South Carolina Coaches Will Launch Sportsmanship Program
The It Starts With Us initiative will debut this December to address behavioral issues in high school athletics.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association will launch the It Starts With Us initiative on December 12, 2026. This program aims to shift the responsibility for student athlete behavior onto coaches to curb fights and emotional outbursts.
Why it matters
Executive director Scott Earley believes that coaching staff must set sportsmanship expectations before games because athletic behavior significantly influences how local communities perceive their schools.
The initiative will debut at the 79th Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl in Myrtle Beach. The program seeks to manage the behavior of the 99 percent of high school athletes who do not pursue college athletics.
The players
South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association
This professional organization supports high school coaching staffs and manages development programs across the state.
Scott Earley
He serves as the executive director of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association.
The details
Coaches are expected to proactively establish sportsmanship expectations before games occur to foster positive peer pressure across teams. The effort marks a shift in organizational strategy as the association also continues to manage the Tomorrow's 25 program for young coaches.
Timeline
The It Starts With Us initiative will officially launch on December 12, 2026.
Culture Shift
This initiative represents a broader movement to prioritize the character development of high school student-athletes over competitive output. It follows the precedent established by the SCACA's Tomorrow's 25 program by placing formal responsibility for professional standards directly on athletic leadership.
Parents and students can expect coaches to play a more active role in defining acceptable behavior and sportsmanship protocols throughout the season. This shift may alter the game-day environment for attendees by introducing stricter expectations for conduct on and off the field.
The takeaway
Coaches are encouraged to prioritize leadership as a core component of their team management strategies this season. By proactively addressing behavioral standards, staff can help maintain a positive reputation for both the team and the local school community.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Secondary Education across South Carolina.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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Should local high school coaches be held primarily responsible for their athletes' sportsmanship and conduct?
