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Spectator Expectations

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 middle and high school students must present a valid school ID for entry to athletic contests.
  • Prohibited Items: Dogs and other pets are not permitted on school grounds. Artificial noisemakers, including air horns, bells and whistles, are prohibited. NYSPHSAA policy does not permit drones during interscholastic scrimmages or contests.
  • No Tailgating or Smoking: Tailgating and smoking are strictly prohibited on Valley Central school grounds.
  • No Signs or Banners: Handheld signs, posters and large banners are prohibited to ensure unobstructed views and prevent unsportsmanlike messaging.

Spectator Expectations

In alignment with Section IX and NYSPHSAA guidelines, 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 in a smoke-free and substance-free environment.
  • Remain in designated spectator areas and not enter the field or court unless directed by an athletic trainer, coach or administrator.

The following behaviors are not permitted:

  • Taunting, booing or negative chants.
  • Profanity or abusive language.
  • Disrespectful gestures toward officials, coaches, student-athletes, team managers, scorekeepers, timers, announcers or event personnel.
  • Unauthorized drones or artificial noisemakers.
  • Throwing objects or entering the playing area.
  • Playing on practice or game fields during contests.
  • Violating school rules while attending as a spectator.

Interscholastic athletics are an extension of the school day. All Valley Central students attending as spectators must comply with school rules and leave the premises within 10 to 15 minutes of a contest’s conclusion unless otherwise directed by event personnel, security, administration or law enforcement.

Seating Expectations

  • Home spectators should sit in the main stadium bleachers on the press box side.
  • Visiting spectators should sit in the bleachers on the woods side of the stadium.
  • At lacrosse, soccer and flag football contests outside the stadium, spectators should remain in designated home or away spectator sections and keep chairs 3 to 5 feet from the sidelines.
  • At baseball and softball fields, chairs must be placed 3 to 5 feet beyond the dead-ball line. Spectators should not sit behind backstops, as doing so may distract pitchers, catchers and umpires.
  • Home and away spectators should remain in separate seating areas at all venues.
  • Follow all directions from event personnel, security staff and Valley Central administrators regarding seating and movement.

Enforcement of Conduct

To maintain a safe and respectful environment, the following procedures will be enforced:

  1. Warning issued by event personnel, security or school administration.
  2. Removal from the event by security, school administration or law enforcement.

Failure to comply may result in:

  • A minimum one-game suspension from attending athletic contests.
  • Completion of the NFHS Parent Credential Course before attending future interscholastic events. Proof of completion must be provided to the athletic department.
  • Additional school or legal consequences, including being barred from future athletic events.

Event Personnel Responsibilities

Event personnel will:

  • Monitor spectator areas and circulate throughout venues.
  • Address concerns 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 may not engage in communication with officials, coaches or players after a contest has concluded.
  • Spectators should not engage negatively with one another during or after a contest.
  • Spectators should exit fields and campus areas promptly and avoid congregating near team transportation or locker room entrances.
  • Student-athletes who are competing will be released to a parent or caregiver by their coach at the conclusion of the contest.

Parent Communication Guidelines

To ensure respectful and productive communication, parents and caregivers are asked to wait 24 hours before contacting a coach following a game or incident. Coaches will respond within 24 hours. For unresolved concerns, families should follow the district’s communication chain of command as outlined in the Interscholastic Athletics Handbook.

Our Shared Goal

Valley Central is committed to providing a safe, respectful and positive environment for student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. Spectator behavior plays an important role in creating an atmosphere that reflects the values of educational athletics.

Thank you for supporting our students and representing the Valley Central community with pride.