Sportsmanship Policy

Sportsmanship Philosophy Guidelines

Findlay Athletics believes that interscholastic competition involving member schools of the Ohio High School Athletic Association should be governed by the basic principles of good sportsmanship. This document has been prepared to ensure that all participants have a common understanding of those basic principles.

We believe that students should be coached to play to the best of their ability and to understand that to play well is to play honorably. The promotion of sportsmanship is the obligation of all school personnel (principals, athletic directors, and coaches) and is directed to the behavior of spectators, coaches, and players.

An additional component to consider is coaches’ ethics. We believe the development of good sportsmanship through the practice of ethical behavior and moral reasoning is one of the acknowledged objectives of interscholastic athletics. We, therefore, expect school administrators, coaches, athletes, and spectators to know and embrace the following fundamentals of sportsmanship.

Respect should be demonstrated for an athletic opponent and their school at all times. Findlay should treat visiting teams and their supporters as guests and accord them the consideration all human beings deserve. Visiting schools should respect the property and dignity of their host school and its athletic teams.

Knowledge of and proper respect for the current rules of the contest should guide the behavior of all participants. Rules are essential for a fair contest. Good sportsmanship suggests the importance of conforming to the spirit as well as the “letter” of the rules.

All participants should strive to maintain self-control at all times. The desire to win should not be accepted as a reason for abandoning rational behavior. A proper perspective must be maintained by all if the potential educational values of athletic competition are to be realized.

All participants should learn to recognize and appreciate high-quality skills in athletic performance regardless of affiliation. Recognition of the good performance of an opponent is a demonstration of generosity and goodwill that is encouraged in all member schools. For good sportsmanship to prevail, it is essential that all participants understand their responsibilities and expected modes of behavior before, during, and after contests.

Visiting teams will be afforded all common courtesies during their stay in Findlay. Every action will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of visiting teams while competing at Findlay Athletics facilities.

Sportsmanship of Athletes

Because players are admired and respected, they exert a great deal of influence over the actions and behavior of the spectators. It is important that players:

Treat opponents with the respect that is due them as guests and as fellow human beings.
Shake hands with opponents and wish them a good game when appropriate.
Exercise self-control at all times, accepting the judgment of the officials as the best judgment they could make given what they know and see. Never argue or make gestures indicating a lack of respect for the officials’ judgment.
Accept both victories and defeat with pride and compassion.
sincerely congratulate opponents following either victory or defeat.
Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing the school and community.
Ejection of Student/Athletes from Athletic Contests

By adoption of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), any athlete ejected from an interscholastic contest for unsportsmanlike conduct or a flagrant foul shall be ineligible for contests for the remainder of that day as well as for all contests in that sport until two (2) regular season/tournament contests are played at the same level as the ejection (one contest in football). If the ejection occurs in the last contest of the season, the athlete shall be ineligible for the same period as stated above in the next sport in which the athlete participates. An athlete under suspension may not sit on the team bench, enter the locker room, or be affiliated with the team in any way traveling to, during, or traveling after the contest(s).

A student-athlete who has been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct for the second time shall be suspended for the remainder of the season in that sport. An athlete who has been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct for the second time in the season during the last contest shall be ineligible for some time/number of contests subject to the discretion of the Commissioner. The period of ineligibility shall commence during the next sport in which the student participates.

It is the responsibility of the local school authorities to ensure that this regulation is enforced. When an ineligible student is allowed to participate, forfeiture of the contest is enforced. When an ineligible student is allowed to participate, forfeiture of the contest is mandatory. This regulation shall apply to all regular season and tournament contests and shall in no way limit the discretionary authority of the Commissioner as specified in the OHSAATournament Regulations. Per OHSAA Bylaw 8-3-1, the decisions of contest officials are final.

Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders are representatives of the student body. By setting a good example, the cheerleaders can influence and control the actions of the student spectators. They should:
Establish standards of desirable behavior in keeping with the fundamentals of good sportsmanship.
Use positive cheers, which encourage their team without demeaning their opponents.
Use discretion in deciding when to cheer and which cheers to use.
Encourage injured players on both sides.
Never attempt to distract opposing players or in any way interfere with their performance.
Serve as hosts for visiting cheerleaders

Participants (players and cheerleaders) should avoid the inappropriate behaviors listed below:
- Taunting officials, opponents, or spectators.
- Violation of bench rule: If an athlete leaves the bench area and is involved in an altercation on the playing field/area, it is strongly recommended that the athlete be suspended for two contests. The suspension should include non-conference and tournament games and should carry over into the next sports season if it occurs at the end of a sports season.
- Ejection from the contest.
- Use of profanity.
- Damage/destruction of school property.
- Theft of school or personal property.

Suggested disciplinary actions:

Benching of participants.
Removal from the contest.
Suspension of a portion of the season.
Conference/hearing with school officials.

Sportsmanship of Spectators

Partisan spectators by their behaviors and reactions determine to a large extent the reputation for the sportsmanship of their school. Spectators should be reminded and should keep in mind that athletes are friendly rivals as members of opposing amateur teams. They are expected to be treated as such. Spectators should be reminded too, that the contest should be between the teams engaged in the competition and not between their supporters. It is important that all spectators:

Know and demonstrate the fundamentals of sportsmanship.
Respect, cooperate, and respond enthusiastically to the cheerleaders, coaches, and athletes of all teams.
Censure fellow spectators whose behavior is unacceptable.
Be positive toward players and coaches regardless of the outcome of the contest.
Respect the judgment and professionalism of the officials.

Spectator inappropriate behavior:

Verbal/physical abuse of officials.
Berating players, coaches, or other spectators through chants, signs, cheers, and profanity.

Unacceptable interruptions of a contest:

Throwing objects in the playing area.
Entering the playing area.
Disruptive behavior.
Removal from the contest.
Conference/hearing with school officials.

Findlay Athletics believes that each participant should be committed to upholding the ideals of good sportsmanship. It is in this spirit that the suggested disciplinary actions are proposed. We also recognize the importance of communication and cooperation between school officials when incidents of inappropriate behavior arise. The quality of our athletic program depends upon this genuine respect for officials.

The Findlay City School District, in association with the Ohio High School Athletic Association, promotes interscholastic events and sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is an essential part of any athletic competition and is expected from athletes, coaches, officials, and fans. As a fan/spectator of Findlay Athletics, we want you to be an example of positive encouragement while supporting our athletes, coaches, and officials. Our behavior should be positive, respectful, and encouraging of the athletes, coaches, officials, and the game.

Failure to be an example of these athletic practices and/or ejection from an athletic contest will result in the following procedures to be taken:

First Offense: Removal from the next home athletic contest and/or one calendar week (7 days) of the same sport.
Second Offense: Removal from all home athletic contests for that season. If applicable, relinquish their season pass to Findlay Athletics. A letter of ejection will be sent from the office of the Principal or Superintendent notifying the spectator of the ejection.
Third Offense: Removal from all home Findlay athletic contests for the year. If applicable, relinquish their yearly pass to Findlay Athletics. A letter of ejection will be sent from the office of the Principal or Superintendent notifying the spectator of the ejection.

Any athletic official, including but not limited to, officials, athletic directors/coordinators, principals, assistant principals, site directors, and anyone else in an administrative role on the site, may uphold enforcement of an ejection

Sportsmanship Procedures

The following rules are established by the Northern Lakes League schools to ensure the positive and beneficial actions of all fans at athletic contests. The purpose is to encourage fan support of the teams and eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct and activities by any school fans.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, athletic board policy prohibits the use of noisemakers at indoor contests except for homeschool-approved bands. Home school signs that decorate the facilities may not be derogatory to the visiting schools.
No megaphones and other means of increasing the volume of the voice may be used.
No objects such as spirit sticks may be brought inside athletic contests.
Visiting teams may not bring in any signs, posters, or banners. However, visiting teams may bring their teams onto the football/soccer field; then the flag must be put away. No Flags are permitted at Indoor Contests.
Shirts must be worn at all athletic contests indoors and outdoors.
Body paint is permitted but with appropriate attire.
Full Body Suits are not permitted at any contests.
Only school-approved personnel such as mascots, players, and cheerleaders are permitted on the playing surface during the warm-up period, during the contest, or after the contest. Fans are not to leave the bleacher area to form tunnels or lines around the playing surface.
Seating for the visitors, both students, and adults, will be together whenever possible. When possible, the player’s bench shall be in front of their fans or two rows shall be reserved for managers, statisticians, etc., directly behind the bench.
The home school shall make sure the necessary supervision has been provided.
The official representatives from the visiting schools should identify themselves with home school officials at all varsity contests so they may be found in case of an emergency. Before the ejection of a student from a varsity contest, the official representing that student’s school should be notified.
Parading around the playing surface shall be prohibited. Teams must go directly to their assigned warm-up areas after entering the playing surface.
Unsportsmanship tactics and taunting of another athlete shall be discouraged at all times. Coaches are to address this aspect of the policy with their players.
Cheerleaders are to remain on their half of the playing floor and refrain from tumbling during the introduction period and when the teams warm up.

Findlay Athletics Governing Institutions

Findlay City Schools Board of Education

All athletes and staff that participate in Findlay Athletics programs are under the direction and guidance of the Findlay City Schools Board of Education and Findlay City Schools Administration. All Findlay City Schools Board of Education policies, rules, and procedures apply during the operation of any Findlay Athletics program. To view and read all of the policies, rules, and procedures, visit https://fcs.org/board-of-education/board-policy-manual/ .