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 Character Counts Corner |
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Sunday, April 15
Character Counts Corner
~~ Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.~~
Put simply, sportsmanship is good character when participating in sports. The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) focuses on the concept of sportsmanship and six core pillars of character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Good Citizenship.
ASEP says Coaching for character is helping your players know the right thing to do and then helping them do it right. As a coach, parent or role model, nothing you can do for your athlete is more important than helping them develop good, moral behaviors.
And so we asked our Bobcats . . .
What does good sportsmanship me to you?
Sportsmanship is trying to win fairly and following the rules of the game. You demonstrate good sportsmanship by treating the people you play with or against as youd like to be treated yourself.
Mark DeFelippis, football coach
Good sportsmanship is one that respects all participants roles in the game. Good sportsmanship is one who encourages and shares his knowledge with his teammates. Good sportsmanship is one who acknowledges the winning team in defeat. Good sportsmanship is playing the game fairly and to the best of your abilities at all times.
Bruce Bushnell, travel baseball parent
Good sportsmanship means that everyone respects everyone else and when anybody messes up, people tell you its ok.
Erica Hughes, 12 years old, travel soccer
Respecting the game and all its participants. That includes the other team, the ref, fans, coaches, and your own team.
Mike McGreal, soccer commissioner
Whether you win or lose, you can treat your team and the other team with respect and dignity. Carry yourself so that you, your parents, team, grandparents and teachers will be proud of athlete that you have become, win or lose.
Margie Gottschammer, softball commissioner
Good sportsmanship is playing for the love of the game and the competition that it offers. It is trying your best for your team, your coach and yourself. It is also acknowledging your opponent, via a congratulatory comment, nod or gesture on a good game or a good play.
Bob Renaud, baseball coach
I think true sportsmanship encompasses all that is good in human nature. An outstanding athlete embraces the golden rule and treats his or her competitors the way they themselves want to be treated. This means being quietly proud of your successes, while letting the victories speak for themselves. When an athlete has the graciousness to define athleticism in this way, they are indeed a true champion.
Lynda Brennan, cheerleading coach
Good sportsmanship is playing together as a team and not letting down your teammates and to have fun.
Erin Rademacher, age 10, soccer
Treating your players in a fair and consistent manner. Being a positive role model for the players on my team. Being patient even in challenging situations. Showing your players and their parents through my actions words how to be gracious in victory and being sincere when congratulating the opposing players and coaches in defeat. As coaches and parents, we set the tone for a positive sporting experience for our children and our players. We need to remember that our children . . . will do well sometimes and sometimes make mistakes. We need to help them learn and enjoy the game they are playing.
Bill Forrest, baseball coach
Sportsmanship means the recognition and appreciation for the privilege of participating in competition.
Bill Ennis, football coach
Good sportsmanship means whether you are winning or losing you should always be considerate of the other players feelings. What you would like done to you, you should do to others.
Jeanette Aimone, soccer coach
Have a good attitude in sports, like fair play, courtesy and grace when you lose. Have good spirit. You should also set a good example and cheer on other teams and clap after they've competed.
Christina Tenuta, age 11, cheerleading
Being able to accept winning as well as losing, knowing that you tried your best, and being able to understand that our sport is a team not an individual effort.
Larry Theisinger, softball coach
I feel good sportsmanship is playing the game by the rules with respect towards the other team and towards the umpire/referee and his/her decisions. I believe a coach should be able to question an umpires decision and ask for his or her reasoning but still respect the ruling, right or wrong.
Roger Tomaszewski, baseball coach
you should not brag to the other team when they have lost a game. You should always shake their hands after the game. Never get upset if my team is losing and never laugh if someone on the other team gets hurt. I will enjoy the game and play my best in the game.
Tim Yara, age 10, travel baseball
To me, good sportsmanship is the ability to compete fairly, aggressively and give 100% effort in the competition. In the end, if you win, you remain modest and humble; if you lose, you congratulate your opponent for a job well done and you work even harder next time around.
Mike Zidek, football coach
Doing your best; putting forth your best effort. Being respectful of others and their skills. Having a good attitude and camaraderie with team mates.
Delonda Belanger, cheerleading parent
In sports, I believe that good sportsmanship is a relationship between players, coaches, umpires (or referees) and fans to show each other respect. Our kids learn sportsmanship from us, their parents, as well as other adults in their lives, including their coaches. Whether a player wins or loses a game, the player is always a winner when he or she knows how to behave, respect and appreciate the others involved in the game.
Lou Skender, baseball coach
~~Sportsmanship matters because it matters what sort of human beings we are and what sort of human beings our children become.~~ Craig Clifford and Randy Freezell
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