IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2005-06

Sportsmanship Advisory Committee

April 6, 2006

The IHSA Sportsmanship Advisory Committee met at the IHSA Office in Bloomington, Illinois, on Wednesday, April 6, 2006 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Committee members present were: Cyndi Butkovich-Harris, Warrensburg (W-Latham); Jerry Farris, Flanagan; Russell Galusha, Mt. Pulaski; Pat Halloran, Morris; Patti Hie, Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge); John Schmitt, Pecatonica and IHSA Assistant Executive Director Beth Sauser was also in attendance.

RECOMMENDATION FOR BOARD ACTION:

1. Recommendation: Distribute a Do What’s Right! poster to each member school in August. This poster would assist in publicizing this pilot program.

Rationale: Each member school would receive two posters to hang in a prominent location in their school and reinforcing the same sportsmanship message throughout the state. If a school would like additional posters they will be made available for purchase.

2. Recommendation: Create a State Final Do What’s Right! Sportsmanship Award program for the following team bracketed sports: Girls and Boys Volleyball, Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls and Boys Basketball, Boys Football, Girls and Boys Water Polo, Girls Softball and Boys Baseball. Only schools representing participating conferences or participating independent schools would be eligible to receive this award. At each of the above mentioned tournaments a Sportsmanship committee would be formed.

Rationale: During each bracketed team state tournament the committee would use a standardized form to evaluate the participating teams and schools. Winners would receive a banner to display at their school.

3. Recommendation: For the 2006-2007 School year create a Conference Do What’s Right! Sportsmanship Award program for the following team bracketed sports: Girls and Boys Volleyball, Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls and Boys Basketball, Boys Football, Girls and Boys Water Polo, Girls Softball and Boys Baseball. These criteria would be a baseline model for expected behaviors at all contests throughout the season.

Rationale: In an effort to promote and establish the Conference award phase of the Do What’s Right! sportsmanship program the committee will introduce the program at the IADA conventions as well as assist all Conferences in implementing this program. Each conference would have to submit an application for approval to the IHSA at the beginning of the school year. Participating conference schools would be eligible to receive the State Final sportsmanship award for the tournament.

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Post on the IHSA website, the sportsmanship plan, a sample banner as well as a sample attachment for all members to review in preparation for the August mailing.

2. Send the same information to the IPA, IADA and Conference representatives to promote the new plan.

3. The potential make up of the State Final Sportsmanship committee should include the following 6 people: Tournament/Venue Manager, a Sportsmanship Advisory Committee member*, a Principal or AD*, the Coordinator of Officials, the President or their designee representing the Coaches Association* and the IHSA administrator responsible for that sport.
*A term limit of three years will be established for those members.

4. Create instruction packet for each State Final Committee to follow.

5. Create a Conference Sportsmanship Banner for the overall winner that Conferences would purchase.

6. Create a State Final Sportsmanship Banner.

7. Create Team Certificates for the seasonal sport winners.

8. Create an excel spreadsheet for all conferences to use in tracking the seasonal sport points.

9. Post the results of the sportsmanship survey and the comments online.

10. John Schmitt, Patti Hie and Cyndi Butkovich-Harris will present the Do What’s Right! Sportsmanship Initiative at the IADA Conference on Saturday, May 6, 2006.

Items of General Discussion:

1. Pat Halloran was thanked for his time, effort and valuable input as members of the Committee.

2. Future Meeting dates: October 11, 2006, February 14, 2007* and April 5, 2007
* This meeting date may be unnecessary and is a tentative date.

Do What’s Right
Sportsmanship

The IHSA Sportsmanship Advisory Committee believes participation in extra-curricular activities is an important part of the educational experience. Good Sportsmanship helps promote a “Do What’s Right!” attitude that fosters success in life.

The Advisory Committee has set forth the following guidelines to enhance Sportsmanship throughout sponsored activities. The criteria for the Sportsmanship program is the following:

A. Conferences throughout the state will be expected and encouraged to follow the set of minimum
guidelines to promote good sportsmanship.

B. Conferences will be required to annually renew and update the Sportsmanship Application by October 1st of each school year. Independent schools must submit the Sportsmanship Application as well as their schools’ sportsmanship plan to the IHSA office.

C. In order to be eligible to receive state tournament sportsmanship recognition, the individual school’s conference must be recognized as an active member of the IHSA Sportsmanship award program. Schools that do not hold a conference affiliation will be eligible to receive state finals sportsmanship honors as well by submitting the application by October 1 to the IHSA office.

It is the desire of the Sportsmanship Advisory Committee and the IHSA to see the commitment from each member school to “Do What’s Right!” and Sport a Winning Attitude in all of our sponsored activities be a priority goal for years to come.

State Final Sportsmanship Committee Criteria

Give a point value to each of the statements below using the following guide:

1 Intolerable Behavior
2 Unacceptable Behavior
3 Satisfactory Behavior
4 Acceptable Behavior
5 Outstanding Behavior

_____ 1. Fans represent their school and community well with positive interaction with opposing fans.

_____ 2. Fans demonstrate respectful behavior during the opponents free throw attempt, serve etc.

_____ 3. Fans use positive yells, chants, songs or gestures.

_____ 4. Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat in public.

_____ 5. Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.

_____ 6. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials.

_____ 7. Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, spectators and support groups

_____ 8. Refrains from the use of profanity or displays of anger that draw attention away from the game.

_____ 9. Coaches and players exhibit positive interaction with their opponent before, during and after
the contest.

_____ 10. Teams shake hands and recognizes good performances.

_____ 11. Overall evaluation of the school.

_____ Point total.

Teams receiving 80% or 44 points out of a maximum 55 points shall be awarded the State Final Sportsmanship award attachment.

2006 Conference Sportsmanship Application Form

Conference Name: ___________________________ Date:_____________

Conference contact name: _______________________________________________

School: __________________ Address_________________________________

City:___________________ Zip:________________ Division:__________

School Number: __________________ School Fax: ______________________

Cell Phone Number: ________________________

Attach the City (School Name) of each Conference Member School.

Attach the approved Conference Sportsmanship Plan and date of approval.

_____________________________ _____________
Conference Vice Presidents Signature Date

_____________________________ _____________
Conference Presidents Signature Date

2006 Sportsmanship
Criteria to be used in selecting the Seasonal Sportsmanship Award:

1. Accept and understand the seriousness of their responsibility, and the privilege of representing their school and community.

2. Learn the rules of the game thoroughly and discuss them with parents, fans, and fellow students.

3. Treat opponents the way they would like to be treated, as a guest or friend.

4. Never direct remarks at opponents in a taunting manner.

5. Wish opponents good luck before the game and congratulate them in a sincere manner following either a victory or defeat.

6. Respect the integrity and judgment of the game officials.

7. Display great effort and hustle on the field or floor.

8. Play unselfishly in such a way as to build up their team, without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.

9. Yield to the authority and direction of all floor officials, bench officials, school personnel and coaches.

2006 Independent School Sportsmanship Application Form