What constitutes poor fan behavior versus kids having a little fun is up for discussion in many states. But not in Oregon, where the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) implemented new sportsmanship rules at its member schools’ contests this year.

The new policies focus on eliminating negative fan behavior and prohibit:

• Cheers that single out opposing players
• Using artificial noisemakers
• Throwing objects onto the floor
• Attending a game shirtless
• Standing in the front row of indoor contests
• Bringing signs larger than 8.5 x 11 inches.

“We’re trying to make sure our schools and spectators are positive toward their own team rather than negative toward the opposition,” says OSAA Executive Director Tom Welter.

Welter introduced the rule changes this past summer, and school administrators were responsible for conveying them to students and fans through preseason parent meetings, pep rallies, and public address announcements at sporting events. “It gives our athletic directors something concrete so they can sit down with their students and explain in black and white what the expectation level is,” says Welter.

“Certainly there are some kids who think we have taken the fun out of going to games,” he continues. “But if their whole purpose of going to a game was to be negative to an opponent, then I suppose we are better off without them.”

Welter emphasizes using multiple opportunities to continually educate fans about sportsmanship. “You’re not going to change poor behavior overnight and you’re not going to change it at the event,” he says. “You’re going to change it through preparation, which entails setting the expectation level ahead of time.”