For the week of  October 17 - 23, 2001

Code of Conduct violations draw suspensions

20 WRHS students booted from teams

---

By JODY ZARKOS
Express Staff Writer

What was supposed to be a good time at a Ketchum party has led to some dark days at Wood River High School.

Twenty student/athletes have been suspended from four different school teams in the wake of a party on the night of Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Students allegedly "crashed" a sleepover of the girls’ soccer team at a private Twin Creeks residence in Elkhorn. The party was held on the eve of a girls’ soccer game and a boys’ football game.

Beer was brought in and consumed, which is a direct violation of the Code of Conduct and Health, which WRHS students that participate in any extra curricular activity must sign. The contracts are also signed by each student’s parents.

As a result, 20 athletes are ineligible to play on their teams for the remainder of the 2001 fall season. Those affected include many seniors in their final seasons of play.

The number of suspended players includes 12 members of the varsity football team, four members of the boys’ varsity soccer team, three cheerleaders and one player from the girls’ varsity soccer squad.

Most of the students who were suspended came forward on their own volition. Some were named by others in interviews conducted by school officials last week.

"Students that were involved were suspended from playing for six weeks. In all the cases that is the rest of the season," said Athletic Director Ron Martinez.

No police were involved in breaking up the party. Two parents reportedly called the school to ask officials to investigate after the fact.

Martinez acknowledged that it was not a popular decision to punish the students who were involved, but a necessary one.

"There are battles to be fought and won. I would rather save a kid’s life in the long run and lose a game," he said.

Some parents protested that the punishment is too harsh and the system needs to be overhauled.

"I don’t know at this point if anything is up for discussion," said WRHS Principal Grant Hume. "Down the road, I am sure the district will review its drug and alcohol policy, and I am sure the Code of Conduct is something we could look at, too."

Martinez concurred.

"We can’t jump and change every time something like this happens. But I think the school system has an open door to discuss anything."

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.