POLICY 6145.1

 SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY

The Board of Education requires that all individuals involved in or attending the athletic, club, or intramural programs sponsored by the Board exhibit sportsmanship.  Sportsmanship is defined as abiding by the rules of the contest and supervising officials.  In exhibiting sportsmanship all participants shall:

1.         Understand and follow the rules of the contest;

2.         Recognize skilled performance of others regardless of affiliation;

3.         Display respect for all individuals participating in the athletic event;

4.         Congratulate opponents in victory or defeat.

Failure to exhibit good sportsmanship shall include, but not be limited to the following conduct: 

1.         Any person who strikes or physically abuses an official, coach, player or spectator;

2.         Any person who intentionally incites participation or spectators to abusive action;

3.         Any person who uses obscene gestures or unduly provocative language or action towards officials, coaches, opponents or spectators;

4.         Any school or athletic staff member who is publicly critical of a game official or opposing coaches and / or players;

5.         Any person who engages in conduct which exhibits bias based on race, ethnicity, gender,  or sexual preference;

6.         Other conduct judged by the administration to be unsportsmanlike in character.

 Persons deemed in violation of this Policy, shall be removed from the game if a team member, or, if a member of the public, shall be removed from the stands / sidelines.  The Superintendent, upon recommendation of the Athletic Director or Principal and based upon the severity of the incident and / or the extent of any prior similar incident, will ban an individual’s presence at any subsequent school sport even or team.  An individual may petition the Board for permission to resume attendance.

Adopted:          10 /17/2005