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SAC Sound-off: The State of Sportsmanship
April 17, 2012
This week, we asked our MHSAA Student Advisory Council -- made up of athletes representing nearly every sport the MHSAA sponsors -- if they've seen more or less sportsmanship during their high school sports careers.
Here's what they told us:
Good news
“I’ve seen an increase, especially on our golf team because we’ve made that a priority on the team. Also, our school has made it a bigger focus.” – Kalamazoo Hackett junior Abby Radomsky
“An increase most definitely has been seen in the department of sportsmanship throughout my high school career. … Due to the rising levels of leadership and drive shown by students and coaches to display that life skills are taught through sports, not only the sport.” – New Buffalo senior Lena Madison
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship because I think the whole idea of ‘Good sports are winners’ has had an impact on student athletes.” – Rogers City junior Evan Lamb
“I have seen an increase overall, especially in my area. I have tried to spread the ideas of positive sportsmanship throughout the U.P., and many people have made the change. It’s pretty awesome.” – Rudyard senior Tyler Wilson
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship because the idea of being a good sport has been brought to the forefront of high school sports by the MHSAA and the SAC.” – Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman
For some right reasons
“As my teammates have matured, I think we have learned more about how crucial having good sportsmanship is to the success of the team.” – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep junior Carly Joseph
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship because I feel more and more kids are playing for the love of the game and not only to win.” – Muskegon Catholic Central senior Alissa Jones
As athletes grow up
“I have seen an increase throughout my time in high school, mostly because of the increased maturity level and understanding of what is right.” – Grand Blanc senior Bailey Truesdell
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship. I believe this is because there is an increase in the level of maturity.” – Vandercook Lake junior Thye Fischman
Somewhere in the middle
“I haven’t really noticed a change either way. I have never come in contact with very poor sportsmanship, which is probably why it seems to stay the same.” – Walled Lake Central junior Taylor Krumm
“I haven’t noticed an increase or a decrease in high school sports. I think high school athletes act the same as when I entered high school.” – Travis Clous, Benzie Central senior
Something to consider
“I think a decrease because as students grow up and become more comfortable playing, I think they forget what they have been taught and feel as though they are entitled. I know student that think the older they are, the more they know; so they talk back to coaches and players.” – Maria Buczkowski, Detroit Country Day senior
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SAC Sound-off: You get one question
March 6, 2012
We asked the members of the Student Advisory Council to pick someone they wish they could meet, and tell us why. Here are their answers:
Ancestors
Carly Joseph, Pontiac Notre Dame junior
I would ask all of my grandparents about what it was like when they were growing up.
Elle Lehman, Portland St. Patrick senior
I would ask anyone in my family who lived hundreds of years ago what it was like where my family came from, and why they moved to America.
Visionaries
Tyler Wilson, Rudyard senior
I would ask Martin Luther King Jr. how he was so brave.
Maria Buczkowski, Detroit Country Day senior
I would ask Albert Einstein to convince my teachers to have a daydreaming class in school, since he developed the theory of relativity by daydreaming.
Entrepreneurs
Alissa Jones, Muskegon Catholic Central senior
I would like to ask Steve Jobs how he came up with the idea of the Ipod gadgets.
Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc senior
I would like to ask Warren Buffett how he made his billions.
Sports Legends
Kevin Beazley, Detroit Catholic Central senior
Michael Jordan: What are the little things that nobody knows about or sees that brought you to the top?
Matt Freeman, Owosso junior
Bear Bryant: What does it take to become the leader he was?
Evan Lamb, Rogers City junior
Joe Paterno: I'd ask how it felt to have touched the hearts of so many people throughout the years.
Kings (of rock-n-roll)
Lena Madison, New Buffalo senior
I would like to ask Elvis Presley if is he is dead or alive still.