General Admission & Entry Protocols
● Bag Policy: To enhance safety, NO bags are permitted. All bags are subject to search by security personnel.
● Student Identification: All Valley Central students must present a valid school ID for entry to athletic contests.
● Prohibited Items: Dogs and other pets are not allowed on school grounds. Artificial noisemakers such as air horns, bells or whistles are strictly prohibited. NYSPHSAA policy does not permit drones to be used during interscholastic scrimmages or contests.
Spectator Expectations
In alignment with Section IX and NYSPHSAA, all spectators are expected to demonstrate respect, sportsmanship, and appropriate behavior at all times.
All spectators must:
● Support teams using positive encouragement only
● Respect officials, coaches, student-athletes, team managers,
scorekeepers/timers, announcers and event personnel
● Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times
● Follow all school rules (smoke-free, substance-free environment)
● Remain in designated spectator areas and not come onto the field unless asked to by the Athletic Trainer, Coach or Administrator
The following behaviors are NOT permitted:
● Taunting, booing, or negative chants
● Use of profanity or abusive language
● Disrespectful gestures toward officials, coaches, student-athletes, team managers, scorekeepers/timers, announcers and event personnel
● Unauthorized drones or artificial noisemakers (e.g., air horns, whistles)
● Throwing objects or entering the playing area
● There is no playing on practice/game fields during contests. Fields are used by teams to practice or compete under the supervision of a coach or by the community during hours when Interscholastic Athletics is not taking place and proper facility use forms are filled out and approved. Interscholastic athletics are an extension of the school day
● Interscholastic athletics are an extension of the school day. All Valley Central students attending as spectators must comply with all school rules and are expected to leave the premises within 10- 15 minutes of the contest concluding unless otherwise directed by event personnel, security, administration or police
Seating Expectations
● Home spectators: Main bleachers at the stadium field located on the press box side
● Visiting spectators: Bleachers located on the woods side of the stadium field
● At lacrosse or flag football games (not in the stadium) please have chairs 3 to 5 feet off the side lines
● At baseball and softball fields 3 to 5 feet off the dead ball line. Please do not sit behind back stops as that distracts pitchers, catchers and umpires
● At all fields away and home spectators should sit in separate locations
● Follow all directions from event personnel, security or VC Administration regarding seating and movement
Enforcement of Conduct
To ensure a safe and respectful environment, the following will be enforced
1. Warning issued – Event Personnel, Security, School Administration
2. Removal from the event – Security, School Administration or Police
Failure to comply may result in:
● Any spectator ejected from a game faces a minimum penalty of a one-game suspension or completion of the online NFHS Parent Credential Course before attending future interscholastic events. Proof of course completion must be provided to the school’s athletic department.
● Continued poor behavior can result in being barred from current and future athletic contests altogether, including other school or legal consequences.
Event Personnel Responsibilities
Event staff will:
● Monitor spectator areas and circulate throughout
● Address concerns early and proactively
● Reinforce expectations in a calm and professional manner
● Ensure proper seating and safe conditions
● Involve security or administration when necessary
● Apply rules consistently to all spectators
Post-Contest Conduct
● Spectators are prohibited from engaging in any communication with officials, coaches, or players after the contest has concluded.
● Spectators should not negatively engage with one another during or at the
conclusion of a contest
● Please exit the fields/campus promptly and refrain from congregating near team transportation or locker room entrances
● Student-Athletes will be released to their parent/caregiver at the conclusion of a contest by the coach
Parent Communication Guidelines
To ensure respectful and effective communication, please wait 24 hours before contacting a coach following a game or incident. Coaches will respond to inquiries within 24 hours. For further concerns, please follow the District’s communication chain of command as outlined in the Interscholastic Athletics Handbook.
Our Shared Goal
We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all student-athletes, coaches and officials. Spectator behavior plays a vital role in achieving that goal.
Thank you for supporting our students and representing our school community with pride.