Issue 15: September 2009 - Fundamentals Featured Article

The headlines this past month likely have you just as concerned as we are.

• Serena Williams’ tirade directed at a line judge.
• The University of Oregon football player, LeGarrette Blount, punching an opposing player following taunting after the Ducks' upset loss to Boise State.
• Justin Gage, the outstanding wide receiver from the Tennessee Titans, taunting fans after catching a touchdown.

Sadly, the experts at Positive Coaching Alliance note these incidents as evidence that the concept of sportsmanship is eroding. Or is it? While these examples of bad sportsmanship dominate the news headlines, there are also some terrific examples of good sportsmanship from this past year. And these moments equally deserve the spotlight.

• In a previous Fundamentals article, we shared with you the amazing story of the Central Washington softball players who carried an opposing player across home plate after her knee gave out as she rounded the bases for her first career home run. Liberty Mutual’s Responsibility Project inspires millions of people to discuss, debate, and do the right thing. Watch their new short film, "The Home Run," to see how one real-life college softball game re-defined the meaning of sportsmanship.


• The DeKalb, Illinois high school boys basketball team, in a game at Milwaukee Madison High School this past winter, demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship. Madison star Johntell Franklin, whose mother died that morning, arrived during the game and suited up to play. Since he was not listed in the official scorebook for the game, the DeKalb team was awarded two technical foul free throws. DeKalb senior Darius McNeal then purposely missed the free throws, rolling the ball to the end line.


• Last season, the Framingham State College women’s soccer team appeared to take the lead in the division title game with a goal in the 59th minute. But the players noticed that the ball had actually slipped through the side of the net. The players immediately told their coach who reported it to the referees. When the referees ruled that the goal would stand, the players took matters into their own hands and allowed their rival to tie the game with an uncontested goal. Framingham went on to lose the game by the margin of a single goal but earned the respect of their opponents, officials and players around the country.


• In the 2007 Little League World Series championship game, the Southeast division winner from Warner Robbins, Georgia faced Team Japan. The two teams were locked in a tightly contested game that went to extra innings. With the score tied at two, Warner Robin’s slugger Dalton Carriker hit the game winning home run. Carriker was greeted at home plate by his entire team. But while Warner Robbins celebrated, members of Team Japan were obviously deflated. And in an amazing act of sportsmanship, the entire Warner Robbins team spontaneously fanned out into the field, helped the Japanese players to their feet, and embraced each and every player.


• And this season, borrowing a page from the sport of hockey, the American Football Coaches Association and NCAA encouraged schools to arrange team-wide handshakes on the field before kickoff of the first regular season games. Teams throughout Division I, II and III met at mid-field to honor and respect their opponents.

At Responsible Sports, we aim to think beyond sportsmanship to the concept of “Honoring The Game” – that parents, coaches and athletes remember that with the privilege of participation comes responsibility to honor the five key elements of the game – Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and one’s Self. (Positive Coaching Alliance uses the acronym ROOTS to help remember these key elements.)