Staten Island CYO Announces New Conduct Rules for Parents

Spectators involved in altercations will face suspensions and lifetime bans to keep the focus on the kids.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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After a recent brawl between parents at a Staten Island Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball game, CYO officials have announced new conduct rules for spectators. Under the new policy, any parent engaging in misconduct at a CYO sports event will be removed from the game and suspended for a full year. If a second similar situation occurs, they will receive a lifetime ban.

Why it matters

The incident, which was caught on camera and posted to social media, went viral, sparking concern and vitriol among parents across Staten Island. CYO officials hope these new rules will put the focus back on the kids and their enjoyment of the game, rather than disruptive adult behavior.

The details

CYO officials joined Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella at a press conference to announce the new conduct rules. They stated that the mission of CYO sports is about the kids having a good time and learning responsibility, and that spectators who get "out of control" are ruining that experience for everyone.

  • Last month, an argument between spectators at a Staten Island CYO basketball game erupted into an all-out brawl on the court.
  • This week, CYO officials announced the new conduct rules at a press conference.

The players

Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)

The organization that oversees youth sports leagues on Staten Island.

Vito Fossella

The Staten Island Borough President who joined CYO officials to announce the new conduct rules.

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What they’re saying

“Every once in a while, there's a situation that causes people to take a step back and say what happened here? The mission was about the kids. The mission was about teaching them responsibility. The mission was about them having a good time. The kids are the center of this universe, and every once in a while, some spectators get out of control and ruin it for the kids and ruin it for everybody else.”

— Vito Fossella, Staten Island Borough President (amny.com)

“We hope this is a way to put the focus back where it belongs, on young children having a good time, learning a skill, playing a sport. And I would sort of amplify it to call out to other leagues if they're willing to collaborate.”

— Vito Fossella, Staten Island Borough President (amny.com)

What’s next

CYO officials hope that other youth sports leagues on Staten Island will follow their lead and implement similar conduct rules to address disruptive behavior from spectators.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining a positive, family-friendly environment at youth sporting events. The new CYO conduct rules send a clear message that disruptive adult behavior will not be tolerated, allowing the focus to remain on the kids and their enjoyment of the game.