Sportsmanship
Our Mission
"The IHSA serves member schools by
providing leadership for equitable
participation in interscholastic athletics
and activities that enrich the
educational experience."
Where is material about
Sportsmanship?

The IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) has a
separate area that is dedicated to
sportsmanship.
What is available for schools?

Add A. Tude Handbook
– Information on how to start and support a
sportsmanship program at your school.

Citizenship Through Sports Course
– A program designed for administrators and
coaches.
Unsportsmanlike Behavior

Will include the following: fighting, verbal
abuse/dissent directed toward an official or
opponent, racial or ethnic slurs,
profanity/obscene gestures, flagrant/violent
fouls, taunting/trash talking/baiting,
cheating, throwing/abusing equipment,
physical intimidation or abuse of an official
or opponent, and unauthorized leaving of
the team bench area.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct

When a player or coach is ejected from a
contest for unsportsmanlike behavior they
may not play or coach the rest of that
contest. In addition, the ejected player or
coach may not play or coach in the next
interscholastic contest at that level of
competition, whether held the same day or a
subsequent day, and all other interscholastic
contests at any level in the interim. (ByLaw 6.011 & 6.012)
Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Inappropriate behavior is not always
directed at the official it could be:
– coach to player
– coach to coach
– player to opponent
– coach to opponent
– spectator to team
– spectator to official
– spectator to spectator
Communication to IHSA

Special report forms are used to communicate
any inappropriate behavior to the IHSA
 With any ejection, it is mandatory that the
official file a special report form describing the
reason for the ejection and contact the school
verbally or in writing about the incident.
School Responsibility

Schools are required to abide by the IHSA
by-laws. Schools that do not may have to
forfeit contests.
 Coaches need to report all ejections to their
school administration as they happen.
 There is no appeal process for an ejection
from a contest.
SPORTSMANSHIP

Sportsmanship starts with you.
 For more information on starting a
sportsmanship program at your school or in
your association please contact the IHSA
office.