Inappropriate behavior at sporting events may lead to consequences
FARMINGTON – The New Mexico Activities Association unveiled its plan for new policies regarding possible consequences for unsportsmanlike conduct at high school sporting events.
Last week, during a meeting of the NMAA Board of Directors, one of the main talking points to be brought to the table this spring is the “2 Strikes” rule, designed to curb the rise in bad behavior and language at sporting events .
“I think there are some bad apples out there,” said Tom Adair, Farmington High School girls’ basketball coach. “I don’t know if it’s limited to just one area or a specific fanbase, but there’s definitely an issue and I’m glad it’s being addressed.”
The NMAA’s proposed new guidelines come just days after a brawl broke out in the final moments of a boys’ basketball game between Roswell and Carlsbad on Friday, Feb. 10. Video of the incident shows Carlsbad’s Damian Perez and two Roswell players chasing a loose ball in the center of the court when time ran out and a fight ensued between the two teams.
The fight resulted in the suspension of some fans and six student-athletes, said Carlsbad Municipal Schools Superintendent Dr. Gerry Washburn.
More:Carlsbad and Roswell High Student Athletes, Fans Suffer Impact After Basketball Melee
In other notable incidents involving local teams and players, a Bernalillo High School basketball player put her arm around a Kirtland Central player’s neck in the dying moments of the Class 4A state championship game at the Pit in Albuquerque before throwing her to court.
The “2 Strikes” rule is essentially as follows, based on NMAA language:
“Any time a team participant, including a coach, has committed a egregious unsportsmanlike act two or more times during the same season, at the same school and at the same activity, the team will be banned from participating in that activity for the remainder of the season .”
But the new proposal would not only appeal to players and coaches. Point 2 in this proposal specifically calls out to fans and viewers who choose to express their voice in negative ways.
“Any time a egregious unsportsmanlike act by a non-team competitor occurs two or more times during the same season at the same school at the same activity, the non-team member, along with all school spectators, will be suspended from participating in that activity for the remainder of the year Season.”
In other words, according to the NMAA, actions have consequences and repercussions. So proceed lightly.
During the same Albuquerque state basketball tournament last year, Espanola Valley fans were accused of throwing a water bottle at a Del Norte player during a game and then reportedly used a paintball gun on Del Norte’s bus.
“We need to send the message that it’s not okay to behave, it’s not okay to berate officials, it’s not okay to fight, it’s not okay to berate opponents,” said NMAA- Managing Director Sally Marquez. “We have to get better.”
Several states have adopted similar policies as part of their college athletic federations.
The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association introduced a new “sportsmanship rule” last summer. The new rule allows teams to be banned for the remainder of the season after two reports of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Louisiana and Washington have also added versions of “2 Strikes,” and many states, like New Mexico, are joining the fray. The New Mexico approach would differ only in the sense that both spectators and athletes will fall under the same category.
Marquez said hostile fans have been more of a problem lately than players or coaches being overly aggressive. As such, the NMAA “doesn’t want to hurt the kids about what’s going on in the stands,” Marquez said, adding that school administrators and officials must actively monitor their own fans.
“We’re not consistent from one school to the next,” Marquez said.
While the proposal makes no mention of who determines what constitutes criminal conduct, responsibility for these calls likely lies with gaming officials.
“I think (the proposal) is a great idea,” said Leonard Longhorn, who directs a variety of prep and youth sports throughout San Juan County. “The kind of behavior we’re supposed to be looking for makes it very difficult to recruit newer or younger officers.”
The “2 Strikes” initiative is expected to be put to a vote during the final NMAA board meeting of the school year, scheduled for June 1. Marquez said she expects this to be official by the start of the 2023-24 school year.
Not all school sports fans are the same, nor are all sports participants the same, and some athletic directors understand that there is a bigger story than just their own fan base.
“I think our fans are great, but I think that when someone shows outrageous behavior, there must be tough penalties,” said Farmington Schools athletic director Isaac Gamboa. “We must set an example of good behavior for our children.”
One of the main reasons fan misbehavior has become such an intense topic is that it is often targeted at athletes, mainly students. The parents of these athletes and administrators of these schools have been called to action and have demanded harsher consequences.
“I don’t think our penalties for serious problems are harsh enough,” said Bloomfield High School athletic director Ben Tensay. “Perhaps we need a harsher punishment to send a message that schools in New Mexico that compete in the NMAA need to be maintained to a much higher standard.”