Download the LEISD Football Media Sideline Access Guidelines
Little Elm ISD Athletics welcomes members of the media and approved photographers/videographers to cover Little Elm High School varsity football games. Our goal is to provide appropriate opportunities for media coverage while maintaining a safe, organized, and professional environment for student-athletes, coaches, game personnel, and spectators. All members of the media receiving sideline access are expected to follow the guidelines
below. Sideline credentials are a privilege and are provided with the understanding that all media personnel will respect the boundaries established by Little Elm ISD Athletics and game management.
Sideline Access Rules
White Sideline Areas
Media personnel are not permitted in the designated white sideline areas at any point during the game. These areas must remain clear for team personnel, officials, game operations, and other authorized individuals.
Player Box — 30-Yard Line to 30-Yard Line
The area extending from the 30-yard line to the 30-yard line on each side of the field is designated as the Player Box. Media personnel must remain at least five (5) yards away from the Player Box at all times. Media should not enter, cross through, or position themselves immediately adjacent to this area unless specifically directed by authorized Little Elm ISD Athletics personnel.
Team and Game Personnel
Media personnel must not interfere with or disrupt the activities of:
- Football players
- Football coaches
- Athletic training staff
- Cheerleaders
- Color Guard
- Band
- Officials
- Game operations personnel
This applies before, during, and after the game.
Media personnel should remain aware of their surroundings and immediately move when directed by coaches, athletic trainers, game officials, security, or Little Elm ISD Athletics personnel.
Player and Team Areas
Media personnel may not enter team areas, locker rooms, athletic training areas, or other restricted areas unless specifically authorized by Little Elm ISD Athletics. Media should never approach a player who is receiving medical attention or is actively engaged in team activities.
Interviews
Postgame interviews with coaches are at the discretion of the Head Coach. The Head Coach may determine whether interviews will take place, when they will take place, and where they will take place. Media personnel should not approach coaches immediately following the game unless the coach or an authorized Little Elm ISD Athletics representative has indicated that interviews are permitted. Player interviews must follow any applicable Little Elm ISD, UIL, and school-specific requirements.
Photography and Videography
Photography and video coverage must be conducted from approved media locations and may not interfere with game operations, players, coaches, officials, or other authorized personnel. Media personnel should never position themselves in a location that creates a safety concern or obstructs the movement of players, coaches, officials, athletic trainers, cheerleaders, band, color guard, or game personnel.
Professional Conduct
All media personnel are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully while representing their respective organization. Sideline access does not provide unrestricted access to the field or team areas. Little Elm ISD Athletics reserves the right to establish, modify, or further restrict media access when necessary for safety, game operations, or the protection of student-athletes and staff. Media personnel must follow all reasonable directions given by Little Elm ISD Athletics administrators, game management, security personnel, coaches, athletic trainers, or game
officials.
Violations
Failure to follow these guidelines may result in:
- A verbal warning or direction to immediately correct the violation;
- Removal of sideline access for the remainder of the game;
- Removal from the stadium; and/or
- Revocation of future media credentials and sideline access to Little Elm ISD athletic events.
Serious or repeated violations may result in immediate removal without prior warning. Little Elm ISD Athletics reserves the right to revoke media access when an individual's conduct compromises the safety, security, or operation of an athletic event.
Please see the attached map of the field. Yellow boxes are permitted areas. Red boxes are non permitted areas.
Acknowledgement
By accepting sideline media credentials, media personnel acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to follow the Little Elm ISD Athletics Varsity Football Sideline Media Access Guidelines. Sideline access is a privilege, not a guarantee of access to any particular area, individual, player, or coach. Our priority is to provide a safe and professional environment that allows our student-athletes, coaches, and support personnel to perform at their highest level while allowing the media to appropriately cover Little Elm High School football.
Thank you for helping us protect our athletes and maintain a professional game-day environment.
Matt Harbin
Little Elm ISD Athletic Director
