LHSAA reaffirms commitment to promoting sportsmanship across Louisiana Hight School Athletics

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) is dedicated to cultivating a positive and respectful environment for athletes, coaches, officials, and fans throughout the state. Recent concerns have highlighted unsportsmanlike behavior at high school athletic events, and the LHSAA reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship, ensuring that all participants can enjoy a fair, safe, and competitive experience.

In response to these issues, the LHSAA has implemented several proactive measures to curb unsportsmanlike conduct. These initiatives include regular communication with schools through the Louisiana High School Coaches Association (LHSCA) weekly updates, ongoing messaging on LHSAA social media platforms, and comprehensive memorandums sent to all member schools.

Additionally, the Louisiana High School Officials Association has been in consistent communication with officials, emphasizing the strict enforcement of penalties for unsportsmanlike behavior, in accordance with LHSAA rules, to maintain a positive and supportive atmosphere at all events.

In early September, the LHSAA disseminated a memorandum from Executive Director Eddie Bonine, reinforcing the association’s expectations for sportsmanship and conduct. This communication, sent out annually before the start of the football season, encourages administrators and coaches to educate student-athletes and fans on the importance of sportsmanship. When these groups uphold these standards, the experience of education-based athletics is significantly enhanced.

The LHSCA also supports this commitment by providing weekly updates to member school football coaches. These updates cover a range of topics but consistently emphasize sportsmanship.

To help coaches develop effective plans to prevent unsportsmanlike behavior, the updates also include fight/altercation protocols. Recent communications have even addressed specific trends, such as social media activity that may contribute to postgame physical altercations, equipping coaches with the knowledge to anticipate and mitigate these situations.

The LHSAA remains steadfast in its fair and consistent approach when addressing cases of misconduct. Each incident is thoroughly reviewed, and penalties are determined based on the guidelines established in the LHSAA Handbook. While there have been improvements in maintaining sportsmanship standards compared to previous years, the LHSAA recognizes that there is still progress to be made. The association is committed to ongoing efforts to promote a culture of respect, integrity, and good sportsmanship at all athletic events.

As the governing body for high school sports in Louisiana, the LHSAA’s primary role is to enforce the rules and regulations that prioritize fair play, safety, and integrity. While it is impossible to satisfy all viewpoints, the LHSAA’s actions are driven by a steadfast commitment to these values.

Moving forward, the LHSAA will continue to collaborate closely with schools, coaches, officials, and communities to address unsportsmanlike behavior and improve the overall sports experience for everyone involved. Together, we can go beyond the game and build a more positive and respectful environment for high school athletics across Louisiana.