Sportsmanship the Key Word at Symposium

The challenge facing high school administrators in the 1990s and beyond is to create an understanding of sportsmanship in our schools, said Jack Roberts, keynote speaker at the 11th annual Athletic Directors’ Symposium Wednesday at the Sequoia Athletic Club.

About 500 high school administrators from the Southern Section gathered to hear Roberts, executive director of the Michigan High School Athletic Assn.

The issue of sportsmanship and violence at high school athletic events has surfaced recently with increased incidents throughout the Southern Section. The issue came to a head two weeks ago when a brawl erupted during a Mission Viejo-Capistrano Valley boys’ basketball game. Three Capistrano Valley students were suspended for their role in the fight.

The practice of sportsmanship, Roberts said, begins when administrators hire coaches and give them the standards of sportsmanship.

“The principles of sportsmanship begin long before the contest begins,” Roberts said. “The challenge of the ‘90s and beyond is to create an understanding of sportsmanship in our schools. If you let up, it blows up.”

Roberts introduced five steps in which sportsmanship and academic integrity can be improved. He emphasized that athletics exist for the students rather than the entertainment of the public.

Roberts discouraged the practice of sports specialization, encouraging educators to develop a student more than a specialist. “It’s important to participate as a star and a scrub . . . as a winner and a loser,” he said.

Roberts has spoken to educators and civic groups in 25 states and Canada and has developed a reputation as the “conscience of educational athletics.”

“Usually the coaches and athletic directors politely applaud while school board members and superintendents stand and cheer,” he said. “Those with more responsibility generally respond better.”

The day-long symposium also included in-depth discussions on the dangers of steroids, motivation for female athletes, eligibility check systems and stress management.