Nothing else in sports incites all the dime-store philosophers more than discussions on what contributes to good sportsmanship. No matter where you are — bleachers, gin mills or living rooms — every Tom, Dick and Harriet has written the manual on its principles. Just ask them.

Even governing bodies have joined the fray, much like here in Connecticut, where the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference hatched a “Class Act Schools” initiative, during which pre-written clichés are read to members of the crowd, who nonetheless continue to bark, snarl and snivel indiscriminately.

The sportsmanship standards are often read via monotone by players or public address announcers, using bromides like "we view the court/field as an extension of the classroom." It sounds noble. But sportsmanship’s inherent subjectivity renders it easily dismissed, especially based on what people still say and do at games.

Ah, but we continue the crusade. And so here is another swing at making the words mean something. At taking the kids seriously when they ask for decorum in the bleachers.

What follows is an open letter to everybody who will attend a game in the sphere of the Eastern Connecticut Conference this season. Sixteen students, all members of the ECC Diversity Council, under the leadership of Wheeler principal Kristen St. Germain, wrote it.

Please read it carefully:

“The student athletes of the ECC are taking the time to remind you again that we are just kids, and we are playing the game to learn, play hard and have fun. We are not professional athletes and although we want to win as much as you want us to win, we need to count on you to keep our sporting arenas safe spaces for all.

“Please set an example to all in attendance by representing our school the way we want it to be represented, with respect and class. We ask that you cheer for your players and NOT against your opponents and that you leave disrespect and hateful speech out of our gyms. There is no place for it in the gyms of the ECC and we will not play in a space that isn’t safe for all.

“We ask that you respect the officials and coaches, whether you agree with them or not, and that you do not create an environment that embarrasses us or makes us no longer want to play the sport that we have loved playing all of these years. For some of us, this is our last year to play and we want to remember it without shame or embarrassment.

“To our student fan sections, please remember to support your school athletes and to respect any visiting opponents or fans the same way. Lift up ALL of our ECC players with your glorious spirit instead of deflating them with taunting words that sting and hurt us. If you do this, we promise that your admission ticket to our game will also get you our 100% effort every single time we take the floor.

“If your behavior goes against what we are asking, we have asked our athletic directors to escort you out of our gyms so we are not harmed by your words and actions. You will be warned, but after that warning, you will be asked to leave.

“As student-athletes, we strive to represent our schools with class and dignity. Last year you all stepped up and made our gyms inclusive spaces for everyone and we are asking you to step up again and make this season something to remember.”

Their words are to be taken seriously. Especially this part: “If your behavior goes against what we are asking, we have asked our athletic directors to escort you out of our gyms so we are not harmed by your words and actions. You will be warned, but after that warning, you will be asked to leave.”

They can’t be just words. There must be action. School administrators and security teams must follow through with the “you will be asked to leave” part. I’d suggest tweaking the message, “you will be TOLD to leave.” By a police officer. And whether you ever get to return should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“I am blessed to work with these amazing kids in the league,” St. Germain said. “We have been in action for more than three years and want to continue to spread our message that inappropriate fan behavior will not be tolerated.”

Nor should it be. The kids are asking all of you to behave. So behave. It’s not difficult.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro