Training, sanctions called keys to ending poor sportsmanship

In the wake of a fracas between a former Mississippi congressman and a soccer coach, experts point to training and tougher punishment as ways to reduce fights on and off the field.

An atmosphere has come to exist "where emotional outbursts among parents, most of whom are vicariously living sports through their child, is tolerated," said Fred Engh, founder and president of the National Alliance for Youth Sports and author of Why Johnny Hates Sports.

A 2008 survey by SportingKid magazine showed that 76 percent of those responding reported witnessing a coach arguing with another coach, official or parent at a practice or game, and 29 percent had witnessed a physical confrontation involving coaches, officials or parents.

Former 3rd District Rep. Chip Pickering and Chris Hester, who coached the soccer team that competed against Pickering's son, recently exchanged blows after Pickering said Hester called his son "pathetic," driving the child to tears. Hester, who was wearing a neck brace, says Pickering yelled at him and pulled him from his vehicle while Pickering maintains he defended himself because Hester attacked him first.

Each has accused the other of misdemeanor assault, and a trial date is set for Jan. 19.

What happened in this case is minor compared to incidents elsewhere. After a Massachusetts youth ice hockey game in 2002, a player's father beat an opposing player's father senseless while the 10-year-olds watched. The victim lapsed into a coma and died.

Sometimes referees are the victims. The National Association of Sports Officials receives more than 100 reports annually of physical contact by coaches, players and fans against those officials. Some referees or umpires have been beaten, kicked, punched, choked, head-butted or knocked unconscious.

Last year, Jim Gulley, the father of a Clinton soccer player, was banned from attending games for the rest of season after knocking down a referee. He later apologized for his behavior.

Engh said playing sports offers the ability to teach ethics, teamwork, how to win or lose gracefully, and how to abide by the rules.

"We're teaching them, far too often in these programs today, it's OK to cheat in order to win," he said. "It's OK to taunt the players on the other team to get an advantage. It's OK to play even though you're injured. And, yes, it's OK to spit in an umpire's face if you don't accept the call. The overwhelming majority of parents are wonderful, caring people, and it's people like myself who've said, 'Enough is enough.' "

Several years ago, officials at the Mississippi High School Activities Association became concerned about what they were witnessing in games.

"We were seeing growing incidents of a lack of respect on the part of participants in athletics at all levels," said Phyfa Eiland, director of development. "Students were following the models they saw at the professional and college level with rage, disrespect for officials and fellow players, and disrespect for fans."

Fifteen Mississippi school districts agreed to be part of the pilot program on the Web to train students and coaches in sportsmanship.

Success with that effort led MHSAA to put the program in all of the districts. So far, about 97,000 students and almost 5,000 coaches have gone through training, which includes remedial training for any coach or player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Eiland said training appears to be making a difference. Schools have seen a 44 percent reduction in the ejections of football players and a 50 percent reduction in the ejections of coaches.

Scott Brown, athletic director for Clinton public schools, is impressed with the program so far. "It seems to help," he said. "We've even had situations where parents have gone through the program."

In Alabama, where the STAR Sportmanship program has been implemented for four years, ejections of football players are down 62 percent.

Brian Shulman, once a team captain for the Auburn football team, developed the program.

He sees similarities between the fervor surrounding the spectacles at the Roman coliseum and the rabid fans at some football games. "I don't think that sportsmanship is dead, but we have to do a better job at truly living it," he said.

To improve sportsmanship, the Mississippi Private School Association conducts clinics on rules and has teams read a sportsmanship creed before games. The association also hands down fines and punishment for coaches and schools that cross the line.

Before the recent playoffs in football, the association sent reminders to coaches and athletic directors: "Poor sportsmanship continues to be a problem. We must all take an active role in making sure that everyone associated with our schools models appropriate behavior for our student-athletes."

If a coach is ejected from a game, he must pay a $250 fine and be suspended for one game, said Les Triplett, MPSA director of activities. The school also must pay a $300 fine and serve a year on probation - a warning to the school against another infraction.

If a player is ejected from a game, the school decides the punishment. A second ejection means the player is out for two weeks. A third ejection means the player is out for the year.

"We've never had one of those," Triplett said.

After the school sees its third ejection, it must pay $300, and the fines continue to go up after that, he said.

In retrospect, Pickering said he wishes he had never walked out to Hester's vehicle and said anything.

His advice to others?

"If something happens that upsets you, wait 24 hours and then say something through the appropriate channels or to the coach or to other parents," he said. "If you can wait 24 hours, it's best in life, and it's best in sports."