Sample Sportsmanship Policies (Part 2)

Please consult the Illinois Association of School Boards for updates regarding these policies.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Spectator Conduct And Sportsmanship For Athletic And Extracurricular Events

Any person, including adults, who behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner during an athletic or extracurricular event may be ejected from the event the person is attending and/or denied admission to school events for up to a year after a School Board hearing.1 Examples of unsportsmanlike conduct include:

• using vulgar or obscene language;
• possessing or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or illegal substance;
• possessing a weapon;
• fighting or otherwise striking or threatening another person;
• failing to obey the instructions of a security officer or school district employee; 
• and engaging in any activity which is illegal or disruptive.

The Superintendent may seek to deny future admission to any person by delivering or mailing a notice, sent by certified mail with return receipt requested, at least 10 days before the School Board hearing date,2 containing:

1. The date, time, and place of a Board hearing;
2. A description of the unsportsmanlike conduct;
3. The proposed time period that admission to school events will be denied;
4. Instructions on how to waive a hearing.


LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/24-24.
CROSS REF.: 8.30

1   Boards may make and enforce reasonable rules of conduct and sportsmanship for school events and deny future admission to school events to violators for up to one year provided a notice and hearing is given (105 ILCS 5/24-24).

2   Id. If a violator is a student, the hearing should be held in a closed meeting (5 ILCS 120/2). If, however, the violator is a non-student, the hearing must be held in an open session.

3   The hearing requirement is for the violator's benefit and, consequently, the violator should be able to waive it.

Policy Reference Education Subscription Service
Illinois Association of School Boards
Please review this policy with your school board attorney before adoption.