National Survey Reveals More Than Half of Americans Witnessed Poor
Sportsmanship at Youth Level
GLENVIEW, Ill., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year in a row, the
vast majority of Americans believe that sportsmanship is worse now than when
they were growing up, according to a national survey fielded by TNS and the
Awards and Recognition Association (ARA), which conducts an annual survey on
the state of sportsmanship.
More than 85 percent of Americans from ages 20 to 80+ think sportsmanship
is worse now than when they were growing up, a 10 percent decrease from the
previous year's dissatisfaction level of 94 percent.
But the news on sportsmanship isn't all bad. Slightly more of us
(83 percent) have witnessed positive displays of sportsmanship than have
witnessed examples of bad sportsmanship (78 percent).
"We've been polling Americans for three years now to better gauge
sentiments on sportsmanship and most importantly, to see what we can do about
it," said Cathy Garcia, ARA president.
ARA National Sportsmanship Award
The most-often cited negative portrayal of sportsmanship was fans acting
out. Other negative behaviors witnessed included brawling among players and
drug use among athletes.
To help sway the negative trend ARA recruited some of the most renowned
coaching legends and sports experts to a blue-ribbon panel that rewards
college football sportsmanship standouts with the only national sportsmanship
award. Chaired by Brigham Young Coach LaVell Edwards, the ARA Selection Panel
includes: Dick MacPherson, Christine Brennan, Rod Commons, Lee Corso, Vince
Dooley, Spike Dykes, Steve Hatchell, Don James, Bernie Kish, Lisa Malin, Don
Nehlen, Tubby Raymond, Gene Stallings, and Grant Teaff.
Past ARA Sportsmanship Award winners who received the 125-pound award
include: Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in 2005, St. Louis
Rams running back Brian Leonard in 2006 and Washington State University
quarterback Alex Brink in 2007, who was just drafted by the Houston Texans.
Tips from the Pros
1. ABCs of sportsmanship. Teach sportsmanship, it isn't naturally
learned and must be taught daily.
2. Go team! Cheer for the team, not just your favorite player to help
teach sportsmanship.
3. Don't show me the money. Focus on the love of the love of the game,
rather than the monetary aspect. Otherwise players might play for themselves
instead of their team.
4. One strike and you're out. Create a zero-tolerance policy for bad
behavior.
5. Reward the positive. Give game balls, provide privileges for the
'best sport of the game,' or give the opposing team an award.
6. More than the handshake. Start new end-of-the-game rituals that
highlight sportsmanship. The handshake is good, but more can be done, try
giving opposing game balls.
7. Be a reporter. Call or email the local newspaper when witnessing
great displays of sportsmanship.
8. Form a local sports support group. Join forces with local parents,
coaches or park districts. Reward acts of positive sportsmanship on a regular
basis.
For more information, visit http://www.arasportsmanshipaward.com.
SOURCE Awards and Recognition Association
Andrea Schnorr of CarsonStoga Communications, +1-847-884-0000,
andrea@carsonstoga.com, for Awards and Recognition Association
