BSM Athletics Sportsmanship Code of Conduct and Expectations

KEYS TO SPORTSMANSHIP

• the rules of the game;

• Know Recognize good play by both teams;

• Respect your opponents and their spectators;

• View the game with your head, not your heart;

• Exhibit respect for officials;

• Show pride through your actions.

FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

All cheering must be positive and focused on BSM teams, not our opponent. 

Never single out a player, coach, or fan from another team or school.

Never use derogatory, profane, demeaning, or suggestive language in any chants or cheers.

BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE POSITIVE, HAVE FUN

SPORTSMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS

Benilde St. Margaret’s School is proud of its athletic program and holds its student-athletes as well as our spectators to a high standard of conduct and sportsmanship. In order to portray good sportsmanship, we have the following expectations for our spectators:

Sportsmanship Expectations - Spectators

• Support School administration in their efforts to emphasize the educational benefits of interscholastic athletics;

• Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach;

• Be a positive role model through your own actions by censuring those around you whose behavior is unbecoming;

• Remember that you are at a contest to support and cheer for your team, their participation, and effort;

• Learn the rules of the game so that you understand what is going on;

• Respect the integrity and judgment of contest officials even if you disagree with them;

• Praise student-athletes in their attempts to improve themselves. Participation in interscholastic athletics provides learning experiences for students and mistakes are made;

• Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by the other team;

• Show respect for opposing players, fans and coaches;

• Always stay off the playing area and refrain from throwing objects onto the playing surface;

• Show respect for property and equipment;

• Refrain from all forms of harassment or fighting before, during, or after games;

• Artificial noisemakers, including whistles, bells, horns and kazoos, are not allowed;

• Only approved signs are allowed at athletic and activity events.

Sportsmanship Expectations - Participants

All students are expected to adhere to the following expectations of good sportsmanship both on and off the play surface:

• Accept and understand the seriousness of your responsibility and the privilege to represent our School and your community;

• Live up to the standards of good sportsmanship established by your coach, our School, our conference, and the MSHSL;

• Be committed, dedicated and determined;

• Be chemically free;

• Display a willingness to learn and develop skills necessary for their sport;

• Learn the rules of the game and assist parents and fans by discussing the rules with them;

• Treat your opponents with respect;

• Refrain from taunting, trash-talking, or making personal or derogatory remarks or gestures to your opponents or their fans before, during, and after the contest;

• Refrain from intimidating behavior or drawing attention to yourself;

• Wish opponents “good luck” before a game and congratulate them in a sincere manner following defeat or victory;

• Respect the judgment of officials even if you disagree with their judgment;

• Win with humility; lose with grace. Do both with dignity.

Sportsmanship Expectations – Coaches

• Accept and understand the seriousness of your responsibility and the privilege to represent our School and our community;

• Live up to the standards of good sportsmanship established by your coach, our School, our conference, and the MSHSL;

• Learn the rules of the game and assist parents and fans by discussing the rules with them;

• Always follow the rules of the contest;

• Treat your opponents with respect;

• Refrain from making personal or derogatory remarks or gestures to your opponents or their fans before, during, and after the contest;

• Refrain from intimidating behavior or drawing attention to yourself;

• Wish opponents “good luck” before a game and congratulate them in a sincere manner following defeat or victory;

• Respect the judgment of officials and avoid public criticism even if you disagree with their judgment;

Win with humility; lose with grace. Do both with dignity.

Sportsmanship Expectations - Band

In order to portray good sportsmanship, we have the following expectations for our Band:

• Accept and understand the seriousness of your responsibility and the privilege to represent our School and your community;

• Choose appropriate music and time for performing;

• Dress in school-approved clothing;

• Always show respect for officials, opponents and spectators;

• Always show respect for school property and equipment;

• Avoid offensive gestures or language.

Failure to comply with the above provisions will be considered a violation of the BSM Code and subject to the following sanctions: immediate removal from the contest, a conference with the Director of Athletics and Activities before attending another BSM contest, and possible additional sanctions depending upon the severity of the offense.