Parent and Spectator
Code of Conduct
Parent & Spectator Code of Conduct
As a parent, guardian, or family member of a McKinney Ice Hockey Club player, you play an integral role in creating a positive and respectful environment for all athletes. We expect all parents, guardians, and spectators to lead by example in promoting sportsmanship, safety, and respect both on and off the ice. This Parent Code of Conduct outlines expectations and policies regarding behavior at all McKinney Ice Hockey Club events.
Adopted from the USA Hockey Parent Code of Conduct
1. Support Your Player’s Choice
- Encourage your child to participate in the sport they enjoy. Do not force them into activities they do not wish to pursue. Sports should be fun and driven by your child's interests.
- Avoid placing pressure on your child related to performance, position, or outcomes.
- Applaud effort, teamwork, and respectful play regardless of score or game results.
- Emotional outbursts, excessive criticism, or negative comments directed at players, coaches, officials, or opponents undermine the environment MIHC is committed to providing.
Positive encouragement from the stands builds confidence and reinforces the team spirit that is core to hockey culture. Applaud effort, teamwork, and respectful play—regardless of the score or outcome. Emotional outbursts, excessive criticism, or negative comments directed at players, officials, or opponents do not belong at youth sporting events and detract from the experience for everyone involved.
By demonstrating composure and positivity, you help create a game-day environment that is uplifting, inclusive, and aligned with the values of McKinney Ice Hockey Club.
2. Promote Fair Play and Sportsmanship
- Teach and reinforce playing by the rules.
- Applaud strong effort and sportsmanship from both teams.
- Help your child understand that rules exist to protect players, ensure fairness, and promote enjoyment of the sport.
- Reinforcing these values at the rink and at home helps build a culture of integrity and accountability across the organization.
Help your child understand that rules exist to ensure safety, fairness, and enjoyment for everyone involved. Take the opportunity to talk through both the technical and sportsmanship-related aspects of the game, emphasizing that respecting the rules is a key part of being a successful athlete and teammate. Consistent messages at home and in the rink help reinforce a culture of integrity and accountability.
3. Maintain a Respectful, Positive Attitude
- Do not yell at, confront, or publicly criticize officials, players, coaches, board members, volunteers, or other spectators.
- Your actions reflect on your child and impact the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Verbal abuse, arguing with officials or club staff, or engaging in disputes during or after games or other club activities is strictly prohibited.
- Such behavior is subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the venue and sanctions outlined in the MIHC Zero Tolerance Policy.
Verbal abuse, confrontational behavior, or attempts to engage in disputes during or after games are strictly prohibited, regardless of the situation or perceived justification. Such actions will not be tolerated and are subject to disciplinary consequences, including removal from the venue and further sanctions as outlined in our Zero Tolerance Policy.
We ask all parents and spectators to remember: you are part of a team environment. Respectful, composed behavior supports the development of not only your player, but the entire McKinney hockey community. Your conduct directly influences the experience of your player and our entire hockey community.
Don't be this parent!
4. Focus on Learning and Development
- Place greater value on effort, practice, and skill development, especially in the younger age groups, rather than just wins and losses.
- Support your child through both successes and setbacks.
- Value practice, effort, and growth especially in younger age groups over wins and losses.
- Support your child through challenges, mistakes, and setbacks.
- Reinforce resilience, work ethic, and long-term development over short-term results.
5. Respect Officials and the Rules
- Take time to learn and understand the rules of the game.
- Respect all on‑ice officials and their decisions.
- Respect on-ice officials and game rulings. Criticism of referees diminishes the experience for players, spectators, and the sport as a whole.
6. Encourage Effort and Resilience:
- Celebrate effort, improvement, and character not just scores or standings.
- Discourage negative reactions after losses.
- Model composure, resilience, and respect when outcomes don’t go the team’s way.
7. Respect Coaches
- Recognize the dedication, time, and commitment coaches invest in your player and team.
- Maintain respectful, constructive communication with all coaches and staff.
- Do not undermine coaching decisions or attempt to influence playing time, positions, or strategy during games or practices.
- Wait 24-hours after a came "cooling off period" before addressing issues with coaches.
8. Zero Tolerance Policy
The McKinney Ice Hockey Club has established a Zero Tolerance Policy, consistent with USA Hockey and SafeSport standards, to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all participants. The following behaviors will not be tolerated under any circumstances:
- Verbal abuse or harassment of officials, coaches, players, spectators or club officials or volunteers, including obscene, profane, or abusive language
- Any racial, ethnic, religious, or nationality-based slurs, or language that is hateful, discriminatory, or degrading toward any individual or group
- Sexually charged, sexually suggestive, or gender-based comments, jokes, taunts, or insults, including those based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity
• Threatening conduct or physical violence
• Disruptive, aggressive, or hostile behavior at games, practices, or events
- Intoxication or disorderly conduct at team functions
Any violation of this Zero Tolerance Policy may result in immediate removal from the venue, suspension from MIHC activities, and referral under applicable USA Hockey and SafeSport reporting and disciplinary procedures.
Violations of this policy may result in:
- Verbal or written warning
- Immediate removal from a game or facility including being trespassed by local authorities.
- Suspension of spectator privileges
- Permanent ban from attending McKinney Ice Hockey Club games or practices up to and including revocation of membership privileges and permanent ban from membership.
- Involvement of local authorities for severe or repeated offenses
- Referral to USA Hockey and/or the U.S. Center for SafeSport under applicable reporting requirements for abuse, harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct covered by the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program
These consequences apply to all family members, guardians, or associates of registered players. Enforcement will be handled by McKinney Ice Hockey Club leadership in coordination with league and facility administrators as appropriate.
All incidents will be reviewed by the McKinney Ice Hockey Club Board (and, when required, the Association Safe Sport Coordinator & Safety and Conduct Director) to determine appropriate consequences, consistent with USA Hockey Safe Sport policies and mandatory reporting obligations.
9. McKinney Ice Hockey Club Parent Electronic Communication Policy
The McKinney Ice Hockey Club follows USA Hockey’s standards for conduct both on and off the ice, including digital communications. As parents, guardians, and family members, we expect all electronic communication to be respectful, constructive, and used exclusively for purposes that support the positive experience of our players, coaches, and teams.
Purpose of Communications Platforms
The club utilizes digital tools, including but not limited to Crossbar, email, text messaging, and team-based group chats, to:
- Share practice, game, and event schedules.
- Provide team updates, reminders, and announcements.
- Coordinate logistics such as travel, volunteering, or team activities.
- Enhance organizational transparency and communication efficiency.
- They are not intended for complaints, disputes, or critical commentary.
These platforms exist to facilitate team success and player development, not for individual grievances, disputes, or contentious commentary.
Inappropriate Use
The following behaviors are considered inappropriate and violate this policy:
- Using Crossbar, chat groups, or electronic communication to complain, criticize, or disparage players, coaches, officials, volunteers, the organization or other families.
- Posting inflammatory or divisive comments designed to stir dissent within the team or organization.
- Using communication channels as platforms for personal grievances rather than addressing concerns through appropriate club leadership in a respectful, private manner.
- Sharing confidential, sensitive, or personal information without approval.
Alignment with USA Hockey Parent Code of Conduct
As a reminder, all members including athletes and their families are bound by the USA Hockey Code of Conduct, which applies equally to digital and in-person environments. Failure to uphold the standards of respect, positivity, and good sportsmanship online reflects a violation of this code. All parent behavior online or in person falls under USA Hockey’s Parent Code of Conduct. Failure to uphold respectful and positive communication online constitutes a violation of USA Hockey and MIHC policy.
Consequences of Violations
Failure to follow this or other McKinney Ice Hockey Club policies may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to:
- Temporary or permanent removal from team communication platforms.
- Suspension or removal of game attendance privileges.
- Removal from the McKinney Ice Hockey Club without refund of dues.
The club reserves the right to take immediate action when harmful digital conduct jeopardizes team cohesion or violates USA Hockey standards.