The following rules are established by the W.B.L. schools to insure positive and beneficial actions of all fans at athletic contests. The purpose is to encourage fan support of the teams and to eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct and activities by any school and/or fans.

A. History

In 1991 the WBL athletic directors and administrators established the “Western Buckeye League Sportsmanship Committee. This committee is composed of a minimum of 4 students from each of the WBL member schools as appointed by the athletic director and high school principal of each member school. This committee will meet a minimum of three times each school year with the arrangements being made by the President of the WBL  that given year. Suggested dates for the meetings are the months of September, November, and April of each year but may be altered at the discretion of the president of the league.

B. General Statement

Besides the establishment of the league policy on sportsmanship the following were established:

1. The adoption of a League Flag to be displayed at each member school

2. The practice that prior to each league contest , the host school and the visiting school's sportsmanship
members may be introduced at the contest.

3. An open forum will exist at each meeting that schools may formally express their feeling that another school offended them or team members when the opposing school did not honor the Sportsmanship policy.

4. The policies as listed below are to be printed in the host schools athletic programs that are made available to the general public at the contests.

The following rules are established by the W.B.L. schools to insure positive and beneficial actions of all fans at athletic contests. The purpose is to encourage fan support of the teams and eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct and activities by any school fans.

1. In the spirit of sportsmanship, W.B.L. athletic board policy prohibits the use of noise makers at indoor contests except  home school approved bands. Home school signs that decorate the facilities may not be derogatory to the visiting schools.  

2. No megaphones and other means of increasing the volume of the voice may be used except by the cheerleaders at indoor contests.

3. No objects such as spirit sticks may be brought to athletic contests.

4. Visiting teams may not bring in any signs, posters, or banners. However, visiting teams may bring their teams onto the football/soccer field; then the flag must be put away. NO FLAGS ARE PERMITTED AT INDOOR CONTESTS.

5. Only school approved personnel such as mascots, players, and cheerleaders are permitted on the playing surface during the warm-up period, during the contest, or after the contest. Fans are not to leave the bleacher area to form  tunnels or lines around the playing surface.

6. Seating for the visitors, both student and adult, will be together whenever possible. When possible, the players bench shall be in front of their own fans or two rows shall be reserved for managers, statisticians,  etc., directly behind the bench.

7. The home school shall make sure the necessary supervision has been provided.

8. The official representatives from the visiting schools should identify themselves with home school officials at all varsity contests so they may be found in case of an emergency. Prior to the ejection of a student from a varsity contest, the official representing that student's school should be notified.

9. Parading around the playing surface shall be prohibited. Teams are to go directly to their assigned warm-up areas after entering the playing surface.

10. Unsportsmanship tactics and taunting of another athlete shall be discouraged at all times. Coaches are to address this aspect of the policy with their players.

11. The W.B.L. prohibits pyramids, mounts, or standing on another's shoulders by cheerleaders at any league contest as stated by the OHSAA.

12. Varsity team members are to be introduced in alternating basis (with the visitor first) to permit the athletes and coaches to shake hands when introduced.

13. Cheerleaders are to remain on their half of the playing floor and refrain from tumbling during the introduction period and when the teams  warm-up.

C. Statement of policy of sportsmanship, integrity, and ethics

We believe all people can learn; therefore, we challenge all students to excel in school and sportsmanship. Student-athletes who are good sports are positive role models within our school and the community-at-large. A good sport knows that athletic competition builds character and shapes life-time attitudes.

Integrity, fairness,, and respect are inherent principles of good sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and  graceful acceptance of the results.

We will provide opportunities for obtaining knowledge, attitudes, experience, and skills that enable our students to be individually prepared to assume the position of responsibility in society. We believe that promoting sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity in extracurricular activities should be part of that challenge to excel.

Promoting sportsmanship should be done by athletes, administrators, and coaches. The Western Buckeye League has established guidelines to help in promoting of good sportsmanship.

1. Treating opponents and officials with the respect that is due them as guests and fellow human beings.

2. Shaking hands with the opponents.

3. Being positive with opponents, refraining from swearing or making insulting remarks to their opponents before, during, or after the contest.

4. Letting student audiences know that inappropriate behavior reflects poorly on the team.

5. Cooperating with the coaches and fellow players in trying to promote good sportsmanship.

6. Being positive with the officials, without criticism for officials or coaches after the game.

7. No artificial noise makers are permitted at indoor contests except  home school approved bands.

8. No megaphones and other means of increasing the volume of the voice may be used except by the cheerleaders at indoor contests.

9. No objects such as spirit sticks may be brought to contests.

10. Visiting schools may NOT bring in any signs, posters, or banners. There are to be NO flags by either home or visiting schools at indoor events.

11. Only school approved personnel such as mascots, players, and cheerleaders are permitted on the floor (or field) during the warm-up and during the contest.

12. Seating for the visitors, both student and adult, will be together whenever possible.

13. The home school will make sure the necessary supervisor of fans is provided. This includes police and staff supervision.

14. The official representatives from the visiting school should identify themselves at the ticket booth so they may be found if needed in case of an emergency.

15.  Home school signs that decorate the facilities may not be derogatory to the visiting school.