From the SCHLS Constitution, pages A-26 to A-27:
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Unsportsmanlike acts that take place at the site of an interscholastic contest are League matters. The
League shall discipline violators of the following items.
1. An athlete who is ejected for using abusive language, flagrantly or maliciously contacting
another person, making obscene gestures to opponents or spectators, shall be ineligible
for a minimum of the next contest to the maximum of one year depending on the
seriousness of the violation.
Any attempt to verbally abuse, make obscene gesture to, threaten or strike an official or
member of the opposing coaching staff, shall be considered a serious violation making the
athlete ineligible for a minimum of the next two contests to the maximum of one year. Any action that warrants a maximum penalty will also require that the school be placed on
immediate probation in that sport. The League Office will review any other action(s) that
result in an ejection with the possibility of additional penalties.
NOTE: Any ejection that warrants games(s) suspension will require the removal of the
athlete’s eligibility until the suspension has been served at the level of the ejection.
2. Any athlete who leaves the bench area to become involved in a fracas will be disqualified
from that game and will be subject to a minimum of a next game suspension depending on
his or her involvement. A school whose athletes violate this bench policy will be subject to
League discipline.
3. An athlete who is ejected for the second time in the same sport will have his or her athletic
eligibility removed for a minimum of two weeks. An athlete who has been ejected from three
contests during a school year (all sports) shall become ineligible for the remainder of the
school year. Game officials must report all player ejections so that the League Office can
officially notify the school of each violation. When an athlete is ejected for the second time in
the same sport, the school is required to immediately begin the above prescribed penalty.
4. A coach will be in violation of the standards for good sportsmanship established by the
League for:
a. making degrading/critical remarks about officials during or after a contest either on
the field of play, from the bench or through any public news media;
b. arguing with officials or going through motions indicating dislike/disdain for a
decision;
c. detaining the official following the contest to request a ruling or explanation of actions
taken by the official; or
d. being ejected from any contest.
5. A coach's action that leads to an ejection will be considered as serious unsportsmanlike
conduct. The minimum penalty will be a next game suspension (Must be served at the level
of ejection before resuming coaching duties at games) or a $100.00 fine. The penalty will be
doubled for a second offense. (Two games and $200.00) NOTE: If a coach is ejected from
the final game of the season, the minimum penalty will be a $100.00 fine assessed to the
school.
6. A school must control its spectators. In cases where spectators physically assault an official,
coach, or athlete, the school shall be given one of two options: (1) To take legal action
against the offender(s) that is acceptable to the League or (2) be disciplined by the League.
7. A school shall not allow vulgar chants by its supporters.
8. Violation of any of the above policies will warrant League discipline for the school or
individual. Degrees Of League Discipline Are:
WARNING: An official notice that an inexcusable, unethical, or unsportsmanlike action is
a matter of record and must not happen again.
PROBATION: A team may compete in regularly scheduled contests but may not play in
a jamboree, an invitational event or for a region or state championship.
FINE: May be levied in addition to other disciplines and may range from $25.00 to
$2,500.00 for each violation.
SUSPENSION: A suspended school may not compete against another member school
or a school in another state whose association is a member of the National Federation of
State High School Associations.
NOTE: A school that has been placed on probation or had a program suspended during
that sport season, must appeal within 10 working days. If the suspension or probation
occurs during the last contest of the season, the appeal must be made prior to the
beginning of the sport the next season.
