Page 44 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

OUTREA CH + COMMUNICATIONS OUTREA CH + COMMUNICATIONS

#FaceOfSportsmanship officials, etc.—to take ownership in the IHSAA.
The Association really does belong to anyone
We are incredibly grateful that Ivy Tech and everyone who supports education-based
was again a sponsor for the sportsmanship athletics in Indiana.
campaign. 2020-21 marked the 17th year
of the campaign—a yearly program devoted As the pandemic mutated, the purpose and
to promoting proper fan conduct at IHSAA messaging of the campaign adapted. The
events in addition to reinforcing the value of Department of Health asked for the IHSAA's
education-based athletics. help to remind fans and the student body to
wear masks, socially distance, and follow the
Typically, the sportsmanship campaign virus protocol outlined by health experts.
employs a toolkit that gets sent to each The notion of "doing the right thing" was
member-school. The toolkit includes physical right at home in the conceptual framework of
materials such as posters, pins, and brochures. #ThisIsYourIHSAA.
However, because many schools weren't
in session and fan attendance was greatly The campaign used a variety of mediums.
hindered, the IHSAA elected to save money Of note are the radio PSAs. Commissioner
and not send a physical toolkit. Instead, the Neidig and all assistant commissioners
#FaceOfSportsmanship campaign operated as were used as talent. In addition, Governor
social media. Holcomb, Dr. Katie Jenner (Indiana Secretary
of Education), and Dr. Kristina Box (Indiana
State Health Commissioner) each made a 2020-21 saw the introduction of a third new campaign that became part of the Association's outreach. For
#ThisIsYourIHSAA guest appearance. years, an issue brought to the Association's attention has been the negative treatment of referees, so we
created the Thank You Officials campaign to express gratitude to our officials who make competition possible.
New this year was a messaging initiative By year's end, the messaging transitioned to We wanted to provide these men and women positive feedback for what they do and publicly recognize them
spearheaded by Commissioner Neidig. thanking fans for following virus protocol as an essential group within education-based athletics.
#ThisIsYourIHSAA serves to remind because their compliance allowed our state
everyone—student-athletes, coaches, to compete and finish every sports season,
administrators, fans, communities, contest tournament, and state championship on time.

#DontPuffThisStuff

This year the Association was thrilled to
partner again with Tobacco Prevention
and Cessation (TPC), a program within the
Indiana Department of Health. In the past, the
TPC and the IHSAA joined forces to combat
the use of traditional cigarettes.

A similar and more recent epidemic is the
use of e-cigarettes. The #DontPuffThisStuff
campaign addressed this issue and the
dangers therein.

The campaign was launched at the start
of the boys basketball tournament. The
pandemic provided a fitting backdrop, as
vaping—just like the virus—wreaks havoc on
an individual's respiratory system.

The Association believes its civic duty extends beyond the court. That can be seen in some of the messaging Custom-made posters for each member-school were
found here. created to combat the vaping epidemic.

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