Sept. 28, 2005 Meeting Summary

September 28, 2005

1. Recommend establishing the topic for the 2005-06 MSHSAA Junior High Sportsmanship Essay Contest as follows: "Why Is Sportsmanship Important in Interscholastic Athletics?" (approved)

2. Went on record to encourage MSHSAA registered officials to submit Complimentary Special Reports in all sports for which they are registered and that this be a point of emphasis at rules meetings and with the MSHSAA Officials Advisory Committee. (approved)

3. Recommend the following revised policy regarding student cheer sections during the district and state playoff series in basketball:

The district tournament committee (as defined on page 14 of the MSHSAA Basketball Manual) shall establish specific guidelines regarding student cheer and spirit groups. (For purposes of this section, the site host and representatives of the participating schools shall be considered the tournament committee for sectional and quarterfinal contests). The committee shall create these guidelines with a primary focus on sportsmanship and respect for other schools and spectators. The guidelines shall also consider the seating needs of the host facility. If the establishment of designated student seating sections is recommended by the tournament committee, the following criteria shall be enforced:

a) At least one empty row must serve as a buffer between the floor and the student sections.

b) The student sections shall be specifically marked and separated (such as by rope, pennants or other barrier) from the general spectator seating areas.

c) The student sections shall be cleared out at the conclusion of each game for use by the schools playing the next contest. If a school is playing back-to-back games with its boys and girls teams, that school may remain in its section for both contests, as long as remaining in that section does not conflict with criteria d below.

d) In the interest of sportsmanship and positive behavior, the student sections for competing teams shall not be adjacent to each other, directly behind either goal or directly behind the bench of the opposing team.

e) The student sections shall be placed in locations that minimize the obstruction of other patrons when the students stand in unison.

f) Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times from the student section.

g) An administrator with the responsibility of supervising students should be present at all contests involving that particular school and be present throughout the contest in the vicinity of the student section or in an area designated by the host site administrator.

h) An administrator from each participating school, the host site administrator and a representative of the game officials shall meet prior to game time to reiterate the site's guidelines for student cheer and spirit groups, discuss the sportsmanship goals of the contest, and confirm the physical location of the school administrators during the contest. (Tabled for further study)

4. Recommend preserving the 2006 Sportsmanship Summit date of August 3 and directed staff to pursue potential alternate sites for the event as a result of scheduling conflicts at the Holiday Inn Select in Columbia. (Approved)