OSAA cracks down on bad behavior

Last season saw 198 ejections in boys’ soccer, up from 137 the previous season. Of the 198, 182 of the ejections were for “bench misconduct, entering the field during a fight, language, serious foul play, taunting, violent conduct or second caution.”

The same season saw a postseason football game called in the second quarter after a fight broke out on the field between Jefferson and South Medford.

Citing the increasing number of incidents, the Oregon School Activities Association’s (OSAA’s) executive board has approved updates to the ejection policy.

Effective this fall, the new policies include:

· Ejected players will need to complete the online NFHS Sportsmanship Course

· The fine for ejections in a state playoff championship game will increase

· The definitions for “out of sight” and “out of sound” for coaches ejected have been updated

· Suspensions for ejections due to discriminatory language have been doubled

· The suspension period will also be doubled for those entering the field during a fight, leaving the team box, and/or fighting

· If a school picks up three or more ejections in a program or five or more ejections overall in a school year, the school will be required to attend an OSAA Sportsmanship class

· If a school reaches the above threshold in consecutive years, a trip to Wilsonville to appear in-person before the OSAA executive board will be required

· A coach or player that has inappropriate contact with an official will be indefinitely suspended until the player/coach appears in-person before the Executive Board.Voted to amend Board Policie