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Spectator Code of Conduct

The NJSIAA and member schools are unified in enforcing a safe and positive environment for our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators. Athletics are intended to be a rewarding experience, designed to teach sportsmanship to all participants. There is no place in interscholastic athletics for negative, inappropriate, or derogatory comments or behaviors. Any spectator demonstrating unsportsmanlike behavior will be addressed by officials, school supervisors, administrators, or site staff and may be immediately ejected from the event. Ejected spectators may be prohibited from attending future interscholastic contests based on their behavior. The minimum applicable penalties are set forth below.

This Policy shall be provided to the parents/guardians of participating student-athletes and such parent/guardians must provide written confirmation of their understanding of the Policy during the District's sports registration process. This Policy shall also be posted at all venues hosting interscholastic competitions, to the extent reasonably possible. 

Spectators are expected to exhibit and maintain appropriate, sportsmanlike behavior at all times during interscholastic events, in order to model such appropriate behavior for our students-athletes and support the District's efforts to ensure a safe and positive environment for students, coaches, officials, and other spectators. 

Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to, actions of a fan or spectator who:

  • strikes or physically abuses an official, opposing coach, player, or spectator;
  • intentionally incites participants or spectators to violent or abusive action;
  • uses obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or action towards officials, opponents or spectators; or engages in harassing verbal or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion at an interscholastic event. 

The following conduct by spectators is also explicitly prohibited during any interscholastic athletics event:

  • use of profanity or biased language before, during, or after an interscholastic event; 
  • verbal harassment of an official or opponent by using names or uniform numbers;
  • entering the field of play before, during, or after an interscholastic event;
  • physical altercation with an official, coach, player, or spectator before, during or after an interscholastic event; and use of artificial noisemakers or other instruments intended to disrupt the interscholastic event or distract the participants during an interscholastic event. 

PLEASE NOTE: If a spectator is reported to have been removed from an away event, the following penalties may still be enforced. Consequences for SCVTHS students may differ from those outlined below. The conversation at time of the incident serves as verbal notification of the upcoming penalties. 

FIRST OFFENSE: (365 Day calendar starts) 

  • Two (home) game suspension from the sport ejected and no other other (home) events can be attended for any sport until the 2-game sport specific suspension has elapsed. One (home) game suspension in the sport of football. This does not include removal from the contest at which the incident occurred. If the spectator(s) refuses to leave the venue, play will be stopped until they vacate the premises. 
  • Parent/Guardian/Spectator may be required to take at least one of the specified NFHS Courses included, but not limited to: Sportsmanship; Positive Parenting within School Programs; The Parent Seat; Teaching and  Modeling Behavior. The certificate of completion must be submitted to the Athletic Director before being permitted back at home events.
  • If the offense occurs during the last game of the season, suspension will carry over into subsequent regular season/sport. If offense occurs during the last game of the Spring season, suspension will carry over into the following regular fall, winter, or spring season for all school sport events. 
  • If offense occurs to a parent/spectator of a Senior athlete in which no other games are left on the calendar, they will be subject to school administrative discipline. 
  • A letter will be sent and/or on file documenting the situation. 

SECOND OFFENSE: (occurs within the 365-day calendar of first occurrence) 

  • Four (home) game suspension from the sport ejected and no other other (home) events can be attended for any sport until the 4-game sport specific suspension has elapsed. Two (home) game suspension in the sport of football. This does not include removal from the contest at which the incident occurred. If the spectator(s) refuse to leave the venue, play will be stopped until they vacate the premises. 
  • Follow-up meeting/phone conversation with school security personnel.
  • If the offense occurs during the last game of the season, suspension will carry over into subsequent regular season sport events. 
  • If offense occurs during the last game of the Spring season, suspension will carry over into the following regular fall, winter, or spring season for all school sport events. 
  • If offense occurs to a parent/spectator of a Senior athlete in which no other games are left on the calendar, they will be subject to school administrative discipline.
  • A letter will be sent and/or on file documenting the situation. 

THIRD OFFENSE: (occurs within the 365-day calendar of first occurrence) 

  • Person(s) will be suspended for the remainder of the current season and for one (1) year from the date of the third occurrence for all seasons and all sporting events. 
  • Follow-up meeting with school security personnel.
  • A letter will be sent and/or on file documenting the situation. 

FOURTH OFFENSE: (occurs within the 365-day calendar or beyond)

  • Indefinite suspension from all athletic events. A spectator may request a reinstatement meeting with a school administration after a full calendar year has passed. Schools are not required to reinstate but may review on a case by case basis.