My View
A Wake-up Call for Sportsmanship in Scholastic Sports
BY KARISSA L. NIEHOFF/School Administrator, August 2022

FROM TIME TO time, everyone needs a wake-up call to get back on course, to regain focus and to get with the program. That time is at hand in high school sports as it relates to unsportsmanlike conduct.

In the 103-year history of the National Federation of State High School Associations and organized sports in the United States, good sportsmanship has been one of the most important outcomes of these programs. When appropriate behavior occurs, competitive play is more enjoyable for everyone.

An increasing presence of offensive behavior and inappropriate language during high school athletics have made them unpleasureable settings. In the past few months, we’ve witnessed unfortunate incidents at schools nationwide:

»The mayor of a small city in California was ejected from his daughter’s high school basketball game after threatening a referee.

»A high school volleyball official in one community was pursued off the court by a coach shouting obscenities.

»A referee was assaulted and knocked unconscious during a basketball tournament in Washington, D.C., and YouTube has multiple clips of this type of behavior elsewhere.

»A student from the opposing school shouted racist comments from the stands at a high school basketball player on the court.

No-Tolerance Policies

While all displays of unacceptable behavior must stop, the recent occurrences of students and other spectators directing hurtful, de-meaning and hateful language at individuals on the opposing team is heartbreaking. High school sports and other activities exist to lift people up, not demean or tear down. Speech that is insulting or hurtful ought never be tolerated on the sidelines or in the stands.

High schools must establish a culture that values the worth of every competitor, home school and opponent. There should be a no-tolerance policy for disrespectful behavior toward another individual.

The NFHS’s playing rules for each sport encourage sportsmanship, integrity and respect. For these ideals to occur, everybody must do their part — from the superintendent, principal and other school administrators to the coaches, players and parents at athletic events.

If superintendents and other school leaders recognize the value of school activity programs and lend their support for enforcing strong behavioral standards — and attend events whenever possible — it makes the task of enforcing sportsmanship standards much easier for everyone else.

Coach’s Duty

When it comes to actual high school competition, the person most responsible for setting the tone is the coach. If coaches act in a sportsmanlike manner, their behavior sets the tone for players, spectators and others. If coaches constantly complain about the decision of contest officials, spectators and players are more likely to do the same.

A collaborative, working relationship between contest officials and game administrators can promote good sportsmanship and safe conduct at an event.

Game officials and referees should focus on the actions of players, coaches and other bench and sideline personnel. Once the contest begins, school administrators are responsible for dealing with unruly spectators. A proactive approach by school administrators includes monitoring fan behavior and intervening if needed.

If spectators aim demeaning or profane language at officials or others in the stands or on the playing fields, those individuals must be cautioned or removed from the venue by school administration.

High school sporting events need fans — those who support the game officials, the players and the coaches — not the fanatics who tear down and do harm to the participants, the school and the community.

KARISSA NIEHOFF is chief executive officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations in Indianapolis, Ind.