When South students make the decision to become an athlete, they’re agreeing to a much larger time commitment than just the time on the field. In the Grosse Pointe School District, athletes are held to what many describe as a “24/7/365” standard, among other things, meaning that their choices can carry consequences at any time, on any day of the year.
Athletic Director Andy Rishmawi said that the addition of athletics to the schedule of students has to come with the addition of more standards because athletics are a privilege.
“We feel like there’s a greater responsibility that gets put on you, and rightfully so,” Rishmawi said. “I think athletics, or any extracurricular, can serve as a way of preparing you for the real world. The lessons you learn through sports and through other clubs and organizations are important.”
As part of the athletic code of conduct, athletic discipline can come with choices student-athletes make. Three-sport athlete Liam Willson ’27 said that the choices a player might make can affect the entire team.
”If you get in trouble outside of school and you aren’t there to compete for your team, you let them down,” Willson said. “The choices of one person can majorly affect the game.”
Rishmawi emphasized the importance of that team mindset and the need for teammates to be on the same page in doing the right thing, exactly what the athletic department aims for them to learn.
”Our expectation is that everyone is gonna do what they’re supposed to be doing to move forward, not doing anything illegal or they shouldn’t be doing that’s gonna harm themselves or possibly others,” Rishmawi said.
Student-athlete Gianna Piazza ’28 believes that the rules in the athletic code of conduct are helpful for athletes in the long run.
”Playing sports really helps me grades and time management wise,” Piazza said. “Because you have less time you have to work around things and plan to make the time for yourself.”
Willson shares similar feelings about the code of conduct being helpful. He said that knowing the rules that an athlete at South has to follow overall makes him a better person.
“We have to be role models as athletes,” Willson said. “We want younger people to grow up and play our sports and we want the community to come together and go to the games. We can’t do that if our athletes aren’t following the code of conduct and aren’t representing the school well.”
