Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship Tip #3

Top Ten Things Athletic Directors Can Do To Help Build Character

1. Only hire individuals to coach that place benefits and values on educational activities and athletics first and winning second.
   
   
2. Use the Today's Youth Tomorrow's Leaders program materials to help promote sportsmanship and citizenship.
   
   
3. Demand integrity from your coaches.
   
   
4. Emphasize the importance of sportsmanship in all mailings to parents and students. Stress the experience and knowledge that will be gained by participation will contribute to the student's character building and foundation for their future.
   
   
5. Model appropriate behavior at athletic contests. Support officials and the opposing teams.
   
   
6. Communicate to student-athletes and parents that athletic participation is a privilege, not a right.
   
   
7. Set high expectations and standards for all staff. Make sure that standards are in writing and reviewed with all coaches.
   
   
8. Ensure that the desire to win is not placed above the educational experience.
   
   
9. Always remember that the profession of coaching is the profession of teaching and that the field of play is just another classroom.
   
   
10. All participants in the IESA are responsible for promoting, teaching, enforcing and recognizing the highest standards of sportsmanship.
    
    Students, coaches, administrators and fans representing IESA member schools are expected to demonstrate the highest level of sportsmanship and respect for others. Sportsmanship is everyone's responsibility!