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Sportsmanship - Lifelong Lesson

Definition of sportsmanship: Conduct (as fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in win-
ning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport.
Sportsmanship is the spiritual and moral side of athletics. It can permeate the soul of a competitor and
lift sports to a lifetime learning experience where lessons of the heart are never forgotten. As someone has said
before, “sportsmanship is timeless, endless”.
There is a battle being waged in this country between the driving forces of poor sportsmanship and those
who feel that character, ethics, integrity and respect still have a place in athletics. Some feel it is a losing battle.
Some believe it’s not their obligation to act responsibly. After all, it’s not their job to be a “role model.” Some
say they have a right to call attention to themselves. Some say that showing up an opponent is okay. Some believe
that being anything but first makes you a loser.
Are these the lessons that we want to teach our children, our student athletes?
Good sportsmanship needs to start at home. Are we teaching our children the importance of high ethical
standards? What about strong character? Are we teaching them what it means to have integrity and be respectful
of others? These concepts of sportsmanship carry much farther than athletic venues. These are the values that will
shape the people our children will become.
The concepts of sportsmanship -- displaying strong character as something more important than a game’s
outcome -- aren’t outdated or old fashioned. If we’re truly serious about reversing the disintegration of athletics,
we have to return to why we have these games.
It’s not about winning. It’s not about getting college scholarships. It’s not just about competition. The
games were created to be fun. The games were created to help us grow as individuals. The games were created to
provide educational experiences.
I believe the ultimate guardian of sportsmanship is the coach. As the leader of the team, it is the ultimate
responsibility of the coach to train each team member in the basic fundamental of sportsmanship: Respect for
others, and in doing so you will earn respect for yourself. This responsibility cannot be shuffled onto anyone else.
The coach obviously needs support from others such as parents, administrators, and referees, but the ultimate
responsibility of teaching sportsmanship falls squarely on the shoulders of the coach.
There are many traits to be found in good sportsmanship that carry over into being a good person.
Courage: It takes courage to be humble and proud in defeat, to show more nobility than shame, But in doing
so you preserve your self-respect.
Integrity/Character: Playing by the rules goes without saying. Obviously it is much more fun to win than to
lose. Losing is an inevitable part of living. Playing by the rules means that someone will lose the game and being
the loser is humbling. It is also good because losing will help to strengthen character. Playing by the rules means
that someone will win with honor.
Self-Discipline/Dealing with Emotions: It is a skill to control your emotions in difficult circumstances. An-
ger is the most common emotion that gets us into trouble. Developing control over our emotions and passions is
extremely important in sports and life.
Winning and sportsmanship go hand-in-hand. Losing and sportsmanship also walk hand-in-hand. A key
role of the coach is always to find an element of winning from every loss. With good sportsmanship always leading
the way, this goal always can be realized. Those who carry the torch of good sportsmanship are winners in their
own right.
I have found that there is no greater challenge, opportunity or reward than in helping young people grow and
develop physically and spiritually through sportsmanship.

Mark Salvatore, Assistant Varsity Bowling Coach

Croswell Lexington High School

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