Oregon proposing unprecedented bill that would punish coaches for fan behavior (bill)

The Oregonian recently shared an article sharing that the state house is proposing a bill that will interest college coaches and administrations around the country.

The bill being proposed, which has been marked as emergency legislation, would hold coaches and athletic directors accountable for the bad behavior of fans or spectators at games.

Under the proposal, public universities would be required to maintain a transparent reporting system for the public to make complaints about behavior from students, coaches, or spectators.

In turn, schools would have 48 hours to respond to those complains, and then attempt to resolve them within 30 days, along with a host of other actions that would be needed.

Last September, a completely uncalled for and out-of-bounds anti-Mormon chant came from a small number of students at Oregon's game against BYU.

The incident was publicly condemned by everyone from Oregon Governor Kate Brown to athletic director Rob Mullens and Ducks head coach Dan Lanning.

Under this proposed bill, athletic directors or coaches at schools involved in situations like that one, or any contest where fans β€œengage in the use of derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, verbal assaults, profanity or ridicule in violation of equity focused policies,” could face suspensions of a week.

The publicly funded schools could also stand to lose state grants and scholarship funds as well. 

Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes recently shared that he appreciates the intent behind the bill, but ultimately called the proposal "unnecessary or impractical."

If approved House Bill 2472 would go into effect immediately with the start of the 2023-24 academic year.

Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.

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