The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) has announced new regulations for student sections at high school basketball games, altering where student fans can sit to improve safety and organization.
Under the updated guidelines, student sections are now recommended to be situated either on their respective team’s side of the gym behind their bench, across the floor from it, or at the end of the court on the same side as their team’s bench. These changes are intended to better separate fan groups and ensure clearer areas of support for each team.
Mountain Home Athletic Director Mitch Huskey explained that this adjustment means the team benches in Mountain Home's gym will move from their traditional location on the south side to the north side, aligning closer to their student section, which will remain in place. This shift ensures compliance with the new rules while accommodating existing seating arrangements.
The new guidelines come amidst concerns about behavior in student sections across Arkansas. According to the AAA, the changes aim to enhance the safety of players, coaches, referees, and spectators during games. "The safety of everyone involved is a top priority," AAA officials stated.
Additionally, the association has introduced stricter regulations to prevent unauthorized individuals, including spectators and parents, from accessing the playing surface before, during, or after games. To enforce this, host schools must implement measures such as posting security staff or school administrators near student sections at the end of games. Students and fans will also be restricted from sitting in areas where their feet can come into contact with the playing floor, including out-of-bounds zones.
The AAA emphasized that host schools bear responsibility for enforcing these rules by ensuring adequate barriers or staffing are in place to direct the flow of foot traffic.
These updates aim to foster a safer and more organized environment at high school basketball events statewide.