Page 44 - 2019 IHSAA Annual Report

2018–19: #FaceOfSportsmanship

#FaceOfSportsmanship

Poor fan behavior is the primary reason the pins they received, and 48% posted their
the target of the IHSAA sportsmanship presentations on social media—impressive
program has shifted from being student to percentages for a brand-new program.
adult oriented, and the tone of the campaign
has become tougher. Social media posts and Thanks to all the administrators who have
emails to the parents of student-athletes have taken the time to identify and reward good
been direct about reminding adults to be part sportsmanship in their school communities,
of the solution instead of part of the problem. whether through the IHSAA pin program or
any of the other tools the IHSAA provides.
In an effort to generate even more awareness of Their commitment to this program is the
the challenge, the IHSAA sportsmanship pin primary reason much progress is being made.
program was introduced to the membership
in 2018-19. Every high school athletic director
and principal in the state received 15 pins
at the beginning of the school year to award One of the most effective tools in communicating
to anyone in their school communities who with adult fans about the importance of practicing
displayed exemplary acts of sportsmanship. good sportsmanship is social media. The IHSAA
They were also encouraged to take a photo of posts messages directed to the parents of student-
the presentation and post it on social media. athletes and other adult fans on Twitter, Instagram
and Facebook every week during the school year.
A survey of IHSAA member-schools
indicates that 72% awarded at least some of

42 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION Annual Report 2019