Episode 29: Stay Above the Line - promoting sportsmanship and positive fan behavior

Sportsmanship is everybody’s business, and Anoka-Hennepin Schools and the Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all at athletics and activities events. 

Earlier this year, around 100 students from all five district high schools and NWSC member schools participated in a sportsmanship seminar titled “Stay Above the Line,” an initiative to promote positive spectator behavior and expectations. 

In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by two high school seniors to learn more about the “Stay Above the Line” initiative. Coon Rapids High School senior Eleanor Defoe and Blaine High School senior Kendall Stadden both represent their schools as Bleacher Captains. 

Bleacher Captains will be visible at all NWSC-sponsored activities to help promote a positive environment and respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel.

In this episode, both Defoe and Stadden share insights into what it is like at a high school sporting event both from the spectator and student-athlete perspectives. 

The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.