In the past, several athletes have been removed from sports teams because they violated the contract, evidence that the contract is an effective system that controls unacceptable behavior. While there is no countywide policy in place, every school is encouraged to have a drug and alcohol sports contract. The contract at Blair does not overstep the boundaries between school and private life, but provides appropriate penalties for athletes who violate the law. Whether on school grounds or not, athletes are always representing the school because they are so widely known. The way that athletes behave directly relates to the school s reputation.
Athletes are so visible and everyone knows who they are.
Athletes are consistently viewed as part of the school, even when they are off school grounds. As an athlete, there is no in-between. Some people feel that punishing students for their actions off school property is a violation of student rights. Those who disagree with drugs and alcohol policies argue that what students do off school grounds is not the school s business. However, the contract should not provide much of a challenge for students because most high-schoolers are too young to engage in any of the outlined behaviors.