The new school year brings with it a new mandate for sportsmanship in Oregon high schools.

Siuslaw Vikings fans now are on notice, with the following from high school principal Kerri Tatum:

"The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has updated their sportsmanship rules for the 2019-20 school year and beyond.  The Siuslaw High School administration, coach and other responsible officials of each member school shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that the school's coaches, players, students and spectators maintain a sportsmanlike attitude during all events so that events may be conducted without unreasonable danger or disorder.  All cheers, comments and actions shall be in direct support of one's team. No cheers, comments or actions shall be directed at one's opponent or at contest officials.  Some examples of unacceptable conduct include but are not limited to: disrespecting players or officials by name, number or position or negative cheers or chants.

"Examples of cheers that do not encourage a positive atmosphere include any yell that is intended to antagonize an opponent or detracts from a positive atmosphere. 'Air Ball! Air Ball!', booing, or 'You Got Swatted!' are examples of yells that will not encourage a positive atmosphere.

"Those violating or threatening to violate the following Association rules or Siuslaw High School conduct expectations, may be ejected from the premises, issued a trespass citation, excluded from sanctioned activities temporarily or permanently from Siuslaw High School and/or Sky-EM Conference Schools and/or referred to law enforcement officials.

"When the coaches, players, students, staff or spectators of any member school engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, the OSAA Executive Board may treat such acts as a violation by the school of the Rules of the Association and the school shall be subject to penalty."

The following is from Peter Weber, executive director of the OSAA, in an email to school superintendents, principals and athletic directors:

"Many of you are aware of HB 3409 that worked its way through the legislature this past Spring and takes effect September 1. This legislation prohibits school districts from being a member of or paying fees to an interscholastic organization (i.e., the Oregon School Activities Association) unless the organization implements policies that address the use of derogatory or inappropriate behavior that occurs at events; maintains a complaint process; develops a system of sanctions against schools, students, coaches, and spectators for verified complaints; and performs an annual survey of students and parents. (see HB 3409 attached)

"Last week the OSAA Staff put on workshops for administrators around the state to familiarize representatives from member schools (typically athletic directors) with the services, policies, procedures, rules, and interpretations of the Association.  OSAA staff spent a significant portion of the workshop setting the tone for the 2019-20 school year with how we got to this point in our state, HB 3409 specifically, and resulting OSAA policy changes approved by our Executive Board in July.  (see amended Rule 3 attached)

"OSAA staff was provided context from ODE regarding incidents that have taken place nationally, and right here in Oregon, over the past year.  The staff used these incidents to shape the discussion at last week's workshops.

• In New York, a middle school student writes in a textbook that he will lynch the black husband of a white teacher.
• In Illinois, white elementary students call black students apes and monkeys.
• In Minnesota, a middle school student tells a Latinx child that his mother should be in jail with all the illegal immigrants.
• In Massachusetts, a 10-year-old Muslim girl gets a note saying, "You're a terrorist. I will kill you."
• In Oklahoma, a fifth-grader draws a swastika and writes "white power" on his hand.

 "Any of these could have happened in Oregon, and some did. Just this past year:

• In Oregon, youth marched on to a high school soccer pitch carrying a white nationalist flag and called visiting Latina players "beaners" and "bitches".
• In Oregon, students and adults yelled racial slurs and made monkey noises at visiting black athletes at a basketball game.
• In Oregon, players on a football team called opposing players the n-word and no coach, official, or school staff took any action.
• In Oregon, fans threw beans on the floor of a visiting team side of a volleyball court – the visitors were mostly Latina.
• In Oregon, fans at a basketball game yelled "scalp them" when playing against a team from a tribal community.

"The OSAA is continuing to collaborate with leading education groups in our state on this work, including ODE, COSA, OSBA, OASC and others.  As we implement the requirements of House Bill 3409 to our event management practices throughout our state, we are focused on ensuring our students and spectators feel welcome to compete at every member school in Oregon.  Together, we need to assess concerns as they arise and be prepared to respond when an incident occurs.  We appreciate your assistance in supporting your athletic directors and event management staff as they focus on being intentional in their work with all engaged in athletics and activities.  We shared information with ADs last week and are continuing to develop equity resources for member schools via a new section of the OSAA website at http://www.osaa.org/equity, including event toolkit resources for administrators, coaches, parents and students."