Perhaps the killers of fun in the stands at high school sporting events - ranting at referees, coaches, players and opposing fans - don't realize what they are doing. | Video

Now they should in the Heart of Illinois Conference thanks to that league's Athletic Code of Conduct, a nine-item list of behavioral guidelines read prior to each contest.

The need for a code came up at a March workshop involving more than 50 HOIC students at Bloomington's Lakeside Country Club. Principals noticed many students being interviewed for league scholarships expressed concern about the lack of sportsmanship at events.

"The students were concerned about how student sections and fans can really ruin the experience for the athletes if bad sportsmanship is displayed," said Tri-Valley principal David Mouser.

Principals felt students should create the code because "their words were better than what we could have come up with," Mouser said.

Thus 24 students drawn from 12 of the league's 13 schools (a scheduling conflict prevented Lexington's participation) assembled at Downs for six hours on June 6 to create the code of conduct.

"Throughout the past few years, fans have gotten a little out of control," said Flanagan volleyball player Jessica Oester, who helped create the code.

"It needs to be remembered that these are student-athletes and high school sports are a lot about the fun aspect. It is really hard to have a lot of fun on the field or court when fans are ranting and raving in the stands."

Oester vividly recalls the night fun was killed at a volleyball match when the official didn't see a Flanagan player go under the net.

"The other team's fans - especially parents - were furious," she said. "They yelled and screamed at the ref and pointed at the player."

The missed call came at a key time, and Flanagan went on to win.

"After the game, one of the angry fans actually followed the ref out of the gym and was still yelling at them," Oester said. "It was absolutely ridiculous."

El Paso-Gridley cheerleader Brandi Porth, another code creator, has a theory about what leads fans astray.

"Sometimes people at games focus more on the winning aspect, but you need to be there for all aspects of the game. Like from a student's perspective, it's just fun to be involved," she said.

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley football player John Snyder believes fans think they can affect the outcome more than they actually do.

"We decided as a group if parents scream at the ref, it doesn't help us play better nor does it change the ref's decision," he said.

Noah Wilson, a member of the Flanagan marching and pep bands, doesn't believe buying a ticket entitles spectators to rant.

"I believe that when you buy a ticket to a sporting event, you are purchasing admission only," he said. "That is, you can enter the building, stadium, etc., to watch the game.

"You have not obtained the right to be any more obnoxious. Actually, you are agreeing to limit such behavior in accordance with the policy of the provider."

After students created the code, they decided it should be read prior to every HOIC contest and read by students when possible.

"It makes students more willing to obey since we are friends, not authority figures," Oester said. "Also, the fact that kids wrote it probably had a huge impact on the parents. Parents may realize how their behavior has affected and upset their children, making them more willing to change it."

Oester sees too little applause for good play.

"It is really hard on players when fans are yelling at them or coaching from the stands," she said.

El Paso-Gridley athletic director Dave Ferrenburg has noticed the reading of the code gets more attention if it immediately precedes the national anthem.

"I like it when students participating in the event read it," added Dee-Mack volleyball player Lauren Schmidt, who read the code with a player from Ridgeview prior to a volleyball match at Colfax last fall.

Keeping the code brief was a priority for its creators.

"They are just short rules to remind you to watch your behavior because you are representing not only yourself, but your team and your school," said Blue Ridge basketball player Jamie Hendricks.

The code makers started with sentences, but shortened them to these main ideas:

1. Respect your game, yourself, and others

2. Respect our officials at all times

3. Show sportsmanship in victory and defeat

4. Be positive in your actions and comments

5. Never single out an athlete with criticism

6. Set a good example for us and those around you

7. Cheer for good play

8. Practice self control

9. Remember: This is a game, we are here to have fun!

Impact has been mixed

The code's effect on behavior has been mixed.

"I've seen better sportsmanship in the players, like helping each other up and stuff," said Ridgeview basketball player Nathan Boyd. "Last year, I didn't really see any of that."

People have told Oester it was a good idea to create the code. Their actions have told her something else.

"Honestly, some students aren't that interested in it at all," she said.

Tyler Smith, a member of the GCMS student cheering section known as the Red Army, said the code keeps students under control.

"We've never been real bad," he said.

"It's definitely not a bad thing," added GCMS football player Ross Perkins of the code.

Blue Ridge's Hendricks agrees.

"I haven't noticed any huge changes (in fan behavior) other than we read the code before our games so it probably makes people think twice about their behavior since they just listened to the rules," she said.

Think first, then speak

Heyworth basketball player Jacob Van Winkle believes fans are thinking more before they say something inappropriate.

"…But you're always going to have a few fans that feel the need to voice their opinion or just be heard," he said.

One of the best things about sports, their ability to stir emotion, also can be their downfall.

"Unfortunately, and this may sound pessimistic, a code of conduct can be easily lost in the heat of competition if you are more concerned about winning or something petty more than honor and dignity," said Flanagan's Wilson.

Van Winkle concedes the code can't work miracles.

"The code of conduct just emphasizes how to act at sporting events, and in the end, opposing players, coaches, and fans won't remember you for how good you were," he said, "but what kind of person you were."

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