A high school athletics conference in Michigan is seeking to address unsportsmanlike conduct by laying down stricter rules governing conduct at its events.
In a letter signed by the principals and athletic directors of each of the eight member schools of the Blue Water Area Conference, the league said that the issue of unsportsmanlike behavior is negatively impacting officials and student-athletes.
“The level of unsportsmanlike conduct has become an issue in high school sports,” the letter reads in part. “Officials and student athletes are leaving the athletic fields and courts as a result of this.”
The letter went on to say that “If anyone is witnessed not meeting event expectations of the BWAC, they may be asked to leave campus immediately.”
The joint letter was posted online in a tweet by the Armada High School Athletics account on Monday.
The BWAC wants lead in the change of the current culture at high school athletic events. With the courts and fields being an extension of the classroom, we believe lessons can still be taught even after the the school day ends. Support our athletes and lead in positive change. pic.twitter.com/Xq7kp3Ygjh
— ArmadaAthletics (@ArmadaAthletic) February 3, 2020
The schools that make up the BWAC include Algonac, Almont, Armada, Croswell-Lexington, Imlay City, North Branch, Richmond and Yale – all of which are located in eastern Michigan.
Almont was caught up in a headline-grabbing post-game brawl at the end of a state playoff game this fall, but Almont athletic director Ross Gauthier told MLive.com that the letter was not a direct response to a particular incident.
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“It’s in regard to basketball and other schools’ issues that they’re having with their own parents,” Gauthier said.
