Bridgewater-Raritan To Curb Unsportsmanlike Behavior With New Policy

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — In an effort to curb unsportsmanlike conduct at school sporting events, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education is updating its Spectator Code of Conduct policy for interscholastic events.

"The committee discussed the importance of a safe and healthy playing environment at interscholastic events and that good sportsmanship should be exhibited at all times by students, athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators at such events," Jennifer Loughran who sits on the Community Relations Committee said at the Tuesday night Board of Education meeting.

The Board approved the first reading of the new policy, which included changing the disciplinary actions resulting from someone's prohibited conduct or actions at an event.

The policy includes the following actions:

• First Offense (365-day calendar starts) - Suspension from attending all home athletics event(s) for 30 days.
• Second Offense occurring within 365-day calendar days of the first offense - Suspension from attending all home athletics event(s) for 60 days.
• Third Offense occurring within 365-day calendar days of the first offense or beyond - Suspension from attending all home athletics events for the next year (365 days).

Additionally, if an offense happens at the last game of the season, the disciplinary action would take place the following season.

"I believe the original language was if a person committed an offense where they are ejected from a game, it said we had the leeway to figure out how many games that would be. And we had thought the best option because depending on the sport, like football, if you said 3 games that is half the season but if it was basketball lets say that might only be a week so we decided to go with a 30 days, 60 days and then a year," said Superintendent Robert Beers.

"If someone is removed from an event for unsportsmanlike conduct... then you can not come to an event for 30 days and then if it happens again, it will be 60. And then - we've never had it happen - three times, but if it did, you would be done for the year," said Beers.

Board member Barry Walker added that updating the policy would bring the district into compliance since it is mandated by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

"It's great we are moving forward with it. We have a very robust policy already, and I know there’s been some crazy instances this past weekend that happened - so if you were aware of it - so those are taking place where an individual is disqualified from further competition because of it right now. So they take it seriously," said Walker.

In his statement, Walker was referring to a fight that broke out during a wrestling match on Saturday in South Jersey, which led to a three-time state wrestling champion from Saint John Vianney High School being disqualified from the NJSIAA. Read More: NJ High School Wrestling Star Disqualified From State Tournament Following Fight At Match

"We are trying to keep a safe environment for our student athletes and the spectators," said Walker.

Under the policy, unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to, actions of a fan or spectator who:

• Strikes or physically abuses an official, opposing coach, player, spectator, school staff member, or school security;
• Intentionally incites participants or spectators to violent or abusive action;
• Uses obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or action toward officials, opponents, spectators, school staff members, or school security; or
• Engages in harassing verbal or physical conduct related to race,
  gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion at an interscholastic event.

A second reading of the policy will be held at the March 18 Board meeting.

See the full policy below:

POL 25 13 CRC 1st Reading by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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