Jan
31
Sportsmanship
January 31, 2007 | 9 Comments
I finally got my Herald in the mail today so if this is a little behind I apologize. As is normal these days I turned immediately to Mr. Broman’s column in the sports section. I respect him as much as anybody living in Stuart, and I agree with what he says about 99% of the time, but there was a part of this column I didn’t agree with.
When I played sports in high school I was always the first to congratulate an opponent on a good play. I was first in line to shake hands after the game. All things considered, I think I was the textbook definition of good sportsmanship.
Like I said, I amost always agree with Mr. Broman’s examples of good sportsmanship, but when he says “reading newspapers while the opposing team was being introduced was in very poor taste” I disagree wholeheartedly.
My first stop after Stuart was the University of Kansas. In my 4+ years as a student in Lawrence I missed fewer than 10 baskeball games. One of the first traditions I learned at KU was to hold a newspaper in front of my face during the other team’s introductions so as to appear uninterested. This was a way to show our team that we supported them, and we were behind them all the way. This wasn’t a knock against the other team. We did it against Missouri just like we did it against Wichita State.
I probably waved a newspaper in front of my face around 100 times in support of the Jayhawks. I waved my hands when I was sitting behind the basket and the other team was shooting a free throw. I waved an opponent to the bench and counted his steps when he fouled out. Was I being unsportsmanlike? The answer is absolutely, without a doubt, not at all.
There’s a line that people cross often in regards to sportsmanship. Cussing at a ref? Yes, that crosses the line. Showboating after a routine play? It’s not necessary. Waving a newspaper during introductions? Not even close.
There’s no doubt that people still have a great deal to learn about being respectful and being a good sport, but their passion and the support of their team shouldn’t be forced to suffer in the name of sportsmanship.
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I went to a KU game once…someone threw a beer at my head because I was walking with MU fans. I didn’t read the article…but KU has some psycho fans. Also, I’ve been drinking, not as much as lindsey, but nevertheless.
Serves you right for walking with Mizzou fans. You were probably running your mouth and deserved it anyway.
Fourteen shots would do that to anyone, even our favorite waitress.
Hey Nate!
I think we actually did this too during basketball our senior year, I know they did it a couple of years ago too. I agree with you it isn’t disrespecting the other team, it is supporting our team, I remember there were times that we turned our backs during their introductions too. As long as it isn’t mocking them, I don’t think it hurts anything. Like the new blog too. Keep up the Good Work!!
Joe
The road goes on forever, and the party never ends…
Sorry, Nate, but I disagree with your reasoning. You described doing these same acts while in college, but not in HS. The NCAA does not crack down on this type of behavior while the Iowa High School Athletic Association does. OK, so the HS kids were showing support to their team, but that can be done in a classy way without having to draw attention to their actions which is what people are doing.
So, what is so inherently wrong with acknowledging your opponent?
Now, before anyone starts questionning my background, yes, I did some things while younger that I regret now. If my folks witness my behavior, I would have received their wrath.
Today, I am much older and hopefully, wiser (mature?). I want WCV to be respected, not to be chastised for its lack of sportsmanship.
Be reminded, that the officials would downgrade the fans on their sportsmanship ratings if they saw this act. If I witnessed something like this in any game that I officiated, I would be compelled to do the same thing BECAUSE I am representing the IHSAA and its beliefs.
So, we don’t share the same beliefs. We will “agree to disagree”, but, as long as I represent WCV and the IHSAA, I will always hold the fans, coaches and players to a high level of expectation.
Tod, I have to agree with Nate on this one. You’re advocating a rather PC environment, where it seems like you would want the home crowd to cheer just as hard for the opposing team, so as not to be disrespectful.
If actually executed as the Jayhawk fans do in Allen Fieldhouse, there should be no problem. One of my favorite KU memories is of a quiet fieldhouse, the only sound to be heard is the gentle shuffling of newspapers. No boos, nothing obscene.
I was at the KU-Colorado game in Lawrence a couple weekends ago and witnessed a group of CU fans taking pictures of the student section with their papers. I doubt they thought it disrespectful – in fact, I would argue that they were flattered we would think that highly of their team as competitors. The real insult would be for Jayhawk fans to not even show up to the game.
Basketball needs stuff like this so the fans don’t fall asleep. It’s just like Hockey, do you think people would like the sport if you had to set in the front row with your hands in your lap. Heck no, pound the glass and screem at the players!
Tod – The game your talking about was played 20 years ago, times are a changing!!
Is hockey still a sport?
Sorry, folks, I still disagree. To ignore your opponent is being obnoxious. I never said that you had to clap wildly for them, but to turn your back on them or hide behind a newspaper? Too many think that what they see on TV or in person (college, pro games) is OK for high school. No, it’s not.
Anonymous, 3:38- the game “20 years ago” was worse than today. Yes, times are changing and good sportsmanship is being promoted more and more.
I challenge you to contact the IHSAA and get their viewpoint on what we’re talking about. I am confident that I won’t be the only one who thinks like I do.