I agree to practice and promote good sportsmanship. I also agree that if I fail to abide by the Essential elements of character following guidelines and goals, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but not and ethics are embodied in sports- limited to: verbal warning by school personnel, written warning, removal and/or suspension manship principles, including loyalty, from game(s), or legal prosecution or action with record of incident kept on file. respect, modesty, honesty, trustworthi- ness, responsibility, self-control and * I will learn and understand the rules * I will teach my child to perform to the discipline, and good citizenship. of the game and the policies of the best of his/her ability and, although conference and WIAA. winning is rewarding, it is not more To be a supportive and valued important than the effort extended or parent fan, we ask you to review and * I will be responsible for my actions the maintaining of one’s dignity. abide by the following sportsmanship and the actions of my guests as a goals and guidelines. positive role model for my student- * I will compliment my child for playing athlete and will encourage sports- fair and to the best of his/her ability. * Realize that athletics is part of manship by showing respect, cour- * I will not ridicule or yell at my child or of the educational experience, Parental tesy and positive support for players, other members of the team for mak- and the benefits of involve coaches, officials and all other spec- ment go beyond results and ing a mistake or losing a competition. tators. standings. * I will put what is best for the athletes Guide * I will not engage in any unsports- and team above my personal desires * Encourage your son/daughter manlike actions directed at any offi- for my child to gain acclaim or win. and other student-athletes to cial, coach, player or other specta- give their best effort, just as to tors to include booing, taunting, * I will respect the officials and their you would expect them to do using profane or rude language or authority during games and will not in their classwork, with the gestures. question, discuss or confront coach- realization others will often es or officials at the competition site. * I will discourage any behaviors or perform better or worse. I will take time to speak with coaches actions that would endanger the at an agreed upon time and place. Sp o rt s m a n s h i p health of all spectators and athletes. * Extend respect to all those * I will demand an educational sports involved with your child’s par- * I will teach my child to play within the environment for my child that is free ticipation in interscholastic rules and resolve conflicts without from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and activities including game offi- resorting to violence or hostility. In will refrain from their use at all high cials, coaches, opposing team addition, I will demand that he/she and opposing team support- school events. treat other players, coaches and offi- ers. cials with respect. * Maintain your dignity under In addition, I will accept and abide by the enforcement of all penalties for school athletic any circumstance. Participate code violations imposed on my son/daughter for their failure to abide by the code. in only positive cheers encour- aging our teams, discourage cheers or out bursts that redi- ______rect that focus and confront Parent/Guardian Signature those who engage in unsportsmanlike behavior. athletic activities are a privilege and not a involving that participation are considered go beyond the final score or out- Constitutional right. ideal program supporters and leaders. come of a game. This guide was designed to assist Their good sportsmanship reveals charac- parents to evaluate their attitudes about ter and self-discipline. Unfortunately, the * Encourage student-athletes to their son’s and daughter’s participation Your attitude and behavior has a opposite is also true. That may be of no perform to the best of their abili- and put them in proper perspective. By major impact on your son’s or daughter’s consequence to you, but your actions and ties and efforts, just as we urge doing this, parents can better understand outlook about academics, athletics and b e h avior reflect back on your son or them with their classwork, realiz- and support the sportsmanship initiatives sportsmanship. The sportsmanship you daughter participating and those associat- ing someone may turn in better or and guidelines. Our assumption is that we p ractice will influence them now and ed with you. lesser performances. all want what’s best for our children. throughout their lives. * Participate in positive cheers that Forget about peer pressure; forget encourage our team, and discour- As a parent and role model for your Parents often take an active role in about your own biases; and forget about age any actions that would redi- rect that focus in a negative or s t u d e n t - a t h l e t e, you have a significant their son’s or daughter’s athletic participa- what you have seen at other events. disrespective nature to anyone. influence on the education and personal tion. An active interest in their child’s No excuses. Nobody is responsible growth of your son or daughter. development and activities is commend- for your actions but you -- not the officials, able and encouraged, but when parental not the coach, not the opponents or their * Learn, understand and respect Whether you realize it or not, the the rules of the game, the officials involvement becomes too demanding and fans, not even the weather. Nor is igno- support and environment at home, as well who administer them and their critical, a child’s enjoyment in participating rance to what sportsmanship is an as your conduct at interscholastic activi- decisions. ties, assists your child accept the opportu- is diminished. excuse, because we can define it for you A U. S. D e p a rtment of Education now. nities and challenges presented in the * Respect the efforts and tasks our report reveals the number one reason Sportsmanship is defined as “playing classroom and during athletic competition coaches face as teachers; and boys and girls participate in high school with dignity. by the established rules of a contest;com- support them as they work to It is your obligation as a parent to sports is to have fun. In addition, skill peting and accepting the result without educate our children. nurture and educate your son or daughter development was actually considered a complaining, gloating or taunting; a n d and equip them with the knowledge, wis- more important aspect of fun than win- cheering in only an enthusiastic and sup- * Respect our opponents and dom and inner strength to succeed in their ning, even among the best athletes. portive manner that does not disrespect, acknowledge them for striving to lifelong endeavors. That includes setting The purpose of your invo l ve m e n t taunt, distract, ridicule, or attempt to intim- do their best with positive cheers an appropriate example of how to react in with your son’s or daughter’s participation idate an opponent, its fans or game offi- or by simply refraining from any pressure- and stress-filled situations in athletics should be for their well-being, cials.” negative cheers, actions or disre- resulting in either positive (win) or nega- not as an attempt to live vicari o u s l y A good sport is a true leader. As a spect toward them. tive (loss) outcomes. through your child or to fulfill an unfulfilled parent of a student-athlete at our school, Your son’s or daughter’s participation dream of yours. your sportsmanship goals and objectives * Maintain a sense of dignity and in interscholastic athletics is testimony to must include: ch a racter under all circumstances. your belief that high school activities pro- vide benefits to those who participate. Parents in control of their emotions * Athletics are part of the educa- * Enjoy your son’s or daughter’s It is important to understand that partici- and attitudes toward their son’s or daugh- tional experience, and its benefits participation pation in and attendance at interscholastic ter’s participation and the circumstances of participation and involvement