FALL 2017
maskmatters.org
61
S.A.T (Student Awareness Tools)
®
was
developed and produced by students at
Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona.
W
hen it comes to sportsmanship, the first thing
that may come to mind is players on the field
displaying teamwork, character and respect.
If only we lived in such a perfect world.
Today, examples of poor sportsmanship often
outnumber examples of good ones, and can be seen in the
interactions between players, parents, coaches and officials.
Being a good sport goes beyond respecting others on the
playing field. It expands outwards and affects the interactions
we have with others in our life. It helps us build character and
have empathy for others.
Rather than resorting to aggression, it is important to
be a good sport on and off the field in order to create more
successful careers, relationships and friendships in the future.
LAYING THE
FOUNDATION
Competitive youth sports are notorious
for the animosity and hostility that often comes
with playing in a competitive atmosphere.
Whether it’s team vs. team, parent vs. coach, or
even parent vs. player, the environment and culture can be
a breeding ground for negative interactions. Despite its
overly competitive nature, sports can be the perfect realm for
children to learn good sportsmanship, based on the actions and
examples set by parents and coaches.
Arizona State University professors Dr. Jeff Kassing and
Dr. Lindsey Mean have conducted studies and research that
examines communication between coaches and athletes,
parents and youth athletes, and fans and athletes. Based on
their studies, they believe parent interaction has a significant
impact on a child’s sportsmanship.
“Research we’ve conducted suggests that parents, coaches
and spectators influence sportsmanship behavior in youth
athletics,” says Kassing. “They also advance aggression and
competition as key pursuits instead of placing the emphasis on
kids having fun and learning good lessons from sport.”
Shea Baumgarth, a Perry High School senior who played
competitive club soccer for 12 years, confirmed Kassing and
Mean’s findings in her own experiences as an athlete.
“If it didn’t really look like I went after the ball as much
as I could have, I could hear my dad yelling at me from the
sidelines,” Baumgarth says.
Baumgarth ultimately came to the conclusion that “it was
definitely the club environment and the pressure to be better
and better that made me lose my passion for the sport.”
Kassing’s and Mean’s research coincides with these
findings as well, showing a lack of support from parents or
coaches causes players to lose interest in the sport altogether.
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