KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. – In an effort to maintain decorum and improve overall fan behavior at high school sporting events, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has implemented new rules that will hold schools responsible for the actions of unruly fans. Under these guidelines, schools may be fined $250 every time a fan is ejected from a game.
Grant Tyler, a high school referee with over a decade of experience, understands the emotional nature of sports but acknowledges that sometimes fans can cross the line. He explains that behaviors like consistently harping on something, using profanity, or creating hazardous situations in the stands can result in ejection from the game.
The main objective of the TSSAA’s new rules is to ensure that schools take responsibility for the conduct of their fans in order to create a more respectful and enjoyable sporting environment. Jody Wright, a TSSAA board member and basketball coach at Fulton High School, states that the fine is meant to encourage schools to handle their fans in a better manner.
One county, Knox County, has taken a specific approach to addressing this issue. Instead of making the schools solely responsible for the fine, Knox County has decided that ejected fans will be required to pay the $250 fine and complete a series of online sportsmanship classes before being allowed to attend future sporting events within the county.
One factor contributing to the implementation of these rules is the increase in fan ejections since the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions in stadiums. The TSSAA aims to change the current culture surrounding high school sports and restore them to their intended purpose. Wright emphasizes the importance of returning to the true essence of high school sports.
By implementing these fines and encouraging schools to take action, the TSSAA hopes to foster an environment of good sportsmanship among fans. It is essential for fans to remember that their behavior has an impact not only on the players and officials but also on the overall experience for everyone in attendance.
