News

 

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An Opportunity to Improve on Behalf of Our Student-Athletes

Recently, Dr. Karissa Niehoff, the Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and I co-authored an op-ed piece discussing parent and fan behavior. While we believe the majority of high school fans and parents across our country are supportive and represent appropriately at school events, there seems to be a growing number of adults whose manners at education-based athletic events could use improvement. These undesirable displays erode the positive interscholastic experience for our student-athletes and other fans and supporters. I have reprinted our discussion below:

Parents and Adult Fans: The Biggest Challenge Facing High School Sports Today
By Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Bobby Cox, Commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.

Inappropriate adult behavior at high school athletic events in Indiana has reached epidemic proportion.

When more than 2,000 high school athletic directors were asked in a recent national survey what they like least about their job, 62.3% said it was “dealing with aggressive parents and adult fans.”

And the men and women who wear the black and white stripes agree. In fact, almost 80% of officials quit after the first two years on the job, and unruly parents are cited as the reason why. As a result, there is a growing shortage of high school officials here in Indiana, and in some sports like wrestling, swimming, and track and field, the shortage is severe. No officials means no more games.

If you are a parent attending a high school athletic event this fall, you can help by following these six guidelines:

 

 

Purchasing a ticket to a high school athletic event does not give you the right to be rude, disrespectful, or verbally abusive. Cheer loud and be proud, but be responsible and respectful. The future of high school sports in Indiana is dependent on you.

The final paragraph in our plea is not overstated. As adults leading our young people, we have an opportunity to demonstrate and model behaviors we hope our students will both learn and emulate. Collectively, this generation can reclaim the narrative of high school sports and refocus our energies on robust student development, energetic community, school support, proper sportsmanship, and most importantly, FUN! After all, this is the number one reason why high school students play sports.

Cordially,

BOBBY COX
Commissioner
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

 

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IHSAA Staff Serving at the National Level

The staff of the IHSAA continues to support the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and our “sister” state associations by serving on a variety of committees, and Commissioner Bobby Cox is currently a member of the NFHS Board of Directors. As you can see from the list below, all of the IHSAA Commissioners are contributing in important ways.

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Celebrating a Decade of Partnership

With the IHSAA Football State Tournament upon us, this is the perfect time to thank the Indianapolis Colts for being the tournament’s presenting sponsor during the past 10 years. This unique partnership is a reminder of just how special it is to play high school football in the Hoosier state.

Playing high school football in the Hoosier state is indeed special, and the participation of the Indianapolis Colts as the presenting sponsor of our tournament is a big reason why. To the ownership and management team of the Colts, a huge thank you for your continued support.

 

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Pins, Posters, Parent Brochures, and Popcorn Bags! Oh, My!

Every high school in Indiana has an important role to play in promoting good sportsmanship throughout the year. The IHSAA Sportsmanship Kit that schools received in August contains an arsenal of tools designed to help do exactly that. Please be sure to:

• Hand out all 600 sportsmanship brochures in the kit to parents!
• Hang all 12 SportsMOMship and SportsDADship posters where parents are sure to see them.
• Make sure to present all 20 #FaceOfSportsmanship pins to students, parents, coaches and officials and post a photo of the presentation on social media using #FaceOfSportsmanship.
• Keep your eyes peeled for 600 popcorn bags coming your way just in time for basketball season!

 

 

Don’t let these sportsmanship materials stay in the box. Unleash their power! If you need more, contact us. We’ll be happy to help.

No other state association in the country distributes a Sportsmanship Kit like the one your school received in August. This is just one more benefit of being an IHSAA member-school.

A big thanks goes to Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, the longtime presenting sponsor of the IHSAA Sportsmanship campaign, for its continued support of this important program.

 

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FALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

     OCTOBER 25–26: Boys Tennis (S/D)
     Park Tudor High School (Indianapolis)

     NOVEMBER 1–2: Boys Soccer
     Fishers High School (Fishers)

     NOVEMBER 1–2: Girls Soccer
     Fishers High School (Fishers)

     NOVEMBER 2: Boys Cross Country
     LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course (Terre Haute)

     NOVEMBER 2: Girls Cross Country
     LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course (Terre Haute)

     NOVEMBER 9: Volleyball
     Worthen Arena, Ball State University (Muncie)

     NOVEMBER 29-30: Football
     Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)