SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section is taking tough action against spectators who behave in an uncivil and disorderly manner, thanks to a new policy that could issue red and yellow cards to fans at high school sports games.
It’s simple: if you misbehave as a fan at one of these games, you can be issued a ticket and the consequences could be even worse.
Fans attending local high school sports games can also receive a yellow and red card for misbehaving.
Yellow is a warning and red is an expulsion. A red card is also punished with a three-match suspension.
Two red cards in the same season? You are banned from all games for the rest of the season.
“This way, hopefully, we can address the fans’ behavior calmly rather than getting into an argument because emotions are running high and they’re upset,” said Jeff Lorenson, deputy superintendent of the Sac-Joaquin chapter.
In addition, he heads the Sportsmanship Committee along with a dozen other coaches and staff members.
They put forward this idea as a nonverbal way to let parents and fans know they are on the sidelines.
“A simple warning, a warning that the rest of the audience can see, to achieve the behavioral change we are seeking. We do not want to escort the viewer out of the competition, and perhaps it is an educational part for them,” he said.
Twenty thousand of the yellow and red cards have been sent to all schools in the section, except for 35 that have not yet received them.
Previously, 45 spectators were expelled in the last school year, and the year before that, the number was 40 across the entire area.
“Passion is great, intensity is great, but in a positive way. Direct that towards cheering on your kids and the positive things your team is doing, not against the other team, not against the officials,” Lorenson said.
These cards can be used at any sports game, but Erin Aitkins, director of Lodi Unified Students Services, said the cards could be used at Lodi’s big games this year.
“I think it sends a strong message so that the community, the fans and the parents don’t forget that this is about the student-athletes, the players who play the game,” Aitkins said.
The key point is to put the focus back on the players.
“We can always improve sportsmanship, so this is just another opportunity,” she said.
These cards are dealt to both sides, the home and away teams. When you receive a card, the CIF asks that you adhere to the wording on the cards.
