BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS OF SPECTATORS ~

Remember that you are at the contest to support and yell for your team, and to enjoy the skill and competition-not to intimidate or ridicule the other team or its fans.

Remember that school athletics are a learning experience for students and that mistakes are sometimes made. Praise student-athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes, and as people, just as you would praise a student working in the classroom.

A ticket is a privilege to observe the contest, not a license to verbally assault others or be generally obnoxious.

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

Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, spectators and support groups.

Respect the integrity and judgement of game officials. Understand that they are doing their best to help promote the student-athlete,and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.

Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.

Refrain from the use of any controlled substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.) before, during, and after the game on or near the site of the event (i.e. tailgating).

Use only cheers that support and uplift the teams involved.

Be a positive role model at events through your own actions and by censuring those around you whose behavior is unbecoming.

Parents and spectators should be aware that the school can (and should) remove them from the premises and can prohibit them from attending future contests due to undesirable behaviors.

Game officials can ask that school administrators have unruly fans removed from a contest facility.

There is no such thing as a “right” to attend interscholastic athletics. Interscholastic athletics are considered a “privilege” and the spectator who avails themselves of it is expected to conduct himself or herself accordingly.

Keep in mind that you are a guest of the school, and that while winning is certainly an admirable goal, it is hollow if it comes at the expense of morals, ethics, and just plain common sense.

The school is responsible for the behavior of their spectators. The school district can be and will be punished for actions of patrons in violation of UIL standards and rules.