October 13, 2022
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
The Wall Township Police Department and Wall Township Public Schools are asking for your support in ensuring a positive environment for our students during athletic and other youth events. The involvement of our students in athletics and activities contributes to their development in many ways. Trustworthiness, citizenship, caring, fairness, and respect are lifetime values that are often honed through student activities and spectatorship. The principles of good sportsmanship and character development are integral components of youth programming.
Wall Township is known for tremendous town and school spirit; this spirit is noted by anyone who attends local athletic contests. As the players on the field have a responsibility to do their very best and demonstrate positive sportsmanship, so do the fans in the stands. Fan support is best when it is loud and positive; it should also be good-natured and sportsmanlike. Athletes, students, parents, coaches, and spectators are responsible for displaying sportsmanship and representing Wall Township in a positive light. We thank you for your anticipated cooperation as we strive to provide the best possible atmosphere for student-athletes, student spectators, families, and community supporters.
The Wall Township Public Schools must adhere to crowd control and spectator guidelines set by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (NJSIAA), the Shore Conference, and Shore Conference Athletic Directors. Furthermore, The Wall Township Police Department must enforce all offenses/crimes in the State of New Jersey and local Wall Township Ordinances to keep our school athletic events a positive and enjoyable experience for the public that we serve. With this in mind, we would like to communicate these expectations to the spectators of athletic events in Wall Township so that events can be enjoyed by all in attendance:
- Taunting, negative cheering, or confrontation with referees, opposing players, coaches and parents will not be tolerated.
- Negative signs, banners, or pictures are not permitted at our athletic
- Public confrontations with coaches, players, and officials will not be tol Should a concern arise, student-athletes and parents, as appropriate, are encouraged to schedule and meet privately with athletic staff members to discuss any issue that may be of concern.
- The use of profanity is
- Spectators are asked to demonstrate leadership at critical times – playing of the National Anthem, tending to injured participants, navigating stressful game situations, and negotiating dangerous circumstances (e.g., lighting) are examples of such critical times.
- Spectators must comply with requests made by site managers, athletic directors, game officials, medical personnel, security/police, league officials, and school administration.
- Sportsmanlike behavior is expected by all before, during, and after athletic contests while at competition
- Spectators are asked to refrain from eliciting negative comments and derogatory or inflammatory statements in public forums, including social media
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the sites of any Wall Township scholastic athletic All fans are prohibited from consuming, carrying, storing, or procuring alcohol on school campus events and at any venue hosting Wall Township scholastic athletic events. The administration of Wall Township Public Schools will cooperate with local law enforcement, school officials and venue staff to enforce this requirement and expectation. Any person who is found in possession of alcohol on school property without written permission from school administration, board members, or delegated authority can be charged with a disorderly person’s offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-16)
- Smoking of any kind is prohibited in school buildings and on school grounds, including athletic stadiums (N.S.A. 26:3D-58b)
Thank you for reviewing and internalizing this information so that we always represent our Wall Township school community in a positive manner. As you know, sportsmanship is winning without gloating; losing without complaining; and treating your opponent and the officials with respect. Nothing beats good sportsmanship! Our goal is sending this collaborative letter is to ensure a positive environment for all. Please understand that profanity, degrading remarks, and intimidating actions directed at officials or competitors will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the event site.
We thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
Sean O’Halloran Tracy Handerhan
Wall Township Chief of Police Wall Township Superintendent of Schools
