1112.4 – Expectations for Conduct at Interscholastic Competitions/Events

NORTHFIELD CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION FILE CODE: 1112.4

Northfield, New Jersey Monitored

Mandated

Policy X Other Reasons

Expectations FOR CONDUCT AT INterscholastic COmpetitions/Events

The Northfield City Board of Education believes that to achieve its goals for interscholastic competition, all persons attending or involved in such competition must conduct themselves in a safe and respectful manner. Individuals attending or competing shall demonstrate respect and sportsmanship towards players, coaches, officials, and other spectators in attendance, thereby promoting a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

As a New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) member district, the board is required to establish a spectator code of conduct policy.

Notification

At the time of registration of a student athlete to participate in an interscholastic sport, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of every student athlete shall be provided with a copy of this policy and shall be required to return a signed form indicating that they have read and understand the provisions of the policy.

A copy of this policy shall be provided, if requested, to NJSIAA staff. Further, the superintendent shall ensure, to the extent reasonably possible, that a copy of the Expectations for Conduct and resulting potential consequences for violation be posted at all competition/event venues.

Expectations for Conduct

All people, including but not limited to students, student athletes, parents/guardians, staff, community members, coaches, and officials, who attend an interscholastic competition shall not engage in any of the following activities/conduct:

1. Strike or physically abuse an official, coach, player, school staff, or spectator;
2. Initiate a physical altercation with an official, coach, player, school staff, or spectator before, during, or after an interscholastic event;
3. Intentionally incite participants or spectators to violent or abusive action;
4. Use obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or action towards an official, coach, player, or spectator;
5. Engage in harassing verbal or physical conduct of any kind, including but not limited to, race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion at an interscholastic event;
6. Use profanity, threatening comments, or biased language before, during, or after an interscholastic event;
7. Verbally harass an official or participant (i.e., coaches or players from any participating school)
8. Enter the field of play before, during, or after an interscholastic event;
9. Use artificial noisemakers or other instruments intended to disrupt the interscholastic event or distract the participants during an interscholastic event.

Disciplinary Action for Violation of Expectations for Conduct

If the superintendent, principal, athletic director or their designee determines a person’s conduce or action(s) at an interscholastic event violates the above Expectations for Conduct, the person will be subject to the following:

1. First Violation: A person’s first violation of the Expectations for Conduct shall result in:
   1. Immediate removal from the interscholastic event and school premise(s);
   2. Suspension from the next home interscholastic event, as determined by the superintendent and/or; and
   3. Completion of an NJSIAA recommended educational course(s) regarding sportsmanship and

appropriate behavior before attending a future home interscholastic event.

1. Additional Violations: If a person engages in a second and/or multiple violations of the Expectations for Conduct in the same school year, such conduct may result in longer suspensions from more than one home interscholastic event as determined by the superintendent and/or principal.

Depending upon the egregiousness or the conduct, the superintendent or designee may determine it necessary to increase the disciplinary response above. Nothing herein shall limit the superintendent’s discretion to increase the disciplinary response if they determine the nature of the conduct so requires.]

If violative conduct occurs at the end of a sport season and/or school year and there are no remaining home interscholastic event(s), the suspension shall be served at the next scheduled home event in the subsequent school year.

Any disciplinary actions resulting from violations of the above Expectations for Conduct shall be consistent with the district’s league or conference spectator code(s) of conduct.

The board directs the superintendent, in consultation with the district’s athletic director, to prepare regulations for the implementation of this policy as necessary.

Adopted: November 25, 2024

NJSBA Review/Update:

Readopted:

Key Words

Athletic Events, Events, public gatherings, spectators

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 5:17‑1 et seq. Athletic code of conduct permitted; “youth sports event” defined…

N.J.S.A. 18A:11‑3 Voluntary associations regulating conduct of student activities; membership; rules and regulations; appeals

N.J.A.C. 6A:7-1.4 Responsibilities of the district board of education

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.16 Athletics personnel

N.J.A.C. 6A:11-4.14 Sports programs

N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.1 et seq. General Provisions for School Health Services

See particularly:

N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2

N.J.A.C. 6A:30-1.1et seq. Evaluation of the Performance of School Districts

N.J.A.C. 6A:32-9.1 et seq. Athletic Procedures

See particularly:

N.J.A.C. 6A:32-9.1(c), -9.1(d-e)

NJSIAA Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations

NJSIAA’s May 8, 2024 Memo

Possible

Cross References: 1112.6 Crowd Control

*1250 Visitors

*5131.1 Harassment, intimidation and bullying

*5142 Student safety

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.