CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: CITIZENSHIP/SPORTSMANSHIP
From IHSAA June 1998 Bulletin
Citizenship and sportsmanship are key elements of character development. It is necessary for everyone involved with interscholastic athletics to display, and insist that others display, exemplary citizenship and sportsmanship. Just because society as a whole seems to be getting more disrespectful and less civil, doesn't mean we have to accept those actions as appropriate. In fact, the growing trend toward lack of respect and civility make it even more important for educators to teach student-athletes about good citizenship and sportsmanship.
School administrators, coaches, officials, student participants, and spectators all play roles in making sure good citizenship and sportsmanship are displayed in interscholastic athletics. The following are examples of how each group can role model good citizenship and sportsmanship.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Make sportsmanship at activity contests priority #1!
Print sportsmanship slogans in sport programs.
Post lists of acceptable behavior at the entrances to the contest.
Make sportsmanship announcements throughout the contest.
Encourage radio stations broadcasting your events to make sportsmanship announcements.
Meet with the student body to discuss acceptable behavior.
Encourage the school and local newspaper to have a sportsmanship column.
Develop and present a good sport award for participants and spectators in each sport.
COACHES
Make sportsmanship priority #1!
Abide by the rules of the contest in letter and in spirit.
Show respect for contest officials and accept their decisions without arguing, showing other inappropriate emotions, or inciting the fans.
Show respect for players and coaches from the opposing team.
Avoid unsportsmanlike conduct, such as inappropriate language or gestures.
Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
PARTICIPANTS
Live up to the standards of good sportsmanship established by your coaches.
Show respect for opponents by shaking hands after contests.
Show respect for, and accept the decisions of, the contest officials without arguing, showing other inappropriate emotions, or inciting the fans.
Avoid unsportsmanlike conduct, such as inappropriate language or gestures.
Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
SPECTATORS
Show respect for opponents and officials, and avoid taunting the opponent or officials.
Applaud during the introduction of players and coaches from both teams, and for contest officials.
Stand quietly during the presentation of the flag and the National Anthem.
Stay off the contest area at all times.
Show respect for public property by not causing damage to facilities or equipment.
OFFICIALS
Officiate with confidence, not arrogance.
Consistently enforce the rules of the game.
Be proactive in identifying possible acts of poor sportsmanship.
Many more examples of behavior showing good citizenship and sportsmanship appear in "Catch The Spirit: Sportsmanship/Citizenship" produced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, copyright 1989.
In athletics, as in life, CHARACTER COUNTS!
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
From IHSAA May 1998 Bulletin
The December 1997 IHSAA Bulletin contained an article about the Athletic Association's participation in a character development seminar facilitated by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. The educational program developed by the Josephson Institute is called CHARACTER COUNTS! This is the first in a series of articles that will appear addressing various aspects of the CHARACTER COUNTS! program.
Character is comprised of six core ethical values. Those core ethical values are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. While no set of rules can assure ethical conduct in these six areas, the Character Counts Coalition offers these ten basic rules as a foundation for character development:
1) Be Honest. Tell the truth; be sincere; don't mislead or withhold key information in relationships of trust; and don't steal.
2) Demonstrate Integrity. Stand up for your beliefs about right and wrong; be your best self; resist social pressure to do wrong.
3) Keep Promises. Keep your word and honor your commitments; pay your debts and return what you borrow.
4) Be Loyal. Stand by your family, friends, employer, community and country; don't talk about people behind their backs.
5) Be Responsible. Think before you act; consider the consequences; be accountable for your actions; and "take your medicine."
6) Pursue Excellence. Do your best with what you have; don't quit easily.
7) Be Kind and Caring. Show you care through generosity and compassion; don't be selfish or mean.
8) Treat All People With Respect. Be courteous and polite; judge all people on their merits; be tolerant, appreciative, and accepting of individual differences.
9) Be Fair. Treat all people fairly; be open-minded; listen to others and try to understand what they are saying and feeling.
10) Be A Good Citizen. Obey the law and rules; respect authority; vote; volunteer your efforts; protect the environment.
Simply put, CHARACTER COUNTS!