SPORTSMANSHIP (listen to this article - podcast)
by Gerry Cernicky

It doesn't take long to discover that sportsmanship and character have come under scrutiny, with antics ranging across youth sports to the National Football League. This doesn't include the plethora of sports teams at all levels that engage in organized contests throughout the country. The main question is: what direction could be taken to find a solution that can be easily understood and constantly monitored so that problems don't escalate?

Character traits are often built within children by observing their parents and older adults. They form an understanding of competition and sportsmanship when they are in a school environment. Physical educators can work on sportsmanship and character building by demonstrating proper behavior during classes and activities. This conduct should be taught to all members of the school district including parents, teachers, coaches, cheerleaders, and the band.

Within the program, there should be a sportsmanship code of fair play that is recited before each game, and the athletic director should oversee that it's enforced, to help promote a safe atmosphere conductive to fair play. The code should include:

• Gain an understanding and appreciation for the rules of the contest.
• Exercise representative behavior at all times.
• Recognize and appreciate skilled performances regardless of affiliation.
• Exhibit respect for all officials.
• Display openly a respect for the opponent at all times.
• Display pride in your actions at every opportunity.

Parents hold the primary key for appropriate sportsmanship and character building. They should emphasize good sportsmanship, and expect that winning is just one of many goals their children can achieve. By taking pride in their accomplishments and improving skills, the athletes can see themselves as winners, and not only by the final score. Unfortunately, brash behavior seen on the national level in professional and collegiate sports seems to have a negative influence. It is the parents' responsibility to be a role model as a spectator or participant.

The next step in the sequence is coaching. A code of conduct should be sent home, signed by both the parents and players, and covers what the coach expects; such as losing one's temper, cheating, blaming, taunting, arguing with officials, and criticism of teammates. Coaches should attend a district sportsmanship seminar/conference before each season to learn new rules, and what is expected from each district or league office. There needs to be open communication with the parents, community, school board, and administration about rules, judgment on problem behaviors, and have a plan in place to enforce decisions when the rules are broken.

There is a phenomenon that has taken sportsmanship to a new and different level, which has been propagated through the collegiate ranks, especially those that involve basketball games. It appears the high school crowd has mimicked the frolics that transpire during the games. Student sections are becoming creative, funny, and amusing. However, sometimes these student sections create problems with chants that can be offensive or rude.

Even though students are changing during basketball games, there has been a drastic change and now they are louder and have become more imaginative with chants and garbs than ever before. They have become controversial, with insensitive and sometimes vulgar language that can be distasteful. By using various social networking sites, students can find out some ridiculing information about opposing players and their schools. Hopefully, at this point, the athletic director or a teacher in charge will quell any possible concerns and problems.

March 1st, 2011 is National Sportsmanship Day, which is an exemplary model for information in ethics, promotional suggestions for fair play, and a packet that includes articles about sportsmanship, gamesmanship, coach and parent forums, and contests to promote conduct while participating in a sport.

One of the most difficult tasks faced by athletic directors and administrators is to maintain a healthy school spirit while promoting good sportsmanship. The answer may lie in getting the student body involved. Administrators can set up a round table for students to brainstorm scenarios of poor sportsmanship. Sharing their thoughts will help the students have fun at events and still maintain a commitment to sportsmanship for every team or activity that the school sponsors.

Building character and commendable sportsmanship are responsibilities that physical educators should embrace. The use of Hellison's Model of Responsibility and John Wooden's Pyramid of Success are viable ways to help encourage students to prepare for the character building process. This can be accomplished with physical education classes, and carried over through appropriate practices during games and activities. There will be obstacles to overcome as the constant barrage of media outlets, TV ads, articles written in sports magazines, and the unflappable "look at me" exploits by many of the professional and college athletes, which can deter that process. Take that first step, which includes students, parents, coaches, administration, and athletic directors all working together for citizenship through sports alliance. There are specialty programs that involve mascots to help teach the values of fair play and sportsmanship. These specialty programs incorporate lesson plans, goal setting, and teamwork, making a community, encouragement, and awards that can be attained through sportsmanship.

Addendum and Editors Note: Within my area, near Pittsburgh, is a school that has won the sportsmanship award for two years. Hampton, which is in Allison Park, last won the award August, 2010. Mr. Bill Cardone, athletic director, and three other school directors were presented the award at Heinz Field before the W.P.I.A.L. football championships. Hampton realizes that sportsmanship is a key issue from the elementary through high school levels, and this is maintained through meetings with all the principals.

SPORTSMANSHIP MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the sportsmanship program is to educate, promote and assist in the perception of, and the practice of, those qualities which are inherent in good sportsmanship. The ideals of sportsmanship apply equally to all disciplines. Individuals, regardless of their roles in interscholastic athletics, are expected to be aware of their influence on the behavior of others, and act in a responsible manner at all times.

Included in this issue will be the WPIAL Sportsmanship Program /Member School Self Assessment Form, a six category rating system with an additional three parts that provides evidence as to why a school is deserving of the award. There is a pre-game speech before each basketball game and a National Sportsmanship Breakfast, which Hampton asked their coaches to nominate students who exhibit leadership that was sponsored by the Institute for International Sport. Also, a WPIAL Sportsmanship Summit, which includes discussion questions and scenarios of examples regarding players, coaches, and grades will be presented.

All of these can be accessed from my website at http://igreen.tripod.com/gerpe from the start page with the category called Sportsmanship from the left pane. The same can be noted that Woodens (Pyramid of Success) can be accessed from my website along with his speech with a link that will take you directly to his comments. It can also be found at TED, with other speeches by clicking on (inspiring) from the list of choices from the left pane.

Note: W.P.I.A.L. (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) and the P.I.A.A (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) are the two Board of Control groups that have been involved in making sportsmanship important for all member schools. The PIAA promoted the, slogan "The missing piece is you."

Just recently (1/21/2011), both groups must decide the fate of a girl’s basketball coach, who ran up the score in a 100 point win. An announcement about sportsmanship is read before every game across the state, and it remains to be seen what decisions will be made. It will take more than a pre game speech to find a solution, but by working together in all aspects of home and school the problems of sportsmanship can move forward with an encouraging outlook. This can be accomplished with promotional activities, handling conflicts appropriately, crowd control, and always have a contingency plan in place.

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