[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 30 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2147-S2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP DAY

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am pleased to commemorate the 
seventh annual celebration of National Sportsmanship Day, which took 
place on March 5. Designed to promote ethics, integrity, and good 
sportsmanship in athletics, National Sportsmanship Day was established 
by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode 
Island. This year, over 8000 schools in all 50 States and 75 countries 
overseas participated in National Sportsmanship Day.
  There seems to be no shortage of stories about assaults on referees, 
players, and even press photographers. I am particularly pleased, 
therefore, that the Institute for International Sport tackled the issue 
of violence in sports head-on. As part of National Sportsmanship Day, 
the Institute held a day-long town meeting where athletes, coaches, 
journalists, students, and educators engaged in a lengthy discussion 
about the causes and possible solutions for violence on the playing 
field. I think that the Institute's work to foster this kind of 
dialogue among our young people is critical.
  In addition to the town meeting, the Institute for International 
Sport also sponsored an essay contest in which students wrote and 
shared their views on good sportsmanship, fair play, and courtesy on 
the playing field. Several winning essays were published in USA Today 
and the Providence Journal Bulletin, and I ask that they be printed in 
the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.
  Another key component of National Sportsmanship Day is the Student-
Athlete Outreach Program. This program encourages high schools and 
colleges to send talented student-athletes to local elementary and 
middle schools to promote good sportsmanship and serve as positive role 
models. These students help young people build self-esteem, respect for 
physical fitness, and an appreciation for the value of teamwork.
  I remain very proud that National Sportsmanship Day was initiated in 
Rhode Island, and I applaud the students and teachers who participated 
in this inspiring event. Likewise, I congratulate all of those at the 
Institute for International Sport, whose hard work and dedication over 
the last 7 years have made this program so successful.
  The material follows:

          [From the Providence Journal-Bulletin, Mar. 4, 1997]

   Whether They Realize It or Not, National Athletes Are Role Models

                       (By Steven E. Sylven, Jr.)

       Sportsmanship. Today, it seems to be as valuable as my `86 
     Escort, which died a month ago. Is it any wonder though? Look 
     around at some of the players in any of the pro leagues. 
     You'll find guys who headbutt officials, spit on umpires, 
     throw towels at their coaches, and kick cameramen. These 
     ``professional'' athletes just ooze with sportsmanship and 
     set a great example for kids don't they?
       Some of these players say they don't want to be considered 
     role models; that children should not look toward them as 
     one. Well, news flash fellas, you are role models. There is 
     no getting around this because you are professional athletes 
     and are forever in the spotlight. Kids see your every move 
     and they will imitate it. Why? Because they see you get away 
     with it and they think it's cool.
       When I was a kid, I loved playing sports and, like most 
     kids, I would pretend to be my favorite player when playing. 
     When I was playing baseball, I was Dwight Evans; when playing 
     hockey, I was Mike Bossy; football, I was Dan Marino; and 
     when playing tennis, I was John McEnroe. Yes, John ``I will 
     yell at anything that does not go my way'' McEnroe.
       I won't kid around here, I liked him for one reason and 
     only one reason, he could shoot his mouth off at anyone and 
     get away with it. I thought he was the best thing since 
     sliced bread, plus he was a good tennis player to boot. Talk 
     with any of my childhood friends who would play with me, 
     they'd probably tell you I put McEnroe to shame. I was bad.
       There was one time I was playing and I missed a shot on a 
     critical point. Well, as critical a point as you can have 
     when you are playing your friend in a park; but I wasn't a 
     kid, I was John McEnroe and this was Wimbledon.
       Anyway, I went off on about a five-minute tirade, spewing 
     forth any and every obscenity you can think of and then some. 
     It was so bad that a lady who was clear on the other side of 
     the park, came over and asked me to stop my mouth because she 
     had her little children with her. I just brushed her off. 
     After all, she was not my mother and besides McEnroe does it. 
     Why couldn't I?
       Incidentally, this screaming after points became a habit 
     with me whenever I played and continued through high school. 
     So bad was it that I would almost get into fist fights with 
     opponents from other schools. One time, during the state 
     doubles championships, I was running my mouth so bad that my 
     coach almost pulled my partner and I out of the tournament * 
     * * and we were in the quarterfinals. Playing tennis the way 
     John McEnroe did was the only style I came to know.
       Now, I'm not saying that all kids who imitate the bad 
     behavior of professional athletes are going to behave that 
     way for the rest of their lives. Nor am I saying that kids 
     only pay attention to the conduct of unruly players, for 
     there are far more players exhibiting the qualities of 
     sportsmanship than there are not.
       What I am saying is that a player who screams and shouts 
     when things don't go his or her way and gets away with it, 
     may spark the interest of a child more than someone who just 
     accepts the fate the sports gods lay out for them. I speak 
     from experience here.
       So as we celebrate National Sportsmanship Day today, it 
     would be nice if the not-so-sportsmanlike athletes of the 
     nation would take the time to recognize the value of 
     sportsmanship. If not for themselves or respected leagues, at 
     least for the little Wayne Gretzkys, Pete Samprases, and 
     Kerri Struggs out there.
                                  ____


                Sports' Code: Be Your Best At All Times

         (By Brian Bert, Grade 5, Metcalf School, Exeter, R.I.)

       I think good sportsmanship is not who wins or loses, but 
     playing your best. You have to remember it is just a game. A 
     good sport does not insult other teammates. He helps other 
     players up when they fall.
       When I play sports I see a lot of good and bad 
     sportsmanship. Sometimes I see players who won't shake other 
     players' hand at the end of the game. I sometimes see 
     teammates blaming other teammates for losing the game. I see 
     coaches arguing with refs.
       I also a lot of good sportsmanship like helping other 
     teammates up when they fall. Most good players shake hands at 
     the end of the game and say ``good game.'' A good sport would 
     say to others ``don't worry about your mistakes, it is just a 
     game''.
       I felt I show good sportsmanship. I enjoy playing the game. 
     It does not matter who wins, I feel good sportsmanship will 
     help me through my life. It is a good lesson to learn.
                                  ____


                  Win or Lose, Strong Hearts Never Die

       (By Erin K. Hannon, Grade 10, Exeter/West Greenwich High)

       The 1996 Exeter/West Greenwich High School football team 
     showed opponents that winning is not everything. Despite 
     their nine losses, these young men displayed outstanding 
     sportsmanship and character throughout the season. Their love 
     and devotion to the game of football kept their spirits alive 
     whenever hope seemed to be fleeting. Although they did not 
     achieve the win they had been looking for they gained the 
     respect of many last year.
       The tradition of football is just beginning to blossom in 
     the rural towns of Exeter and

[[Page S2148]]

     West Greenwich. This past season was only the second year 
     that the school had had a team. Experience was the key to 
     playing the game, and many of these boys had never played 
     organized football before. With only 19 boys on the roster, 
     including only one senior, these young men found it difficult 
     to compete with larger, more experienced teams across the 
     state. However, giving up was out of the question. They stood 
     tall and repeatedly showed that they deserved the respect 
     that all of the opposing teams were receiving. These boys 
     continued to give all that they had until the last whistle of 
     the season had been blown.
       As the manager and statistician of the team, I witnessed 
     the pain in the eyes of each and every young man after a 
     loss. They put forth tremendous effort not only during the 
     games, but every day in practice. Their coaches, Mark 
     Graholski, John Houseman and Craig Belanger, pushed every one 
     of the boys until they could be pushed no further. They 
     taught the boys the fundamentals on the football field, and 
     more importantly, how the football team becomes a family 
     during the season. They learned how to stick together through 
     thick and thin and that although losing is not the greatest, 
     earning respect and dignity is far greater than winning.
       One of the team's greater accomplishments last year was 
     receiving the Dick Reynolds Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. 
     This honor recognized not only the talent, but the impetus 
     and determination that came from within each and every young 
     man on the team. It also allowed the team to be noticed by 
     all not for their winning percentage, but for the way they 
     played the game. The players realized that winning was only 
     the icing on the cake and they were proud in what they had 
     accomplished overall.
       The members on the Exeter/West Greenwich football team 
     learned more than the game of football last year, they 
     learned many aspects of the game of life. They learned that 
     being able to stand tall with a smile on your face is a far 
     better goal to achieve than winning. Their character and 
     sense of pride through a season filled with struggles showed 
     that they had the will to continue and the power to be 
     successful, win or lose. Although the pain and anguish of 
     losing will fade away, the character and sportsmanship of 
     these young men will remain for years to come.
                                  ____


            Professional Athletes Need To Learn Self-Control

        (By Kaycee Roberts, Grade 7, Westerly's Babcock School)

       The behavior of professional atheletes today is extremely 
     out of hand. Players and coaches alike go to the outler 
     limits to win, and often, to make the other team look bad. 
     Referees allow many more things to go on (and so do coaches) 
     than they should. Sports are played mainly for fun, but if 
     athletes and coaches keep acting in such an impolite and 
     downright ridiuculous manner, they will take the fun right 
     out of it. Therefore the behavior of role models in sports 
     needs to be improved.
       First, children are watching these morally irresponsible 
     actions. They will see their idols commit these acts. So, of 
     course, they will act the same way. For example, when you see 
     a baseball player throw the bat and swear at the umpire, 
     children will think it is cool to do that, and they will go 
     out and repeat the same action. It is not right to introduce 
     this behavior to the youth of America.
       Second, they celebrate and taunt, yet they are only doing 
     their job. When football players shout and dance because they 
     score a touchdown, they are celebrating actions they are 
     expected to perform. The football players are supposed to 
     score for their team. These flamboyant actions are totally 
     uncalled for. It would be like a stockholder screaming and 
     boasting because he sold stocks. They need to put aside their 
     ridiculous and foolish antics and play the game.
       Last is the obvious fact that such behavior has absolutely 
     no point and does not benefit anyone. It certainly doesn't 
     benefit the subject of the taunt, nor does it benefit anyone 
     watching the game. Finally, role models in professional 
     sports desperately need to improve their attitudes. We are 
     going to be living in a very sad world if people cannot 
     simply control their tempers and behavior . We want to see 
     athletes set aside silly and childish ways and promote the 
     youth of America by freshly nourishing them in a good way.
                                  ____


                   [From the USA Today, Mar. 4, 1997]

                 Pushing To Improve Is Mark of a Winner

               (By Daryl Myer, Edinboro (PA) University)

       His gait is modest and true, his body strong yet 
     unpretentious. His eyes glow with the vibrancy for life all 
     too few know. His smile is contagious. Ask any of his 
     friends, and they will tell you the truth: His work ethic and 
     will to win rate second to none. He is always trying to 
     become better, not only on the track, but in life as well.
       It is practice time, and his teammates and coach have 
     gathered on the track for another workout. His coach reads 
     aloud the workout, and all the others quietly whine and 
     complain. He hears one teammate complaining about a blister 
     on his toe and another about a headache. He remains quiet, 
     showing no signs of apprehension about the pain that awaits 
     him. Ultimately, he realizes that his sore muscles and 
     screaming lungs will make him stronger and more proficient. 
     His goal is to become a national champion.
       Many people might guess that he does poorly in track meets. 
     The exact opposite is true. His desire to win is 
     incomparable. He trains hard and races hard. He speaks only a 
     choice few words. What he says is profound, and he never 
     speaks about himself. In a day and age where athletes draw 
     attention to themselves in any way possible, he chooses to 
     place the emphasis on his team, not himself. Others taunt and 
     point fingers; he simply congratulates his competitors for a 
     job well done.
       He is a true gentleman in every facet of the word. He 
     accepts responsibility for his actions and remains humble at 
     all costs. Honesty and integrity are of the same importance 
     as gold medals and records. His goals are high, but his will 
     is strong. He will be fair and just.
       These are the ideals of a true sportsman, ideals my mother 
     and father taught me. It is my desire to follow their lead. I 
     want to become like ``him.''
                                  ____


                 Competitors Should Raise Bar on Ethics

     (By Brian Bokor, Senior, Shorecrest Prep, St. Petersburg, FL]

       We live in a world where winning supersedes all other 
     considerations. Moral values have been clouded by the desire 
     to win at any price. This is evident in business, politics 
     and in sports.
       I have played organized sports for the last six years of my 
     life, and I have learned about sacrifice, hard work, self-
     discipline and working with others. However, there is also a 
     dark side to the lessons taught in competition. Many athletes 
     will do whatever it takes to achieve a competitive edge.
       I remember reading a couple of years ago about Colorado 
     defeating Missouri in a football game. After review of the 
     game film, it was discovered that Colorado scored on a fifth-
     down play. The mistake was acknowledged, but Colorado refused 
     to forfeit the game. The Colorado coaches blamed the 
     ``mistake'' on the referees. Later that season, Colorado won 
     a share of the national championship. I believe this ``win'' 
     proves that most people consider winning to be far more 
     important than being fair.
       My parents and I had discussed my concerns of a ``must-
     win'' attitude in many aspects of society. Most people now 
     accept ``unfair business practices,'' ``dirty tricks 
     politics'' and ``academic irregularities'' as the norm. I now 
     question whether sports has encouraged this attitude in 
     society or whether society has imposed these practices on 
     sports. No matter what the answer, I believe society and 
     sports need to adopt a new code of ethics.
       Sports participation has helped prepare me for success in a 
     competitive society. However, the unethical practices 
     illustrated in sports have led many competitors into 
     confusing what fairness and sportsmanship are all about. I 
     feel a responsibility to replace the ``winning-at-all-costs'' 
     attitude with an attitude of fairness and sportsmanship that 
     was the original intent of competitive sports.
                                  ____


                Good Starting Point Is Positive Attitude

     (By Meghan Murray, Sixth-grader, Unqua School, Massapequa, NY)

       What is sportsmanship? The definition is the qualities or 
     conduct of a sportsman, fair play. To me, sportsmanship's a 
     kind of attitude you have to a person or anything else. The 
     attitude can be positive or negative. To other people, 
     sportsmanship can relate only to sports. But, in fact, 
     sportsmanship doesn't relate only to sports. Jobs, homes, 
     schools, and friends can relate to sportsmanship.
       Positive sportsmanship is a person who can take 
     constructive criticism, learn from it and turn it into 
     positive abilities. You can achieve sportsmanship by 
     expressing your skills. You have to earn positive 
     sportsmanship by working hard and concentrating on the 
     challenging situations that may arise.
       Another thing about sportsmanship is the attitude. You can 
     shake the other team's hand after you win or lose a game. 
     That shows respect to the players as well as the coaches and 
     fans. If you don't shake the other team's hands, people might 
     think you are disrespectful toward the game.
       After losing a game, disappointment may occur but this 
     should not reflect a bad attitude. A bad team player would 
     walk off the field mad. A good team player would want to meet 
     with his coach and team to see what went wrong and maybe fix 
     it for the next game.
       Winning or losing should always result in good 
     sportsmanship. If you win and rub it in, you are not 
     practicing good sportsmanship! Don't be unkind and 
     disrespectful.
       To be the most effective team player, you must start by 
     giving of yourself 100%. Such as attending all practices, 
     respect all team players and your coaches. Following all 
     rules and regulations of the game. Give all that you've got. 
     Keep up your grades at school. Take charge of what is your 
     destiny and take the responsibilities that may come.

                          ____________________