CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SPECTATORS

A.  STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The member schools encourage the attendance of students, parents and interested members of the community at all athletic events.  We further encourage their active support of these programs by participating in those activities which lend themselves to stimulating student achievement, good sportsmanship, and school spirit.  These activities should be positive in nature and within the guidelines of the Section XI Code of Conduct.  It is not our intent to reduce the involvement of spectators or the enjoyment of those who participate.  Rather, it is our goal to create an atmosphere which is conducive to healthy athletic competition, is safe for those involved, and which provides the ideals of sportsmanship and sound educational practices.

B.  SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT (Violators of this Code are subject to eviction from the site.)

    1.  Spectators are an important part of the game and shall at all times conform to accepted standards of good sportsmanship and behavior.

    2.  Spectators shall at all times respect officials, coaches and players and extend all courtesies to them.

    3.  Wholesome cheering is encouraged.

    4.  Taunting, foul and abusive language, noisemakers, inflammatory remarks, and disrespectful signs and behavior are not acceptable. 

    5.  Faculty supervised pep bands are permitted during dead ball time.  However, spectator noise makers or sound devices are prohibited.

    6.  Spectators shall observe and obey the rules and regulations of the school concerning smoking, vaping, food and soft drink consumption, and use of lavatory facilities and parking of cars. rev 10/20

    7.  New York State law prohibits alcoholic beverages of any kind on school property; the law further prohibits any person under the influence of alcohol to be on school property.

    8.  Spectators shall respect and obey all school officials, supervisors, and police at all athletic contests.

C.  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEMBER SCHOOLS

    1.  Use physical education classes, class meeting and any/all other means to educate students as to what is expected of them.

    2.  Prior to each contest, make an announcement as to what is expected of all those in attendance.

    3.  Encourage officials to penalize poor sportsmanship.

    4.  Visiting schools should provide supervision for away contests especially for basketball, wrestling, football, and known rivalries in other sports.

    5.  All supervisors should wear identifying jackets.

    6.  All supervisors should be totally aware of what is expected of them, both home and away.

    7.  School district representatives should be encouraged to communicate with each other both before and after contests relative to the possible occurrence of a problem, supervisory procedures and follow up in the case of an incident.

    8.  In basketball, wrestling, football, and known rivalries in other sports, an administrator or supervisor from the host school shall be designated as the person in charge and the name of this person shall be communicated to the visiting school.

    9.  The Section XI Code of Conduct should be emphasized with every student in every school.  Furthermore, it should be posted and also publicized by way of Board Reports, school newspaper, Curriculum Guide, Booster Clubs and other public forums in the school district.

    10.  Section XI should publicize the Code of Conduct by means of newspapers, local TV stations and other established guidelines of communication.  This should be done periodically.

Rev 10/8/13