NHIAA Sets Consequences for Severe Conduct

The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association placed the Pittsfield varsity boys soccer team on one year's probation and fired the district Athletic Director, as consequences for severe conduct displayed during a game earlier this year:

http://www.wmur.com/news/10591300/detail.html?taf=man

For more background on this story, see my Nov. 8 post.

Fans Say NBA Brawls Don't Happen on the College Court

Columbus State fans say they prefer the competitiveness of college basketball over the repelling entertainment value of NBA ball:

http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5830917

MWC Holds Firm Against Public Criticism of Officials

The Mountain West Conference's sportsmanship policy held firm when Utah coach Giacoletti was reprimanded for criticizing officials Saturday:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/ncaa/12/12/bc.bkc.giacolettireprim.ap/index.html?section=si_latest

Taking Victory Too Far

Lincoln University's athletic director apologized for the blowout victory in which they beat Ohio State Marion by more than 100 points:

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/16174062.htm

NAIA Champions of Character

Owning up to their responsibility as role models to children, college athletes from across the country took time to explain the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ five Champions of Character values - respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship - to elementary school children at a recent volleyball tournament:

http://www.showmenews.com/2006/Nov/20061128News004.asp

A Poor Response to a Poor Sport

Last night Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick responded to a taunting fan with obscene gestures of his own. The incident is an example of how one person's poor choice of behavior can provoke unsportsmanlike behavior in another. Too often, the chain reaction escalates into a heated exchange between groups of fans and players, or between competing teams.

Vick acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate, and apologized to children and others who watched:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2006/11/27/1128falcons.html

STAR Sportsmanship: Helping Students, Parents, and Coaches Make the Right Choices

In October, I spoke to school board members and school administrators at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) 46th Annual Convention, on the topic of dealing with poor sportsmanship, bullying, and steroid and drug use in schools. Listen to the podcast and learn about a comprehensive behavioral-skills program designed to address these issues:

http://web.mac.com/podcastlibrary/iWeb/podcastlibrary/TASA/E2F91053-5BED-45B5-A2E1-B38784E26A8C.html

NBA Zero-Tolerance Policy Says Enough Complaining

In response to the NBA's crackdown on complaints aimed at officials by players and coaches, this Sports Illustrated writer calls for more emphasis on correcting technical violations and singling out "serial complainers":

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jack_mccallum/11/16/zero.tolerance/index.html?eref=si_nba

Setting Consequences for Poor Sportsmanship

Sports teams at a middle-high school may be barred from statewide competition after violent play on the soccer field:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/11/08/pittsfield_teams_could_be_barred_after_soccer_injuries/?p1=email_to_a_friend

Trying to Combat Poor Sportsmanship

Two recent articles about one town's attempt to quell poor sportsmanship:

http://www.kval.com/news/4568131.html

Another town's ugly game showing that poor sportsmanship runs throughout the ranks from pro sports to high school sports:

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/04/Sports/Gators_claim_SAC_crow.shtml