NCHSAA Media Best Practices & Guidelines

To ensure a safe, professional, and positive environment for our student-athletes, coaches and your work, please adhere to the following guidelines.

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1. Credential Process & Access

• Request Early: All credentialed media must a) pass a background check and b) work for a recognized media outlet or provide two letters of recommendation from NCHSAA member schools. Credentials should be applied for through DragonFly. NCHSAA Championship events will also require an online RSVP.
• Approval Required: Credentials are issued at the discretion of the NCHSAA and are for working media only. Possession of a credential implies agreement to abide by all policies.
• Postseason Guarantee: Your issued credential only guarantees admission to postseason events. Schools may set their own policies for regular season games and are not required to honor NCHSAA passes. 

2. Professional Conduct at Events

• Respect the Field/Court: Media access is typically restricted to designated areas. Do not enter the competitive area (e.g., court, field, track) before, during, or after play without explicit permission.
• Photographer/Videographer Positioning:
  • Football: Remain outside the designated team box area. Do not shoot from the sideline between the 25-yard lines. 
  • Basketball/Volleyball: Use areas outside the court boundaries. Do not sit or stand at the scorer’s table.
  • Soccer/Lacrosse: Remain outside the team area and well away from the field of play.
  • Wrestling: Shoot from the matsides, respecting the officials and athletes.
• No Cheering: Members of the media are expected to be working professionals. Fans are to remain in the spectator areas. 
• Interview Protocols:
  • No Interviews During Competition: Do not approach players, coaches, or officials during the game or during halftime.
  • Post-Game Cool-Down Period: The NCHSAA will coordinate press conferences for most championship events after a brief cool-down period (approx. 10 minutes).
  • Coordinate with Staff: All interview requests for student-athletes should be coordinated through the NCHSAA media representative or the school’s athletic director. 

3. Key Policies to Remember

• Social Media: Live video streaming of any part of the event (e.g., Facebook Live, YouTube Live) from a personal or media account is strictly prohibited unless you are the official rights-holder.
• Student-Athlete Welfare: The safety and well-being of students are our top priority. Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Sportsmanship: Your conduct should reflect the highest standards of professional journalism and sportsmanship.
• Compliance: Failure to comply with these policies may result in the immediate revocation of credentials and removal from the event

This is a summary. For full details, please consult the complete NCHSAA Media Policy.