Mike Powers| News-Bulletin photos
Los Lunas and Belen are in favor of NMAA proposal that has harsher penalties for “unsportsmanlike conduct” by fans, teams.
Los Lunas Schools and Belen Consolidated Schools have voted in favor of a New Mexico Activities Association proposal updating sportsmanship bylaws that include harsher penalties for “egregious acts of unsportsmanlike conduct” by teams and/or spectators.
The NMAA board of directors agreed unanimou
sly to send the proposal to member schools for consideration. If a majority approve, the new policy begins with the 2023-24 school year.
“We believe more concrete and stringent penalties are necessary to help eliminate egregious acts of behavior that do not coincide with the principles of our Compete with Class initiative,” wrote NMAA Executive Director Sally Marquez in a news release.
According to Wilson Holland, director of athletes for Los Lunas Schools, “Some schools aren’t taking care of business,” when it comes to addressing fan and team behavior at athletic events. “The reason the NMAA has to come in is because of a lack of administrative control at certain schools,”
Holland said, adding that if student or fan behavior is not appropriate in the Los Lunas district, “We will deal with it accordingly.”
“We’re willing to support an initiative that’s going to hold fans and players accountable. Coaches, too,” said Belen Consolidated Schools Superintendant Lawrence Sanchez. “It has not been a problem for Belen Consolidated Schools, but we are supporting this because we do know this has happened in other parts of the state. It’s damaging opportunity for our kids.”
Sanchez believes stricter repercussions could mean “people will be less likely to just go off on officials.”
According to the NMAA, “The updated bylaw now specifies the possibility of suspension of a team/fan from athletic activities for unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Repeated “egregious unsportsmanlike conduct” could lead to a team being suspended for the rest of the season or games being played without spectators.
J.P. Murrieta, NMAA sports information director, said this action is being taken because of “increased bad behavior throughout all sports during the past few years.”
Murrieta said the referenda will be concluded on June 23, and that all referendums are signed by the superintendent and official voter of each school or school district. Each district gets one vote no matter how many schools it represents.
Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.
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April 25, 2024
