Prep Voices : Today’s Topic: Profanity on the Playing Field

In a newspaper, profanity looks harmless, if not comical.

“%$&+*$*(**!!!”

In public, it’s another matter. In particular, few would argue that profanity has any place in high schools.

But on many high school athletic fields, you’ll hear a “$%--*!!” here and a “?!* 5/8%!!” there, without any repercussions.

In an era of political correctness, profanity’s foothold in high school sports has all but escaped scrutiny. Although profanity is rarely approved of, it is often ignored. Although most complaints are addressed quickly, the complaints themselves come sporadically.

Because of this latitude, there is no consensus on how profanity should be addressed. Policies can vary from school to school.

“These kids are 14, 15, 16 years of age,” CIF Commissioner Thomas Byrnes said, “and I think it’s inappropriate to use that type of language.”

Perhaps it is the no-harm-intended aspect of some profanity that makes it seem less offensive.

One area of debate is whether to distinguish between profanity that is directed at a turn of events, rather than at a person.

But isn’t profanity against the rules? Besides an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty or a technical foul, it’s hard to say. Policies vary on how profanity is addressed. Coaches and administrators have their own policies, and evidence indicates schools do a pretty good job of controlling it.

CON: Larry Doyle, Marina Athletic Director

A Successful Tool for Motivation

Q: Should a coach be disciplined for the use of profanity on the athletic field?

It would be ideal if there was no use of profanity by coaches, but I don’t think its usage will stop.

Many coaches have tried to quit, managed for a time, but eventually went back to using it. Why? Because it had been a successful tool in the motivation of their athletes. I know there is a saying about getting better results using honey instead of vinegar, but many coaches today played for coaches who used profanity effectively. Now these coaches find themselves using it as a way to get their players’ attention.

I don’t know of supportive research, but most coaches who use profanity feel it works. I know I do (am I protected by the Fifth Amendment here?), and I think your reader responses will indicate many more athletes feel it is a positive rather than a negative.

I admit to having a double standard regarding profanity use in a classroom compared to its use in an athletic environment.

In 21 years teaching math, I have never used profanity in class. Everyone knows it is not acceptable nor an appropriate place. What makes coaches’ classrooms--as we often call our pools, playing fields and courts--any different? Unless you have played competitive interscholastic or intercollegiate sports, I don’t think you can understand the intensity level out there. Sometimes I wish my math students could have that feeling.

Profanity gets the immediate attention of the athletes, and that’s why most coaches use it. It makes the players listen.

Should a coach be fired for using profanity? Definitely not!

It is never appropriate to use profanity directed at an athlete, as in name-calling, and I would consider it abusive. If a coach abuses a player, and this includes verbally--with or without the use of profanity--the coach should be dealt with administratively. Profanity that can be heard by parents or spectators is also unacceptable and offensive, and warrants administrative attention. If either of these types of behaviors continues, then there may be grounds for dismissal, but not based solely on the use of profanity.