CHSAA Evaluates Reports of Racism Involving Member Schools
- The Colorado High School Activities Association evaluated reports of racism involving member school events, examining incidents allegedly occurring during the prior school year.
- With information gathered through conversations and written student reports, the Colorado High School Activities Association is evaluating findings against CHSAA bylaws.
- As the review continues, CHSAA reiterated expectations for member schools during athletic contests.
The Colorado High School Activities Association evaluated reports of racism involving member school events, examining incidents allegedly occurring during the prior school year.
With information gathered through conversations and written student reports, the Colorado High School Activities Association is evaluating findings against CHSAA bylaws. Officials clarified that the organization is not an investigative agency, noting that member schools investigate matters involving their own students and communities before reporting findings to the association for review.
Event Expectations and Bylaws
As the review continues, CHSAA reiterated expectations for member schools during athletic contests. Participating schools are held responsible for the conduct of their coaches, players, and spectators under Bylaw 2270.1. Additionally, Bylaw 2250 mandates that host schools take every possible measure to assure courteous, friendly, and fair treatment toward visiting players, school officials, fans, and game officials.
Regarding spectator behavior, contest officials and host schools are authorized to warn or remove individuals acting unacceptably, or eject them immediately if the behavior is serious enough. According to Bylaw 2240.1, host schools must notify CHSAA, their league, and the individual in writing regarding any ejection. Bylaw 2240.2 dictates that any ejected individual is suspended for at least one contest, while individuals removed or ejected more than once in a school year face a bar from high school events for the remainder of that year. For neutral sites, designated on-site administrators manage their respective spectators under Bylaws 2240 and 2260.
Partnership and Sporting Behavior
Emphasizing its role as an educationally based organization, CHSAA stated that its first responsibility is to foster environments where every student, coach, and fan remains safe and is treated with dignity and respect. The association noted that additional guidance for administrators and coaches is outlined in the CHSAA Sporting Behavior Manual, requiring a true partnership between the organization and its member schools.