Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations - Indiana University Athletics

Background

In 2017 Indiana University Athletics undertook a thorough review of its "sportsmanship policy" including benchmarking it against similar policies of all other institutions in the Big Ten Conference, as well as the conference itself and other national/peer institutions. The product of that review is the following sportsmanship policy, referred to as "Hoosiers Sportsmanship Expectations", which is one of the most progressive and comprehensive policies of its kind in all of intercollegiate athletics. It was reviewed and approved by the Bloomington Faculty Athletics Committee on April 12, 2017.

Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations Policy

Following is Indiana University's sportsmanship policy entitled Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations:

Indiana University is committed to creating a safe, civil, comfortable and enjoyable gameday experience for all participants: student-athletes, fans, coaches, and officials. The Hoosier Nation is widely known for its enthusiasm, sportsmanship and hospitality. When fans attend any game at IU, they are responsible for how their actions and/or language may affect other participants.

Hoosier Nation embraces creating a first-class gameday environment of civility and respect for all:

Profane, abusive, or threatening actions or language are not allowed, particularly any that references race, nationality, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Fans who appear unruly and intoxicated will be denied access to Hoosier events and are subject to ejection.
For the safety of all, access to the field or playing area is not permissible without proper credentials.
Anyone throwing objects will be immediately escorted from the facility and subject to being banned from future events.
Indiana University is proud to be smoke free.
Fans may utilize only the seat or seats for which they have tickets.
Fans are responsible for their own conduct and the conduct of others who use their tickets.
Hoosiers are also expected to uphold these expectations when visiting other venues. Together, we create a first-class environment for all fans, coaches, players, and officials.

Communicating Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations

A copy of the Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations is provided to all students who participate in intercollegiate athletics, coaches, administrators, and other staff.
Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations is published on IUHoosiers.com, in the Student-Athlete Handbook, and mailed in each season ticket packet.
Social media messaging is sent before big games reminding fans of the Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations.

Role of Student Fan Sections

Special student or fan sections at IU sporting events (i.e., The Hoosier Army for Men's Soccer and Crimson Guard for all other sports) assist Indiana University Athletics in uniting all fans, but especially students, to support IU teams, and to help create a competitive "home-field advantage". All of the student sections are directly affiliated with the Indiana University Student Athletic Board (SAB). Special efforts are taken regularly by student leaders, within SAB or the fan sections, to promote appropriate fan behavior during all IU home sporting events. These include:

Electronic messages (e-mail, Facebook posts, Twitter tweets, etc.) encouraging student fans to uphold Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations.
The Crimson Guard newsletter, distributed to students in the fan section before home Football, Men's Soccer, and Men's Basketball games, includes a Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations section, which highlights appropriate fan behavior during games.
At men's basketball and football games SAB members introduce themselves to fans and administrators behind the visitor's bench and offer assistance.

Other In-Game and Venue Sportsmanship Measures

In order to help foster a first-class environment for all student athletes, fans, coaches, and officials, Indiana University Athletics takes several steps as part of every home sporting event to encourage appropriate fan behavior. These measures include:

Sportsmanship public address announcements are made during games reminding fans of the Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations.
IU cheerleaders and pep band are instructed to begin new cheers or perform music to stop or drown-out any inappropriate behavior by IU fans. The public address announcer also makes announcements reminding fans of Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations.
Sportsmanship videos, featuring current and former student-athletes and administrators, are played over main scoreboard video screen before and during home sporting events.
Video messages are played before and during the game to promote a special texting number that fans can use to report inappropriate or threatening fan behavior.
Special sportsmanship signage, setting out the Hoosier Sportsmanship Expectations, is located in a prominent place at every competition venue of IU Athletics.
IU events staff and other security provides special attention to opposing fan sections, officials, and visiting players and staff.

Responsibility: The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communication and Fan Experience is responsible for ensuring that these principles and practices are annually implemented.