1. Sportsmanship

2. Our Mission "The IHSA serves member schools by providing leadership for equitable participation in interscholastic athletics and activities that enrich the educational experience."

3. Where is material about Sportsmanship?
The IHSA web site ( has a separate area that is dedicated to sportsmanship.

4. What is available for schools?
Add A. Tude Handbook
Information on how to start and support a sportsmanship program at your school.
Citizenship Through Sports Course
A program designed for administrators and coaches.

5. Unsportsmanlike Behavior
Will include the following: fighting, verbal abuse/dissent directed toward an official or opponent, racial or ethnic slurs, profanity/obscene gestures, flagrant/violent fouls, taunting/trash talking/baiting, cheating, throwing/abusing equipment, physical intimidation or abuse of an official or opponent, and unauthorized leaving of the team bench area.

6. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
When a player or coach is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike behavior they may not play or coach the rest of that contest. In addition, the ejected player or coach may not play or coach in the next interscholastic contest at that level of competition, whether held the same day or a subsequent day, and all other interscholastic contests at any level in the interim. (By-Law & 6.012)

7. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Inappropriate behavior is not always directed at the official it could be:
coach to player
coach to coach
player to opponent
coach to opponent
spectator to team
spectator to official
spectator to spectator

8. Communication to IHSA
Special report forms are used to communicate any inappropriate behavior to the IHSA
With any ejection, it is mandatory that the official file a special report form describing the reason for the ejection and contact the school verbally or in writing about the incident.

9. School Responsibility
Schools are required to abide by the IHSA by-laws. Schools that do not may have to forfeit contests.
Coaches need to report all ejections to their school administration as they happen.
There is no appeal process for an ejection from a contest.

10. SPORTSMANSHIP Sportsmanship starts with you.
For more information on starting a sportsmanship program at your school or in your association please contact the IHSA office.