In my column last week, I asked for your support of our coaches and girls basketball team as we head to the playoffs. I would like to expand on that topic just a bit to ensure that our team has an equal opportunity headed into the playoff.

Fan and crowd control is a tough subject, but as we head to the playoff scene with unknown referees, opponents and fans, our self-control becomes ever so important. We can handicap our team by our reputation of being either good or bad sports.

The UIL has produced a wonderful guide entitled: Character, Attitude, Responsibility, Ethics – Sportsmanship and UIL Athletics. This booklet can be found on the UIL website at the following address: http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/manuals/.

This booklet can provide us all with guidance about what is and is not appropriate behavior at sporting events. I have been guilty of getting a little out of hand at games and yelling at the referees. I know this is not a good situation. When fans are called down by an official, it is a painful situation. I do have to say how much I appreciate the fan who does get called down and graciously accepts this warning because of his/her support for the team.

School districts have a procedure to report officials who may appear deficient in their qualifications. However, it is the coaching staff who must make this call and they will do so in accordance with the rules provided to them.

So many times we as parents and fans want to take the matter into our own hands and try to fix it. Sometimes we do this through communications to the officials, the officiating chapter, or the opposing school district. Derogatory emails to the officiating chapter or opposing school questioning the ethics of coaches and students athletes and officials is simply not appropriate. Just think, if you as a parent had an email sent to your employer questioning your ethics with little or no evidence, but more opinion and speculation than anything else, how would this effect you?

We implore you to bring your concerns to the coaching staff, the campus principal or to me. We are well acquainted with the administrators and coaching staffs of the other UIL district schools with whom we compete and work in coordination with them daily. Issues can and will be resolved with communication.

Please help us pave the road to success for our athletic teams with positive support during their athletic contests!

Please remember that our website is the key to keeping up-to-date on school happenings. Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD.

If you have any questions about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144.