May/June 2022 - 6

EDITORIAL between the lines
keep sportsmanship
IN SPORTS
By Wesley Sykes, managing editor
Good sportsmanship builds teamwork, character, and
teaches respect, honor, discipline, kindness, inclusion,
resilience, perseverance, among many other positive traits.
As the National Federation of State High School
Associations (NFHS) executive director Dr. Karissa Niehoff
wrote, " high schools must establish a culture that values the
worth of every single person - both players on the school's
team and players on the opposing team. There must be a notolerance
policy regarding behavior that shows disrespect for
another individual. "
It may seem hard to define, but the hallmarks of
sportsmanship include being able to win without gloating,
respecting one's opponents, and being able to lose gracefully.
Here are some important principles to instill in your program:
* If you lose, don't make up excuses.
* If you win, don't rub it in.
* Learn from mistakes and get back in the game.
* Always do your best.
* If someone else makes a mistake, remain encouraging and
avoid criticizing.
* Show respect for yourself, your team, and the officials of
the game.
Good sportsmanship includes following certain guidelines
for good behavior. Share these concepts with your children:
* Avoid Arguing - Stay focused on the game instead of
giving in to anger with teammates, coaches, or referees.
Avoid using bad language and negative words.
* Everyone Plays - In youth sports, it's important to
encourage even those players who are the least skilled to
have fun playing in the game. Parents, coaches, and even
other players have an important role in allowing less talented
teammates the opportunity to flourish.
* Respect the Other Team - Whether your team wins or
loses, it's important to show respect for the effort of the other
team. If the other team wins, accept defeat, acknowledge
their abilities, and move on. If your team wins, resist
bragging-that's what it means to be a gracious winner.
* Encourage Teammates - Team sports work best when
each individual supports the team. Praise teammates
for what they do well and encourage them when they make
mistakes. Avoid criticism and unkind actions.
* Respect the Referees - These people are charged with
making difficult decisions about plays in the game. Good
sportsmanship requires that you accept a call, even if you
disagree with it. Remember that it's only one call in a long
game - get back into play and focus on the game.
* End with a Handshake - Those with good sportsmanship
enjoy sports and know how to end a game on a positive note,
whether or not they won. Threats, anger, criticism, and other
negative expressions are not acceptable.
6 MAY/JUNE 2022
MANAGING EDITOR
EDITORIAL
Wesley Sykes, 616-520-2149
CADedit@coachad.com
ADVERTISING SALES
GROUP PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER
Brian Virgona, 616-520-2140
CADsales@coachad.com
Mark Goldberg, 607-592-0770
mgoldberg@greatamericanpublish.com
PRODUCTION
CLIENT SUCCESS
REPRESENTATIVE
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE
DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jolan Godrey, 616-520-2148
jgodfrey@greatamericanpublish.com
Emily Peterson, 616-520-2165
CADproduction@coachad.com
Amanda Mackey, 616-520-2157
amackey@greatamericanpublish.com
Allison McKenzie, 616-520-2142
amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com
CIRCULATION
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR
CFO & DIRECTOR OF HUMAN
RESOURCES
COO & CMO
CEO
Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
CADcirculation@coachad.com
CORPORATE
Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
Kimberly Baker, 616-520-2135
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
Matt McCallum, 616-520-2133
publisher@coachad.com
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
TOM BASS, Former NFL Assistant, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
& San Diego Chargers * DR. DAVID HOCH, Retired Athletic Director, Baltimore
County, MD * ABE WEHMILLER, Director of Athletics, Charlotte Country Day
School, Charlotte, NC * ALAN STEIN, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach,
Nike Elite DeMatha Catholic High School, MD * PETE KITTEL, Principal, Brillion
High School, WI * DARREN FENSTER, Minor League Manager, Boston Red Sox
& Founder/CEO, Coaching Your Kids, LLC, Neptune, NJ * JOSH HILS, Soccer
Coach, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, NH * DR. BRANDEN LIPPY, Athletic
Director, Lampeter-Strasburg High School, Lancaster, PA
Published and copyrighted 2022 by Great American Media Services Inc. All
rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,
recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written
permission from the publisher.
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and advertisers in
Coach & Athletic Director do not necessarily reflect those of the editors and
publisher. Appearance in Coach & Athletic Director does not constitute
endorsement by Great American Media Services or Coach & Athletic
Director of the advertiser, its products, or services. Great American Media
Services and Coach & Athletic Director accept no responsibility of liability
for the validity or accuracy of information supplied by contributors, vendors,
advertisers, or advertising agencies. Great American Media Services and
Coach & Athletic Director do not make any claims or guarantees as to
the accuracy or validity of information supplied by contributors, vendors,
advertisers or advertising agencies.
COACH & ATHLETIC DIRECTOR (USPS 12-370) is published Bimonthly with
issues in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/
October, November/December by Great American Media Services Inc., 75
Applewood Dr., Suite A, Sparta, Michigan 49345. Periodicals postage paid at
Sparta, MI and additional mailing offices.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Individual subscriptions are available to qualified US
subscribers. One year subscriptions for individuals: U.S. $19.95 (print) and
$9.95 (digital); Outside of U.S. $24.95 (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S.
bank). Single issues available (prepaid only) $4 each. For change of address
or subscription information, call 616-887-9008 or fax 616-887-2666.
POSTMASTER: Please send change of address Great American Publishing,
PO Box 318, Lincolnshire, IL 60069.
GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA SERVICES INC.
P.O. Box 128, Sparta, Michigan 49345
Phone: 616-887-9008
Email: frontdesk@greatamericanpublish.com
May/June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2022
