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Possible Action Steps for School Site Principals |
1. |
Make it clear that you expect all coaches and athletic
staff to promote sportsmanship and foster good character by Teaching,
Enforcing, Advocating and Modeling the six pillars of character. |
2. |
Think about requiring pre-season meetings of parents,
coaches and players wherein your expectations are spelled out, codes of
conduct are discussed and parents are given direction on their role in
relation to the coach and players. Also include an emphasis on the role
athletics can play in the full education of students and in developing
character. |
3. |
Ensure that the athletic program enhances the academic,
emotional, social, physical and ethical development of the student-athletes. |
4. |
Demand scrupulous integrity of all coaches and athletic
staff. Observe and enforce the spirit as well as the letter of the
rules. |
5. |
Communicate to all stakeholders that athletic participation
is a privilege, not a right. To earn that privilege, student-athletes must
abide by the rules and conduct themselves, on and off the field, as role
models who exemplify good character. |
6. |
Enforce with coaches, athletes, parents and spectators the
district-approved codes of conduct. If your district hasn't adopted codes,
urge their adoption. Look at ways to honor coaches, athletes and others who
are good examples for all and exemplify the best in following those
codes. |
7. |
Emphasize in all communications directed to
student-athletes and parents the importance of character, ethics and
sportsmanship. |
8. |
Ensure the "message" is communicated to all stakeholders is
that the first priority of the student-athletes is a serious commitment to
getting the best education possible, succeeding in the classroom and
developing the academic skills and character to succeed. |
9. |
Make it clear that the desire to achieve sport performance
goals and the pressure to win is not placed above education, character
development, academic, social, emotional, physical and ethical well-being of
the student-athlete. No one should compromise the character development and
ethical well being of the student-athletes in order to win. |
10. |
Ensure that athletic coaches, whether paid or voluntary,
are competent to coach. These minimum competencies must include basic
knowledge of 1) the character-building aspects of sports, including
techniques and methods of teaching and reinforcing the core values
comprising sportsmanship and good character; 2) the physical capacities and
limitations of the age group coached, as well as first aid; and 3) coaching
principles related to educational philosophy, adolescent psychology,
nutrition, risk management and the rules and strategies of the sport. |
11. |
Make it clear that coaches and staff must model respectful
behavior and demand of that their athletes refrain from disrespectful
conduct, including verbal abuse of opponents and officials, profane and
belligerent trash-talking, taunting and inappropriate celebrations. |
12. |
Ensure that coaches understand that the profession of
coaching is a profession of teaching. Through words and example, coaches
must strive to build character of their athletes by teaching them to be
trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring and good citizens. |
13. |
Ensure that the athletic program enhances the academic,
emotional, social, physical and ethical development of the student-athletes. |
