Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2006
Source: Portsmouth Herald (NH)
Copyright: 2006 Seacoast Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1157
Author: Emily Aronson

SECOND ATHLETE BROUGHT UP ON DRUG CHARGES OK TO PLAY

PORTSMOUTH - The season-only clause in the high school's athletic 
contract means another student facing drug charges will remain on the 
boys lacrosse team.

Travis R. Crosby, 17, of 419 Greenleaf Ave. was one of four students 
arrested last month in connection with the alleged sale of marijuana 
to a police informant. Crosby was charged with possession of 
controlled drugs in a motor vehicle.

The sophomore's position on the lacrosse team was not affected 
because the alleged infraction happened before the season started, 
coach Chris McGuirk said Wednesday.

Another student arrested with Crosby, Matthew Anderson, who will 
serve a week in jail this summer after he pleaded guilty to marijuana 
possession charges, remained on the school's baseball team for the same reason.

The school's Student-Athlete/Parent Expectations contract prohibits 
students from possessing or using drugs and alcohol, and being 
"knowingly in the presence of drugs and alcohol." But the rules apply 
to student behavior only during their team's season.

McGuirk said there was "a lot of thought and discussion" about 
Crosby's situation, but said administrators had to follow the 
provisions of the contract.

"It was explained to me ... that because he was not under contract 
for the lacrosse season at that point, he was not in violation," McGuirk said.

McGuirk said coaches must adhere to the contract and cannot remove 
players from a team on their own.

"Even if I wanted to, there was no action to be taken," he said.

Superintendent Bob Lister agreed that coaches do not have such discretion.

"We do not ask coaches to make those decisions under any 
circumstances," he said. "If (a student) meets the contract, they're 
playing - and if they don't, they're not."

McGuirk said there "have been ramifications for Crosby on the team," 
but said he would not discuss the details.

"I think he's an excellent individual who has made a very bad 
mistake," McGuirk said. "I think there is, and should be, 
consequences for his action as dictated by the court system and his 
family and friends."

There have been questions as to whether the athletic contract is fair 
to all students. Some parents of swim team members were upset when 
the season was canceled after some students were found drinking at an 
overnight swim-a-thon fund-raiser.

School officials have stressed that the swim team incident is 
different from Crosby's and Anderson's situation. However, they have 
acknowledged that the athletic contract should be re-examined in 
response to parental concerns.

The School Board's athletic committee is expected to meet next week 
to discuss a number of athletic policies. Lister said the committee 
may look at making the contract applicable all school year or to all 
student activities, not just sports.

Pat Corbin, executive director of the New Hampshire Interscholastic 
Athletic Association, said the association encourages certain student 
conduct off the field, but leaves it up to schools to enact and 
enforce those rules.

"With drugs and alcohol (rules), you have huge discrepancies around 
the state," he said. "I personally wish we had more authority that 
way because I think there really should be a zero tolerance policy."

At nearby high schools in Hampton and York, Maine, athletic contracts 
include drug and alcohol clauses, but like Portsmouth, the rules 
apply only during the season a student plays sports.

"For us to extend that umbrella out of season, or out of the school 
year, would be difficult to enforce," said York High School athletic 
director Ted Welch. "It may not be inherently fair to do that."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman