Stricter High School Sports Anti-Bullying Rules Taking Hold in N.J.
By David Madden
ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. (CBS) -- New rules are now in place in New Jersey for how players, coaches, and fans conduct themselves at high school sporting events. And they appear to be working.
We told you back in June about the changes implemented by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association: no trash-talking an opponent based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation (see previous story). Do it and you get kicked out of the game, or your team could be penalized. The state civil rights commission could even be brought in.
NJIAA assistant director Larry White says 20 players have been kicked out of football and soccer matches this month for various reasons.
"I do have one disqualification showing that the player was disqualified for the use of profanity, and then an ethnic slur," he tells KYW Newsradio.
Warnings about the new policy are announced before the start of each game. The association plans to issue an annual compliance report to the state.
