LAKEWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPORTSMANSHIP, ETHICS & INTEGRITY POLICY
Lakewood High, Garfield and Harding Middle School
Sportsmanship
“A Game Where Everyone Wins”
A message from the Athletic Director:
The Lakewood High, Garfield and Harding Middle School Sportsmanship Committee was formed during the 2013-2014school year to address concerns related to behavior at athletic competitions in Ohio and across the nation. As a member of the committee, I learned much about the state of sportsmanship at all sports levels. It is from this guide and other manuals relating to sportsmanship that the Lakewood High, Garfield and Harding Middle School Sportsmanship Guide was written. In the belief that the impact of participation in sports in Lakewood, Ohio, should enhance the character and uplift the spirit of our school and community, we seek to establish a framework of principles and a common language of values that are practiced at all sporting events. It is our belief that the highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects the “six pillars of character”-- trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The pillars of character as they relate to sports will be discussed in class meetings, team meetings, parent meetings, and will hopefully be put into practice in all arenas. I ask your support in helping the administration, faculty, staff, students, and supporters of Lakewood High, Garfield and Harding Middle School to promote good sportsmanship throughout the Northeast Region and the State of Ohio.
GO RANGERS!!!!
Lakewood High School Committee (12)Athletic Director
Two assistant Principals
Four Current Coaches
One Parent
Senior Class President
Junior Class President
Sophomore Class President
Freshmen Class President / Harding Middle School Committee(12)
Athletic Director
Two assistant Principals
Four Current Coaches
One Parent
8th Grade Class President
7th Grade Class President
Two Athletes / Garfield Middle School Committee(12)
Athletic Director
Two assistant Principals
Four Current Coaches
One Parent
8th Grade Class President
7th Grade Class President
Two Athletes
Sean Jackson
Lakewood City School District Athletic Director
Table of Contents
Cover / 1“A Game Where Everyone Wins.”-Committee / 2
Table of Contents / 3
Board of Education Policy / 4
LHS Mission Statement / 5
Keys to Sportsmanship / 6
Fundamental Principles / 7
RGRY Respect the Game Respect Yourself / 8-10
Taunting / 11
Spectator Behavior Expectations / 12
Coaches / 13
Student-Athletes / 14
Cheerleaders / 15
Student Body / 16
Band / 17
Spectators / 18
Media / 19
Parents / 20
Public Address Announcer / 21
Announcements / 22
Letters: Student-Athletes / 23
Letters: Parents / 24
Lakewood High School Sportsmanship Activities / 25
Garfield and Harding Middle School Sportsmanship Activities / 26
Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity
The Lakewood Board of Education recognizes the value of extracurricular activities in theeducational process and the values that students develop when they have the opportunity to participate in an organized activity outside of the traditional classroom. Participants and responsible adults involved in School Board approved extracurricular activities are expected to demonstrate the same level of responsibility and behavior at practice and competitions as is expected in the classroom. The School Board further encourages the development and promotion of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in all phases of the educational process and in all segments of the community, including administrators, participants, adult supervisors, parents, fans, spirit groups and support/booster groups.
File:
Adopted:
Mission Statement
Lakewood High, Garfield and Harding Middle School, through their alliance with the High School andMiddle School Conference and the Ohio High School Athletic Association, servetheir youth by establishing and maintaining standards for student activities and competitions that promote education, personal growth, leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship.
Defining Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is defined as “playing fair, losing without complaint and winning without gloating.” A good sport is a person who plays by the rules of the contest. A personthat is courteous and generous in victory or defeat on and off the athletic field.
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The Keys to Sportsmanship
• Know the rules of the game.
• Recognize good play by both teams.
• Respect your opponent and its spectators.
• View the game with your head instead of your heart.
• Realize that bad passes lose more games than bad calls.
• Practice the Golden Rule.
“Sportsmanship revealscharacter regardless of thefinal outcome of the game.”
Fundamental Principles of Sportsmanship
• To gain an understanding and appreciation for the rules of the contest
• To exercise responsible behavior at all times
• To recognize and appreciate skilled performance regardless of affiliation
• To exhibit respect for authority
• To display respect for opponents
• To display pride in your actions at every opportunity
Lakewood High School will join the 24/7
Sportsmanship, ethics and integrity website for coaches, community members, students, parents, administrators and school staff.
Here is what RGRY can do for your school...
- Reduce Disciplinary Violations
Participating administrators report that the RGRY program has virtually eliminated student behavior issues and code of conduct violations by reducing drug, alcohol and peer pressure problems both on and off the field, in and out of season.
- Don't Become Tomorrow's Headlines
The last thing you, your sports programs, or your school wants to be remembered for is negative headlines or student code of conduct violations. The RGRY program hammers home the importance of ethics and sportsmanship on a weekly basis, so you’ll never have to worry about negative attention again.
- Makes Your Job Easier
Your school athletes, coaches and parents just follow the program, removing the stress of you having to constantly ride herd on them - a real time saver for you.
- Turn-Key Simplicity - Done For You
Once you initiate it, you get instant access to everything you need to make the Respect the Game Respect Yourself Program a whopping success in your school and sports programs. You will set an example that will be the benchmark for years to come.
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Taunting-A Game for Losers
A recent trend in sports threatens the educational mission of high school athletics. The trend oftaunting, trash-talking and intimidating “in your face” behavior has become widespread in college and professional sports—even idolized with celebrated individuals or groups of athletes. This kind of behavior is the biggest threat to athletics in some time. It is present at all levels of competition starting with the little leagues. Already, some call the disrespect shown by taunting and trash talking just “a part of the game.” If schools and communities across this nation, are to justify programs, they must unite now to let students, student-athletes, parents, spectators and communities know that disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated in our athletic programs.
For all sports, at all levels, taunting, trash-talking, and intimidating behavior can be cause for a player or coach to be ejected from a contest and miss the next day of competition or the remainder of the season. During tournaments, a spectator can be ejected from an event by the security officer, tournament management, and/or the administrator in charge of the building.
A lot of authority to give an official? Not at all. In fact, the referee or tournament director is the last line of defense in a game. It is up to the administrator, coach, students, and our spectators tounderstand appropriate behavior at a school athletic event. If we all do our jobs and practice sportsmanship, the officials will not have to worry about crowd control. And our students will understand that respectful behavior is a part of “the game.” Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, players, or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean others, whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist. Included is conduct that berates, needles, intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin, or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, physical body, economicstatus, speech, family background, special needs, or other personal matters.
At all LCSD contest sites and tournament venues, management may give spectators one warning for taunting. Thereafter, spectators who taunt players, coaches, game officials, or other spectators are subject to ejection.
Spectator Behavior Expectations
The purpose of sportsmanship education is to makestudents and fans aware that:
• The unacceptable behavior witnessed atvarious sporting events must be altered.
• Concern over this inappropriate behavior isshared by school administrators, parents,students, central office, and the Board ofEducation.
• After-school programs are an extension ofthe regular school day with all school rulesand regulations in effect.
• The school’s and community’s reputationshould not be placed in jeopardy because ofunsportsmanlike behavior.
Expectations:
• During the National Anthem, all should facethe flag, refrain from talking, and remainrespectful until the end of the anthem.
• No swearing or offensive language will betolerated.
• Obscene gestures are unacceptable.
• The throwing of object (even toilet paper) atany person in attendance or onto the playing surface is unacceptable.
• Be concerned with anyone who is injured.
• Work together with cheerleaders for positivecheers and avoid obscene, degrading or elitist cheers.
• Do not rush the playing surface when the gameis over.
• After the game, do not tease or belittle theopponent or officials, regardless of youremotions.
What the School Wants Most??
The school wants a large student and communityturnout for the sporting events; exemplarysportsmanship from players and fans; and pride inits teams and supporters.
Quotes to remember:
“When in doubt----Be a good sport and always remember to Respect the Game.”
“One person practicing good sportsmanship is farbetter than fifty others preaching it.”
Coaches: Suggested Guidelines for Behavior
From Coaches:
• Make sports fun.
• Always exemplify professional behavior andleadership with strong ethical standards.
• Be aware of your responsibilities to the school,community, parents, athletes, and the coaching
profession you represent.
• Set a good example for players and spectatorsto follow.
• Respect officials’ integrity and judgments.
• Help players develop positive self-images.
• Abide by the rules of the game in letter and inspirit.
• Encourage players to participate in a variety ofathletic activities.
Student-Athlete: Suggested Guidelines for Behavior
From the Student-Athlete
Student-athletes who are good sports are positiverole models within the school and the community.A good sport knows that athletic competitionsbuild character and shape lifetime attitudes.
Athletes, in turn, experience additionaleducational leadership benefits that come from participation in sports.As an athlete at school, sportsmanship goalsshould include:
• Developing a sense of dignity under allcircumstances
• Respecting the rules of the games, theofficials who administer the rules, and their decisions
• Respecting opponents as fellow students; andacknowledging them for striving to do theirbest
while you seek to do your best at thesame time
• Refraining from disrespectful behavior,specifically taunting, trash talking, and otherforms of
intimidation
• Looking at athletic participation as alearning experience whether you win or lose.The display
of good sportsmanship by athletesreminds others that in the end “sports are meant tobe fun.”
“Good Sports----Good Citizens”
Cheerleaders: Suggested Guidelines for Behavior
From Cheerleaders:
The role of cheerleader for any athletic team is animportant one. The support provided can helpshape the atmosphere of any contest.As a student-leader, the benefits of athleticinvolvement are the same for cheerleaders as forthose participating on the playing surface.Integrity, fairness, and respect are lifetime values,and the basis for good sportsmanship.
As a cheerleader, sportsmanship goals shouldinclude:
• Realizing that athletics are part of theeducational experience and that the benefits ofinvolvement
go beyond the final score of agame
• Leading spectators in positive cheers thatencourage our athletes while discouraging anycheers
that would redirect that focus—including those that taunt and intimidateopponents, their fans
and officials
• Respecting cheerleaders and athletes fromopposing schools as fellow students, and
acknowledging them for striving to do their best
• Developing a sense of dignity under allcircumstances
• Behaving in a manner that is representative ofyour school and family
When to cheer:
• As your team comes onto the floor or field
• When the team or a player makes a good play
• As encouragement and tribute to an injuredplayer
• As encouragement to your own team in a drivefor a score
• As encouragement to your own team in defenseof a score
When not to cheer:
• When an opposing player makes a mistake
• When an opposing player is awarded a freethrow and is in the act of shooting
• When the opposing cheerleaders areperforming on the floor/field
• When an opposing player is injured
• When important announcements are beingmade over the public address system
Student Body: Suggested Guidelines for Behavior
From the student body:
During the school year, everyone wants students tobe involved in the events in which they show interestand enjoy. Students are encouraged to exhibitexemplary behavior on these occasions and to showpride and school spirit. These activities will presentopportunities for students to grow academically andsocially.Students will be expected to dress appropriately atall athletic events. Shirts and shoes are required.Students will refrain from making gestures that areuninviting to the visiting team and fans.Newspapers or any other items or gestures used to show disrespect while the opposing team isintroduced will not be allowed.
Band: Suggested Guidelines for Behavior
From the Band:
Members of marching bands set the tone for othermembers of the student body. Their work ethic,dedication, and leadership stand out in theeducational setting as well as during theirperformances. They practice many hours per weekto prepare a program to present at the athleticevents and during weekend band competitions.Band members should conduct themselves in an exemplary manner at all times whether they arewearing the school uniform or street clothes. Theyrepresent their school band with pride and dignity,as an athlete represents the school athletic team.
Spectator: Suggested Guidelines for Behavior
From the Spectator:
As an educational institution, the school iscommitted to teaching young people to set goals, to strive for excellence, and to properly handlewhatever adversity they encounter along the way.Spectators can help the school reach these goals bybeing supportive in victory and defeat. The greatest challenge to good sportsmanship isadversity. When things are not going well, the easyresponse is to shift the blame-- particular, to shift itaway from ourselves to our opponents, or, moreoften, to blame the officials or the coach. When thisis done, the focus is always from the positive, “toplay harder or better,” to the negative, “how can wepossibly overcome the bad calls or bad coaching.”It is essential that our athletes maintain a positiveapproach to handling adversity. Everyone needs thesupport of the parent-body as role models, if this isto be accomplished.
When parents loudly criticize officials, opposingplayers, and sometimes their own coaches, thisabusive behavior is counter-productive to whatsports are intended to teach. This behavior createsa very uncomfortable environment for the fans andcan be an embarrassment to the school and theyoung people on the playing field.As a school we have a contract with the officialsassociation to supply game officials during theregular season, and we hire coaches who aredeemed competent by our coaching staff andadministration. Officials and coaches are not perfect. The official’s interpretation of the actionoccurring on the field may be different from yours.A coach’s decision on who plays and what play tocall may also differ from a spectator’s view.Spectators/parents should strive to pay less attentionto the performance of the officials and coaches andmore attention to the skills of the young athletes.