ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
Article I. SPORTSMANSHIP PRINCIPLE
It shall be the responsibility of each member institution to insure that all individuals associated with the athletics
program of that institution conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner when representing their university. Unsportsmanlike
conduct, when demonstrated by any party associated with a member institution, will not be tolerated and may subject the
individual to disciplinary action. The member institution with which the individual is associated may also be subject to
disciplinary action if it is found that the institution’s actions, or failure to act, substantially contributed to the individual’s
misconduct. The duties with regard to sportsmanship of member institutions, the Commissioner, coaches, student-athletes,
band members, cheerleaders, mascots and officials are elaborated in the Sportsmanlike Policy in the Sports Operation Code.
Public criticism of officials or comments evaluating the officiating of particular contests is not in the best interest of
intercollegiate athletics. Institutional personnel are prohibited, therefore, from commenting on officiating, other than directly
to the Conference office. (See Article I in the Sports Operation Code for the Sportsmanlike Policy.)
Section I-3. Duties of Coaches, Student-Athletes, Band Members, Cheerleaders and Mascots.
a. PUBLIC CRITICISM OF OFFICIALS. Public criticism of officials or public comments evaluating the officiating of
particular contests is not in the best interest of intercollegiate athletics. Athletics personnel, players, band members,
cheerleaders and mascots are prohibited, therefore, from commenting while acting in official capacity on officiating other
than directly to the Conference Office. Head coaches are responsible for the comments of assistants and other athletic staff
members associated with their teams.
Any coach, who violates the prohibitions of public criticism of officials, as stated above, will be suspended from a
future scheduled contest. Specifically, the coach will be allowed at the site of the contest up to an hour before the contest
begins, after which he/she must vacate the playing area. This applies to all sports and includes all conference as well as
non-conference contests.