Fan behavior draws watchful eye of MHS principal Arnhold
When Marion High School teams take to the basketball court, principal Ken Arnhold would love to devote his full attention to the action on the court.
But he can't. Arnhold is one of several USD 408 Marion-Florence district personnel responsible for ensuring a positive crowd atmosphere at Warrior games, a task that at times has proved challenging this season.
"The kids have gotten to the point they understand what's expected of them," said Arnhold.
"I'm talking about the parents and fans," he said.
Arnhold acknowledged the challenge fans have in adapting their behavior to comply with Kansas High School Activities Association rules, which stress all actions by fans should be positive, not negative.
"High school games should be different than college or the pros," Arnhold noted.
"In a nutshell, I want my students and fans to cheer positively for the Marion team, and not against the opponent or the referees."
That hasn't always been the case with some fans this season. Arnhold pointed to various examples of negative fan behavior, from taunting and distracting opponents to harassing officials.
"I believe it's a poor representation of our school, our team, and our community," Arnhold said.
One of Arnhold's primary targets is abuse heaped on referees when they make a call fans find objectionable.
"I understand that people will react to a referee's call," Arnhold said. "A parent, a best friend, a sibling has a lot invested in what's going on.
"It's natural to have an initial reaction to a call," Arnhold continued.
"It's what happens after that that we have to control," he emphasized. "I don't want to see continued antagonizing of an official after a call."
Arnhold constantly scans the crowd on both sides of the gym for negative behavior. He also checks with officials at halftimes of games to get their feedback.
Harassing comments directed toward opposing players, coaches, and fans, taunting, booing, and swearing are examples of other behaviors Arnhold seeks to squelch.
Offenders are warned they will be ejected from the gymnasium if they persist. If it's a Marion fan, Arnhold talks with them. For an opposing fan, Arnhold typically enlists the help of an administrator from that school.
"If there's an issue, it's more effective to have someone from your own school address it," he said. "If it's blatant, I'll do it, but as a rule of thumb, I try to get the administrator from the other school."
While game programs are printed with reminders to fans, Arnhold has decided to take another step to encourage positive behavior.
"I'm going to be making an announcement before the games to remind people," he said.
Good sportsmanship is the primary goal of KSHSAA Rule 52, but as with any regulation, it carries potential penalties for a school found in violation.
The most immediate penalty can come during a game, from a referee who decides crowd behavior warrants a technical foul.
Schools or officials can file a complaint with the KSHSAA over objectionable fan behavior, and administrators must respond with a plan to implement corrective actions.
A repeat offense may lead to a site visit by a KSHSAA official or a league commissioner. A poor review could spur a drastic consequence.
"The ultimate that could happen is a contest could be held without any Marion fans allowed to attend," said Arnhold.
He noted there have been some contests in Kansas played in an empty gym, where fans of both teams have been banned due to inappropriate behavior.
