Sportsmanship And Spectators

Sportsmanship at Chicago Public League Contests

Contributing text courtesy of the Ohio High School Athletic Association

Behavior and Expectations For Spectators at Athletic Contests

1. Since we demand good sportsmanship from the students, we also expect spectators to model exemplary sportsmanship.

2. Remember that you are there to support the student-athletes.

3. Remember that young people play sports for THEIR enjoyment, not to entertain you.

4. Do not have unrealistic expectations of performance and understand that striving to be one’s best is as important as winning.

5. Purchasing a ticket or otherwise obtaining admission to the contest is a privilege to observe the contest, not a license to be indiscriminate in what you say and what you do.

6. Learn the rules of the game, so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.

7. Understand that spectators that exhibit unruly or unsportsmanlike behavior can be removed from the contest venue with no refund.

Acceptable and Encouraged Behavior

1. Root for your team with chants of praise and/or encouragement in order to uplift the students.

2. Respect the official’s decisions and encourage all participants to do the same.

3. Respect and show appreciation for the coaches and understand that they have given their time to provide sport activities for our young people.

4. Encourage athletes and coaches to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

5. Show respect for your team’s opponents and realize there would be no game without them.

Unacceptable Behavior

1. Do not use bad language and harass athletes, coaches, officials or other spectators.

2. Do not use language or gestures to mock or intimidate athletes, coaches, officials or other spectators.

3. Understand that ridiculing an athlete for making a mistake or taunting students on the other team is unsportsmanlike and fundamentally against the aims of interscholastic sports.

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