March 16, 2004
BLOOMINGTON -- A series of penalties involving Cairo High School and its boys basketball program for violation of Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sportsmanship by-laws following the regional championship game at Metropolis (Massac County) on Feb. 27, 2004, were announced today (March 16) by IHSA Executive Director Dr. Martin L. Hickman. The school has been informed of the findings and penalties. The penalties were administered for the school's noncompliance with sportsmanship by-laws 2.041 and 2.042 according to penalty by-law 6.010.
In addition, the regional host school was notified of some corrections in its game management that need to be addressed if Massac County High School is to host future IHSA state series events in basketball.
Cairo Penalties
Cairo High School is suspended from participating in the 2004-05 IHSA Boys Basketball State Series.
An assistant coach is suspended from coaching any sport at any IHSA member school until January 1, 2005. The assistant coach is specifically prohibited from having contact with the Cairo boys basketball program in any respect and at any level during his suspension, including the summer. The assistant coach may have no contact with players or other members of the coaching staff at a game or practice site, including the locker rooms, and he may not transport team members or in any way provide them with supervisory or instructional services related to the boys basketball program during his suspension. He may not attend any games that involve Cairo High School during his suspension.
Cairo High School is placed on probation through the end of the 2004-05 school term. The probationary status does not deprive the school of any of its privileges as an IHSA member school. Rather, it is a status of official warning that any further violation of IHSA By-laws or other rules of the Association could bring more serious consequences.
Cairo High School may apply to be considered for reinstatement to the 2004-05 IHSA Boys Basketball State Series by satisfactorily addressing the following items:
Cairo High School must develop a comprehensive crowd control plan for all events in which Cairo participates. No later than May 15, 2004, the school must submit a draft of the crowd control plan for review and approval by the Executive Director. The crowd control plan must be implemented for the 2004-05 school term and must be designed to comply with the requirements of IHSA By-laws 2.041 and 2.042. The Cairo High School Board of Education must also approve the plan.
Cairo High School must develop and conduct a sportsmanship improvement program to be presented at parent meetings during the 2004-05 school term for all interscholastic sports programs. The IHSA will provide resource material to assist in the development of the sportsmanship enhancement effort, if requested to do so by Cairo High School. No later than May 15, 2004, the school must submit a draft of the sportsmanship improvement program for review and approval by the Executive Director.
Cairo High School must provide documentation that the approved sportsmanship program has been presented to parents and to students who plan to participate in interscholastic programs during the fall and winter of the 2004-05 school term.
Cairo High School must make restitution to Massac County High School in the amount of $1225.00 for the damage to the locker room.
Cairo High School must complete basketball ratings for officials for the 2003-04 school term. This can be done on-line at www.ihsa.org in the Schools Center. Cairo High School has failed to complete ratings for this school term.
Cairo High School must complete officials ratings for all sports in which Cairo High School participates during the 2004-05 school term. This can be done on-line at www.ihsa.org in the Schools Center.
Cairo High School must develop a letter to be sent to all schools on its basketball schedule outlining the steps Cairo High School will take to ensure proper crowd control at each basketball game. The letter must explain how competing schools may contact Cairo High School officials at the site of each contest, if the need arises. The form and content of the letter must be approved by the Executive Director prior to its distribution.
Cairo High School must take action with regard to the woman identified in the videotape striking the Massac County player who has just shaken hands with Coach Larry Baldwin. The action taken by the school must be approved by the Executive Director.
In addition, the Executive Director reserves the right to take additional action regarding the eligibility of a player and cheerleader identified as being involved in the post-game melee. Those two students were suspended from Cairo High School with a recommendation for expulsion.
Any additional acts of unsportsmanlike conduct by Cairo High School students, school staff, spectators or coaches may lead to additional sanctions including suspension or expulsion from the IHSA.
Massac County Requirements
Massac County High School must affirm, in writing, that it will protect the integrity of the playing surface and will follow IHSA guidelines as outlined in the terms and conditions and the general managers instructions.
In his review of the events surrounding the regional championship game, and specifically from watching the videotape of the events that occurred following the conclusion of the game, the Executive Director shared the following with Massac County regarding its administration of the Regional Championship game.
Fans were too close to the playing surface. Many of the student fans and cheerleaders were on the baseline of the basket Cairo was shooting at when the game started. As time went by, Massac County fans were virtually on the end line. This creates a situation that is difficult for officials and for players, and game management must control it. In addition, from the very beginning of the game, fans were seated on the floor between the bleachers and the sidelines. As the game goes on, it appeared to get even more crowded between the sideline and the bleachers. Again, this is an area that needs to be clear for officials and players.
Massac County had more cheerleaders on the court than the Terms and Conditions allow. The terms and conditions govern the contests.
Player introductions were not in line with the General Manager Instructions printed in the IHSA School and Manager Manual for Boys Basketball. Item 15 H on page 35 indicates that players are to be introduced by alternating players from each team. The goal of this requirement is to emphasize sportsmanship as a contest is set to begin. Alternating introductions sends a message to both teams and both sets of fans that sportsmanship is a key element of any interscholastic contest.
Findings
Following the conclusion of the game with Massac County High School, a cheerleader from Cairo High School threw a plastic bottle that struck Coach Larry Baldwin in the head, knocking him to the floor and causing a laceration that needed medical attention. Immediately following the injury to Coach Baldwin, one of the Cairo assistant coaches pushed a Massac County player who had been shaking hands with Coach Baldwin. Then the same Massac County player was struck in the face by a woman who was identified by Cairo High School. At this point, a melee ensued. During the melee, a player from Cairo punched an adult in the back of the head. Eventually, the police used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
In addition, damage in the amount of $1225.00 was reported to the locker room used by Cairo High School. The Executive Director concluded, based on discussions with the Massac County High School Principal Danny Stevens, correspondence from Cairo High School and the review of photos of the locker room taken following the contest, that Cairo High School is responsible for the damage to the paper towel dispenser, water fountain, clock and restroom partitions.
The post game video shows many Cairo players leaving the court following the end of the game. It also shows a number of items being thrown onto the court. The Executive Director concluded that the melee that erupted after the game likely would not have occurred if a Cairo cheerleader had not thrown the bottle that struck Coach Baldwin in the head. In addition, the actions of the Cairo assistant coach immediately following Coach Baldwin being struck escalated the incident. At no time is the assistant coach shown trying to diffuse the incident. In fact, the assistant coach's actions throughout the melee only served to make the situation worse. The assistant coach made very little, if any, attempt to control the crowd or players from Cairo High School.
The Executive Director determined that Cairo High School should have had a more substantial administrative/supervisory presence at this contest. IHSA by-laws clearly charge schools with maintaining proper control of their fans, players and coaches. Given the significance of this contest, and the caliber of the teams involved, Cairo High School should have been more prepared to supervise and control its crowd.
The Executive Director determined that students, players, coaches, and spectators from Cairo High School are in violation of IHSA By-law 2.041 which states: "Students, school staff, boards of education, spectators and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with a member school shall practice and promote the highest principles of sportsmanship and the ethics of competition in all interscholastic relationships. The Executive Director shall have authority to investigate allegations and incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct or conduct which adversely affects the ethics of competition in connection with interscholastic contests. The Executive Director shall also have full authority to invoke penalties, in the context of the provisions of Division 6.000 of these By-laws, against a member school and/or individuals whose conduct in connection with an interscholastic contest violates these principles or ethics."
The Executive Director also determined that Cairo High School is in violation of IHSA By-law 2.042. By-law 2.042 states: "Member schools shall maintain proper crowd control and enforce the principles of good sportsmanship and ethics for all interscholastic activities. The Executive Director shall have authority to investigate reported incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct or conduct which adversely affects the ethics of competition in connection with interscholastic contests and shall have full authority to invoke penalties, in the context of Division 6.000 of these By-laws, against a member school which fails to fulfill its obligations as provided in this section."
The Executive Director also determined that Massac County High School officials acted appropriately in dealing with a very difficult and troublesome incident following the conclusion of the Regional Championship game. The Executive Director concluded Massac County High School officials were well prepared with regard to the security measures needed for a contest of this magnitude. There is no way to predict or expect that a melee of this magnitude could occur. The Executive Director stipulated that he did not believe the situation would have escalated to the point that it did if the cheerleader from Cairo High School had not thrown the bottle that injured Coach Baldwin.
Comments From Executive Director Marty Hickman:
"This is a very, very serious violation of two of the
Association's fundamental by-laws. It is a situation that cannot be
overlooked. This is not the first time Cairo High School has been
involved in an incident after a basketball game. This behavior must
be addressed and corrected immediately."