New expectations set for Hall County athletics

GAINESVILLE -- This coming football season there will be new expectations for coaches, players and fans, as approved Monday night by the Hall County School Board.

Hall County Athletic Director Gordon Higgins said there would be new guidelines in place that set standards for academic eligibility and sportsmanship at games for players, coaches and fans. There are also rules on school transfers for players.

“Everyone will be accountable, everyone will know what the expectations are and I really think the coaches will welcome this,” Higgins said. “It sets system wide standards on how players and coaches need to be conducting themselves during games and the expectations for fans during games.”

Higgins said player eligibility requirements are also changing with the system's switch to the yearlong seven period day at high schools.

Higgins said the guidelines and protocol come from input and recommendations from the Gainesville/Hall Sportsmanship committee made up of coaches, athletic directors, school officials, game officials and community leaders.