National Sportsmanship and Fan Appreciation Week

October is National High School Activities Month. It kicked off yesterday with National Sportsmanship and Fan Appreciation Week.

The week, which runs until October 11 (actually a week and a half), is designed to encourage awareness and discussion about the importance of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity to the conduct of interscholastic programs, and a time to thank the spectators who support activity programs throughout the year.

What can you and your school do to celebrate National Sportsmanship and Fan Appreciation Week?

• Make up positive cheers, chants or songs

• Print bookmarks with sportsmanship ideas; ask the school library to slip them into all books

• Hand out incentives to faculty, staff and students "caught" being a good sport

• Use table tents in cafeteria, reading lounges or library for sportsmanship messages

• Welcome visiting teams with an announcement over public-address system

• Make posters for a contest

• Cheer good plays by opposing team

• Incorporate the NFHS Sportsmanship. It’s Up to You.™ campaign implementation and resource kit into your school’s sportsmanship program

• Offer tailgate party with hot chocolate and refreshments

• Offer free program to "selected fans" (based on school colors or some other criteria)

• Give Booster Club members coupon for free pop and popcorn

• Introduce parents of players and cheerleaders during pregame ceremony

• Give school shirt to most avid fans (student and adult)

• Present chair cushion to a dedicated adult fan

• Dress up in your school spirit outfit

• During the course of the season, acknowledge season ticket-holders by name