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Minnesota State Mankato honored with Award of Excellence

A simple crowd-control tool that reminded fans to watch their behavior was recognized Saturday with Division II’s 2010 Game-Environment of Excellence Award.

The staff at Minnesota State Mankato, led by Athletics Director Kevin Buisman, developed a floor decal that resembled crime-scene tape and labeled it “Don’t Cross the Line/Help Us Promote a Positive Game Environment.”

The tape was created after students objected to being sequestered at athletics events with TensaBarriers. After being persuaded that the students had a point, Buisman and his staff came up with the “Don’t Cross the Line” concept.

The approach satisfied the students’ concerns while also carrying the broader message to create and maintain positive game environments at Division II athletics events.

The Division II Management Council’s Identity Subcommittee noted the success of “Don’t Cross the Line” and last summer, with Minnesota State Mankato’s permission, provided modified versions of the decals to all Division II member institutions and conferences. Since then, a series of related “Don’t Cross the Line” signs to be used on fields and in stands have been made available for purchase.

Buisman accepted the award from Division II Presidents Council chair Drew Bogner at Saturday’s Division II business session.

“The inspiration for this is our student-athletes because they deserve our very best,” Buisman told the delegates.

Conference winners

• Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference − Western State
• Sunshine State Conference − Tampa
• Peach Belt Conference − Augusta State
• Great Lakes Valley Conference − Northern Kentucky
• Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference − Minnesota Mankato
• Northeast-10 − Franklin Pierce
• Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference − Cheyney
• Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference − Caldwell
• California Collegiate Athletic Association − Cal Poly Pomona
• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference − Benedict
• Gulf South Conference − Arkansas Tech