South Carolina Coaches Will Launch New Sportsmanship Program
The It Starts With Us initiative aims to improve student behavior at high school athletic events statewide.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should local high school coaches be held primarily responsible for their athletes' sportsmanship and conduct?
Starting December 12, 2026, the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association will implement the It Starts With Us initiative during the 79th Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl in Myrtle Beach. The program shifts responsibility for student behavior directly onto coaches to address recent concerns regarding fights and outbursts in schools.
Why it matters
School leaders believe that student conduct on the field reflects the broader reputation of a local community. By setting clear standards before games, the program aims to foster positive peer pressure and ensure athletics remain a constructive environment for the 99 percent of athletes who do not pursue college sports.
The initiative targets high school athletics across South Carolina, focusing on the behavior of the 99 percent of student-athletes who will not play at the collegiate level. The program is set to debut at the 79th iteration of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
The players
South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association
An organization that supports coaching development and manages programs like Tomorrow's 25 to shape high school sports standards.
Scott Earley
The executive director of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association leading the implementation of new behavioral standards.
The details
Coaches will be tasked with establishing clear sportsmanship expectations for their teams well before game day begins. By shifting this focus to team leadership, the initiative hopes to curb emotional outbursts and physical altercations that have impacted recent school sporting events. The association also manages the Tomorrow's 25 program, which provides guidance for young coaches who will be instrumental in executing these new standards.
Timeline
December 12, 2026
The Home Front
This initiative follows a pattern established by the National Federation of State High School Associations' nationwide focus on sportsmanship and coach-led behavior mandates. It reflects a growing effort by state associations to improve school climate through more rigorous oversight of extracurricular activities.
Parents should talk to their student-athletes about the new sportsmanship expectations to ensure they understand how coach-led behavior policies may affect their participation. Consider attending local school board meetings to learn how your district plans to incorporate these statewide standards into local athletic handbooks.
The takeaway
This initiative marks a shift in accountability by placing the burden of behavioral conduct on coaching staff rather than individual students. Families should keep an eye on upcoming school district communications regarding the new sportsmanship code as the December 2026 launch approaches.
Further reading
For more information on state school initiatives, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
Live Poll
Should local high school coaches be held primarily responsible for their athletes' sportsmanship and conduct?
