IN THIS ISSUE:
- News and Views:
- Colorado Sets Positive Standards for Fans
- NCAA Seeks Inspections in Crackdown on Scam Schools
- Character Questions Shadow Marcus Vick
- Torino 2006: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- Sportsmanship Trivia Test: What Is "Right to Play"?
- You Make the Call: Character Lessons for Olympic Athletes?
- In Their Own Words: Awesome, Lost Food
- Sportsmanship Principle of the Month: The Sound Body Principle
- From the Gold Medal Standards for Youth Sports: Give Parents Guidelines at the Outset
- From the Gold Medal Standards for Amateur Basketball: Ask Teacher-Coaches to Help Control Home Crowds
- From the Ultimate Sportsmanship Tool Kit: Model Job Description for Head Coach
- Sportsmanship Trivia Test: Answer
- Upcoming Events: Training Courses in 2006
- Commentary by Michael Josephson: "We Can't Let the Bad Guys Win"
When you start defining the Olympic spirit, it is actually to reach everybody in this world, it is to inspire everybody to be better people. It's how to understand how to win, but also to understand how to lose. It's to understand how to have respect for one another. It's to understand how to set goals. It's to understand how to live a good life.
— Johann Olav Koss, former Norwegian Olympic speedskating champion and humanitarian
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NEWS AND VIEWS
School-Based Sports
Colorado Sets Positive Standards for Fans
The major Colorado institution overseeing high school sports is trying to put a little more class back into its fans.
The board of control of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has decided on a list of acceptable and unacceptable spectator behaviors. Banners must display positive messages, for instance. Students can't use expressions like "warm up the bus" and "air ball," or turn their backs to read the paper as the announcer introduces lineups.
"The key to all of this is to begin to retrain our constituents to cheer for their teams, not against the other team," said assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann. "In so many games I’m at now, the student section — and even the adults — is cheering against the other team and not really for the efforts of the kids who are playing for their school."
Mr. Borgmann added: "The bylaws call for any penalty from reprimand to probation to restriction to suspension of membership. But that isn’t the focus of the sportsmanship committee’s efforts. It is teaching positive sporting behaviors."
Principle Two of the Arizona Accord states, "It is the duty of sports leadership — including coaches, athletic administrators, program directors and game officials — to promote sportsmanship and foster good character," and the actions of the CHSAA are a solid step toward this goal. [Brighton Standard-Blade, 2/21]
I look at sport and competition as something that has been personally enormously beneficial to me. It's helped me create life skills. And if we carry ourselves with grace and dignity and try our best — even when we fall on our faces, as will happen sometimes — then I think people will see that. And that will be the message of sport and the Olympics.
— Joey Cheek, U.S. speedskating Olympic gold medalist
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College Sports
NCAA Seeks Inspections in Crackdown on Scam Schools
What can a college basketball player with sub-par grades do to retain eligibility? The athlete can study harder, of course, but he or she can also attend a school that exists solely to pump up GPA.
The NCAA has begun a crackdown on these cheater schools, and on February 27 president Myles Brand went further. He said the NCAA would propose legislation in April to let it do on-site visits of suspect schools.
Ultimately, NCAA decisions on school legitimacy will ripple throughout college basketball. Some coaches say up to 100 players could lose their athletic scholarships.
The action comes as a result of a probe by the New York Times. It revealed, for instance, that a "college" called Lutheran Christian is likely a grade inflation mill. Four players there said they didn't have to attend classes, that their coach was their sole instructor, and that all the students were skilled basketball players.
Principle Three of the Arizona Accord states that sports programs must enhance "the mental, social and moral development of athletes," and letting athletes flout the rules and defraud the NCAA clearly degrades their mental, social, and moral development. [New York Times, 2/28]
Character Questions Shadow Marcus Vick
It once seemed inevitable: Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick would turn pro and join the NFL elite. Now he is pleading for acceptance. "At this point in my life, I just want a team to give me a shot," said Mr. Vick at the NFL Scouting Combine February 23. "It doesn't matter the round or how much money."
The turning point came when Mr. Vick stomped on the calf of a fallen opponent at the Gator Bowl on January 2. "I embarrassed my family," he says. "My family didn't speak to me for weeks after that." The incident capped a string of others and Virginia Tech removed him from the team.
He must also appear in court on March 13, to face charges of brandishing a handgun at three teenagers in a McDonald's parking lot. At the NFL Combine he described this event to the press for the first time. He had pulled out a cell phone, he said, not a weapon.
His other offenses include: reckless driving, possession of marijuana, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, gesturing obscenely to opposing fans, and driving with a suspended license.
Some believe Mr. Vick is even more talented than his brother, Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons. But as quarterback, he would be the face of his team, and the character issues may outweigh his skills. Principle Four of the Arizona Accord states that, to earn the privilege of athletic competition, players "must conduct themselves, on and off the field, as positive role models who exemplify good character." Mr. Vick is learning this lesson the hard way. [San Jose Mercury-News, 2/24; USA Today, 2/26]
It's not always about having to come here and win a medal. It's about coming here, participating and representing the U.S. It's about doing your best and appreciating it.
— Dan Jansen, sports commentator and former U.S. Olympic speedskating champion
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Olympic Sports
Torino 2006: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Americans toted home more medals from the 2006 Olympics than any previous winter games outside the U.S. Yet many see them as a letdown, the Me-First Games, a snowy spectacle marked more by petulance than performance. That's too bad, for we saw it all: the good as well as the bad and the ugly.
The Good
The Games showcased two world-class deeds: the sportsmanship of Norwegian ski coach Bjornar Haakensmoen and the humanitarianism of American speedskater Joey Cheek.
When Canadian cross-country skier Sara Renner broke her left pole in the final of the sprint relay, Mr. Haakensmoen gave her his. This act cost his team a medal, since the Canadians finished second and the favored Norwegians fourth. With the modesty of the truly ethical, Mr. Haakensmoen said he simply reacted normally. He said Norwegian policy called for giving poles or skis to others in time of need. "We talked about it at our team meeting the night before," he said. "We are a country which believes in fair play." People will remember Mr. Haakensmoen's act long after they forget who finished third.
When Joey Cheek won the gold in the 500 meters and the silver in the 1,000, he received $40,000 in bonuses from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). He donated it all to a nonprofit charity called Right to Play, which aids children made homeless by the genocide in Sudan. "I'm certainly much more proud of that work than of winning a gold medal at the Olympics," said Mr. Cheek, and his example has spurred others to contribute $392,996 as of February 26. Canadian speedskater Clara Hughes followed suit after winning the gold in the women's 5,000 meters, donating $10,000 to Right to Play.
A great many other Olympic athletes showed decency and courage. For instance, in the finals of the women's freestyle moguls, the skiers gathered together at the base of the hill and hugged each other after every run, a terrific example of sportsmanship.
The Bad
Some athletes didn't try hard enough. Lindsey Jacobellis was far ahead in the women's snowboard cross, then tried to showboat and fell, letting a Swiss competitor take the gold. At first she shirked responsibility, calling the move a "stabilizing" effort. Later she confessed, "I was ahead. I wanted to share my enthusiasm with the crowd. I messed up. Oh, well, it happens." Good person maybe, but bad judgment.
Bode Miller became a global byword. The hard-partying World Cup champ had the chance to medal in five events but never came close in any, and some felt he preferred the bars to the snowpack. He failed to represent his nation, deprived others of spots on the roster, and may have injured the Games themselves through his disrespect of them. "I just want to go out and rock," he said. "And, man, I rocked here." Bad boy, bad judgment.
The Ugly
In one of the worst incidents, U.S. freestyle aerials star Jeret "Speedy" Peterson got in a drunken argument early in the morning and punched a long-time friend in the face. Olympic officials sent him speedily back to the U.S.
When French alpine skier Pierre-Emmanuel Dalcin got disqualified in the super-G, he responded by raising a middle finger. "It was right in the camera," said referee Guenter Hujara, who added that Mr. Dalcin had aimed the gesture at either the jury or spectators.
Boastful U.S. speedskater Chad Hedrick won three medals and lost a reputation. "My heart is bigger than anyone else's out there," he told the universe after finishing second in the 10,000 meters.
And of course there was The Feud: After teammate Shani Davis beat Mr. Hedrick in the 1,000 meters, the two sniped endlessly at each other, an astonishing display before a world audience. "I've covered sports for more than 30 years, and I can say without hesitation that I've never seen anything like this outside of the carnival-like atmosphere of a Mike Tyson pre-fight exchange," wrote Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Mr. Davis himself won no friends by refusing to participate in the team pursuit, saying he was saving energy for his individual events.
According to the USOC, U.S. Olympic athletes attend seminars on dealing with the press and even take part in practice news conferences. They would have done better with lessons in character. [Winston-Salem Journal, 2/24; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/20, 2/22; Akron Beacon-Journal, 2/23; sportsnetwork.com, 2/26; USA Today, 2/26; Burlington Free Press, 2/26; Newsday, 2/25]
FROM THE GOLD MEDAL STANDARDS FOR YOUTH SPORTS:
Give Parents Guidelines at the Outset
Some parents go beyond the line simply because they never learned where it is. That's why it's a good idea to spell out basic expectations for parents at the start of the season. At a minimum, the program should warn parents against:
- Making unreasonable demands on coaches or the program itself.
- Forming outsized beliefs about their children's athletic gifts and unrealistic expectations about their future.
- Verbally or physically abusing anyone: officials, coaches, athletes, administrators, or other fans. (Section 7.4)
The Gold Medal Standards are a common framework of requirements that all youth programs should meet. Read about them, and the summit that led to them.
The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
— Vidal Sassoon, American hair stylist and entrepreneur (b. 1928)
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FROM GOLD MEDAL STANDARDS FOR AMATEUR BASKETBALL:
Ask Teacher-Coaches to Help Control Home Crowds
Unsportsmanlike fans can give a normal game the air of semi-war. The Gold Medal Standards for Amateur Basketball contain a valuable hint for reining them in: Enlist home coaches. They can "help control the behavior of unruly or abusive fans through public address announcements or other means." Section 2.3(h)
The Gold Medal Standards for Amateur Basketball is, as NABC executive director Jim Haney describes it, a "serious effort by many of the most influential people in amateur basketball to outline a realistic game plan to address some of the most serious issues facing the game." Read the whole document here.
FROM THE ULTIMATE SPORTSMANSHIP TOOL KIT:
The Ultimate Sportsmanship Tool Kit is an all-in-one resource to help athletic programs achieve sportsmanship and character-building goals. It comes in two versions — youth and high school — and covers everything from mission statements and codes of conduct to evaluation tools and ideas for rewarding players and coaches.
Model Job Description: Head Coach
Position Summary
The successful applicant will be a teacher-coach committed to the education, character development, health and safety of student-athletes and overall success of the team. He or she will have a sound understanding of both coaching and (name of sport) fundamentals and be a proven leader and motivator. He or she will understand and be committed to (name of organization)’s goals (as defined in the mission statement), rules and regulations, and will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of:
- the rules of the game
- age-appropriate workouts and regimens
- safety and first aid procedures
- ethical and legal behavior in relation to student-athletes, boosters, parents, officials and fans
Objective
The teacher-coach will actively pursue the organization’s annual goals and will be measured against the standards set forth in the mission statement.
The teacher-coach will take seriously his or her responsibility as a “guardian of the game” and preserve the integrity of the sport and its players. Committed to excellence, the teacher-coach will be a model of diligence, perseverance and sportsmanship and will strive to instill these traits in his or her student-athletes to produce positive contributors to the team, the school and society at large.
Responsibilities
The teacher-coach will report directly to the athletic director but will work cooperatively with all members of the organization. He or she will be responsible for the conduct of the team and staff, for his or her personal conduct on and off the playing field, and for the discipline of student-athletes in accordance with team/school policy.
Coaching Methods
The teacher-coach will maintain a positive and fun environment that encourages participation and safe enjoyment of the sport. He or she will Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model the Six Pillars of Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship), winning and losing with dignity, and Pursuing Victory With Honor.
For more about the Ultimate Sportsmanship Tool Kit, go here.
Goals determine what you're going to be.
— Julius Erving, American basketball star (b. 1950)
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 COMMENTARY BY MICHAEL JOSEPHSON
The following is adapted from Michael Josephson's Gabriel Award-winning radio commentaries airing daily on our flagship station, KNX 1070 AM in Southern California, on American Forces Radio worldwide, and on other stations throughout the U.S.
"We Can't Let the Bad Guys Win"
When Tim made his high school basketball team, his father Ken was delighted. Unfortunately, the coach was a coarse man who often verbally abused players and, though Tim was a good player who went to practice and followed all the rules, the coach always played Mark, a young man who cut practices and indulged in temper tantrums on and off the field.
Ken requested a meeting with the principal and coach to talk about coaching philosophy but the coach was arrogant. "This is my team," he said, "and I’ll run it any way I please." The principal shrugged as if there was nothing he could do and Ken felt utterly helpless — until he spoke to his wife.
"Ken," she said, "we can't allow this guy to win. It's not just about Tim, it's about what we want sports to stand for in our schools. It's not his team. It's our team."
"But there's nothing we can do," Ken protested.
"Is that the lesson we want to teach our son?" she replied. "You have to run for the school board."
"Get real," Ken said. "I have no chance of winning."
"It doesn't matter if you win. You've got to put up a good fight, challenge these guys, hold them accountable. We'll raise the issue at every civic club and parents' meeting."
Reluctantly, Ken ran. He lost soundly but his candidacy caused quite a stir, including an editorial in the local paper. Soon, many other parents brought pressure on the principal and the coach. The coach saw the writing on the wall and left for another school district. Ken's youngest son played two sports and had a wonderful experience.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that things get better when good people get involved because character counts.
For an archive of Mr. Josephson's commentaries, with audio files, go to: www.charactercounts.org/knxtoc.htm
To receive free weekly e-mail including all five of Mr. Josephson's commentaries from that week, please sign up at: www.charactercounts.org/newsletters.htm
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