May/June 2022 - 8

A.D.MINISTRATION athletic director strategies
dealing with
WAYWARD FANS
By Dr. David Hoch, retired CMAA
Overall, most fans are supportive, cooperative, and
pose no concern. In some settings, however, there may
be a small bunch that demonstrates poor sportsmanship,
cause assorted problems, and may be disruptive. The
question arises, how do you deal with this wayward
group of fans? And you do need a plan! You can't just
hope that it will improve and go away on its own.
As an athletic administrator, you are constantly faced
with decisions concerning an unending list of tasks,
responsibilities, developments, and occasional problems.
You analyze the facts, list all of the possible solutions,
and a few might even be fairly unique and creative,
and ultimately choose the best one. And then you go
about planning and implementing your decision. It is no
different when dealing with wayward fans. The following
suggestions should help guide your efforts.
Develop a Set of Expectations for Your Fans
You don't have to reinvent the wheel. As long as you give
credit to other athletic administrators, take a look at their
guidelines, and adapt those items which seem positive
and would be a good fit for your venues. It is important,
however, to have separate documents for your various
facilities, since they may present unique situations and
challenges. You need to be as specific as possible to cover
all potential developments and problems. In two words,
you always want to be proactive and prepared.
Each set of your expectations needs to be as clear
and concise as possible. Why? These guidelines have
to be easily understood by all spectators. There can't
or shouldn't be any confusion. This is why you need to
spend considerable time working on the exact wording
and even consider the number of expectations that are
included. If this document is too long or confusing, it
won't serve the purpose.
Distribute and Communicate Your Expectations
A completed set of expectations does no good, if your
fans don't know that they exist, what is included and why
they are necessary. This means that you have to get your
guidelines into their hands, and also provide explanations
and answer questions. For good, complete compliance,
everyone has to understand what is involved, even if they
don't agree.
Use every available vehicle and medium in order to reach
the greatest number of fans. This means posting your
documents on your website, using social media, sending
8 MAY/JUNE 2022
email blasts, including the expectations in all printed
handbooks and handouts, and personally handing out a
card or brochure which includes them. Also, have hard
copies at your ticket booths for quick and easy distribution.
Using a Unified Approach
Have you ever been confronted with a group of fans
from a visiting school who complain, " But we don't do
that at our school? Or, we don't have that rule? " This
can be a problem when attempting to maintain a good,
positive, problem-free environment. But there is an
answer. Greater compliance can be achieved when all
schools within a league or county agree and use the same
sets of expectations - something that is universal for all
members. In this manner, visiting fans have to follow
the same guidelines and standards, and there can be
no excuses. Even if you don't have an aligned group of
schools, there is another step that you can take. Several
days or week before a contest - either a non-league or
conference foe - send the opposing athletic director a
copy of your fan expectations via an email attachment.
Ask him or her to forward your document to the parents
at his or her school, and nicely explain that these
guidelines will be enforced. Also, see if your expectations
can be read during homeroom announcements for their
student fans.
Use Appropriate, Specific Signage
Many have seen the standard banner, " Let players
play, coaches coach and fans positively cheer for their
team. Sportsmanship is Everyone's Responsibility. " And
there are many others. This signage will not eradicate all
problems, but it is another small step - when combined
with all of your other efforts - which may make a little
difference.
Besides these standard banners, create and have some
made which are specific to your venues and match your
fan expectations. The ones constructed of vinal are not
expensive, and you might try getting your booster club
to cover the cost. But signage that explicitly mirrors and
supports your expectations can be very helpful.
In addition to posting your expectations, also consider
adding signage that designates specific sections of your
bleachers for the various groups of fans. Separate space
for parents, visiting fans, and students can help minimize
interaction and help to prevent problems. These signs
should be large and very visible.
May/June 2022

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