Sports exist in
our schools because we assume that they are good for our students; good in
the sense that they are enjoyable; good in the sense that they are
educational; good in the sense that they help keep our bodies fit; good in
the sense that they provide a healthy outlet for our energies.
In order
for sports to remain "good" for us, we have a code of sportsmanship to guide
us, to remind us, to help us conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner. The
"code" implies an expectation for all coaches, players, cheerleaders, and
spectators. That code encompasses a few simple basic ideas.
- Courtesy and
respect for the rules, opponents, guests and officials.
- Enthusiasm for
playing the game and modesty and graciousness in victory or defeat.
- Fairness and
responsibility to the sport, to our opponents, to our respective
schools.
Specifically:
1. We
shall not take part in any actions that are derogatory to our opponents to
the
officials.
2. We
shall respect the property and reputation of our opponents.
3. We
shall refrain from using noisemakers and shall remain quiet during free
throws at
basketball games.
4. We
shall demonstrate good sportsmanship by shaking hands at the end of each
athletic
contest.
To be
effective these ideas must be clearly expressed to Heads, Athletics
Directors, Coaches, Athletes, Students and Spectators.
Players and
Cheerleaders must be held accountable for their actions if they wish to
participate.
Spectators
must not be permitted to remain at a contest if their behavior is not
acceptable.
All should
assist in the encouragement of proper behavior at an athletic contest.
