To: Dragons Parent/Guardians, Community Members, Spectators and Fans
From: Brunswick High School Administrative Team Date: Friday, December 1, 2023 Subject: Spectator Conduct Expectations at Athletic Events
Link to .pdf version of letter!
We enjoyed a wonderful fall of both athletic performance and spectator conduct at Brunswick High School. As we move into the gym, ice arena, pool, and fieldhouse, spectator conduct can become more challenging as game-play is closer and feels more accessible.
We want to take this opportunity to ask all of the adults in our community to consider the important roles they play in ensuring a safe and respectful playing environment for all involved.
As a spectator yourself, we’d remind you that our kids are always watching, and they will take their cues from you. High School sports are exciting and emotional for the athletes and those supporting them. We want our kids to do well, and sometimes, it’s frustrating when things aren’t going their way. In those moments, it is our job as adults to model behavior that we would like to see from our young people and act in ways that are supportive of the student-athletes and game-at-hand. As our kids grow up to become young adults, we hope they know how to deal with adversity productively, maintain control of their emotions, and win gracefully. Seeing how the adults in their lives do this will allow them to understand how to do it, too.
If you are a parent/guardian or are another trusted adult in a student’s life, it will also be helpful to talk with your students about the following points:
The opponents are kids. They are kids who want to play a game they love and have worked hard to don their school’s jersey. We cannot condone name-calling, jeering, insulting, or otherwise negatively engaging with the players on the opposing team. Cheering against the other team is not the same as cheering for our team.
The officials are doing a job, and they are doing the best they can. Without officials, we would not be able to play the game. Officials may miss calls- and will likely make some calls neither adults nor students agree with. It does not help to yell, swear, or boo at the officials, and doing so won’t cause them to want to continue officiating in Brunswick.
Being on the sideline means you are an important representative of Brunswick High School. We are all responsible for contributing to the culture of our school. Please be a leader and make that contribution a positive one.
Lastly, the MPA articulates particular rules around spectating at basketball and ice hockey events that we’d like to share with you ahead of time. They are offered on the second page of this letter. These guidelines will be upheld at Brunswick High School contests.
Thank you for the positive support you’ve offered our student-athletes so far this year. I look forward to seeing you come out to support our teams this winter.
Kaili Phillips Athletic Director kphillips@brunswicksd.org (207) 319-1910 ext 2301
Troy Henninger Principal thenninger@brunswicksd.org (207) 319-1910 ext 2004
BASKETBALL: MPA Guidance for STUDENT AND ADULT SPECTATOR EXPECTATIONS
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❖ Bare-chested individuals are not allowed in any venue.
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❖ Signs or banners may be attached to the facility walls with masking tape, provided they are not obscene, inappropriate, and do not contain profane language.
❖ Placards, signs, pennants, and shakers on sticks that restrict the view of other spectators or may be used as a missile or weapon are prohibited.
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❖ The parading of banners or signs on or around the basketball court or in the stands is
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❖ prohibited.
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❖ Horn or noisemakers of any kind are not allowed.
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❖ Only members of a recognized high school band representing one of the teams currently in competition may use musical instruments.
❖ Only members of a recognized high school cheering squad representing one of the teams currently in competition may use megaphones or other voice amplification devices.
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❖ Any person throwing objects on the floor will be removed immediately from the venue.
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❖ Security will be instructed to detain any student perceived to be under the influence of an illegal substance. They will then contact parents.
❖ Mascots or other individuals are not allowed on the playing floor.
ICE HOCKEY: MPA Guidance for STUDENT AND ADULT SPECTATOR EXPECTATIONS
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❖ Bare-chested individuals are not allowed in any venue.
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❖ Shakers, signs, or placards on sticks or other devices designed to support the shaker, sign, or placard are not allowed. Horn or noisemakers of any kind are not allowed.
❖ Only members of a recognized high school band representing one of the teams currently in competition may use musical instruments. ❖ Only members of a recognized high school cheering squad representing one of the teams currently in competition may use megaphones or other voice amplification devices.
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❖ Any person throwing objects on the ice will be removed immediately from the arena.
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❖ Security will be instructed to detain any student perceived to be under the influence of an illegal substance. They will then contact their parents.
❖ Mascots or other individuals are not allowed on the playing surface.