Tournament Host

Guide to Success

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MIAA TOURNAMENT PHILOSOPHY

The MIAA strongly supports the commitment to interscholastic athletic programs as an essential

educational opportunity for students. Young men and women develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially through voluntary participation in properly conducted athletic programs, including tournaments. The development of self image, character, stamina, physical skills, achievement, self discipline, and the desire to excel are all advantages associated with high school sport participation.

The educational value of tournaments has long been recognized by secondary school educators.

High school tournaments are conducted in all 50 states in widely different sports for teams and individuals, and for both boys and girls. Enthusiasm for tournaments extends beyond those student-athletes who qualify for these championship activities. Tournament excitement is often a focal point for school-community cohesiveness. For the participants, tournaments provide for an intensity in preparation and a greater level of skill attainment which causes, even beyond the high school years, a better capacity for facing adversity, discouragement, and the vicissitudes of life.

The purpose of tournaments is to permit qualifying schools and individuals who represent that

school team and who have achieved an established standard of excellence during that sport season to compete in championship tournaments. Tournaments demonstrate success and should serve as an incentive for others. They should provide students and spectators an opportunity, under competitive conditions, to develop desirable character traits.

Tournaments have the potential to inspire maximum performance, provide quality competition,

afford high visibility for all concerned, and foster personal development. All tournaments must be carefully planned and controlled. A tournament is justifiable only when

it produces worthwhile results for all involved. Schools, teams, coaches, and spectators must display good sportsmanship in winning or losing. Negative behavior must not be tolerated.

Care must be taken to maintain the integrity and importance of regular season play so that the

tournament will serve only as a culminating athletic activity for those who have demonstrated a specific level of excellence during their regular season.

MIAA MISSION STATEMENT

Building the Future through Athletics

The mission of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is to serve member schools and the maximum number of their students by providing leadership and support for the conduct of interscholastic activities which will enrich the educational experiences of all participants. The MIAA will promote interschool activities that provide lifelong and life-quality learning experiences to students while enhancing their achievement of educational goals.

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WHAT IS A GOOD TOURNAMENT HOST?

Being a good tournament host involves more than simply providing the physical site. It is the responsibility of the host to make student-athletes and their supporters feel that the tournament experience is special. Some of the details involved in hosting a tournament include taking into consideration the visiting team(s), the officials, and the fans while paying attention to the proper administration and financial control of the contest. Acts of courtesy and consideration by the host create good will, lead to wholesome competition between schools, and provide a quality experience for all people involved. Goals/Checklist • Ensure the health and safety of the participants.

• Ensure the comfort and safety of the fans (adequate seating and parking).

• Provide adequate protection and supervision before, during, and after the contest.

• Be certain that the competition site contains all required contest markings. The facility must be safe for contestants and spectators (marked off with ropes, etc.)

• Notify officials ahead of time, where to park and where to dress.

• Provide officials with a private locker room and shower facilities whenever possible.

• Establish a climate where coaches set an example of sportsmanship and players respect their opponents and game officials.

• Assure that cheerleaders are aware of their responsibility for crowd control and are

discriminate in their choice and use of cheers, while school officials as well as spectators should display a high degree of sportsmanship at all times.

• Be certain of medical coverage and that a medical evacuation plan is in place.

Site Manager/MIAA Tournament Host

The site manager should have a strong background and understanding of the tournament rules/policies stated herein as well as those found in the appropriate sections of the handbook and tournament format. The MIAA Handbook, the Sport Rule Book, the MIAA tournament format, and this guide should all be present at each contest site.

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Financial Responsibilities

● Hire all game management personnel (e.g., MIAA ticket sellers, announcers, public address system, etc.) Any game management personnel will be paid through the MIAA office via the Tournament Personnel Payment Request form. Click here to view current personnel fees.

● All tickets must be torn in half at the contest site and returned with all the unused

tickets to the tournament director. These tickets and stubs must be submitted by the site manager with the financial forms for that activity. Gross receipts must be forwarded to the tournament director in a form of a check.

TICKET SALES

Only tickets that are assigned to each specific tournament game as noted on the Site Receipts and Ticket Reconciliation Form should be distributed and sold. Facilities for selling these tickets should be located some distance from the entrances and exits for several reasons: ● People who come to the game with tickets should not be held up in lines. ● People who want to purchase tickets will not create large crowds around the

entrance. Although it does not seem to be a large problem, the orderly flow of people to an event will often set the tone which will be the basis for the crowd’s reaction during the event.

● Be sure all ticket areas and entrances/exits are well marked and identified.

• There should be at least one ticket seller and one ticket taker. A single individual must not fill both roles.

● Assure that all ticket takers are aware of the limited acceptance of complimentary

passes. CLICK HERE to view the Ticket/Pass Policy

• All individuals admitted with a pass must “sign in” on the provided MIAA Complimentary Pass Sign-In Form.

WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

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The media provides a great outlet to publicly recognize the high school athletic accomplishments of student athletes across the state. Tournament events usually draw increased amounts of media coverage. Therefore, it is important for tournament hosts to establish a good working relationship with the media. HINTS FOR EFFECTIVELY WORKING WITH THE MEDIA ● Issue printed media credentials so members of the media can be easily identified

by game personnel and allowed proper access. ● Develop a system of priority when press space is limited at the event site. Priority

should be given in the following order: daily newspapers/television/radio that regularly cover the athlete(s) involved; weekly newspapers that regularly cover the athlete(s) involved; wires services; and other publications or stations not usually involved in the coverage of the athlete(s).

● Allow enough time before the contest for radio or television stations that have

made pre-game accommodations to set up their equipment. Also, be prepared to spend time after the event has concluded to allow newspaper reporters to write and transmit their stories back to their respective newspapers.

● Telephone lines should be made available somewhere on the premises to

communicate or transmit stories back to the newspaper via computer. ● Provide equal access for all members of the media to conduct post-game

interviews in a specified area near the playing field.

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CROWD CONTROL

Good crowd control occurs as a result of effectively preparing, organizing, and implementing plans on a regular basis. Communication is critical among those who are in charge of area management for athletic events. Effective crowd control does not occur without the proper communication and cooperation of everyone in charge. HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE CROWD CONTROL ● Always start the event on time. ● Establish written standards and expectations of conduct for players, coaches,

students, spectators, and personnel. Effectively communicate these standards to all participants, spectators, and staff.

● Establish policies and emergency procedures in regards to the following: fire,

alcohol, drugs, medical emergencies, lost and found, noisemakers, food and beverage, bomb threats, electrical problems, and transportation problems.

● Plan for continual supervision and surveillance of facilities throughout the event.

Make sure that supervisors and other event personnel remain active, can be identified visibly, and are consistent in applying rules and regulations.

● Try to minimize lines of spectators around rest rooms, concession stands, first-aid

facilities, and ticket lines, as this aids in deterring crowd problems. ● Be aware of groups of fans that do not come to the game to watch, but to gather in

small groups around concession stands, ticket gates, etc. Keep them on the move or in their seats, and continually observe their behavior for potential problems.

● Do not admit any spectators at reduced rates or without tickets. Gates should be

supervised during the entire event to avoid such problems from occurring. ● Remember that supervisors and workers are not spectators and they should not

become overly involved in watching the event. ● Establish a policy against noisemakers and confetti. Reserve the right to remove

any such items that could become a nuisance to other spectators.

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● At the end of the event, police officers and ushers should move to places where they can facilitate the orderly flow of traffic from the stands to the exits. About two minutes before the end of the game, all exits should be opened and attended.

OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR ALL MIAA TOURNAMENTS • Please "cross market" other Association activities by announcing upcoming events for

all sports (e.g., "The winning team of tonight's game will play the winner of tomorrow's game in the MIAA Division II Championship final to be held at the FleetCenter”).

• Refer to the "MIAA" whenever practical during the announcements (e.g., “The

MIAA Division I field hockey semi-finals will be played this Tuesday”). • Please read the following announcement after players are introduced and before the

national anthem.

“Today’s contestants earned their place here as a result of a long, challenging and successful season and regardless of the outcome of today’s contest, each team will remain champions in the hearts and minds of their proud communities.

In keeping with the spirit of this championship event and our respect for the accomplishments of these two outstanding teams and their communities, the MIAA and it’s member schools would like to remind all who are present today that they are expected to show the utmost respect for the game officials, coaches and athletes and their opponents by cheering their team on in positive ways.

There will be no tolerance for cheers or comments that demean, taunt, ridicule or are meant to embarrass anyone who is participating in this contest. The MIAA Taunting Policy will be strictly enforced and no warnings will be given. Failure to honor this policy may result in ejection from this arena.

We trust that all will honor the MIAA Taunting Policy and help to make this a memorable day for your outstanding student-athletes and coaches. We would like to extend our congratulations to ______________________ and _______________________ for their outstanding seasons.

Please stand for our national anthem.”

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SAMPLE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MIAA TOURNAMENTS

Please review these announcements and choose those that you enjoy, and can easily communicate to spectators during halftime, time-outs, etc. Importance and Value of High School Sports ● The MIAA recognizes that high school activities teach the positive principles of

life, self-discipline, perseverance, loyalty, goal setting, and fair play. High school activities provide the foundation for life.

● The MIAA invites you to look at the most successful students in any school. You

will see young people involved in athletics, speech, music, student council, and other co-curricular activities. You will see solid grade point averages and attendance records. You will see our leaders of tomorrow. That’s why academics and school-sponsored activities are great curriculum partners.

Sportsmanship ● The emotion, excitement, and drama of high school athletics are captured in

tournaments sponsored by the MIAA. Competition in 32 different sports occurs throughout the school year, giving you a variety of opportunities to support young athletes in their quest for educational and athletic excellence. Please continue your support of young people throughout the year.

● The MIAA believes that interscholastic athletics are an extension of the

classroom. Lessons are best learned when proper respect is accorded to all. Let your good sportsmanship show during this contest. Admission to an interscholastic event is a privilege, and with that privilege comes responsibility – responsibility to conduct yourself in a manner where the competition is enjoyable for other fans and participants.

● Good sportsmanship is defined by the MIAA as the creation of an atmosphere of

courtesy and fair play. Please do your part. ● Ethics, integrity, and respect are the values important in our daily lives. In high

school sports they are translated into the word, “Sportsmanship.” The MIAA

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believes Sportsmanship is one of the strongest educational lessons and lifetime values taught by interscholastic athletics.

● “When we lose without excuses and when we acknowledge the better team, we

place winning and losing in their proper perspective.” The MIAA believes that sportsmanship is a goal to strive for at all times, in athletics and our daily lives.

Chemical Health Messages ● Substance abuse continues to be a challenge for our society. In our schools, a

variety of activities exist as positive alternatives. The MIAA believes that if you make your choice between athletics, music, and other co-curricular programs, you will be making the right choice.

● If you use steroids, you deserve what you have coming. You deserve the long -

term dangers that steroid use delivers for the short-term perceived athletic enhancing benefits. You deserve the guilty conscience that steroids deliver because other athletes you compete against are drug-free. The MIAA asks, Do you really deserve all that and more? Stay off steroids and stay clean.

● The Education Reform Act, Section 37H, passed by the state legislature precludes

the use of tobacco at school activities. The MIAA “respectfully requests that you exhibit respect for this law and refrain form smoking within the tournament site. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Need for High School Coaches and Contest Officials ● People who are involved in interscholastic athletics as coaches or game officials

do it for two reasons – they love the sport and working with young people. If you are interested in becoming a high school official or coach, contact your local high school athletic director or the MIAA.

● Picking up a whistle may be the best thing you could ever do. In picking up a

whistle, you may be picking up a student who needs a role model. In your own community, there is a need – especially for women and minorities – for coaches and game officials. For more information contact your local high school athletic director or the MIAA.

● When watching a sporting event, have you ever wished you could be involved as

a participant rather than as a spectator? You can. In your own community, there may be opportunities – for people of both genders and of all races – to make a contribution to interscholastic athletics as a coach or a game official. For more information contact your local high school athletic director or the MIAA.

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CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY

At the conclusion of the Championship game, a post-game ceremony will be held. The following is a guide to ensure success: ● In order for the ceremony to run smoothly, the cooperation of coaches and players is

essential. Therefore, we need the coaches to take full responsibility in letting the athletes know the process, and to organize them so the ceremony can proceed. Before the contest, MIAA representatives should meet with the coaches (and teams) to explain the need for cooperation and dignity at the conclusion of the contest.

● Several announcements should be made during and prior to the conclusion of the

contest urging fans to remain for the awards ceremony. ● At the conclusion of the game, both teams should return to their respective bench

areas. Coaches should be well aware of this process and their responsibility to organize the athletes for the award ceremony.

● The award ceremony should be held at a central area. Attention should be drawn to

this area where the head coaches of both teams will join a representative of the MIAA to present the awards.

● The MIAA representative will make a few comments, and then proceed with the

introductions of the runner-up team, followed by the winning team. ● The captains and coach of the runner-up team will be introduced and shall come

forward to receive a runner-up award and a handshake. ● Once the captains of the runner-up team received the award, they and the coach will

return to their team bench area. ● This process will be repeated for the championship team.

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TOURNAMENT HOST CHECKLIST

Pre Game Day Procedures □ Contest date □ Time of game □ Arrival time (game officials, school personnel, teams, cheerleaders, bands, fan buses, etc.) □ Participating teams and locker room assignments (home team, away team) □ Directions to facility □ Uniform colors (home team wears white) □ Knowledge of game personnel (officials, medical staff, ticket takers, crowd control, etc.) □ Compliance and understanding of all MIAA rules and regulations (Taunting Rule, etc.) □ Compliance of all media rules and regulations established by the MIAA □ Tickets/Passes □ Public address system □ Game clock/Emergency stopwatch □ Spectator/Cheerleader/Band/Media seating □ Parking areas □ Knowledge of postponement/overtime procedures □ Knowledge of emergency action procedures Game Day Procedures □ Review of locker room/bench assignments □ Review of seating areas (spectators/cheerleaders/bands/media) □ Review of parking areas (availability/personnel) □ Game personnel check-in (review of proper procedures) □ Game officials check-in (review of locker room location) □ Medical staff/Athletic trainer check-in (review of emergency area and procedures) □ Double check game clock/public address system (national anthem) □ Coach/team check-in □ Pre-game meetings (officials/coaches/captains) □ Review of overtime procedures □ Awards ceremony □ Site Receipts and Ticket Verification form Post-Game Procedures □ Completion of Site Receipts and Ticket Verification Information □ Tournament Expense Payment Request Form □ Notification of score and related information to the proper media outlets □ Completion of Incident Report Form

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CONTEST MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

By MIAA Constitution, the home team principal (or designee) must be present at all interscholastic contests. A school administrator or designee will enhance desired objectives, be they spectator behavior, team sportsmanship, or facility conditions and environment. The Contest Manager, working with the coaching staff and others should: • Welcome officials and the visiting coach/team. • Post the Taunting Policy and have it read if a public announcement system is

available. • Oversee the enforcement of rules for spectators (e.g., MIAA Taunting Rule). • Assure that game officials, medical personnel, etc., are in order before authorizing the

start of the contest. • Be in possession of rules, suspension forms, and scoresheets. • Be responsible for administrative functions and activities associated with the contest

(e.g., player ejection) inclusive of seeing that scoresheets with infractions listed are forwarded to the visiting school and the MIAA.

• Be involved with game officials regarding termination of a game if conditions

suggest. • Represent the interests of the participating schools and assure fulfillment of the goals

and objectives shared by MIAA member schools.