2431.01 - SPORTSMANSHIP

School District of Adams Friendship

Bylaws & Policies

2431.01 - SPORTSMANSHIP

The Board of Education is committed to providing a sportsmanlike environment for students, coaches, and spectators. To that end, the Board has adopted the following statements of principles:

	A.	Interscholastic athletics exist for its educational value. While winning may be important, the prime objective is to appreciate the educational and athletic development of student athletes.
	B.	Spectators and participants are all guests at this educational experience. They have the responsibility to uphold the ideals of good manners and sportsmanship.
	C.	The School Board recognizes that game officials do their best to make quick, fair and unbiased decisions and thus expects fans and participants to respect the judgement of contest officials, abide by the rules of the contest and display positive behavior.
	D.	Each and every competitor is worthy of respect and should be treated with courtesy.
	E.	A true competitor is humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

Definition of Sportsmanship

A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint, or victory without gloating, and who treats his/her opponents with fairness, courtesy and respect.

Standards of Sportsmanship

The Board has adopted the following standards of sportsmanship and expectations:

The following shall be role models demonstrating sportsmanship at all times:

		1.	principal/administrative staff
		2.	athletic directors
		3.	coaches, players and cheerleaders
		4.	faculty members
		5.	booster club members
		6.	band members and band directors

	B.	Coaches, players and spectators will respect the integrity and judgement of sports officials.
	C.	The conduct of coaches, players and cheerleaders generally sets the tone for school contests. They will be expected to maintain the highest level of decorum at all Adams-Friendship Area School District school contests.
	D.	The following behavior is unacceptable at all Adams-Friendship Area School District contests:

		1.	berating your opponent’s school or mascot
		2.	berating opposing players
		3.	obscene cheers or gestures
		4.	negative signs
		5.	artificial noisemakers
		6.	berating and/or complaining about officials’ calls (verbally or with gestures)

	E.	The administration and coaches shall find ways to reward positive examples of sportsmanship. This should not be confined to participating players or athletes but should include any student body member present as well as any adult fan that demonstrates positive sportsmanship.
	F.	The following action plans are recommended for implementation at all Adams-Friendship Area School District contests:
		A script should be provided to the announcer that includes:

		1.	welcome statement
		2.	sportsmanship expectations
		3.	acknowledgement and introduction of game officials (note: There should be a short statement endorsing the officials as neutral persons who have been certified as officials by the appropriate officials association)
		4.	introduction of players

Adopted 1/9/06