling program. 
• Attendance at a party or riding in a vehicle where alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances are being consumed by minors: A suspension of one-sixth (⅙) of the total number of performances, activities or competitions, or the remainder of the season, whichever is shorter. 
• The student will be required to practice with the group, regardless of the violation (unless suspended or expelled from school).

Second violation: 

• Use, ingestion, possession, buying, selling, offering to sell, bartering, or distributing: A suspension of two-fifths (⅖) of the total number of performances, activities, or competitions or the remainder of the season, whichever is shorter. To participate again in any extracurricular or athletic activity, the student must successfully participate in and complete a school-approved alcohol or drug counseling program (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) and follow all recommendations from that program.
• Attendance at a party or riding in a vehicle where alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances are being consumed by minors:  A suspension of one-third (⅓) of the season and all extracurricular group performances, activities, or competitions during this period.
• The student may be required to practice with the group (unless suspended or expelled from school).

Third violation: 

• Use, ingestion, possession, buying, selling, offering to sell, bartering, or distributing: A suspension from extracurricular or athletic activities for 365 days. To participate again in any extracurricular or athletic activity, the student must successfully participate in and complete a school-approved alcohol or drug counseling program and follow all recommendations from that program.
• Attendance at a party or riding in a vehicle where alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances are being consumed by minors:  A suspension from all remaining performances, activities, or competitions for the remainder of the season.

6. The student-athlete agrees to care for and be responsible for school equipment issued and used. Necessary restitution must be made whenever loss or damage is the student-athlete’s responsibility.

7. The student-athlete agrees to comply with all rules and regulations established by the Illinois High School Association and the Student-Parent Handbooks of the McLean County Unit District No. 5 schools.

8. A season begins with the first day of practice and extends through the final competition for members of that team.

9. To be eligible for an award, a student-athlete must complete the season in good standing.

10. All rules established by this Athletic Permit will be considered to be in effect