Pennsylvania school district administrators gathered at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) headquarters last week to discuss curbing the epidemics of poor sportsmanship and performance-enhancing drug usage among young athletes.
The number of disqualifications in high school sports and the increasing availability of human growth hormone (HGH) are two reasons the State of Pennsylvania has turned to the STAR program for educating its students, parents, and coaches.
Read more about why PA educators are choosing STAR to help them win this battle:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20070328_Boosting_sportsmanship_and_fighting_drugs.html
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
How Do We Measure Success?
When we hear of youth teams being rewarded for more than just winning, we remember that "success" is measured by more than just a record -- a win or a loss. In Massachusetts, two basketball teams received the North Central Mass. IAABO Board No. 44 Sportsmanship Award for strength of character on the courts.
"That, to me, is as good as winning the districts," said girls' team coach Jeff O'Neill. "For some coaches, maybe not, but we have a sign over the locker room that says, 'Earn respect.'"
Specifically, the boys' team was commended for how they handled defeat with respect for the winning team, and giving credit where credit was due.
Read the full story.
"That, to me, is as good as winning the districts," said girls' team coach Jeff O'Neill. "For some coaches, maybe not, but we have a sign over the locker room that says, 'Earn respect.'"
Specifically, the boys' team was commended for how they handled defeat with respect for the winning team, and giving credit where credit was due.
Read the full story.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Sports Ethics Fellows Award Given On National Sportsmanship Day
The Sports Ethics Fellows Award is a national award given annually to role models who positively impact youth athletes. The Positive Coaching Alliance, giver of the award, strives toward the goal of "transforming youth sports so sports can transform youth."
Read more about the award, given on National Sportsmanship Day (March 6):
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703210324.
Read more about the award, given on National Sportsmanship Day (March 6):
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703210324.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Angry Coach Reacts to Defeat, Violates WAC Sportsmanship Policy
Nevada coach Mark Fox responded to his team's defeat in the Western Athletic Conference tournament semifinals by yelling profanities and appearing "ready to use force" against officials and a police officer.
This violates the WAC's Sportsmanship Policy and is an unsettling example of the poor sports our youth are exposed to. They are watching and emulating the behavior of their sports "role models" -- players and coaches alike.
Coach Fox said, "I've got to realize when the game ends, it ends."
But, although the playclock runs out, there is still the opportunity to teach our youth positive lessons gleaned from the game.
Read the full article:
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/031307ace.html
This violates the WAC's Sportsmanship Policy and is an unsettling example of the poor sports our youth are exposed to. They are watching and emulating the behavior of their sports "role models" -- players and coaches alike.
Coach Fox said, "I've got to realize when the game ends, it ends."
But, although the playclock runs out, there is still the opportunity to teach our youth positive lessons gleaned from the game.
Read the full article:
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/031307ace.html
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Parents: Tips for Teaching Good Sportsmanship
Here's a link to some great suggestions for building good sportsmanship in your children early-on:
Parents, Promote Good Sportsmanship
by KidsHealth.org:
http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/33195.html
Parents, Promote Good Sportsmanship
by KidsHealth.org:
http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/33195.html
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Pro Athletes Dropping The Ball
Pro athletes’ bad behavior, a la Terrell Owens and Roberto Alomar, teaches children one thing: if you’re good, you can get away with anything. Read more >.
I want to stop this poor example from spreading, so I wrote a book about it.
The Death of Sportsmanship…And How to Revive It (February 2007, Cypress House Press), says bad sportsmanship is on the rise as children see their favorite athletes misbehaving on and off the court but still succeeding in their sport.
Check out the new book The Death of Sportsmanship....
I want to stop this poor example from spreading, so I wrote a book about it.
The Death of Sportsmanship…And How to Revive It (February 2007, Cypress House Press), says bad sportsmanship is on the rise as children see their favorite athletes misbehaving on and off the court but still succeeding in their sport.
Check out the new book The Death of Sportsmanship....
Monday, January 29, 2007
A Calamity of Celebrations
Heroes and Goads: "In their exuberance and thirst for attention, some athletes today seem to be (victory) dancing all over the unwritten rules of sports etiquette." Read more at http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20070129-9999-lz1s29celebra.html.
The fines that the NFL hands out for blatant displays of poor sportsmanship like Reggie Bush’s taunting of Brian Urlacher in the championship game and Terrell Owens' spitting incident will do nothing to stop this type of behavior. Expect to see more finger pointing when you score, and spitting in faces during the game in youth ball in the coming future. As long as children continue to observe these types of incidents from their heroes … they will emulate them.
Our kids desperately need to learn the right way to behave while playing sports, and it is obviously not going to come from watching the pro leagues.
The fines that the NFL hands out for blatant displays of poor sportsmanship like Reggie Bush’s taunting of Brian Urlacher in the championship game and Terrell Owens' spitting incident will do nothing to stop this type of behavior. Expect to see more finger pointing when you score, and spitting in faces during the game in youth ball in the coming future. As long as children continue to observe these types of incidents from their heroes … they will emulate them.
Our kids desperately need to learn the right way to behave while playing sports, and it is obviously not going to come from watching the pro leagues.
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