Before the Contest

1. Contact the visiting team—athletic director and/or head coach—to confirm contest specifics, such as contest time, contest site with directions to the facility, admission price, etc.; establish arrival time and parking area.
2. Per NCHSAA policy, contact the Regional Supervisor of Officials to confirm game officials and provide contest specifics, such as contest time, site, directions to the facility, etc.; establish the arrival time of officials and designate a parking area.
3. Check the playing facility for playability, safety, and compliance with NFHS & NCHSAA rules.
4. Assign staff to meet officials and the visiting team; arrange escorts for them to the locker room upon their arrival, to the locker room at halftime, and to their cars after the event.
5. Determine and arrange for all personnel necessary to safely and adequately conduct the contest, including a school administrator, competent clock operator, experienced scorekeeper, and public address announcer.
6. Hire police and security personnel.
7. When possible, arrange for a singer, band, or pre-recorded version to play the National Anthem.
8. Provide a copy of the public address announcement regarding sportsmanship and behavior expectations.
9. Review announcer expectations with the game-day announcer.
10. Post appropriate “Do’s & Don’ts” signage relative to face/body paint, noisemakers, etc.
    
    The use of confetti, signs, and placards is not permitted. Note that cheerleaders are permitted to have signs, banners, and placards as part of their routines.
    
    Any person attending the contest cannot paint their face and/or body. Small decals for the face and cheeks are permitted. Noisemakers are not permitted at indoor events but are allowed at all outdoor contests. Note: local policies may prohibit noisemakers.

11. Arrange for ticket sales, including ticket sellers/takers. Arrange for a “pass gate” entrance, with appropriate postings/pictures of acceptable passes as approved by the NCHSAA.
12. Check the NCHSAA handbook for admission prices.
13. Arrange for medical personnel as appropriate for the event, i.e., a licensed athletic trainer or first responder; arrange for an AED unit at the contest. Note: Unless so mandated, NCHSAA does not require the presence of an EMS vehicle; however, EMS should be contacted and given notice of the event being hosted on your campus. It should also be noted that local policies may require the presence of EMS personnel.
14. Review the required Emergency Action Plan for site-specific details, including weather-related protocol.
15. Meet with all working personnel at the appointed time before game time. If necessary, issue any needed printed instructions to police/security. Go over the duties of all working personnel, such as identifying badges, tags, etc. Review any site-specific security, safety, and crowd control guidelines for the school or rental site.
16. Arrange hospitality for visiting teams, coaches, and game officials. As feasible and appropriate, include media, VIPs, etc.
17. Make necessary arrangements for parking, entrance, and seating of the media.
18. Arrange for appropriate seating of visiting spectators, school bands, and/or cheerleaders.
19. Confer with any NCHSAA persons if necessary, e.g., postponement, delays, etc.; make any additional arrangements.

During the Contest

1. The athletic director should move about the facility, keeping close contact with security staff, game workers, etc.
2. Help keep the playing area clear of spectators.
3. Help keep exits, passageways, aisles, lobbies, and parking areas safe and clear of loiterers and unauthorized persons.
4. Work with other assigned personnel to ensure sportsmanlike conduct.
5. Handle disruptive incidents quickly, calling police/security when necessary.

After the Contest

1. Do everything possible to ensure the safety of players, game officials, and spectators. Assign persons to guard exits, corridors, lobbies, parking lots, locker rooms, staging areas, buses, etc.
2. Encourage fans to leave the facility upon the conclusion of the game
3. Arrange police escorts for officials from the playing area; arrange an escort for officials and visiting team buses, if necessary, from the parking areas.
4. Communicate with the school’s principal whose coach, players, or fans exhibited undesirable behavior.
5. Within 10 days, reconcile finances with the NCHSAA using the appropriate financial form(s), which can be found on the NCHSAA reporting platform.