Valued Leaders Talk Sportsmanship
April 12, 2013
By Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
Anyone who has attended an MHSAA sporting event has undoubtedly heard the public address announcements touting sportsmanship.
Sportsmanship is one of many lessons taught through school sports. But are today’s student-athletes the willing pupils in the subject? Or are too many kids opting for elective courses in showmanship offered via YouTube and cable networks?
While many involved in high school athletics have noticed a decline in sportsmanship, it’s not too late to inject this valuable ingredient back into our games. But efforts need to begin at the local level, and the scholastic environment needs to supplant community venues where poor sportsmanship often flourishes.
Seventeen coaches from all over the state chipped in to a benchmarks town hall discussion on sportsmanship.
East Kentwood’s Dave Emeott: “I think it is easy to see that sportsmanship is at least diminished. I think sportsmanship starts in the home, but we cannot always depend on the household to teach these lessons. As we sit in the stands, we realize that if this is where they learn it, then we need to get to work. I think we need to teach parents what a good sport looks like, as well as students. It is apparent that students will be the kind of sports they are permitted to be. Most coaches want good sportsmanship, but struggle with the balance of teaching character and winning or losing.”
Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg’s Tamara Benjamin: “Sportsmanship could be endangered. If a parent is allowed to sit in the stands and berate coaches, officials, and other athletes, it’s difficult for our students to see that this behavior is wrong because it is being tolerated. My expectations for our girls’ behavior are made clear the first day of practice. I hold them accountable for themselves, and we go forward each day.”
Holland’s Don Kimble: “I believe that it starts at home; always looking for a reason for failure opens the door to unsportsmanlike behavior. On our team, sportsmanship is stressed within the team first; if you cannot be a sportsman to your teammates, then you cannot be to others.”
Grand Haven’s Kimberly Vincent: “We’re all about sportsmanship and work with students and parents to set expectations. There are too many people pointing fingers at other people about this subject, and I think coaches have to set the example.”
Battle Creek Pennfield’s Mike Roach: “Youth sports programs need to concentrate on sportsmanship and the fact that there are winners and losers in sports. By not keeping score, the kids do not learn how to win, nor do they learn how to handle losing. Keep score. Teach kids that it is not the end of the world to lose, but be gracious in winning and losing.”
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It could be true that much of the focus on poor sportsmanship is a result of just that: the spotlight on poor sportsmanship, rather than the good.
Thornapple-Kellogg’s Abby Kanitz: “I think that too much focus is put on the unsportsmanlike situations. There is much more good out there than bad; it just doesn't make for great stories. It does not take much more than one bad situation to ruin a game, competition or meet. I think sportsmanship comes from the coach. If your athletes know you have high expectations in this area, then their parents will know, too.”
Allegan’s Gary Ellis: “Sportsmanship is alive and well, though it is under attack. Students are exposed to so many examples of poor to horrendous sportsmanship on TV, that it seems to be the norm.”
Bloomfield Hills Andover’s David Zulkiewski: “I see positive sportsmanship every day with my athletes, and that’s because we focus on it and make it part of our daily practice and competition. Our team is much more than swimming or diving; it’s about excelling at life. So many of our kids will not compete in athletics after high school, so we try to give them skills they can use in the real world. Being a good sport is one of those skills.”
Grand Haven’s James Richardson: “Kids want and need structure, and will uphold the guidelines as long as they are clearly defined and enforced consistently. As coaches we need to build relationships with the kids and teach them proper behavior, and serve as models for them.”
Holt’s Mike Van Antwerp: “Sportsmanship is still around. If kids respect their opponents as individuals, they are good sports. Most of them would get along well if they were on the same team, so it’s important they realize that. The kids they play against are no different from them. If they respect the game, respecting their opponent follows.”
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To be sure, no coach worth his or her clipboard sets out to allow poor sportsmanship. But emphasizing proper conduct early and often should be as essential as conducting tryouts.
Munising’s Cathy Mutter: “Sportsmanship is an important part of high school sports and life in general. I always tell my athletes, ‘You do not deserve; you earn. You have to work hard, be positive and be fair.’ I teach them to strive to be the best they can be on the team, in the classroom, at the jobs they have, and at home in their family life. Many programs struggle due to the fact they do not work together as a unit. You are only as strong as your weakest link.”
Rockford’s Ed Van Portfliet: “The O-K Conference and the member schools have done a great job of promoting sportsmanship, and I think it’s alive and well in our area. We teach our players it’s important to play hard, but they also have to respect their opponent and the game. We don’t tolerate actions or play from our players that would be considered disrespectful or detrimental to the game.”
Warren Regina’s Diane Laffey: “We always talk sportsmanship at our team meetings, our parent meetings and our coaches meetings. I guess it is an endangered species in some areas – but I do not feel it has gotten anywhere near that point at our school. I make every effort to make sure that our athletes, teams, coaches and parents keep sportsmanship at the top of our list.”
Allegan’s Ellis: “Leagues have a responsibility to educate their students about proper behavior at high school athletic events and how to treat their opponents. Schools need to develop leaders – on teams and in the stands – who set the tone at contests. The biggest trophy given out at our year-end awards night is the sportsmanship trophy.”
Marshall’s Sue Hutchings: “Sportsmanship starts with the coaching staff respecting the players and hammering the philosophy home. If one of our players exhibits bad sportsmanship, they are taken out of the competition and made to apologize. And trust me, it has happened. Our conference coaches are all pretty tight and have worked together for a number of years. We all share the same philosophy and have very, very little trouble with bad sportsmanship.”
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Sometimes, proper sportsmanship is simply woven into the fabric of a given sport.
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Forest Hills Eastern’s Brian Telzerow: “Sportsmanship in golf is the leader in integrity. There is no other sport that is as self-policing as is golf. The young men and women must play with honor and integrity, calling penalties on themselves with no referees present. There is no entitlement here. After we play, players shake hands with all other competitors in their groups. We also make it a practice to say thanks to the host team and to the host course personnel. This is intentional to instill gratitude for the privilege of playing this sport.”
Portland’s Jim Niebling: “Sportsmanship may very well be endangered, but not in high school tennis and certainly not on our teams in Portland. Just this season my No. 1 singles player was playing his arch rival in the league championship match. They had gone back and forth for years and both knew the implication of winning the match for the upcoming Regional and Final tournaments where they were surely going to have to play again. The loser would be seeded lower and would have decidedly more difficult draws. But when the other player, up a set, began to cramp in the second set, looking like he may not be able to finish the match, my player walked to his cooler, pulled out a Gatorade and handed it to his opponent.
“My player ended up losing that match, and he knew that was a possibility when he handed his opponent that Gatorade. If that’s not sportsmanship, I don’t know what is.”
Grand Haven’s Richardson: “Sportsmanship is promoted on our team because in wrestling we are only in charge of ourselves and our actions. It’s a sport that holds individuals accountable. It is difficult in our sport to place blame on others.”
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills/Grandville’s Brenda McDonald: “I always have my girls practice good sportsmanship. They always thank the home team or say, ‘Good job,’ to the opposing team. Many of the girls know the girls on other teams from previous gymnastics classes, so they enjoy seeing them again.”
High School Coaches Survey Identifies Parental Concerns
More than 3,000 high school coaches and athletic directors responded to a nationwide survey conducted by Growing Great Relationships (GGR) in cooperation with the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA). The purpose of the survey was to understand what coaches and athletic directors see as their greatest needs concerning coach-parent and coach-athlete communication and relationships. GGR and NHSCA will use the results to design training and programs that address the identified needs.
The first section of the survey addressed issues surrounding parents of athletes. The first question asked coaches about their greatest concerns dealing with parents. More than 50 percent indicated over-involved parents as their No. 1 concern.
The second question asked coaches what they think parents are most concerned about. Overwhelmingly, nearly 80 percent reported the child’s amount of playing time as their perception of a parent’s biggest issue.
The next question asked coaches who are the most difficult parents. Athlete “wanna bes” were identified by 55 percent of the respondents.
Coaches then were asked what parents should do to support them. More than 70 percent indicated keeping them informed of personal difficulties their child was having at home. This was followed by 63 percent asking parents not to use social media regarding the team, or to gossip about the team or the coach’s expertise. Athletic directors’ responses were similar but with different percentages. Nearly 73 percent ranked not using social media or gossip about the team as the most important.
The second section of the survey asked coaches about their greatest concerns regarding relationships with their athletes. The first question asked coaches about the challenges they face communicating with student-athletes. Nearly 58 percent indicated an athlete receiving contradictory advice from parents and other coaches/advisers. This was followed closely with 55 percent stating an athlete’s inflated belief about his or her ability. Athletic director responses were similar but with somewhat different percentages. The greatest response, 70 percent, was the athlete receiving contradictory advice.
The second question asked the coaches for other factors interfering with their relationships with their student-athletes. The factor indicated by 58 percent of coaches was an athlete over-burdened with competing school demands (clubs, academics). For this particular question, the response from the athletic directors closely matched the coaches.
Athletic directors were asked that in their role what are their greatest concerns dealing with parents and athletes. The most frequent answer by 76 percent of athletic directors was parents bypassing coaches to complain directly to them.
In addition, nearly 500 coaches and athletic directors wrote in additional concerns that they have in their ability to communicate and work with athletes and their parents.
– Richard & Jane: Relationship Coaching
Scholars and Athletes 2016: Class C, D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 1, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through the Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 27th year of sponsoring the award, will give $1,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees which can come from any classification.
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
Each of the scholarship recipients will be honored at halftime ceremonies of the Class C Boys Basketball Final game March 26 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Michael Klettner, Traverse City St. Francis; Spencer Graham Knizacky, Mason County Central, Daniel R. McMichael, Bronson; Alexa Ratkowski, Bronson; Mallory Raven, Morley Stanwood; and Hannah Steffke, Beal City.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are: Daniel Good, Owendale-Gagetown; Nathaniel Jones, Muskegon Catholic Central; Elizabeth Munoz, Leland; and Averi Rachelle Munro, Morrice.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Alexa Ratkowski, Bronson
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball and three of varsity basketball, and helped her volleyball team to the Class C championship in the fall. Set MHSAA record for career assists and also sits among all-time leaders for career aces. Earned all-state volleyball recognition all four seasons, making the first team as a senior, and earned all-league basketball honors as a junior. Served as volleyball captain three seasons and is her basketball team’s captain this winter. Serving fourth year as class treasurer and first as student council treasurer, and also serving as National Honor Society president. Participated in Make a Difference committee three years and 4-H all four of high school, earning multiple awards for crafts and showmanship. Volunteers as instructor and referee for youth volleyball and basketball programs, at her church and as a classroom mentor to middle and elementary school students. Will attend either Central Michigan University or Grand Valley State University and study elementary education.
Essay Quote: “Soon it became evident to me that what was important wasn’t how far we went in the tournament, but that fellow athletes, coaches and rival communities were coming together as one athletic unit to show genuine concern and support for our coach in the most significant battle of her life. That’s what true sportsmanship is all about!”
Mallory Raven, Morley Stanwood
Played two years of varsity volleyball, playing fourth of varsity basketball and will play her fourth of varsity softball in the spring. Helped volleyball team to three District championships, basketball team to one and softball team to two District titles. Earned all-state honorable mention in softball and all-conference honors in softball and basketball; served as captain of both basketball and softball teams. Has served as student council co-president, National Honor Society vice president and twice as class president. Also has served four years on the Mecosta County Youth Advisory Council and three as part of Project Outreach. Earned 33 college credits through dual enrollment at Ferris State University and Mid Michigan Community College. Volunteered as part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddy program and Salvation Army, and attended Michigan Youth Leadership and Women in Sports Leadership programs. Will attend University of Michigan and study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is the character that teaches us lessons when wins and losses fail to do so. It is universal and unbending, and it has made me a better person through the sports that I have played, the teammates I hold dear and the opponents that are not so unfamiliar to me anymore.”
Hannah Steffke, Beal City
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will participate in her fourth of varsity track and field. Helped her cross country team to MHSAA championships in 2010 and 2011 while setting the school individual race record, and was part of an MHSAA title-winning 3,200-meter relay team; she also holds school records as part of that relay and in the individual 3,200. Earned all-state honors in cross country all four seasons and track and field the last two, and academic all-state honors in cross country the last three seasons and track and field as a sophomore and junior. Served as cross country team captain the last two years. Serving fourth year on student council and as vice president, and also as National Honor Society service vice president. Participating in fourth years of concert, marching and jazz bands and as drum major for second year. Served in Youth in Government four years. Is undecided where she’ll attend college and on her planned course of study.
Essay Quote: “To me, the cliché saying, ‘I didn’t come here to make friends’ is completely backward. … In fact, those girls who are my fiercest competitors are often those who I have become the best friends with, and the meets where I’m racing my friends are always the most enjoyable.”
Michael Klettner, Traverse City St. Francis
Played four seasons of varsity soccer, leading the team in goals as a senior and making the all-state third team in Division 3. Also earned all-District honors three times. Participated as part of his school’s cross country ski team four seasons and earned awards as its “outstanding skier” and for highest grade-point average as a junior. Served as boys soccer team and cross country ski team captain the last two seasons. Participating in fourth year as part of school’s marching and concert bands and also as part of its general and ensemble choirs. Has earned superior ratings at the band state festival and excellent ratings for solo and ensemble choir. Participated in Boy Scouts three years of high school, attaining Eagle Scout as a freshman, and is in his second year of National Honor Society serving as an officer this school year. Will attend University of Michigan and study computer science engineering.
Essay Quote: “Throughout my high school career, among the multiple soccer games and ski races, it never fails to amaze me how common sportsmanship is, especially during the most heated battles between rival schools. Athletics is just a game, but with sportsmanship, it has the ability to be so much more.”
Spencer Graham Knizacky, Mason County Central
Played three seasons of varsity football, is competing in fourth season of varsity wrestling and will play his fourth season of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-conference honors in football and baseball and is a two-time MHSAA Finals placer in wrestling. Served or is serving as captain of all three of his high school teams. Earned academic all-state in wrestling and all-District in both football and baseball. Volunteered as a member of both the baseball and wrestling programs in local construction and yard work projects. Also volunteers as part of his local Pop Warner league, youth wrestling program and as an athletic concessions worker, and is in third year as part of National Honor Society. Will attend Ferris State University and study mechanical engineering technology.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship isn’t all about being respectful and playing fair during the game. How a player reacts after a game is important too. Whining after a loss is wrong, just like bragging after a win. You need to be able to win and stay humble, or lose with grace. Even in adulthood, you need to be able to move on after something goes wrong, or stay modest after you’ve made a huge accomplishment.”
Daniel R. McMichael, Bronson
Played four seasons of varsity football and basketball and will play his fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-conference recognition in baseball and football and served as team captain for both teams. Participating in National Honor Society for second year and is vice president this school year, and also is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. Participating in second year of local Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter and as vice president this school year. Serving in his fourth year of student government and currently as secretary, and has been a class officer all four years of high school and currently is vice president. Serves as a student advisor for Bronson’s Education Academy Advisory Committee and has volunteered as part of a local kids day and rocket football programs. Will attend Adrian College and study secondary education.
Essay Quote: “Knowing that they were there watching my every move made me realize that there are always opportunities to show the next generation of athletes the right way to act both on and off the field. … I know that I have tried to pass along to those that follow behind me a lesson of good sportsmanship, leadership and a good worth ethic.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Molly Lynch, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart; Kelsey Engstrom, Charlevoix; Ellen Doyle, Gobles; Hanna Angst, Laingsburg; Julia Angst, Laingsburg; Bailee Kimbel, Manton; Jordyn Sanders, Mason County Central; Shelby Vincke, New Lothrop; and Christiana M. Jones, White Cloud.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Joseph Comstock, Addison; Quentin E. Millette, Ann Arbor Greenhills; Sawyer Cuthrell, Cass City; Anthony Hoholik, Manistique; Cameron Brayman, Montague; Broc Roberts, Petersburg-Summerfield; Trenden Peacock, Sand Creek; Dylan Marshall, St Ignace; and Bowman Seabrook, White Cloud.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Elizabeth Munoz, Leland
Playing her fourth season of varsity basketball and will play her fourth season of varsity soccer this spring. Scored her 1,000th career point in basketball as a junior and holds the MHSAA single-season girls soccer record with 84 points; she also ranks second for single-season goals with 64 she scored as a sophomore. Earned all-state honors in both sports, making the first team in soccer twice and basketball last season. Served as basketball captain last season and again this winter, and will serve as soccer captain this spring. Serving as class president for fourth year and participating in third year of National Honor Society and fourth year of Natural Helpers. Participating in school choir for first time and also assists in her family’s business. Will attend Kalamazoo College and study biology with a focus on pre-medicine.
Essay Quote: “Though many high schoolers may not know it, the ‘big kids’ are role models for the elementary students, especially at a small school. They quickly pick up on reactions to certain situations. As they grow, children slowly mold into who they see their role models to be based on what they have seen watching them play their favorite sports.”
Averi Rachelle Munro, Morrice
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball and basketball and will play her fourth of varsity softball in the spring. Owns Morrice school records for career home runs, career runs batted in and career hits and has played on four District championship teams – one in volleyball, two in softball and one in basketball. Earned all-state recognition in softball twice, once at catcher and once at shortstop; all-state honorable mention in basketball and all-league honors in volleyball. Participated in volunteer projects as part of her school’s National Honor Society chapter and softball program, and also organized fundraisers to assist school’s Field of Dreams committee and a teacher receiving chemotherapy. Served as class president last five years and as her student council’s president. Will attend Alma College and study physics.
Essay Quote: “I work very hard on both the field and the courts, not just playing my game, but also by always doing my best to set an example of true sportsmanship. By doing this I honor myself, my team, my coach, my school and my family. As I have learned from high school sports, my behavior is a direct reflection of me and, as my grandfather taught me, there is no looking back and no changing what has been done.”
Daniel Good, Owendale-Gagetown
Played four seasons of varsity football, three of basketball and will play fourth season of varsity baseball and second of varsity golf this spring. Helped football team to undefeated regular season in the fall and earned all-league honors in that sport the last two seasons; also earned all-league recognition in baseball and golf and served as captain of the basketball and football teams. Serving in student government for fourth year, this year as vice-president after two as class president. Playing in school band for fourth year and third year as part of the Lions of Michigan All State Band. Participating in National Honor Society for third year and on yearbook staff for second. Will attend Michigan State University and study mechanical engineering.
Essay Quote: “One of the schools in our league is the Flint-located Michigan School for the Deaf. The players and the coaches on my school’s team look at our games with MSD as a great opportunity for both teams to have fun playing football and to learn about each other. … My connection with MSD has helped shape me into a hard-working, more understanding athlete and student. From this unique experience in sportsmanship, I’ve learned amazing things from diverse people and their lives.”
Nathaniel Jones, Muskegon Catholic Central
Played four seasons of varsity football, three of varsity basketball, will play his third of varsity baseball this spring and also swam as a freshman and sophomore. Played on four MHSAA championship teams, three for football and one for baseball, and all three of his teams won league titles in 2014-15. Earned all-state honors in football in the fall and honorable mention as a junior, and helped all four of his high school teams to academic all-state honors. Served as football captain in the fall and basketball captain this winter. Participating in student government and National Honor Society for third year each and is ranked number one academically in his class. Playing fourth year with school’s jazz/symphonic band and has volunteered as part of Muskegon Public Schools' summer school program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the American Red Cross. Received the Kettering University Science and Technology Award and Rotary Life Leadership Award. Will attend Hillsdale College and study aerospace engineering and physics.
Essay Quote: “As athletes, we strive to better ourselves each day with self-discipline, hard work, passion and unwavering effort. Educational athletics provide the foreground for a mutual appreciation for these values between athletes, coaches and fans. Through healthy competition, we bring out the best in each other, thus propelling each other to grow as athletes and individuals.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Lindsay Lampman, Bellaire; Chloe Niepoth, Bellaire; Maria Stankewicz, Crystal Falls Forest Park; Abby Sutherland, Lake Linden-Hubbell; Natalie Frances Beaulieu, Newberry; and Paige Blake, Ontonagon.
Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Garrett Kraatz, Allen Park Inter-City Baptist; Joshua Robert Riggs, Brethren; Matthew Gratowski, DeTour; Gregory Scott Seppanen, Eben Junction Superior Central; Jayvin Wolfe, Fulton-Middleton; and Benjamin Turner, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian.
The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 9, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 16.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why it is known as Michigan’s Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services—life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more—protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,400 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.