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Student Cheering Section Guidelines

To help ensure that behavior by the fans contribute to the event, rather than distracts from it, the following guidelines for student cheering sections and general fan behavior is offered. Any conduct deemed to not be in the highest ideals of sportsmanship is at the discretion of school principals, athletic directors, PIAA officials, police and security, and game/site management.

Acceptable Behavior

  • Clothes appropriate within district dress code.
  • Face paint in school colors limited to school insignias on cheek.
  • Applauding and cheering for your team during introductions, the contest and post-game handshakes.
  • Signs that support your school team.
  • Respect the decisions of the officials.
  • Staying in assigned student cheering section.

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Chants and Signs of a religious, political, or racially sensitive nature are strictly prohibited.
  • Chants or Signs that single out a player, coach, or official by name, number, or otherwise unique description are strictly prohibited.
  • Shirtless and undergarments exposed or worn as outer garments. Wearing clothes that would not be appropriate or acceptable for school are strictly prohibited.
  • Full face paint or masks/hats that hide student identity, face paint in colors other than school colors is prohibited.
  • Derogatory cheers, chants, songs, actions, or gestures directed toward opposing teams, their fans, or the officials, including during the game, pre-game, introductions, and post-game are prohibited.
  • Chants and Signs that taunt, boo, and/or heckle opponents and officials are prohibited. Any sticks or “props” accompanying signs are prohibited.
  • Sitting in, taunting, or approaching opponents’ designated student section, team or fans with an intent to cause a disturbance is prohibited.
  • Fans should NOT go onto the field or court before, during, or after the game.
  • Any behavior that draws attention away from the players and the contest, including (but not limited to) inappropriate gestures, signs, cheers, and noisemakers is prohibited.
  • Standing up for the contest, which could obstruct another person’s view (unless prior arrangements have been made with the game manager) is prohibited.