The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) created a sportsmanship code explaining what is encouraged and discouraged for sports fans. Hoover students received the code in December, and now, in the midst of the winter sports season, it is time to see how they will respond.
Principal Mr. Anthony Pallija said that OHSAA guidelines and procedures have been around, but now it’s in writing.
Pallija said the code is just a friendly reminder from the OHSAA and “students always respond positively.”
According to Pallija, the code was passed out now because the basketball season has started and the “environment is closer inside a gym.”
Every Federal League school has a group or club similar to Viking Huddle at Hoover. The group brings together a group of athletes who show good sportsmanship.
Viking Huddle advisor Mrs. Ann Gardner believes the creation of a code will increase the level of sportsmanship at Hoover.
“It will put in writing and re-emphasize what they’ve grown up and been told,” she said.
Gardner said she believes it is a major step in the right direction, how we want people to act.
Senior basketball player Joe Cerreta said the best way to get everyone to follow the code is if students start to follow it individually.
“As long as some people start doing it, others will follow,” he said.
The code helps to outline fans’ behaviors at sporting events.
“People realize sportsmanship is everyone’s responsibility— school, community, coaches, players—everyone,” Gardner said.
The sportsmanship code may cause more people to step back and evaluate their behavior at sporting events.
“People will hold back and not be that person in the front and be obnoxious,” Cerreta said. “They may change and be a leader cheering the team on.”
Pallija said Hoover has a lot of great fans and because of this the code will be followed.
“Those students that [have] good character will heed the friendly reminder,” he said. “Those who aren’t may be more cautious.”
The creation of a code and its impact on fans may help increase fan turn-out at sporting events.
“More people would feel comfortable being a part of a positive experience,” Gardner said.
While the code tells people what should not be done, Cerreta believes the code does not take anything from the fans.
“It still gives fans the opportunity to support our team and be the best fans that they can be,” he said.
Pallija said the level of sportsmanship has been good this year and that good sportsmanship has been a Hoover tradition.
Gardner said the athletes will appreciate the creation of a code.
“The athletes will like that the code holds everyone to the responsibility they are held to by coaches and players,” she said.
The sportsmanship code will supplement what coaches have already been teaching their athletes.
“Coaches do well creating sportsmanship,” Pallija said.
According to Pallija, head basketball coach Randy Montgomery had the idea to put the student section behind the bench in order to push energy.
“Our team got excited when fans were cheering hard,” Cerreta said.
Pallija said that the atmosphere at sporting events is exciting, and the sportsmanship code will help to improve the atmosphere.
“Everyone is excited about being inside and cheering on the teams,” he said.
Cerreta said the code will have success if fans are not putting opponents’ players and fans down.
“If we respect the code and opponents, it will have an affect on the athletes,” he said. “It will make us proud to be Hoover Vikings.”