• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Sports / Reminder on sportsmanship issued as high school football gets underway

Reminder on sportsmanship issued as high school football gets underway

August 29, 2019 By Radio Iowa Contributor

Parents, students and other fans are being reminded to behave responsibly as high school football season opens in Iowa with nearly 170 games tonight and tomorrow night.

Chris Cuellar, a spokesman for the Iowa High School Athletic Association, says there’s a high turnover rate for athletic directors, coaches and especially for game officials like referees.  “A lot of them cite aggressive fan behaviors or reactions as a reason why they’re stepping away,” Cuellar says. “It is tougher than ever to keep those younger officials around. No officials means no games.”

The Boone-based association is issuing guidelines for fans who are heading to the athletic events, with the first rule being: Act your age. “That’s a pretty direct message for adults,” Cuellar says. “The kids are the ones playing. Adults have to be the ones that act their age whether they’re in the stands or in the parking lot or watching or listening or wherever they’re at.”

The second guideline reminds parents not to live their lives vicariously through their kids. “The event is meant to be their activity, not yours,” Cuellar says. “The reason for doing it should be theirs, not yours. A lot of people can take that to heart as the seasons begin and they start to sign their kids up for things. It’s maybe a little tougher to remember when you’re in the heat of the game.”

There are about 80,000 boys taking part in Iowa high school sports every year and some parents put a great amount of pressure on their sons to win a college scholarship. Cuellar reminds, that’s not what participating in a school sport is supposed to be about.

“Only around 2% of all high school athletes, that’s all sports, that’s boys and girls and that’s all levels of NCAA, 2% are awarded some kind of college scholarship and the average value of that’s less than $20,000.” The main message he offers to sports fans is — be respectful and considerate.

(By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Football

Featured Stories

All bodies of missing now recovered from rubble of collapsed Davenport building

Governor signs child care expansion into law

Iowa seniors have until July 1 to apply for new property tax break

Smoke from distant fires creates colorful sunrise in Iowa

DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

What may be rare Michael Jordan trading card found in unclaimed deposit box

Hawkeye women to play Virginia Tech

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/5/23

Iowa eliminated at NCAA regional

Iowa names Beth Goetz interim AD

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC