The story goes that at one point during a game, the veteran and accomplished coach called one of his young football players aside and asked, "Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?" The young man nodded in the affirmative.
The coach added, "Do you understand that what matters is not whether we win or lose, but how we play together as a team?" The young man nodded yes.
"So," the coach continued, "I'm sure you know, when a penalty is called, you shouldn't argue, curse, attack the referee or call him an idiot. Do you understand all that?" Again, the young man nodded.
"Good," said the coach. "Now, go over there and explain all that to your mother."
All of us have at least one story concerning the absolute lack of sportsmanship and common civility that we have witnessed while officiating a match or game. More than once, we've probably thought why doesn't someone take care of that outburst or inappropriate behavior.
This brings up the burning question - just who is responsible for promoting sportsmanship during athletic events? The simple answer is that it is everyone's responsibility to promote and ensure that participants display good sportsmanship. The primary function of high school athletics is to teach young people the dimensions and ramifications of competition. These include, but are not limited to, respect for teammates and opponents, fairness, teamwork, appreciation for developed skills, as well as being gracious in victory and in defeat.
Coaches
High school coaches are teachers, first and foremost. Usually, they know their players better than anyone. Through countless hours of practice and meetings, coaches form a unique bond with their teams. Coaches are in a tremendous position of influence with their athletes. The vast majority of high school coaches understand the incredible influence they have on young people and want to make sure that their influence is positive. The problem is when the "heat of battle" takes over rationale and subjective behavior and emotions become over involved. A calming and communicative approach from everyone can usually help restore order with the coach.
Athletes
Athletes play better when they are under control and focused on the task at hand. Everyone can help players focus by creating and sustaining the appropriate sporting-like environment for the game or contest. This is done by taking care of behavior that is inappropriate. When unsporting behavior occurs, it needs to be addressed at once. Often, the teammates or the captain of the player's team talk with that player works wonders. Order can be restored and peers can apply the appropriate "pressure" or leadership to ensure that the behavior ceases. Everyone is responsible for making sure that their own behavior is not outside the boundaries of sportsmanship and helping others do the same.
Parents
Parents have always been and need to continue to be the primary educators of their children. When parents understand this essential obligation, they typically promote and insist upon sporting behavior from their child. Parents as a support for fostering sportsmanship are often the most difficult group to reach, but everyone can do their part before the season and during a contest to make it known that parents can provide the best example of proper behavior.
Team/School/League Administrators
Administrators are key to promoting sportsmanship of all participants. Effective administrators realize the importance of good behavior from everyone involved in school activities. Athletic events are no different. One of the most effective ways to deal with inappropriate behavior, especially if it is from parents and fans, is to involve the administrators who are responsible for the event. They can get others involved, if necessary. A school administrator understands the parameters of fairness and appropriateness. The administrator needs to take care of behavior that occurs outside the boundaries and lines of the court or field, and everyone can do their part to ensure the administrator's message is heard and reinforced.
Officials/Referees
Usually, officials are the only unbiased participants in athletic events. A good official does not disregard the obligation of addressing unsporting behavior that exhibited by players and coaches. They also need to model the behavior they are trying to promote. Officials need to understand the parameters of good sportsmanship and behave in a manner above reproach. A participant should never be provoked into further unsportsmanlike behavior. Officials are participating to ensure that the game is played within the "spirit" and intent of the rules and that participating is a positive learning experience for young student-athletes. Everyone must support the officials in this mission.
Conclusion
Bottom line - if the participants are not demonstrating sportsmanship, the contest is not worth playing. We defeat the basic reason we've gathered in this setting, sometimes at great expenditure of time, effort and money. If the event does not foster positive development within the participants, then it shouldn't be played. Everyone involved with high school athletics knows this at a base level, and everyone is instrumental in ensuring that this basic principle is foremost in everyone's minds before, during, and after the contest.
Citation: NFHS Officials' Quarterly, Spring 2007
