OBJECTIVES
Deter and detect substance use and abuse among our student-athletes.
• Promote the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character Program to a meaningful level
¦ RESPECT — Respect yourself, teammates, your opponents and the game by engaging in competition clean and free from dangerous substances
¦ RESPONSIBILITY — Hold student-athletes accountable for their behavior both on and off the field of play. Accountability.
¦ INTEGRITY — Promote and preserve the integrity of Ottawa University and NAIA athletics and the welfare of student-athletes. Be who we say we are. Our “yes” means “yes” and our “no” means “no”. The heart of character.
¦ SPORTSMANSHIP — Model good sportsmanship both on and off the field of play by enforcing and ensuring fair play. Enter competition with student-athletes who are indeed playing by the rules.
¦ SERVANT LEADERSHIP — Do everything we can to ensure that we are being represented on the field of play by individuals who take being a role model seriously. Our student-athletes are actively engaged with the youth in the community and must be committed to making the right choices as they are choosing to be seen as role models. We must raise the profile of our campus and local community by monitoring and enforcing drug free participation and share enthusiasm and commitment to being true role models that others can be proud of and can look up to.
• Provide educational experiences in order to have informed athletes who are fully aware of the consequences and dangers of substance use and abuse and illegal drug use.
• Develop a supportive intervention program to provide athletes with a support system for rehabilitation and educational awareness. Identify and retain the right student-athletes in athletic programs by encouraging them to accept the responsibilities and consequences of the university drug education and testing program. The face of the athletic program and Ottawa University is protected by identifying and filtering out student-athletes who do not hold themselves to the highest of standards.
• Define and enforce consistent consequences throughout the athletic programs for violations of a clearly defined policy at a minimum level. Maintaining the latitude to increase the level of severity of the sanctions is a continued right of each program.
• Screen and help ensure that the institution is properly represented by student-athletes who uphold the standards and expectations of representing OU. Take proactive measures in ensuring Ottawa’s full compliance with the NAIA’s Policy.
