Talking trash won’t be considered just harmless fun anymore. At least not in New Jersey.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body for high school sports, announced, in conjunction with the state Attorney General’s office, a new policy that would penalize teams and players for trash talk. An athlete even could find himself investigated by the state Civil Rights Division if he goes too far on the field or court.
The new rules, which are in line with Jersey’s anti-bullying law for schools, go into place this fall. Players could be in trouble if they make harassing statements related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Referees also would be required to report incidents for possible further investigation.
“High school sports enhances and supports education,” NJSIAA executive director Steven J. Timko said. “Obscene gestures, profanity or unduly provocative language or action toward officials, opponents or spectators won’t be tolerated in the classroom or the field of play.”
A top administrator from New York’s Catholic High School Athletic Association said New Jersey’s new initiative “seems like an overreaction.”
“Anything that takes away bullying is wonderful,” CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens president Ray Nash said. “But we haven’t discussed this. … Unsportsmanlike conduct on the field in any sport should be dealt with by coaches and officials. Every time a kid trash talks there will be severe penalties? I don’t know.”
Thomas Jefferson boys basketball coach Lawrence Pollard says it would be hard to enforce in the Public Schools Athletic League.
“You would see a lot of technicals, a lot of ejections, because one thing about New York is there’s a lot of friendly rivalries, so many schools close together and guys living in the same neighborhoods and projects,” Pollard said.
Lincoln star Thomas Holley, an All-American defensive end and forward on the basketball team, said, “It’s sports. There’s always going to be trash talking, no matter what.
“Trash talking has been around forever,” he said. “To try to get rid of it now, it doesn’t make any sense.”
Jersey’s policy was developed with the support of the Coalition for Racial Equality in Education, which seeks equality and combats discrimination in education.
“High school sports should be about building character and instilling life lessons about grace, courage, teamwork and adversity,” N.J. Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “Sometimes, we lose sight of those lessons on the field and in the stands.”— With AP