What You Can Do
D
Start early and discuss good
sportsmanship as often as possible.
D
Have perspective and help your child
maintain perspective. It’s easy to get
caught up in the hype of a competition,
but remember, it’s just a game.
D
Emphasize hard work, teamwork and
perseverance.
D
Focus on their efforts, not the outcome.
D
Help them set realistic goals and
expectations about their performance.
D
Remember that you can’t live through
them. This isn’t your chance to make
the college team.
D
Model respect, tolerance and integrity.
D
Don’t yell at or bad mouth other
individuals’ performances.
D
Don’t compare your child to others.
D
Win or lose, use all opportunities
as a teaching moment and discuss
what was done well and what could be
improved upon.
Conversation
Starters
“
The NCAA has policies on good
sportsmanship and ethical behavior for
athletes both on and off the field. Have
you thought about how you’ll stick to
these standards? Not sticking to these
standards could get you kicked off the
team.”
“
The university you’re going to has
strong standards when it comes to
academic integrity and cheating. Let’s
think about how you’re going to avoid
violating these rules that could get you
kicked out of school.”
“
Acting with respect and tolerance is a
great leadership skill and characteristic
of being a good sport. These skills will
also help you deal with challenges. How
can I help you develop and maintain
these skills?”
FALL 2017
maskmatters.org
81
R
eality sets in for young adults. Whether your child chooses to
attend college or enter the workforce, they’re now on their own
and responsible for their own decisions.
Being a good sport—meaning they have those core values
of respect and tolerance—will help your college student succeed no matter
what they choose to do. Young adults are dealing with a lot of pressure:
pressure to keep their scholarships, pressure to make the team, and pressure
to meet their academic/professional expectations. Because of these pressures,
it can be difficult to stick to their values and be a good sport, especially if
they think their future career is on the line.
It can be difficult to avoid choosing the easy way out by cheating or
breaking the rules. But the most important thing to help them remember is
that the easy win won’t help them meet their goals—it’s how they got the
win and their conduct on and off the field that matters.
Sticking to their values of respect and tolerance will help them meet
whatever goals they set for themselves, rather than being a poor sport to
get that easy win.The NCAA specifically discusses good sportsmanship
in their bylaws as an absolute expectation among college athletes. Every
single university has a bylaw that highlights academic honesty and integrity.
Cheating is not tolerated…on or off the field.
Teaching your college-age child that poor sportsmanship is akin to
dishonesty and a lack of integrity may help them stay true to being a good
sport and being successful through hard work. Bullying, teasing, or taunting
can lead to so many unexpected negative consequences. Being a good sport
will help them avoid pitfalls that can cost them their careers.
Signs &
Behaviors
q
Is a leader/team builder
q
Respects the game and doesn’t take the easy way out by
doing something dishonest or against the rules
q
Works hard and perseveres despite struggles and
challenges
q
Makes healthy choices
q
Has good social skills
q
Is inclusive, respectful and tolerant
q
Handles failure with grace
q
Celebrates successes together as a team
q
Doesn’t resent someone who performs better
q
Learns from their mistakes
q
Takes feedback and criticism as a learning experience
q
Is honest and acts with integrity
q
Doesn’t maliciously tease or taunt
q
Is humble and doesn’t flaunt success
