Jason Wade
December 5, 2012
Book Presentation Essay
Prof. Ahearn

Sport and Character
Jason Wade
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Introduction
With such a great emphasis on winning and being number one we often tend to forget about sportsmanship. Coaches have a huge responsibility to constantly teach the principles of sportsmanship and set a good example to their players (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). A big part of coaching deals with player relationship, not just the X and O’s. As a coach, you are a role model and moral educator. Coaches should motivate their players to be competitive while showing a mutual respect for the game. The point of the game is to win, and that is what we should be teaching our children, however when athletes become so competitive that they do whatever it takes in order to win, sportsmanship ends up getting thrown out the window.

Sportsmanship
We may be able to give a general definition of what sportsmanship is, but it’s difficult for coaches to teach exactly what the sportsmanlike thing to do is in every particular situation (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). Self-understanding has a big part to do with sportsmanship. Coaches must teach their athletes to come to terms with limits and understanding what you can and cannot do.
The principles of sportsmanship are expressed in different ways because of different cultures and personalities. Expecting all athletes to behave in exactly the same way is a tough thing for coaches to do. However, athletes must respect the rules of the game at all times. When these rules are broken the team is penalized.
Sportsmanship is not just about following the rules, or behaving a certain way because that’s the way you are supposed to ; its more about what sort of human beings we chose to be.
For example, when the University of Oklahoma played Texas Christian University in one of the biggest college football ever, the clock ran down in the fourth quarter with Oklahoma ahead 21-16. TCU’s quarterback threw what seemed to be the game winning touchdown. The field official signaled a touchdown while the receiver walks over to him and said, “Ref, I didn’t catch it. I trapped it.”
Why sportsmanship? Because good character is good for its own sake, whether we are reward for it or not. Sportsmanship is its own reward (Clifford & Feezell, 2010).
For coaches, you must constantly keep in mind that actions speak louder than words. No matter what you say will have an effect on your players. Show your players what it means to be a good sport by treating opposing players, coaches, officials, team members, and the sport with respect.

Competition
Competitiveness, the strive to win, is an essential part of sportsmanship. Athletes compete to be excellent in all parts of the game with the commitment to win. Players use their skills and abilities against the skills of their opponents, and even against other participants from past, present, and future. Within the context of the game, one player is better than the other; and one team is better than another (Clifford & Feezell, 2010).
Competition involves winners and losers. One side win, one side loses. How he or she handles being on each side develops character in an athlete. It is important to realize that winning itself is not the only thing that matters in sport, but what we experience and come to understand by playing the game.
John Price, a club soccer coach for Seacoast United, always strived for competition amongst his players. For practices, he created a competitive environment where only the strongest would survive. He would always hold his players accountable and pushed for a hard work rate. How hard you worked during practice reflected you’re playing time during games and with everyone competing at a high level, players were able excel individually.

Respect
Respect for Opponents:
Opponents bring out the best in your ability. You owe your opponent your best effort to win, but you should do it in a way that shows respect for the opponents and an appreciation for the opportunity that the game gives you.
This doesn’t mean you have to be nice to them, but it does mean being civil.
Respect requires an appreciation of the sport, the level at which it played, and the background of the players to make the right decisions about where to draw the line (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). Good coaches should teach their players about where to draw the line.
The post-game hand-shake is a custom and tradition to all sporting events. When the game is over, there should be no hard feelings towards your opponent. The exchange is an opportunity for players to thanks their opponents for a competitive opportunity (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). It is a sign of respect.

Respect for Teammates and Coaches:
As a team member you have the responsibility to behave on and off the field and contribute to the team in some sort of way. An experienced coach knows that a great team must have a bond amongst its players that involve a deep sign of respect (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). When a team gels together and has good chemistry they can be tough to beat.
Playing a role and accepting it is a big part of team sport. When we say someone is a team player we refer to them being unselfishness. An unselfish player can see the big picture where as a selfish player thinks about their own success when they should be thinking about team success (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). In every game there are players that to the “little things” that usually go unnoticed. These little things are what make the big things possible.

Respect for Officials:
Officials are a big part of the game and make crucial decisions that can change the course of the game. Coaches’ role as a moral educator is to teach their players respect for the officials, especially at a young age (Clifford & Feezell, 2010). Some coaches tell their players not to say anything to the officials, because that is their job.
Officials enforce the rules of the game as well as keep custom and traditions. We should respect them for giving back to the game. Of course, coaches will ride officials throughout the game in order to win but if officials aren’t willing to take some abuse, then they shouldn’t be putting on the stripes.

Conclusion
Sport provides an arena where good character can be developed and practiced. It brings out our competitive side and lots of emotions. It is the coach’s job to control these emotions and remain professional at all times. Coaches should strive for a competitive environment while maintaining good sportsmanship. When winning becomes everything the principles of sportsmanship become diminished. Athletes should be taught to win but should always show respect for the game. Coaches have great influence in teaching their players not the ways of the game but life itself.

References
Clifford, C. E., & Feezell, R. M. (2010). Sport and character: reclaiming the principles of sportsmanship. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.