Prep Voices : Today’s Topic: Profanity on the Playing Field

In a newspaper, profanity looks harmless, if not comical.

“%$&+*$*(**!!!”

In public, it’s another matter. In particular, few would argue that profanity has any place in high schools.

But on many high school athletic fields, you’ll hear a “$%--*!!” here and a “?!* 5/8%!!” there, without any repercussions.

In an era of political correctness, profanity’s foothold in high school sports has all but escaped scrutiny. Although profanity is rarely approved of, it is often ignored. Although most complaints are addressed quickly, the complaints themselves come sporadically.

Because of this latitude, there is no consensus on how profanity should be addressed. Policies can vary from school to school.

“These kids are 14, 15, 16 years of age,” CIF Commissioner Thomas Byrnes said, “and I think it’s inappropriate to use that type of language.”

Perhaps it is the no-harm-intended aspect of some profanity that makes it seem less offensive.

One area of debate is whether to distinguish between profanity that is directed at a turn of events, rather than at a person.

But isn’t profanity against the rules? Besides an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty or a technical foul, it’s hard to say. Policies vary on how profanity is addressed. Coaches and administrators have their own policies, and evidence indicates schools do a pretty good job of controlling it.