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The Department of Athletics at Oakland University has a proud tradition of athletic competition that began in 1964. Active participation in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) began in 1967. The institution participated at the Division II level, claiming 10 national titles along with numerous conference titles and individual awards, until 1997. Oakland University currently competes at the Division I level, sponsoring eight sports for women (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball) and six sports for men (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and swimming). All sports participate within the Mid-Continent Conference, and the men’s and women’s swimming teams also maintain affiliation with the National Independent Swimming Conference. MISSION STATEMENT The
Oakland University Intercollegiate Athletic Department shall advance the
overall mission of the university by contributing, via competitive sport,
to the university’s reputation for overall excellence and distinction
and thereby to the national eminence of the university as a whole.
This will be accomplished in at least the following areas:
conducting competition in Division I-AAA of the NCAA; enhancing the
quality of student life by assisting in the recruitment of the student
population and maintaining wholesome/positive events; and, serving as a
point of interest, entry and affiliation with the university for alumni
and the general community. The
Athletic Department shall provide a wide range of athletic programs, which
compete at the regional and national level, while maintaining the welfare
of student athletes, the spirit of fair play and with the commitment to
equality of opportunity and academic achievement. VISION STATEMENT The Oakland
University Department of Athletics shall produce graduates and champions. STUDENT-ATHLETE
ORIENTATION All student-athletes at Oakland University must attend an orientation session at the beginning of the fall semester for each academic year in which they plan to participate. All mid-year transfer students must attend a special student-athlete orientation session at the beginning of the winter semester. The Student-Athlete Services Office will establish dates for each of these orientations.
PRINCIPLES
OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND ETHICAL CONDUCT Oakland University is
committed to the principles of sportsmanship, honesty and ethical conduct
as prescribed by the NCAA. A positive environment shall be created and
maintained by all parties associated with the athletics department for all
activities. This includes,
but is not limited to, athletic events, practice activities and campus and
community relations (i.e. sport camps, recreational and intramural
activities). A
primary focus shall be creating a hospitable environment for athletic
competition. All facets of
the university community shall be committed to providing an atmosphere of
fair play and responsible behavior. Visiting
teams, along with their fans, will be treated with respect (and in the
same manner in which we will treat our own athletic teams).
Contest officials shall be treated as if members of the university
community while on campus. They will be afforded every opportunity to perform their
duties in a respectable atmosphere and, be expected to enforce the rules
for sportsmanship without tolerance for abuse from coaches, players and
personnel associated with either team.
Taunting, baiting and fighting are unacceptable actions associated
with athletic contests. The
athletic department and other university personnel will be responsible for
maintaining a hospitable atmosphere and may remove those associated with
inappropriate behavior at an athletic event.
Coaches will be advised each year of their responsibility
of, and, influence over the young adults in their respective programs.
Oakland University coaches are expected to teach the principles of
sportsmanship to the student-athletes on this campus.
In addition, their actions should be in keeping with the highest
standard of fair play and ethical conduct.
Student-athletes will be
expected to honor their opponents with sportsmanship.
Oakland University student-athletes are respected as a visible
representation of the institution. Their
behavior is observed by many inside and outside the university community.
These student-athletes must realize the responsibilities associated
with representing Oakland University and honor the privilege whether on or
off- campus. Spirit groups, like student-athletes, are a visible representation
of the university. While
supporting our teams and creating a “fan-friendly” atmosphere, they
must maintain a sportsmanlike conduct, and not disrupt the contest or the
opposing teams. Oakland
University fans are encouraged to support their teams without engaging in
confrontational or threatening actions.
Fans associated with inappropriate behavior may be dismissed from
the event. The athletic department staff will create and maintain a hospitable
environment for visiting teams and all those in attendance at its events.
The
Mid-Continent Conference, of which Oakland University is a member
institution, has specific rules and procedures concerning unsportsmanlike
or unethical conduct. Unsportsmanlike
or unethical conduct shall subject the offending individual to
disciplinary action. All
decisions regarding sports like conduct shall be made by the Conference
Commissioner, in consultation with the Infractions Committee. The
Mid-Continent Conference Policies and Procedures Manual under Code of
Ethics, Section 4 and Sport
Operating Code, Section 28 addresses the specific actions considered
to be unsportslike conduct and the consequences to the individual and/or
institution for each type of offense and the number of offenses.
A copy of this Actions and Consequences section can be obtained
from the Athletic Department Compliance Office. |